Sampleson Drumbada
Computer Music|August 2024
IF you're searching for more dynamic and rhythmically complex drums, Drumbada can help you change up the pace
Sonia Tsesarsky
Sampleson Drumbada

A compelling software instrument is not just a high-quality sound module, but also an active aid in the production process. The team at Sampleson know this all too well, its latest release, Drumbada, offers a highly intuitive way of understanding and designing polyrhythms.

Today's drum production can often be focused too heavily on sound design at the expense of rhythm, with an emphasis on layering samples to create a satisfying sound, or selecting the perfect sample for the job. And while it can be tempting to reach for sample packs with 100 different snares, by the time you've assembled the body, tail, 'thwack' and 'crunch', you can lose sight of the overall beat - potentially creating something that sounds both laboured and rhythmically barren.

Bombo-tastic

Sampleson's third venture into percussion plugins, Drumbada is a polyrhythmic percussion engine, which features just one drum, deeply sampled - the South America bombo legüero bass drum. This simple focus, as well as Drumbada's straightforward interface, allows its user to refocus on rhythm as a basis for creative drum production rather than have them wading through samples.

This story is from the August 2024 edition of Computer Music.

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This story is from the August 2024 edition of Computer Music.

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