MDrumReplacer

Name: MDrumReplacer
Price: 75 USD
Author: MeldaProduction

by MeldaProduction · Drum Instrument · Drum replacer

Not rated yet

MDrumReplacer detects drum hits and replaces them with high-quality samples or synthesized drums, keeping the feel of the original performance.

It can blend with the original, includes a built-in drum leveler and draws on MDrummer's multi-sample libraries; it costs $168.

Best for: Drums, Drum Bus. Genres: Rock & Indie, Metal, Pop, Electronic & EDM.

Keywords: sample-based, acoustic drums, multisampled, AI assistant, deep.

What it does

MDrumReplacer is MeldaProduction's drum replacement plugin. It detects hits in a recording and triggers samples or synthesised drums from MDrummer's engine, either to fix poorly recorded drums or to reinforce good ones, while keeping the performance "human, not robotic".

Detection: a hit detector for single drum tracks and mixed sessions, with threshold and velocity controls and frequency-based filtering.
Learning: a Learn function analyses the audio to find each drum's most prominent frequencies and sets up the detector for you; a listen feature lets you audition the filtered signal.
Replace or blend: swap the hits completely or mix the samples with the original sound.
Sounds: access to MDrummer's multi-sampled drums, including Drum Empire 2020, plus synthesised drums, with a drum editor for layering.
Mixer and sends: General, Mixer and Leveler sections, with direct, overhead and two room channels.
Built-in leveler: MDrumLeveler functions even out the drummer's dynamics as the hits are triggered.

MeldaProduction often discounts it. A free trial is available.

Source: MeldaProduction product page

When to use it

MDrumReplacer is the pick when you want a drum replacer that comes with a large sample library. Trigger 2 and Addictive Trigger also detect and replace hits, but MDrumReplacer includes MDrummer's library and a built-in leveler for uneven playing. Superior Drummer 3's Tracker takes another route: it turns drum audio into MIDI to drive its own kits, inside a full drum instrument, while MDrumReplacer works as an effect on the drum track itself. Expect a learning curve, since the detector has many controls.

Best for: replacing or reinforcing kick, snare and tom hits in live recordings, and rescuing badly recorded drum tracks.
Genres: rock, metal, pop and any production with recorded drums.
Look elsewhere if: you only want to fatten existing hits (MDrumEnhancer does that without triggering) or you want full drum programming with a MIDI groove library (Superior Drummer 3 or EZdrummer 3).
Tip: start from a preset and the Learn function, then use band-pass filtering in the detector to isolate the drum you want.

What producers say

The one in-depth review found it powerful and good value thanks to the included library, but not quick to learn.

HomeStudioToday gave it 5 out of 5 in every category, praising the hit detection on problem recordings, the included MDrummer library and a layout that stays clear despite many controls.
Criticisms: a steep learning curve that sends you to the manual for complex detection, and limits with heavily damaged or overdriven audio, such as pulling hi-hats out of distorted recordings.

HomeStudioToday review

Where to buy

Best Service: $75
Plugin Boutique: $75 (regular $165)
AudioDeluxe: $149
MeldaProduction: $168
PluginFox: $180

Tutorials and reviews

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