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DrumSpillage
Reviewed By gareth stephens [all]
September 28th, 2010
Version reviewed: 1.1 on Mac
Intro
I pre ordered this plugin and have been using it regularly ever since. I don't buy everything that comes out and I prefer to select tools that I can add into my setup to expand my sound options so when I purchased DrumSpillage I wasn't really attempting to replace anything I already owned.
Overview
DrumSpillage is a drum synthesizer which means there are no samples at all in the plugin. DrumSpillage gives you 16 drum 'pads' where each pad can be assigned to a different drum 'model'.
There are 11 models available in the current version: BassDrum, SynthClap, WoodenDrum, NoiseDrum, Clave, HandBell, Membrane, ElectroBassDrum, ElectroSnare, ElectroHiHat and ElectroCymbal.
You also get a distortion unit with six different algorithms ranging from bit crunching to more analog style clipping and a multi mode resonant filter on each pad. There's no reverb, dynamics or EQ processing on board but you get 9 outputs so you can easily route sounds to your favourite plugin or fx unit.
First impressions
I spent the first few hours exploring my new drum synth instrument which for me was very easy to get into having spent a few months working with the freeware MiniSpillage plugin. I was up and running in no time and barely had to reference the manual.
I usually start a track with the drums first. Sometimes just a really basic rhythm then I'll add other instruments around that and build up the rhythm track.
The first thing I noticed with DrumSpillage was how quickly I was able to come up with original kits. Usually I'll start with a stock sample bank or something I know just to get into things before I lose inspiration. With DrumSpillage I take the same approach but within a few minutes I can really tweak the drums into something new and unique or completely change the character of the rhythm with a few clicks here and there mid track. No sifting through piles of sample banks.
Sound Quality
The sound quality is excellent. I found the bass drums offer enough clean bass depth to really drive a track which lets face it isn't always the case with software.
The drum sounds DrumSpillage produces can really cut through a mix or sit in the background equally well which is important for me. You get full control over envelope dynamics via a dedicated ADSR. The sounds also respond well to external EQ and reverb without losing their character.
Editing Facilities
For a drum synth you get a decent amount of editing potential with 2 LFOs per pad. The distortion and filter units can really help here too.
Each model can be edited to sound like something completely different so anyone into creative percussion/synthesis or electronic drums will enjoy this plugin I think. I find myself using the LFOs more and more as I continue learning this plugin and the ability to automate almost anything is fantastic.
Conclusion
I'd like to see more models and definitely more presets and maybe I forgot to mention the plugin is Mac Only so far.
Saying that I can certainly recommend this plugin for anyone interested in electronic sounding percussion tracks e.g. electro, glitch, house, techno, dubstep, IDM, d&b, grime etc. But I also think the quality and flexibility is high enough to be used in other less obvious genres and studio environments and it can hold it's own when used alongside analog and hardware kit.
I paid £75 for my copy and feel it is worth every penny. I love it.Read Review
I pre ordered this plugin and have been using it regularly ever since. I don't buy everything that comes out and I prefer to select tools that I can add into my setup to expand my sound options so when I purchased DrumSpillage I wasn't really attempting to replace anything I already owned.
Overview
DrumSpillage is a drum synthesizer which means there are no samples at all in the plugin. DrumSpillage gives you 16 drum 'pads' where each pad can be assigned to a different drum 'model'.
There are 11 models available in the current version: BassDrum, SynthClap, WoodenDrum, NoiseDrum, Clave, HandBell, Membrane, ElectroBassDrum, ElectroSnare, ElectroHiHat and ElectroCymbal.
You also get a distortion unit with six different algorithms ranging from bit crunching to more analog style clipping and a multi mode resonant filter on each pad. There's no reverb, dynamics or EQ processing on board but you get 9 outputs so you can easily route sounds to your favourite plugin or fx unit.
First impressions
I spent the first few hours exploring my new drum synth instrument which for me was very easy to get into having spent a few months working with the freeware MiniSpillage plugin. I was up and running in no time and barely had to reference the manual.
I usually start a track with the drums first. Sometimes just a really basic rhythm then I'll add other instruments around that and build up the rhythm track.
The first thing I noticed with DrumSpillage was how quickly I was able to come up with original kits. Usually I'll start with a stock sample bank or something I know just to get into things before I lose inspiration. With DrumSpillage I take the same approach but within a few minutes I can really tweak the drums into something new and unique or completely change the character of the rhythm with a few clicks here and there mid track. No sifting through piles of sample banks.
Sound Quality
The sound quality is excellent. I found the bass drums offer enough clean bass depth to really drive a track which lets face it isn't always the case with software.
The drum sounds DrumSpillage produces can really cut through a mix or sit in the background equally well which is important for me. You get full control over envelope dynamics via a dedicated ADSR. The sounds also respond well to external EQ and reverb without losing their character.
Editing Facilities
For a drum synth you get a decent amount of editing potential with 2 LFOs per pad. The distortion and filter units can really help here too.
Each model can be edited to sound like something completely different so anyone into creative percussion/synthesis or electronic drums will enjoy this plugin I think. I find myself using the LFOs more and more as I continue learning this plugin and the ability to automate almost anything is fantastic.
Conclusion
I'd like to see more models and definitely more presets and maybe I forgot to mention the plugin is Mac Only so far.
Saying that I can certainly recommend this plugin for anyone interested in electronic sounding percussion tracks e.g. electro, glitch, house, techno, dubstep, IDM, d&b, grime etc. But I also think the quality and flexibility is high enough to be used in other less obvious genres and studio environments and it can hold it's own when used alongside analog and hardware kit.
I paid £75 for my copy and feel it is worth every penny. I love it.Read Review
