Free Metal Drum Sample Kits For Producers And Musicians

The world of music production has seen significant democratization in recent years, with high-quality sample libraries becoming increasingly accessible to both amateur and professional producers. For metal music producers specifically, finding authentic drum samples that capture the power and precision of the genre has traditionally been challenging and often expensive. However, several platforms now offer free metal drum sample kits that provide professional-grade sounds without the associated costs. This article explores the available free metal drum sample offerings, their technical specifications, system requirements, and how producers can access and utilize these resources in their productions.

Overview of Free Metal Drum Sample Resources

Two primary sources offer free metal drum samples: The Metal Kick Drum website and Bogren Digital's Krimh Drums free version. These resources provide producers with access to professionally recorded and processed drum samples suitable for various metal subgenres.

The Metal Kick Drum, operated by a dedicated sample creator, offers multiple free drum sample kits with a focus on capturing powerful and defined kick drum sounds characteristic of modern metal production. The platform operates exclusively on donations, without advertisements or newsletters, emphasizing a commitment to providing free resources to the music production community.

Bogren Digital, known for high-quality drum sample libraries, offers a free version of Krimh Drums, featuring samples recorded by renowned metal drummer Kerim "Krimh" Lechner and produced by Jens Bogren. This free version provides a substantial subset of the full Krimh Drums library, making professional-grade metal drum sounds accessible to producers with budget constraints.

The Metal Kick Drum Free Offerings

The Metal Kick Drum website provides two distinct free drum sample kits: the TMKD-VORTEX KIT and the Paranoid Kit. Each offering has been specifically designed to deliver authentic metal drum sounds while maintaining flexibility for various production approaches.

TMKD-VORTEX KIT

The TMKD-VORTEX KIT represents a new addition to The Metal Kick Drum's sample library, described as "a new set of drum shells with a powerful and defined sound." These samples have been recorded, edited, and processed to fit well in most modern metal mixes. The kit focuses on delivering the punchy, aggressive drum tones that are characteristic of contemporary metal production.

The samples are provided in a straightforward format, requiring only extraction of the downloaded .ZIP file after download. This accessibility ensures that producers can quickly integrate these samples into their workflow without complex installation procedures.

As with all The Metal Kick Drum offerings, the TMKD-VORTEX KIT is completely free, with the website operating solely on donations to sustain operations. Users who appreciate the free products and wish to support the platform's continued development are encouraged to make donations, which grant access to additional resources, including a Kontakt instrument featuring a full set of cymbals and shells with all dynamic layers.

The recording setup for The Metal Kick Drum samples utilizes Pearl Master Custom Maple drums: - Kick: 22x18 - Rack Toms: 10-12 - Floor Toms: 14-16

This hardware configuration provides the solid foundation for the powerful drum tones captured in the samples.

Paranoid Kit

The Paranoid Kit is positioned as a hybrid drum kit within the TMF Studios samples collection, specifically designed for metal music production. According to the source material, this kit works exceptionally well in Deathcore and Deathmetal genres, accommodating both low tuning and standard tuning configurations.

The kit includes: - Kick drum - Snare drum - Three toms

Each drum component has been recorded with two different processing options, providing producers with sonic flexibility. The specific hardware used in this recording session includes: - Kick: Tama Starclassic Bubinga 22"x18" - Snare: Pearl Chad Smith 14"x5" - Toms: DW Collector's (10"x9", 12"x10", 16"x13")

The samples are preprocessed, meaning they have undergone initial processing to prepare them for use in mixes. Producers can further enhance the sound by adding EQ, compression, and reverb according to their specific mixing preferences and the requirements of their tracks.

The Paranoid Kit is provided in WAV format (48KHz/24bits) and is compatible with TCI's Trigger/Drumagog software as well as Kontakt 5.5.1 or higher. The package is delivered in .RAR format, requiring WINRAR software to extract its contents.

It's important to note that these samples represent audio files only and are not a physical drum product. The Paranoid Kit is an original product by The Metal Kick Drum, Alex Cappa & The Metal Factory Studios, copyrighted in 2015.

Krimh Drums Free Version

Bogren Digital offers a free version of Krimh Drums, providing producers with access to professionally recorded metal drum samples performed by renowned drummer Kerim "Krimh" Lechner. Krimh has established himself as a prominent figure in the metal drumming community, having performed with notable acts such as Behemoth, Decapitated, Harakiri For The Sky, Dååth, and currently serving as a member of the symphonic death metal band Septicflesh.

The recording process for Krimh Drums involved meticulous sampling by master producer Jens Bogren, capturing every nuance of Krimh's exceptional drum kit. This attention to detail ensures that the free version maintains a high level of quality and authenticity.

System Requirements

To use Krimh Drums Free, producers must meet the following system requirements: - Free Kontakt Player 6.6.1 or newer - Windows or Mac OS (Intel & M1 supported)

These requirements ensure compatibility across a wide range of production environments, making the accessible to both Windows and Mac users.

Krimh Drums Free vs. Full Version

The free version of Krimh Drums provides a substantial subset of the full library, offering enough resources for many production needs while encouraging users to consider the full version for additional options. The comparison between the free and full versions highlights the value proposition of the free offering:

Despite the limitations compared to the full version, the free offering includes essential components for creating authentic metal drum tracks. The single snare, plastic beater kick, three clear toms, and seven cymbals provide a solid foundation for metal production. The static mixer with a mix-ready preset allows for quick integration into projects, while the included 12 MIDI grooves offer rhythmic inspiration.

