OvDrum: Analog Percussion and Synthesis in Your DAW
OvDrum is not just another drum plugin. It’s a full-fledged analog percussion module, created based on additive synthesis, embodying the many years of experience of the developer Andrew Ovdiel in the field of virtual instruments. This VSTi synthesizer is capable of imitating the sound of almost any drum or percussion instrument, approaching the characteristic electronic features of analog synthesizers.
Due to its simple, but effective electronic circuit and intuitive controls, OvDrum contains all the basic building blocks needed to create a wide range of percussion sounds. From deep kicks and toms to snappy snares and rimshots, ringing hi-hats and crashes, and even unique sounds like cowbells and claps – OvDrum covers the entire palette of modern beats.
Heart of Synthesis: Oscillators and Filters
At the heart of OvDrum are two identical oscillators. Each of them has an independent setup and offers a set of classic waveforms: sine, sawtooth, square, ramp, as well as white and pink noise. These are the fundamental elements that allow you to shape the timbre and character of the sound from the very beginning.
Next, the signal goes to two filters that mimic the legendary Moog synthesizer filters. These filters are key to giving sounds analog warmth, resonance, and the ability to dynamically change their frequency response, creating movement and expressiveness.
Sound Shaping with Envelopes
For maximum flexibility in shaping percussion sounds, OvDrum is equipped with three independent envelopes. They allow you to control:
- Amplitude: for precise adjustment of the attack, decay, sustain, and release of the sound’s volume, which is critical for percussion.
- Filtering: for dynamically changing the cutoff frequency or resonance of the filters, adding “life” and expression to the sound.
- Tonality: for modulating the pitch of the sound, which allows you to create pitch bends, hits with different pitches, or imitate the fall/rise of tone.
These three envelopes, working together with oscillators and filters, open up endless possibilities for creating unique percussion sounds, from realistic imitations to completely new, experimental timbres.
More Than Just Sound: Visual Feedback and Functionality
In addition to the basic synthesis elements, OvDrum offers several useful visual indicators that make working with sound easier:
- VU Meter: for monitoring the output signal level.
- Oscilloscope: for visualizing the waveform in real time.
- Freq Meter: for displaying the frequency response of the sound.
- Key press indicators: visual confirmation of MIDI input.
Such visual feedback helps to better understand how the sound changes when manipulating parameters.
Legacy of Rhythm Machines and Modern Genres
One of OvDrum’s impressive capabilities is its ability to reproduce some samples and patches of classic 80s and 90s rhythm machines, such as the Roland TR or Linn LM. This makes it a great tool for creating music in a retro style, as well as for adding a vintage character to modern tracks.
OvDrum is perfect for creating compositions in the genres of EuroDisco, EuroDance, Electro, Hip-Hop, as well as more experimental directions, such as IDM or Glitch. Its flexibility allows you to easily integrate it into the most diverse musical contexts.
Ready-to-Use Patches and Additional Settings
The plugin comes with 33 ready-made patches covering the most popular synthesizer drum sounds: BD (Bass Drum), SD (Snare Drum), HC (Hand Clap), TT (TomTom), HH (Hi-Hat), CY (Cymbal), CB (Cow Bell). These presets are a great starting point for experiments or can be used directly in your projects.
OvDrum works on MIDI channel 10 (GM Drums) by default. It supports up to 8-voice polyphony, although monophonic mode is enabled initially. Monophonic mode can be very useful for imitating the specifics of analog drum machines or for creating realistic sounds with a long “tail”, such as for toms or cymbals. You can easily switch this mode if needed.
Overall, OvDrum is a powerful and versatile tool for creating percussion using analog synthesis. It combines classic sound creation principles with modern functionality, offering musicians and producers a rich palette of drum sounds for a wide variety of musical styles.
