In Summary

Although UJAM’s latest virtual drummer trades in funky fat, 70s sounds, its tones can power productions by anyone from indie rockstars to lo-fi masterminds. We get close enough to feel the wind off the sticks with Virtual Drummer LEGEND…

Going Deeper

For a while, drum virtual instruments strived solely for the pristine studio sounds that powered platinum-selling records by big names on big labels with deep pockets. These are instantly recognisable by their impeccable tuning, thunderous lows, sparkling highs, and razor-sharp transients engineered to impress.

As far as drum sounds are concerned, things started to cross over a long time ago where ‘era-typical’ sounds such as minimal mics versus multi mics on steroids started to find themselves divorced from style or era.

A great example of this is the current prevalence of 1970s low, super-damped and super close sounds finding favour away from their beginnings in rock and funk. In the third millennium, these sounds are just as likely to be heard in folk, indie, or hip hop. These sounds are currently in high demand, leaving pristine, Hi-Fi studio sounds of days gone by in the background for now at least…

UJAM Virtual Drummer LEGEND

UJAM Virtual Drummer LEGEND aims to provide composers with an excellent-sounding tool featuring a user-friendly interface that most users can grasp within minutes. The software combines straightforward drag-and-drop functionality for rapid composition with UJAM’s tried and tested formula. The included sympathetic MIDI fires into five kit variations, with six easy mix presets to complete the picture. Two Dust and Amount controls on arc-shaped faders enable composers and non-engineers to fine-tune their sound intuitively.

In the video we check out Virtual Drummer LEGEND’s punchy, dry vintage studio sounds for ourselves as we run through its MIDI, kits, and simple mix controls. With a few basic tweaks, we get a fat funky foundation in minutes, ably assisted by UJAM’s Virtual Bassist ROYAL.

UJAM Virtual Drummer LEGEND Features:

• 690 playable MIDI phrases in various styles.

• MIDI Drag-and-Drop and direct MIDI out for custom tweaking.

• 5 Drum Kits with 6 Mix Preset aesthetics to fine-tune the sound.

• Special ‘Dust’ and ‘Color’ FX controls to alter virtual mic techniques.

On A Roll (Of Gaffer Tape)

Getting the cleanest, most involving drum sounds possible has arguably been the aim of engineers for more than half a century. Although well-tuned drums in a good room usually reward with naturalism, that isn’t always what the record needs. When someone first put a mic within striking distance of the head, it was quickly realised that what’s good for the room doesn’t necessary sound so good in close-up… Through lower-than-live tunings, and lots of tape, tissue, and other modifiers, a new sound was born that records well and gets people dancing.

Scratching the itch of composers who chase the big, dry, splat of 1970s snares, kicks, and toms with shorter decay than the boxes they left the factory in, UJAM Virtual Drummer LEGEND is it. With those it’s going to please a lot of composers and recording engineers who know the sounds even if they’re not quite sure how to get them.

A Word About This Article

As the Experts team considered how we could better help the community we thought that some of you are time poor and don’t have the time to read a long article or a watch a long video. In 2023 we are going to be trying out articles that have the fast takeaway right at the start and then an opportunity to go deeper if you wish. Let us know if you like this idea in the comments.