PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS
Logic Pro includes four different vintage instruments, each designed for different sounding textures:
Drum Synth: A modern percussion synthesizer that generates sounds using synthesis instead of samples.
Drum Machine Designer: A customizable performance interface with drum pad layout.
Drum Kit Designer: Logic’s acoustic drum instrument featuring deeply sampled kits recorded in world-class studios.
Ultrabeat: A legacy drum synthesizer and sequencer capable of hybrid sample and synth-based percussion.
Famous Uses:
“Blinding Lights” - The Weeknd (Analog-style kick and snare reminiscent of Drum Synth tones)
“Bad Guy” – Billie Eilish (Minimal, synthesized percussion textures similar to Drum Synth snares and claps)
"Levitating" - Dua Lipa (Tight, modern drum synthesis akin to Drum Synth’s pop presets)
"Stay" - The Kid LAROI & Justin Beiber (Clean, punchy electronic drums characteristic of synthesized percussion)
Description: A modern percussion synthesizer that generates kicks, snares, hi-hats, toms, and other electronic drums using synthesis instead of samples. LEARN MORE
Typical Use: Ideal for electronic, hip-hop, or pop production where you need sculpted, punchy drums.
Key Features: Ideal for electronic, hip-hop, or pop production where you need sculpted, punchy drums.
Purely synthesized drum engine — no samples required
Modules for Kick, Snare, Clap, Tom, Hi-Hat, Cymbal, and Percussion
Fine control over tone, decay, drive, and transient shape
Built-in EQ and saturation
Integrates directly with Drum Machine Designer
Use it when:
You want to create clean, punchy electronic drums from scratch
You’re producing trap, pop, synthwave, or EDM
You need consistent and tunable drums for layered production
Description: A customizable performance interface that integrates Drum Synth and Sampler instruments into one unified drum pad layout. LEARN MORE
Typical Use: Perfect for building beat-making kits with layered sounds, effects, and step sequencing.
Key Features:
Modular pad interface (16–64 pads) for custom kits
Each pad supports Drum Synth, Sampler, or Audio
Individual FX, EQ, and Mixer per pad
Works with Step Sequencer and Live Loops
Saveable user kits for recall across projects
Use it when:
You want to build a custom hybrid drum kit using synths and samples
You’re creating trap, hip-hop, house, or R&B beats
You need multi-layered control over sound, effects, and mix
Famous Uses:
"Sicko Mode" - Travis Scott (Layered 808s and snares)
"God’s Plan" - Drake (Tight, sample-driven percussion)
"Industry Baby" - Lil Nas X (Synthetic brass hits and trap drums)
"Toxic" - Britney Spears (Hybrid percussive textures)
Description: Logic’s acoustic drum instrument featuring deeply sampled kits recorded in world-class studios. LEARN MORE
Typical Use: Used for realistic rock, pop, funk, or jazz drum performances.
Key Features:
Real acoustic drum samples captured in world-class studios
Customizable shells, cymbals, tuning, and damping
Adjustable room, overhead, and bleed levels
Integrates with Drummer for realistic performances
Wide range of kits for rock, pop, funk, and jazz
Use it when:
You need authentic, natural-sounding drums
You’re producing rock, pop, or acoustic-based music
You want mic-level control over your drum mix
Famous Uses:
"Don’t Stop Believin" - Journey (Full-bodied studio rock drum tones)
"Smells Like Teen Spirit" - Nirvana (Tight, punchy live drum sound)
"Gravity" - John Mayer (Smooth pop/jazz acoustic kit texture)
"Use Somebody" - Kings of Leon (Roomy, ambient rock drums similar to DKD’s large-room presets)
Description: A legacy drum synthesizer and sequencer capable of hybrid sample and synth-based percussion. LEARN MORE
Best for: Great for complex rhythm programming and classic Logic-style electronic grooves.
Key Features:
25 drum voices, each with sample or synth options
Built-in step sequencer (up to 32 steps)
Extensive modulation: LFOs, filters, envelopes, FM synthesis
Drag-and-drop pattern export to Logic tracks
Combines vintage and modern drum design workflows
Use it when:
You want old-school Logic-style sequencing
You’re designing complex or evolving electronic rhythms
You want to blend synthesis and sampling for experimental percussion
Famous uses:
"Around the World" - Daft Punk (Robotic rhythm programming akin to Ultrabeat’s sequencer)
"Paper Planes" - M.I.A. (Layered percussive samples reminiscent of Ultrabeat kits)
"Technologic" - Daft Punk (FM-synth-style snare tones and repetitive sequencing)
"Windowlicker" - Aphex Twin (Complex, evolving percussion patterns similar to Ultrabeat modulation)
SOURCE ARTICLES YOU CAN READ:
How to Use the Ultrabeat Drum Machine Synth in Logic Pro — MakeUseOf
Logic Pro: Drum Machine Designer — MusicTech article
3 Tips to Play With Pitch Using Drum Machine Designer & Step Sequencer — Why Logic Pro Rules
Drum Synth & Drum Machine Designer — Overview in Sound‑On‑Sound magazine
Software instruments list & description — Logic Studio Training Wiki
The Ultimate Guide to Drum Programming — EDMProd
Drum Programming: How to Program Drums and Drum Machines — Orad Resource Center
Programming Realistic Drums in Your DAW — Record, Mix & Master (2024)
Logic’s Drum Machine Designer In‑Depth — MusicTech
15 Tips to Improve Your Drum Programming — ElectronicDrumAdvisor.com (MIDI Drums blog)
Click the links below for the tutorial page on each Vintage Instrument