Sampleson Brushify Pro is a virtual instrument plugin designed to emulate the sound and playing techniques of brushed drums. This unique software aims to bridge the gap between traditional drum sampling and the nuanced performance of brush drumming. Brushify Pro utilizes a combination of advanced sampling and modeling techniques to capture the essence of a professional brush drummer’s playing style. The plugin features samples from a Pearl Masters Custom Kit, recorded using 12 microphone positions to ensure a rich and authentic sound. What sets Brushify Pro apart is its innovative keyboard layout, which allows users to recreate brush drum techniques using a standard MIDI keyboard or pad controller. This approach makes it possible for keyboardists and producers to achieve realistic brush drum performances without the need for extensive drumming skills or specialized hardware. The plugin’s interface is clean and intuitive, with a scalable HD design that adapts to various screen sizes and resolutions. Brushify Pro offers both standalone and plugin formats, supporting VST3 and AU on Mac, and VST3 on Windows, making it compatible with a wide range of digital audio workstations and production setups.
Pros:
• Innovative keyboard mapping allows for realistic brush drum performances using standard MIDI controllers
• High-quality samples from a Pearl Masters Custom Kit with 12 microphone positions
• Intuitive interface with mixer controls for pan, width, and sympathetic resonance
Cons:
• Limited to brush drum sounds, which may not suit all musical styles or production needs
Brushify Pro’s standout feature is its unique approach to recreating brush drum techniques through a keyboard-centric interface. The plugin’s key mapping is designed to mimic the actions of a professional brush drummer, allowing users to perform sweeps, hits, and various articulations with ease. This innovative layout combines General MIDI (GM) mapping with multi-hit functionality for the snare drum, providing a responsive and intuitive playing experience.
The plugin’s sound engine is built on a hybrid of sampling and modeling technologies. The sampling component includes meticulously recorded audio from a Pearl Masters Custom Kit, captured using 12 different microphone positions. This multi-microphone approach ensures a full, rich sound that can be tailored to fit various mix contexts. The modeling aspect of the engine allows for dynamic control over the brush techniques, enabling subtle variations in timbre and articulation that would be difficult to achieve with samples alone.
Brushify Pro’s user interface is both visually appealing and functional. The scalable HD interface adapts to different screen sizes, ensuring clarity and ease of use across various setups. The mixer section provides essential controls for shaping the drum kit’s sound, including pan, width, and a unique sympathetic resonance knob. This last control allows users to dial in the natural resonance between drum elements, adding an extra layer of realism to the overall sound.
The plugin offers five presets, providing users with a starting point for different musical contexts. These presets demonstrate the versatility of the instrument, showcasing its ability to fit into various genres from jazz and blues to folk and indie rock. Users can easily modify and save their own presets, allowing for quick recall of custom drum setups.
One of the most impressive aspects of Brushify Pro is its ability to capture the nuanced dynamics of brush playing. The plugin responds well to velocity input, allowing for expressive performances that range from gentle sweeps to more forceful accents. This dynamic range is particularly noticeable in the snare drum samples, where the interaction between the brush and the drum head is most prominent.
The plugin’s relatively small footprint (approximately 65MB installed) is noteworthy, especially considering the quality and depth of the samples. This efficiency in resource usage makes Brushify Pro an attractive option for producers working on laptops or systems with limited storage capacity.
When comparing Brushify Pro to other drum plugins on the market, its specialized focus on brush techniques sets it apart. While many drum libraries and virtual instruments offer brush samples as part of larger kits, few dedicate themselves entirely to this playing style. Native Instruments’ Abbey Road Drummer series and Toontrack’s Jazz EZX both include brush samples, but they are part of broader drum collections and don’t offer the same level of detail in brush articulations. The closest comparison might be found in Addictive Drums 2’s Brush Pack, which offers a similar focus on brush playing. However, Brushify Pro’s unique keyboard mapping and modeling technology provide a more intuitive and expressive playing experience for non-drummers. Additionally, Brushify Pro’s standalone capability and lighter resource requirements give it an edge in terms of flexibility and ease of use. In terms of sound quality, Brushify Pro holds its own against more established drum plugins. While it may not have the extensive customization options of something like Superior Drummer 3, its focused approach results in a highly authentic brush drum sound that’s ready to use out of the box.
This plugin is best for:
• Producers and composers working in jazz, folk, or indie genres where brush drums are common
• Keyboardists looking to add realistic brush drum performances to their productions without extensive drumming skills
• Sound designers seeking unique textural elements for film or game audio
• Home studio owners with limited space or budget for recording live drums
Brushify Pro by Sampleson is a niche but powerful virtual instrument that fills a specific gap in the world of drum plugins. Its focus on brush drum techniques, combined with an innovative approach to performance via standard MIDI controllers, makes it a valuable tool for producers and composers across various genres. The plugin’s high-quality samples, derived from a professional drum kit and captured with multiple microphone positions, provide a rich and authentic sound palette. The hybrid sampling and modeling engine allows for nuanced and expressive performances, capturing the subtle dynamics of brush playing that are often lost in more generalized drum libraries. While the plugin’s specialized nature may limit its appeal for those seeking a more versatile drum solution, its unique capabilities make it an excellent choice for anyone looking to incorporate realistic brush drum sounds into their productions. The intuitive interface, lightweight installation, and cross-platform compatibility further enhance its value, making it accessible to a wide range of users. Despite its few limitations, Brushify Pro stands out as a well-crafted and thoughtfully designed instrument that successfully brings the art of brush drumming to the fingertips of digital musicians.