Synthwave Drums V2 by BeatSkillz drum plugin interface

Synthwave Drums V2: Drum Kit Library and Drum Machine Plugin by BeatSkillz

Rated 4.3/5 on Plugin Boutique (264 ratings)

Synthwave Drums V2 is a drum plugin from BeatSkillz with a library of over 1300 drum sounds, 73 multi-drum kits and more than 100 presets, aimed at synthwave, vaporwave, retro and nu-disco styles.

VST3AUAAXWindowsmacOS64-bit
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01Overview

Synthwave Drums V2 is built around a retro drum machine approach. Its library is organized into full drum kits and into single hits such as kicks, snares and hi-hats, so you can browse by kit or build a pattern from individual sounds. The developer says the presets are already processed and ready to use in a track. A VCA-style compressor and a three-band equalizer are included, and each pad can be adjusted for volume, pitch, pan and release.

Best for

  • Synthwave drum patterns
  • Retro drum machine sounds
  • Nu-disco and boogie beats
  • Vaporwave production
  • Custom sample kits
  • Multi-out drum mixing
Developer
BeatSkillz
Store
Plugin Boutique
02Key features

What you get

  • Over 1300 drum sounds organized into browsable presets
  • 73 multi-drum kits and over 100 presets
  • Drag and drop your own samples onto 12 pads
  • Per-pad volume, pitch, pan and release controls
  • Eight multi-outs for separate pad routing
  • Built-in VCA-style compressor and three-band EQ
  • Pads reassignable to any MIDI key
  • Library relocate function for moving sample content
  • Save and edit your own kits
03In depth

Sound Library and Kit Organization

The library contains more than 1300 drum sounds grouped into 73 multi-drum kits and over 100 presets. Kits give you a complete starting point for a groove, while single-category hits let you assemble your own patterns from kicks, snares, hats and other percussion.

The kits cover styles from synthwave, vaporwave, retro, 80s, nu-disco and boogie, according to the developer. That makes the library a practical fit for producers working in those genres or borrowing their drum sounds for other projects.

Workflow, Pad Controls and Custom Samples

You can drag and drop your own samples onto any of the 12 pads, and save your own kits for later sessions. Each pad has its own volume, pitch, pan and release controls, and the plugin includes eight multi-outs so individual pads can be routed separately in your host.

Pads can be reassigned to any MIDI key, and solo and mute controls are available per pad. A library relocate function lets you move sample content to another drive in one step without re-copying your configurations.

04Specs

Will it run?

Formats, systems and requirements as listed by Plugin Boutique. Missing details are left out, not guessed.

DeveloperBeatSkillz
TypePlugin
CategoryVirtual Instruments
FormatsVST3, AU, AAX
Operating systemsWindows, macOS
Architecture64-bit
05Upgrades

Upgrade and crossgrade options

06FAQ

Questions, answered

What formats and operating systems does Synthwave Drums V2 support?

Synthwave Drums V2 is available in VST3, AU and AAX formats, and it runs on Windows and macOS as a 64-bit plugin. The developer lists Windows 10 or later and OS X Mojave or later as system requirements.

Can I use my own samples with Synthwave Drums V2?

Yes. You can drag and drop your own samples onto any of the 12 pads, and save the resulting kits for later use.

What do I need to use Synthwave Drums V2?

Synthwave Drums V2 needs a 64-bit host that supports VST3, AU or AAX, depending on your system. It runs as a plugin inside that host.

Does it include effects for processing the drums?

Yes. A VCA-style compressor and a three-band equalizer are included, and each pad offers its own volume, pitch, pan and release controls.

08Developer

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