BeatForge vs Hydrogen

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.

Hydrogen is a drum sequencer and sample-based synthesizer for pattern-based rhythm programming, songwriting, or use with an external MIDI keyboard or sequencer. Its sequencer supports unlimited patterns that can be chained into songs. The pattern editor adjusts per-note properties such as velocity and pan, and humanization functions cover velocity, timing, pitch, and swing. Hydrogen imports WAV, AU, AIFF, and FLAC samples and provides downloadable drumkits through a sound library manager. It supports MIDI and OSC automation, time-stretching, and pitch shifting. Audio driver support includes JACK, ALSA, PortAudio, and OSS; exports include WAV, AIFF, FLAC, OGG, MIDI, and LilyPond. Hydrogen is free under GPLv2+ and runs on Linux, Windows, and macOS. Listed Windows downloads support Vista and later, while the current macOS release supports 10.14 and later. The project describes use for home practice, studio work, and live performance. Its FAQ says there are no current plans for an LV2 plugin version.