After a period of uncertainty following changes in ownership, BFD, the renowned drum sample plugin, has emerged with a significant update, version 3.5, under the stewardship of inMusic. This release marks a determined effort to bring BFD back into contention with industry giants like Superior Drummer and Addictive Drums.
BFD 3.5
BFD, developed initially by FXpansion, faced a transition period after its acquisition by ROLI and subsequent transfer to inMusic. While always a favorite among users, the plugin had fallen behind in user interface and modern features.
InMusic’s acquisition signaled a commitment to revitalizing the brand, mainly to complement their Alesis e-drum products. As a guitarist this drum software is perfect for helping you to create new songs and track ideas.
Dark Mode & More
Version 3.5 addresses key criticisms, most notably with a fully scalable user interface and a dark mode, making it far more accessible on contemporary high-resolution displays.
The workflow has also been streamlined for improved intuitiveness.
Key Features and Improvements
- Extensive Drum Library: 51 core kits provide a rich foundation for diverse musical styles.
- Mix-Ready Presets: 60 expertly crafted BFD kits, with optimized parameters, articulations, and effects, deliver instant professional sound.
- Deep Drum Editing: Fine-tune every aspect of your drum sound with the Drum Editor’s Tech, Model, and Mic sections, including damping, tuning, custom mic perspectives, and per-drum pitch velocity adjustments.
- Inspiring Groove Palettes: 82 ready-to-play Groove Palettes and numerous individual grooves in the Groove Editor add instant realism and feel to your tracks.
- Comprehensive Effects Suite: 48 advanced audio effects, including 13 AIR Music Tech plugins, can be used as track inserts or sends with ample AUX routing.
- AIR Music Tech Effects: Includes AIR Compressor, Lo-Fi (Decimator), Distortion, Dyn3 Compressor, Economy Reverb, Expander, Maximizer, Non-Linear Reverb, Saturation Filter, Spring Reverb, Stereo Reverb, Transient, and Tube Drive.
- Enhanced Mic Control: The new “Mics” control in the Drum Editor offers precise per-channel multi-mic level and individual mic attenuation adjustments.
- Modernized User Interface: Revamped GUI with new icons, colors, and fonts for improved clarity and workflow.
- Native Apple Silicon Support: AAX compatibility ensures optimal performance on Apple Silicon Macs.
- Cross-Platform VST3 Compatibility: Seamless integration with modern digital audio workstations across various operating systems.
Introductory Pricing Deal
While some reviewers note that BFD 3.5 might not match the visual splendor of competitors like Superior Drummer, its enhanced tweakability and robust feature set make it a strong contender.
BFD 3.5 is available at an introductory price of £50 GBP/€60 EUR/$53 USD until April 3rd, 2025. This effectively serves as an upgrade offer, as no specific upgrade prices exist.
Additionally, expansion packs are currently on sale, with some discounted by up to 50%.
Guitar Bomb Verdict
This update represents a significant step forward for BFD, signaling inMusic’s commitment to restoring the plugin’s position in the competitive drum software market.
For users seeking a highly customizable and versatile drum plugin, BFD 3.5 is a compelling option. A great plugin for any musician who wants high-quality drum sounds and lots of control over them.
More Information
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