BeatForge vs DrumComputer

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.

DrumComputer is a synthetic drum instrument that combines synthesis, modulation, sequencing, randomizers, and sample import. Its eight sound engines each layer a resonator, a wavetable or analogue oscillator, and a resynth or sampler. The 16-step sequencer includes probability, rolls, step delay, swing, humanize, pattern generation, and remixing or fills. Effects include a filter, compressor, overdrive, and room and hall send reverbs. The desktop version supports MIDI file drag and drop plus multiple audio and MIDI outputs. It runs on macOS 10.13 or later and Windows 7 or later, with 64-bit versions for Intel and Apple Silicon. The iPad version requires iPadOS 17.6 or later and supports standalone and AUv3 operation, MIDI export, Ableton Link, MIDI Learn, host automation, and preset iCloud sync. DrumComputer costs $129, paid once as a download. A demo is available, but restrictions include a timeout after 30 minutes / 30 days and disabled saving and export. A Claude Desktop extension can create sounds from text prompts and requires the full version.