GForce Software IconDrum is a new drum instrument plugin for macOS and Windows that captures the sounds of the LinnDrum.
In April, GForce Software released its first drum plugin. The Oberheim DMX is paying tribute to the legendary sample-based drum machine by Tom Oberheim.
At the end of the year, GForce Software launched its second drum plugin, IconDrum, which puts the iconic drum sounds of Roger Linn’s vintage drum machines into the DAW.
Thanks to the GForce Software team, who gave me a license to do this test for you.
GForce Software IconDrum
IconDrum is a new drum plugin similar to the Oberheim DMX release released earlier this year.
Like the original LinnDrum, the GForce Software IconDrum plugin is sample-based. To this end, the LinnDrum LM-1 and LM-2 sounds were sampled, resulting in a broad set of sounds that showcase the untreated and processed sides of the LinnDrum drum machine.
It’s a pity: unlike the Oberheim DMX plugin, there is no partnership with Roger Linn for the samples. GForce Software says on the legal side:
All trademarks, service marks and company names are the property of their respective owners. LinnDrum is a trademark of Linn Electronics.
All instrument names and inventor references are included solely for illustrative and educational purposes, with no implied affiliation or endorsement of IconDrum by any company or instrument inventor. This product was created without the involvement or consent of Roger Linn.
Sounds Fine Tuning
Once installed, you’ll find a VST, VST3, AU, and AAX format plugin in your DAW. This very authentic-looking LinnDrum plugin gives you access to all included sounds. Access to individual samples for other software is not available.
The plugin has three sections: fine-tuning + mixer, multi-FX, and sound selection. The latter consists of 24 Linndrum-like drum pads, 23 mapped to sounds and one to a velocity function.
Above that, there are 12 small dropdown menus, one for each category, where you can choose from different sounds. From classic rough to heavily processed, for example, tape, everything is just a few clicks away. The button 24 gives you full velocity for all sounds.
To adjust the individual sounds, move to the left side of the GUI. You can refine each sound using pitch, decay envelope, and lowpass/highpass filter settings.
Next, they proceed directly to the mixing stage, where you have independent level fader control, panning, and FX sends for delay and reverb. Mute and solo buttons are also available.
Before the signal chain concludes, a versatile multi-FX processor includes distortion, filter, compressor, EQ, bit-crusher, gate, and phaser. Great, you modify the routing of the effects. Not part of this is the assignable sync-able delay and multi-preset reverb.
The effects are useful sonic extensions for the Linndrum sounds, allowing you to subtly round them off or even wholly shape them. In some experimental presets the GForce Software sound designers took the IconDrum sounds to the extreme.
Multi-output is also onboard. Important here: you have to activate it in the setup menu.
Sequencer?
The sounds can be played with any MIDI controller or via the DAW sequencer. However, like the Oberheim DMX plugin, GForce Software has decided against a built-in sequencer, but the reason is unknown. In my opinion, the lack of a sequencer in such a plugin makes the instrument seem half-finished.
A sequencer would have significantly enhanced the plugin here. Maybe in the future, it will be in a 2.0 version.
Browser
The selected LM-1/LM-2 sounds with all parameters are stored as kits. Where are they stored? In a browser, of course. This is identical to the browser used in the other GForce software plugins.
It has various filters (collection, category, types, timbres, and patch), offering a convenient way to organize and manage your IconDrum sounds.
The factory prestes you find here are of high quality and have an authentic vibe. They range from classic rough straight from the source to heavily manipulated. However, I can’t guarantee 100% that the LinnDrum authenticity is perfect because I don’t have an original unit to compare them.
Here is a sound demo with some patterns included with every purchase.
GForce Software IconDrum Review
With IconDrum, GForce Software has created a great-sounding LinnDrum plugin for your DAW. The built-in samples are high-quality and authentic. You can fine-tune each element from a set and use the built-in effects to fine-tune or mangle them if necessary.
A minus point goes to the effects processor. It’s not the quality of these, but there is no global FX ON/OFF switch. So you always have to turn off all of them individually, which is tedious.
It’s a shame that GForce didn’t include a sequencer with the plugin. Yes, the original LinnDrum has one, but the plugin doesn’t. This decision is somewhat strange and makes the plugin less exciting.
Overall, it is a solid, lovely-sounding LinnDrum plugin that easily gives you the legendary drum sounds known from Prince or Michael Jackson for your DAW. But the few downsides it has don’t make me jump completely.
Availability
GForce IconDrum is available now for an introductory price of £24.99+VAT instead of £49.99+VAT. It runs as a VST, VST3, AU, and AAX plugin on macOS (native Apple Silicon + Intel) and Windows. GForce also has a holiday with up to 69% OFF on its virtual instrument plugins.
More information here: GForce Software
Available at my partner
The Gforce video says it does support multi out.
yes indeed. You have to activate first in the setup menu
The Behringer model is physical, you can touch it.