Cinesamples Drums of War 1 is a powerful cinematic percussion library designed for composers and producers seeking epic, larger-than-life drum sounds. Recorded at the legendary Manhattan Center Studios, this Kontakt-based instrument delivers pristine 24-bit/48kHz samples of massive drums and percussion instruments. The library focuses on capturing the raw, unprocessed sound of these instruments, allowing users to shape and mold the tones to fit their productions. With its intuitive interface and extensive collection of articulations, Drums of War 1 provides a solid foundation for creating intense, dramatic percussion tracks suitable for film scores, trailers, and epic music compositions. The library includes a variety of large drums, from bass drums and toms to ethnic percussion, all recorded with multiple dynamic layers and round-robin variations to ensure realistic performances.
Pros:
• High-quality recordings captured in a world-class studio
• Intuitive interface with easy-to-use controls
• Extensive round-robin and dynamic layering for realistic performances
Cons:
• Limited to large, cinematic-style drums and percussion
Drums of War 1 offers a comprehensive set of features designed to provide composers with maximum flexibility and control over their cinematic percussion sounds. The library is built on Kontakt’s powerful sampling engine, allowing for deep customization and manipulation of the included samples.
At the heart of Drums of War 1 is its collection of meticulously recorded drum and percussion instruments. Each instrument has been captured using multiple microphone positions, giving users the ability to blend close, mid, and room mics to achieve the desired sound and depth. The samples are organized into logical categories, making it easy to find the right sound quickly.
The library employs an advanced round-robin system, which cycles through multiple samples of the same articulation to avoid the “machine-gun effect” often associated with repeated samples. This feature, combined with up to five dynamic layers per instrument, ensures that performances sound natural and organic, even when playing rapid patterns or complex rhythms.
Drums of War 1’s user interface is clean and intuitive, presenting all essential controls in a single window. The main page displays a graphical representation of the currently selected instrument, along with key mapping information. Users can easily adjust volume, pan, and tuning for each articulation, as well as apply basic effects like EQ and compression directly within the interface.
The library includes a powerful mixer section, allowing users to blend the different microphone positions to taste. This feature is particularly useful for achieving the perfect balance between intimacy and ambience, depending on the needs of the composition. Additionally, the mixer provides send effects for reverb and delay, further expanding the sonic possibilities.
One of the standout features of Drums of War 1 is its customizable keyswitching system. Users can assign different articulations to specific keys, allowing for quick and easy switching between playing techniques during a performance. This flexibility is invaluable when creating dynamic and varied percussion parts.
The library also includes a set of pre-programmed MIDI grooves and patterns, which can be dragged and dropped into a DAW for instant inspiration or as a starting point for more complex arrangements. These patterns cover a wide range of styles and tempos, making it easy to quickly lay down a foundation for a cue or track.
Drums of War 1 offers extensive control over the playback engine, including adjustable sample start times, release times, and velocity curve mapping. These features allow users to fine-tune the responsiveness and character of the instruments to suit their playing style or MIDI programming preferences.
Lastly, the library includes a comprehensive set of effects and processing options. In addition to the basic EQ and compression available on the main page, users can access more advanced sound-shaping tools like convolution reverb, multi-band compression, and various modulation effects. These built-in processors make it possible to achieve polished, production-ready sounds directly within the Kontakt interface.
The inclusion of MIDI grooves and patterns adds value for users looking for quick inspiration or starting points, though more experienced composers may find themselves relying more on the raw samples for their own programming. The effects and processing options built into the Kontakt interface are a welcome addition, allowing for substantial sound shaping without the need to rely on external plugins.
When comparing Drums of War 1 to other cinematic percussion libraries, several notable alternatives come to mind. Native Instruments’ Action Strikes offers a similar focus on epic percussion but with a more streamlined interface and a greater emphasis on pre-designed patterns and rhythms. Heavyocity’s DAMAGE is another popular choice, known for its heavily processed and designed sounds, which contrast with Drums of War 1’s more natural approach. Spitfire Audio’s Percussion library provides a more orchestral take on cinematic percussion, with a broader range of instruments and a distinctive British sound. ProjectSAM’s True Strike series offers a comprehensive collection of orchestral and world percussion, with a focus on traditional scoring applications. 8Dio’s Epic Percussion Ensemble takes a different approach, focusing on large group performances rather than individual instruments, which can provide a unique sense of scale and energy. Each of these libraries has its strengths, but Drums of War 1 stands out for its combination of high-quality raw recordings, intuitive interface, and focus on large, cinematic drums.
This plugin is best for:
• Film and TV composers seeking authentic, powerful percussion sounds
• Trailer music producers looking for impactful, larger-than-life drums
• Game audio designers in need of epic battle and action percussion
• Music producers working in cinematic or hybrid orchestral genres
Drums of War 1 is a solid choice for composers and producers seeking high-quality, cinematic percussion sounds. Its strengths lie in the exceptional recording quality, the flexibility of its mixing options, and the natural, dynamic performance capabilities provided by its extensive round-robin and velocity layer implementation. The library excels at delivering powerful, impactful drum sounds that can easily cut through dense orchestral arrangements or stand on their own in dramatic musical cues. While the focus on large, epic drums may limit its versatility for some users, those working in film, TV, game audio, or trailer music production will find Drums of War 1 to be a valuable addition to their sonic arsenal. The intuitive interface and well-organized preset system make it easy to quickly find and shape the right sound for any given project, while the deeper customization options provide ample room for more detailed sound design work. Its focused approach and high-quality samples make it a strong contender in the crowded field of orchestral and cinematic sample libraries, particularly for those who prioritize authentic, unprocessed drum sounds as a starting point for their compositions.