The Best FREE Plugin For Drums

What’s up everyone, Zach with another blog post! Today, I’m basically going to be gushing and raving about one of my favorite free plugins MT Power Drums by Manda Audio! I did a video of my top 5 favorites on the channel and of course, this made the list. Nothing here is sponsored but I did include a link to download MT Power Drums!

The Best Free Plugin for Drums: Manda Audio MT PowerDrum 2

Are you searching for the best free plugin for drums that sounds amazing and is easy to use? Look no further than the Manda Audio MT PowerDrum 2 plugin. Whether you’re producing a professional track or laying down a demo at home, this plugin delivers top-notch drum sounds without costing you a dime. In this blog post, we’ll explore why MT PowerDrum 2 is widely considered the best free plugin for drums, how it works, and why it’s a must-have for your music production toolkit.

What is Manda Audio MT PowerDrum 2?

If you haven’t heard of it before, the Manda Audio MT PowerDrum 2 plugin is a drum sampler designed for musicians and producers of all levels. It’s a VST/AU plugin that works within most major digital audio workstations (DAWs), such as Ableton, REAPER, FL Studio, and Logic Pro. (Need help picking a DAW? Check this link to go over a couple of the industry favorites) While there are plenty of drum plugins out there, what makes MT PowerDrum 2 stand out is its superb sound quality, ease of use, and versatility — all while being completely free.

The main appeal of the MT PowerDrum 2 is its acoustic drum samples, which are perfect for rock, pop, and even metal genres. This specifically is what drew me to the plugin after trying many many others (that will remain anonymous) that freakin sucked. Anyway, the samples have been meticulously recorded and processed to provide a clean, powerful sound that fits effortlessly into any mix. From punchy kick drums to crisp snare hits, you’ll find that this plugin can give your track the tight, polished feel of a studio-recorded drum kit.

Key Features of MT PowerDrum 2

1. High-Quality Drum Samples

MT PowerDrum 2 features a library of professionally recorded drum samples. The sounds are well-balanced and ready to use in your mix, eliminating the need for extensive post-processing. Whether you’re looking for a deep, thumping kick or a snappy snare, you’ll be impressed by the range of dynamic drum sounds this plugin offers. It even has a decently trashy china cymbal!

2. Intuitive Interface

One of the best things about the MT PowerDrum 2 plugin is its user-friendly interface. The layout is simple and straightforward, allowing you to dive right in without needing hours to figure out how to navigate it. The drums are mapped out on a virtual kit, and you can easily drag and drop pre-programmed grooves into your DAW’s timeline or create your custom patterns.

3. Built-In Groove Library

Are you a songwriter who prefers focusing on the melody and chords rather than programming drums from scratch? MT PowerDrum 2 has you covered. The plugin comes with a huge library of pre-made drum grooves, ranging from basic rock beats to more complex patterns. You can audition grooves, then drag and drop them into your session for quick inspiration. These grooves are customizable, so if you want to tweak the hi-hat pattern or change up the fills, you’re free to do so.

4. Customizable Mixer

While the pre-mixed drum sounds in MT PowerDrum 2 are ready to go, the plugin also offers a built-in mixer for those who want to fine-tune their drum kit. You can adjust the volume and pan for each drum element, as well as apply basic EQ. This gives you control over the final sound and allows you to blend the drums perfectly with the rest of your track. If you need some help with EQ check out this post!

5. Low CPU Usage

One of the most impressive, and slept on, aspects of MT PowerDrum 2 is how lightweight it is. The plugin doesn’t hog your computer’s CPU, which means you can run multiple instances of it in your session without causing lag or crashes. This is crucial when working on bigger projects with lots of virtual instruments.

Why Is MT PowerDrum 2 the Best Free Plugin for Drums?

Now, let’s talk about why this plugin has earned the reputation as the best free plugin for drums. The combination of professional-quality drum sounds, an easy-to-navigate interface, and the inclusion of a groove library puts it in a league of its own. Many free plugins fall short in one area or another, but MT PowerDrum 2 ticks all the boxes — it’s reliable, sounds fantastic, and, perhaps most importantly, it’s free.

For those starting out in music production, paying for premium plugins can be intimidating or simply unaffordable. However, with MT PowerDrum 2, you don’t have to compromise on quality to get excellent results. It’s a versatile tool that works well across various genres, whether you’re producing rock, pop, metal, or even hip-hop tracks.

How to Use MT PowerDrum 2 in Your Productions

Using the MT PowerDrum 2 plugin in your productions is incredibly simple. Once you’ve installed it into your DAW, you can either program your drum parts using MIDI or take advantage of the groove library. Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting started:

Step 1: Load the Plugin

After downloading and installing the plugin, open your DAW and load MT PowerDrum 2 into a new track. Most DAWs have a “Plugin” section where you can find and add virtual instruments.

Step 2: Choose Your Drum Kit

MT PowerDrum 2 automatically loads its default kit, but you can tweak individual elements by adjusting the mixer. If you’re happy with the default setup, you can start programming your beats.

Step 3: Program Your Beats or Use Grooves

You can either create your own drum patterns by programming MIDI notes or use the drag-and-drop groove feature. The latter is a huge time-saver if you want to quickly add drums to a project without the hassle of starting from scratch.

Step 4: Mix Your Drums

Once your drum track is in place, you can use the built-in mixer to adjust the balance of each drum sound. If the snare feels too loud or the kick needs more punch, it’s easy to make those adjustments without needing external plugins.

Step 5: Export Your Track

Once you’re happy with your drum arrangement and mix, you can export your track and enjoy a professional-quality drum sound that holds its own against premium drum plugins.

Final Thoughts

In the world of free plugins, Manda Audio’s MT PowerDrum 2 stands out as the best plugin for drums. It’s hard to believe you can get this level of sound quality and functionality at no cost. Whether you’re just starting out in music production or you’re a seasoned pro looking for a reliable drum solution, MT PowerDrum 2 will quickly become a go-to tool in your arsenal.

So why not give it a try? Download MT PowerDrum 2, and see for yourself why it’s considered the best free plugin for drums. You won’t be disappointed and what do you have to lose? Its FREE!