Get ready to experience a drum library built for total control, stunning realism, and genre-spanning versatility. Whether you are producing tight indie tracks, booming hip-hop beats, thunderous metal grooves, or raw rock anthems, this kit delivers.
Crafted with precision and recorded using a diverse range of high-end microphones including Sennheiser 421s, CAD cardioid condensers, classic hand wired ribbon mics for natural room warmth, and the industry-standard Shure SM81s on overheads - every detail of this multi-mic setup is captured in pristine quality.
For Every Mic Position - blend between close, overhead, stage, and room for that perfect sound you're searching for. Sennheiser 421s used for close positions, the all time overhead studio favorite Sure SM81 condenser overheads, condenser room mics, and a hand-wired ribbon microphone for stage location. Also included on each channel is Impulse Response Reverb for that little extra sustain.
Library is in Decent Sampler engine format.
Absolute free digital instrument by the wonderful works of David Hilowitz.
Runs on Mac, Windows, Linux, and iOS. (I have ran Detroit Drum Dept. Library on steamdeck desktop with Roland TD1 e-drums plugged to usb!)
Can be ran as plug-in within DAW or stand alone software. AU, VST, Pro Tools, and Linux plugin formats.
Decent Sampler engine can be downloaded here: Decent Sampler Downloads
Free upgrades for all updates & additions!
(for Detroit Drum Dept. "Nominal" launch kit)
Live play or trigger current midi drum track!
GM midi ready mapping.
Can be used as drum replacement or reenforcing doubling.
Roland control binding compatible (more mappings coming soon - but you can easily midi assign any edrum kit.)
Multi-Output for DAW or compatible hardware - Kick, Snare, Toms, Ride, Hi Hat, Cymbals, and IR Reverb send separate output options.
No pre-compression, squashing, etc. (like many other drum libraries) Pure microphone, console, and bit of eq!
Full Mixing Control • Isolate and blend Close, Overhead, Stage, and Stereo Room mics to build your perfect drum tone.
Natural Expression • Multiple round robins and extensive velocity layers bring your snares and toms to life with unmatched realism.
Genre-Ready Versatility • One kit, endless possibilities: from crisp pop, tight indie, deep hip-hop, heavy metal, classic rock, and everything in between.
Impulse Response Reverb • Add sustain and space with independent IR reverb control for each drum element.
Master EQ & Preset Templates • Fine-tune your drum bus with a built-in master EQ. Save your mix, mic levels, and EQ settings into reusable templates, making recall and inspiration instant.
There are hundreds of drum sample libraries out there, and a few really good ones, so why get Detroit Drum Dept.? Well, first it is a fraction of the cost of drum library and plugins out there. Some leading libraries are hundreds of dollars for just the plugin and then each library is also a hundred plus dollars. We have competitive sound with a versatile mixing system. Secondly, Detroit Drum Dept. is simply mics, console, and eq. Other libraries use compression and emulations to crunch & squash the drums prior to entering your DAW or mixing engine! With this library you\'re hearing just great mics, console, and a bit of eq that brings out the liveliness and natural air that drum tracks truly are!
Detroit Drum Dept. sample library is now available on the official Decent Sampler store!
More Libraries! More Kits! More Updates!
The flagship "Nominal" library is just the beginning…
Next up: "Sanctuary Drums" – DW Collector’s Series sampled in a massive church sanctuary in west Detroit.
Also coming: vintage Ludwig kits in wooden studios with lush acoustics.
Stay tuned to Detroit Drum Dept. for future sonic expansions...