SoFtDrum SF: A Soundfont-Based Drum Sampler
Discover SoFtDrum SF – a unique VST instrument that rethinks the way you work with drum samples, focusing on the flexibility and convenience of the Soundfont format. If you’re looking for a tool that allows you to easily organize your drum library, quickly create custom sound sets, and have full control over dynamics, SoFtDrum SF deserves your attention. Developed by Fretted Synth, this plugin offers a fresh perspective on drum sampling.
Key Features and Benefits
The heart of SoFtDrum SF is its ability to use Soundfont (SF2) files as a sample source. This opens up wide possibilities for musicians and sound engineers:
- Using Soundfonts: Load ready-made drum kits in SF2 format or create your own. The Soundfont format is extremely flexible and allows for layering multi-sampled sounds into a single file.
- Sampling Flexibility: Support for samples with different velocities (velocity split) allows you to achieve maximum realism and dynamic performance, mimicking the behavior of acoustic drums at different strike strengths.
- Easy Soundfont Creation and Editing: Even with free or shareware software, you can quickly create or modify your own Soundfont files for SoFtDrum SF. It only takes a few minutes.
- Library Organization: Thanks to packing multi-layered samples into a single Soundfont file, the process of loading and maintaining a large library of drum sounds is greatly simplified.
Unique Polyphony System
One of the key features of SoFtDrum SF that distinguishes it from many other drum plugins is the implementation of polyphony. Instead of global polyphony for the entire instrument, each individual “pad” (or drum element) has its own independent polyphony.
What does this mean in practice? It means that the sustain of one sound (for example, a crash cymbal) will never be cut off because another sound (for example, a quick roll on the toms) has exceeded the overall polyphony limit. Each sound “takes care” of its own polyphony.
This approach has its advantages, especially for complex parts with long or rapidly repeated sounds. However, it’s worth considering that in the SoFtDrum Ult version with support for 16 pads, with a maximum polyphony of each pad (up to 12 voices), the total number of simultaneously played voices can reach 192. This can create a significant load on your computer’s processor, so choose the version and polyphony settings according to your system’s capabilities.
Different Versions for Your Needs
The SoFtDrum SF package includes three different versions of the plugin: SoFtDrumUlt, SoFtDrumLt, and SoFtDrum. The main difference between them lies in the implementation and limitations of polyphony, allowing you to choose the option that best suits your musical tasks and technical capabilities.
Conclusion
SoFtDrum SF is a powerful and flexible drum sampler that offers a unique approach to working with sounds through the Soundfont format and independent pad polyphony. It’s ideal for musicians and producers who value the ability to fine-tune, easily create custom sound sets, and have full control over performance dynamics. Try SoFtDrum SF and expand your possibilities in creating rhythmic parts.