Technical Specifications and Compatibility

When working with free metal drum samples, understanding the technical specifications and compatibility requirements is essential for smooth integration into production workflows. Both The Metal Kick Drum and Krimh Drums offer detailed information about their sample formats and system requirements.

The Metal Kick Drum Samples

The Metal Kick Drum samples are provided in high-quality WAV format at 48KHz/24bit resolution. This ensures excellent audio quality suitable for professional productions. The samples are compatible with: - TCI's Trigger/Drumagog software - Native Instruments Kontakt 5.5.1 or higher

The samples are delivered in compressed formats (.ZIP for TMKD-VORTEX KIT and .RAR for Paranoid Kit), requiring extraction before use. The Paranoid Kit specifically requires WINRAR software for extraction.

The Metal Kick Drum samples are described as "direct mics are available, samples are ready to use, mixed and processed." This indicates that the samples have been professionally mixed and processed to a degree that allows for immediate use in productions, though producers may still choose to add their own EQ, compression, and reverb to match their specific mixing needs.

Krimh Drums Free

Krimh Drums Free is provided as a Native Instruments Kontakt instrument, requiring the free Kontakt Player 6.6.1 or newer for operation. The compatibility extends to both Windows and Mac operating systems, including Intel-based Macs and the newer M1 Mac architecture.

The Kontakt format provides several advantages for producers: - Intuitive interface for manipulating drum samples - Built-in effects and routing options - Support for velocity-sensitive playing - Ability to create custom kits and mappings

The free version features a "static mixer with a killer, mix-ready preset," which provides a solid starting point for mixing. While it doesn't offer the extensive mixing controls of the full version, the preset is designed to deliver a professional metal drum sound with minimal additional processing.

Accessing and Using Free Metal Drum Samples

The process for accessing and using free metal drum samples varies between The Metal Kick Drum and Krimh Drums, with each platform offering its own approach to distribution and utilization.

The Metal Kick Drum Access Method

The Metal Kick Drum website operates on a donation-based model, with all samples available for free download. The process is straightforward:

1. Visit The Metal Kick Drum website
2. Navigate to the desired sample kit (TMKD-VORTEX KIT or Paranoid Kit)
3. Download the sample package
4. Extract the downloaded file (.ZIP or .RAR)
5. Import the WAV files into the user's digital audio workstation (DAW)
6. Use the samples as desired in productions

The website explicitly states: "This website has no other support than donations. No adds, no newsletters, no bullshit!" This approach prioritizes user experience without intrusive advertising or mandatory newsletter subscriptions.

As a token of appreciation for donations, users receive access to additional resources, including a Kontakt instrument featuring a full set of cymbals and shells with all dynamic layers. This incentive supports the sustainability of the free offerings while providing additional value to those who contribute.

Krimh Drums Free Access Method

Krimh Drums Free is available through Bogren Digital's website, with a dedicated product page for the free version. The access process involves:

1. Visit the Bogren Digital Krimh Drums Free product page
2. Add the product to cart (typically at no cost)
3. Proceed to checkout
4. Download the product after purchase completion
5. Install the required Kontakt Player if not already installed
6. Load the Krimh Drums Free instrument in Kontakt
7. Use the instrument as a plugin within the user's DAW

The free version provides a fully functional instrument that can be used in commercial productions without restrictions, making it a valuable resource for both hobbyist and professional producers.

Comparison of Free Metal Drum Sample Options

When selecting free metal drum samples, producers may consider several factors including sound quality, genre suitability, technical specifications, and additional features. The following comparison highlights the key differences between the available options:

Each option offers distinct advantages depending on the producer's specific needs. The Metal Kick Drum samples provide raw, high-quality drum samples that can be tailored to individual mixing preferences, while Krimh Drums Free offers a more complete solution with additional MIDI grooves and a polished mix-ready preset.

Conclusion

Free metal drum samples represent an accessible resource for producers seeking authentic drum sounds without the financial investment typically associated with professional sample libraries. The Metal Kick Drum and Bogren Digital's Krimh Drums Free offer distinct approaches to providing these resources, with both delivering high-quality samples suitable for metal music production.

The Metal Kick Drum provides multiple free sample kits with a focus on powerful kick drum sounds, while Krimh Drums Free offers a more complete instrument with additional MIDI grooves and a polished mixer preset. Both options provide professional-grade samples that can elevate the quality of metal productions.

Technical requirements vary between the offerings, with The Metal Kick Drum samples delivered in WAV format for maximum compatibility, while Krimh Drums Free requires the Kontakt Player but provides a more integrated instrument experience. Producers should consider their existing workflow and technical setup when selecting between these options.

The availability of free metal drum samples democratizes access to professional production tools, enabling producers at all budget levels to create authentic metal drum tracks. As these resources continue to evolve and improve, they represent an increasingly valuable component of the modern music production landscape.

Sources

1. The Metal Kick Drum
2. The Metal Kick Drum - Paranoid Kit
3. The Metal Kick Drum - About
4. Bogren Digital - Krimh Drums Free