0x808 vs BeatForge
0x808
github.comBeatForge
beatforge.nlSide by side
| Figure | 0x808 | BeatForge |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | — |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 0 | 1 |
| Spec score · Drum Machine Software | 7.6 (#17) | 8.2 (#6) |
| Platforms | The maker lists standalone builds for Windows, macOS, and Linux, with a GTK 4.0 native frontend for Linux. | BeatForge is available as a standalone app and plugins for macOS and Windows; listed plugin formats include VST3, AU, AAX and CLAP. |
| Product | 0x808 is a standalone drum machine, step sequencer, and synthesizer, also available as VST3 and CLAP plugins. | BeatForge is a drum machine, step sequencer and REX player plugin. |
Plans
In their own words
0x808
0x808 is a drum machine, step sequencer, and synthesizer for Linux, macOS, and Windows. It can run as a standalone workstation or as VST3 and CLAP plugins, and the project also provides terminal and plugin frontends. The drum grid has 16 tracks with per-step velocity and pitch controls, plus mute and solo. Patterns can be chained in song or perform mode. Sound options include subtractive, four-operator FM, and wavetable synthesis with built-in presets. The sample browser loads WAV, MP3, and FLAC files, and the project includes 72 CC0 drum samples. Effects include filter, delay, reverb, overdrive, fuzz, and chorus, with per-track and master-bus options. Offline export supports WAV at 16-, 24-, or 32-bit and MP3 at 128–320k; MP3 export requires an optional build setting. USB MIDI works on the listed desktop platforms, but Bluetooth MIDI is not directly supported. The project is free and open source under an MIT license. Downloads include Windows installers and portable ZIPs, Linux tarballs and AppImages, and macOS DMGs and ZIPs. The README says dependencies are vendored and there are no external runtime dependencies.
BeatForge
BeatForge is a drum machine, step sequencer, and REX player plugin for macOS and Windows. Its drum section models TR-606, TR-808, and TR-909 machines, while more than 40 sound engines generate voices on demand instead of relying on a sample library. Sequencing includes per-step parameter locks, 32 edit groups per track, polymeter, swing, Euclidean fills, and a 16-pattern song mode. Sound tools include a modeled 1176 compressor, tube saturation, EQ, delay, per-track plate reverb, and drawable LFOs. The slicer accepts WAV, AIFF, FLAC, MP3, and OGG files, and native.rx2 files are supported. Tracks provide MIDI input and output, every control supports MIDI learning, and separate output pairs can be used for tracks or slices. Donk FM imports Yamaha.syx banks. The plugin integrates Beat This! for sample analysis. A €39 one-time perpetual licence includes free updates, with a 14-day full trial and no payment card.