ASTER has launched ASTER Drum Lab, a drum-sampling instrument for macOS and Windows. The plug-in introduces a streamlined workflow that brings sample loading, layering, editing, and routing together in a single workspace.
ASTER Drum Lab is the first product from ASTER, a new audio plug-in brand launched as part of ENIGMA’s activities. The instrument is designed to provide a focused environment for building and managing drum kits, combining sound design and mixing tools within one interface.
The plug-in features 48 drum pads arranged across three banks. This structure allows users to assemble complete kits that can include kicks, snares, percussion, and effects. Each pad supports up to eight sample layers, with velocity-based switching to introduce dynamic and tonal variation across different playing intensities.
Waveform editing is integrated directly into the workflow. Users can visually adjust sample start and end points, as well as apply fade controls. Additional shaping tools include attack and release parameters, velocity-curve adjustment, and a humanization control intended to introduce subtle variation.
Each individual layer includes a configurable effects chain comprising:
- Equalizer
- Filter
- Drive
- Transient shaping
- Compression
These processing tools are available per layer, allowing detailed shaping within each pad.
Kit organization and customization are also central to the design. Pads can be renamed, color-coded, assigned to specific MIDI notes, and rearranged by dragging sounds into a preferred layout. Complete kits can be saved and recalled, including all associated samples, pad names, color settings, sound design parameters, mixer settings, and output routing configurations.
For mixing flexibility inside a DAW, ASTER Drum Lab supports stereo, 16-output, 32-output, and 48-output configurations. This enables users to route individual pads to separate channels for further processing and balancing within their host environment.
The plug-in is available in VST3, AU, and AAX formats for macOS, with support for both Apple Silicon and Intel systems, as well as Windows 64-bit.
ASTER Drum Lab is offered as a one-time purchase and does not require an account or online license activation.
ASTER Drum Lab is available at an introductory price of $9.99 USD, reduced from the regular price of $20 USD. Applicable taxes are calculated at checkout.
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