BFD Vintage Recording Techniques Ludwig Maple drum preset pack artwork for BFD3

BFD Vintage Recording Techniques: Ludwig Maple Drum Expansion for BFD3

Rated 4.7/5 on Plugin Boutique (109 ratings)

BFD Vintage Recording Techniques is an expansion pack for BFD3 that captures a Ludwig Maple drum kit using five vintage microphone techniques. Its 29 microphone channels give producers a wide range of mixing options.

REQUIRESBFDHost synth sold separately

All presets for BFD

AVAILABLE ATPlugin Boutique

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01Overview

BFD Vintage Recording Techniques is a drum expansion built around a Ludwig Maple kit, sampled for BFD3. Rather than a single mic setup, the pack combines several classic approaches, including ORTF, spaced pair, Blumlein and Glyn Johns, each captured as a separate channel set. The developer says the goal is a familiar, authentic vintage sound that still works in modern productions. The pack includes a selection of presets to help you start quickly.

Best for

Vintage rock drums
Modern pop drum tones
Funk and blues kits
Country drum recording
Stereo drum overheads

Developer: BFD
Category: Expansion Packs
Requires: BFD
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

Ludwig Maple drum kit sampled for BFD3
29 microphone channels for detailed mixing
Five vintage recording techniques, blendable in any combination
Real drum bleed and resonance between the shells
Each kit piece played with sticks, natural version included
Direct mics on all kit pieces for flexible control
Selection of presets for quick starting points

03In depth

Vintage Drum Sound and Mic Techniques

BFD says its engineers recorded the kit with several well-known drum miking methods. An ORTF setup uses two AKG C451B microphones for a wide stereo image with strong mono detail. A spaced pair uses two AKG C414 XLS large-diaphragm condensers, a technique the developer notes has appeared on many rock records. A Blumlein configuration uses two ribbon microphones for a smooth stereo image and ambience. The Glyn Johns approach uses two Neumann TLM103 overheads combined with the snare and kick direct channels.

Because each technique is a separate set of channels, you can blend them to shape the room sound, stereo width and attack of the kit.

Mixing Channels and Kit Detail

The expansion provides 29 microphone channels. Direct microphones sit on every kit piece, and the developer states that the recording includes real drum bleed and resonance between the shells. Each piece was played with sticks and is presented in a natural version.

This channel count gives you control over how much of each drum you hear in the mix, from tight direct sound to the blended character of the room. The included presets offer a starting point before you adjust individual channels.

04Specs