AudioRealism Drum Machine
by AudioRealism · Drum Instrument · 606/808/909 drum machine emulation
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AudioRealism Drum Machine (ADM) emulates the 606, 808 and 909 drum machines in one groovebox plugin, with a 32-step sequencer.
Its 25 circuit-modeled drum generators and 4 PCM players give 34 sounds, and you can load your own samples and import ReBirth patterns and 909 SysEx.
Best for: Drums, Sound Design. Genres: Electronic & EDM, Hip-Hop & Trap.
Keywords: drum machine, hardware emulation, sequencer, creative, destructive, 80s, circuit-modelled, classic, vintage, sound design.
What it does
AudioRealism Drum Machine (ADM) is a groovebox plugin that sets out to capture the "essence of vintage drum machines" of the early 80s. It combines modeled Roland TR-606, TR-808 and TR-909 voices with a built-in step sequencer, so you can program a whole kit inside one instrument.
- Sounds: 34 sounds in total, from circuit-modeled 606, 808 and 909 drum generators plus TR-707 and TR-727 samples, and each drum slot can switch between sounds (maracas to handclap, for example).
- PCM players: 4 sample players that load your own WAV or AIFF files into the kit.
- Voice controls: tuning and attack on the 606 bass drum, accent behaviour on the bridged-T voices such as the bass drum and toms, and snappy controls.
- Sequencer: a 32-step internal sequencer with global accent and flam per step, shuffle and four pre-scales per pattern, and 80+ example patterns.
- MIDI modes: Pattern mode triggers stored patterns from MIDI; Note mode plays the drums directly from your DAW or a controller.
- Pattern Controlled FX: a filter and distortion ("mangle") section whose parameters can be automated per step, along with other drum parameters, with FX switched on or off per step.
- Import: ReBirth RB-338 patterns and TR-909 SysEx patterns (via an external tool).
Version 1.6.1.9 is sold through the developer's site.
Source: AudioRealism product page
When to use it
ADM is the pick when you want all three classic Roland boxes and their sequencer workflow in one plugin. Compared with XO or Battery 4, it is far narrower: no sample browsing or layering, but a 606/808/909 groovebox you program step by step, much like the hardware. Compared with Nerve, it trades sample-based flexibility for modeled analog voices and accent and flam behaviour that feel like the originals. D16's Drumazon 2, Nepheton 2 and Nithonat 2 each go deeper on one machine, while ADM covers all three with one shared sequencer. Next to acoustic drum instruments such as Superior Drummer 3 or Addictive Drums 2, it is a different tool entirely.
- Best for: classic 606, 808 and 909 grooves programmed inside the plugin, and mangled, filtered drum loops via the pattern-controlled FX.
- Genres: house, techno, electro, acid, hip-hop and synth-pop.
- Look elsewhere if: you want deep per-voice editing of one machine (the D16 plugins), or fast sample-based kit building and layering (XO or Battery 4).
- Tip: MusicRadar points out that sounds can be routed independently to the FX and to separate mono outputs, so you can mix the kit in your DAW.
What producers say
Reviews are old but positive: the sound is praised as authentic, while sample handling and the limited per-voice controls draw criticism.
- MusicRadar (2008) said it "sounds terrific" and captures the vibe of the originals, and liked the "tasty 'sound mangler'" effects, but found adding samples fiddly and some sounds, like the 909 clap, short on controls.
- KVR users rate it 4 out of 5 from 1 review (version 1.1, 2008), calling it "the best Roland Drum Machine Clone" and praising the ReBirth and 909 SysEx import.
- Criticisms: MusicRadar felt it is "too faithful at times", noted the lack of original 909 samples, and found some simultaneous sound combinations impossible.
Where to buy
- AudioRealism: $107.87 (Listed at €95 on KVR Audio; converted at €1 = $1.1355 (ECB rate, 29 Sep 2026))
Tutorials and reviews
- Audiorealism Drum Machine - 3 classic drum machines (808,909 and 606) in one plug-in!
- Drum machine: AudioRealism - ADM lll Best VST Synth & Plugin - Review
- Free drum machine plugin: AudioRealism ADM CM (Computer Music 178)
- TR-909 VST Shootout - Roland, AudioRealism, D16, which is best (if any) ? - Sanxion Studio
Similar plugins
- TR-909 by Roland · TR-909 drum machine emulation · $149
- TR-808 by Roland · TR-808 drum machine emulation · $149
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- Nepheton 2 by D16 Group · TR-808 drum machine emulation · $119
- Nithonat 2 by D16 Group · TR-606 drum machine emulation · $119
- Spark 2 by Arturia · Drum machine & beat studio · $149
- TR-707 by Roland · TR-707 drum machine emulation · $149
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