This guide is designed to help you achieve an authentic 80s / synthwave sound using free VST plugins and samples. In Free Synthwave VSTs: Part 1, I focused on synths, and in Free Synthwave VSTS: Part 2, I turned the spotlight on effects.
In the final part, I've focused on free 80s drum machine plugins and samples. Whether you're producing synthwave or '80s-inspired music, this guide will help you create the right sound without breaking the bank on expensive VSTs.
Finding drum VSTs free online isn’t hard, but finding good ones takes a bit more digging. Fortunately, I've done the digging for you
Drum Sounds and Free Synthwave Drum VSTs
In any 80s based genre, using original 80s drum machines is essential for establishing a solid foundation. Drum options were limited in the 80s, this guide focuses on synthetic drums from drum machines rather than natural-sounding kits.
Processing and reverb are key to achieving an authentic 80s sound. Combined with effective compression and saturation, these effects are crucial. In part 2, you'll find some free VSTs to help you achieve this.
I believe that quality drum samples can be just as effective as using VSTs, so I've included a list of drum machines that work well in this genre. You can find samples of these machines on platforms like Splice, or you can search the internet for them. It's entirely up to you. There's no right or wrong choice here.
Good drum samples
For unprocessed drums, I highly recommend exploring the KB6 sample archive, which offers a wealth of free samples. While you can stick to these excellent freebies, you might consider supporting the site (I'm not affiliated) with a small donation for full FTP access to the entire library. However, keep in mind that not all iconic drum machines are included. Some of those classic sounds may already be available in your DAW or other sample libraries.
This archive is a great resource for finding quality drum samples. https://samples.kb6.de/downloads.php
The Drum machines originally used in the 80s
Several drum machines from the 80s remain popular today for their distinctive thud. Many producers of the era creatively mixed and matched these kits to great effect. One of my favorite combinations is pairing a LinnDrum or Roland 707 with a Roland 808 for hi-hats and percussion, a sound you'll often hear in the work of Harold Faltermeyer and various 80s and synthwave artists.
LinnDrum (LM2)
The LinnDrum, often referred to as the Coca-Cola of drum machines, was incredibly expensive in its time, making it a favorite among top-tier artists. Retailing at around $3,000 in the 1980s, it was a significant investment. The LinnDrum was created by Roger Linn, a pioneer who also developed the Akai MPC.
The LinnDrum’s hi-hats were distinctive, with playback starting slightly differently each time to create a more organic feel. However, it’s the kick and snare that truly make it the backbone of most synthwave tracks. Their 8-bit compression gave them a punchiness that was unmatched in the 1980s.
Djinndrum by Simplerecorder
Djinndrum is a meticulously crafted drum machine plugin that emulates the legendary LinnDrum. This plugin captures the distinctive punch and warmth of the original hardware, delivering iconic drum sounds that defined an era. Djinndrum includes all the classic samples, from the powerful kick and snare to the crisp hi-hats and claps, while offering modern enhancements like additional sound-shaping controls and flexible output routing.
Download Djinndrum, available for both Mac OS and Windows
Oberheim DMX and DX Drum machines
If the LinnDrum is the Coca-Cola of 80s drum machines, then the DMX is definitely the Pepsi. It was more affordable than the LinnDrum, though still pricey, prompting Oberheim to release the DX at a lower price of $1,395. You can hear the DMX on New Order’s "Blue Monday." I recreated this track for my free preset pack, 80s Bubblegum, which includes most of the synth sounds needed to replicate it. This pack is free, and I’ll share more details at the end of this article.
DR-84 free synthwave drum VST plugin By Pepto Audio
Although there doesn’t appear to be a standalone free version of the DX or DMX, there’s an all-in-one 80s drum machine VST that includes presets to recreate this drum machine. The DR-84 VST is a Romper, featuring samples from LinnDrums, Roland TR-707, E-MU Drumulator, Oberheim DMX, Yamaha RX11, and the Simmons SDSV module, all excellent drum machines. If I was to pick a top free drum machine for synthwave and 80s music, then this would be it. The preset “Hybrid Kit 1” is absolutely perfect.
Download DR-84, available for both Mac OS and Windows
Additionally, Alex Ball has created a fantastic free sample pack for the Oberheim DX. It’s worth subscribing to his YouTube channel, as he has several tutorials on reproducing the iconic sounds of the 80s. You’ll find it in the links under the video.
Watch Alex Ball's DX video on Youtube and follow the download
Roland TR-707
The Roland 707 is a purely sample-based digital drum machine. It was affordable and just as capable as the LinnDrum for creating an 80s or synthwave-style drum kit. Timecop1983 used a sample of the 707’s kick on his track "Dimensions.”, it’s a synthwave favourite, the 707 even made it onto some big 80s hit records, including INXS Need you tonight.
Listen to Dimensions by Timecop1983 of Youtube
RT-7070 free 707 VST by Elektonik Sound Lab
Electronik Sound Lab have produced a free standalone 707 VST for Mac and Windows, with a number of processing options
Download RT-7070, available for both Mac OS and Windows
Yamaha RX Series
I've got to be honest here, I was looking for a decent picture of the Yamaha RX drum machine, and I decided that the Yamaha RX series motorcycle just looked sexier. The Yamaha RX series drum machines all look like 80s fax machines. The RX series motorcycle looks gorgeous, especially in yellow.
The absolute cheapest of the cheap, the Yamaha RX series are still a very affordable option on ebay, but what do we like? Free stuff.
The free VST version of this is sadly no longer available but there is a great sample pack available for this fantastic old thud machine. If you previously downloaded DRT-84, you'll find a preset featuring this drum kit, if you prefer using free VST plugins, rather than samples.
Download free RX11 samples from Sample Science
Simmons SDS
The Simmons SDS was revolutionary in the 80s, being one of the first drum machines with an electronic drum pads. This allowed drummers to add electronic toms, kicks, and snares to their acoustic kits, making it a staple of the big, bombastic sounds of 80s hair rock. The Simmons toms sound is likely the most common tom sound found in synthwave.
I really like this rendition of Timecop1983's song "Tonight", here performed on the Simmons SDS 7 and SDS 2000.
Watch the Simmons SDS in action
Hexagon 85 free simmons emulation VST by Marvin VST
There’s a free simmons SDS VST available for PC only. While I haven’t tested it myself (I’m on Mac), it seems like the real deal based on videos I’ve seen. Hexagon 85 offers the same controls as a Simmons SDS unit, so give it a go.
If that doesn’t work for you, the DR-84, mentioned earlier, also contains sampled Simmons drums.
Download Hexagon 85, Windows only
Roland TR-808
The TR-808 drum machine is synonymous with all kinds of electronic music, but in the 80s, it was often used as a percussion machine alongside a LinnDrum. It was notably used as a percussion instrument in Marvin Gaye’s "Sexual Healing" and this achingly beautiful song by Chris De Burgh.
In synthwave, the 808 is mainly used for percussive sounds or hi-hats. I often layer the 808 hi-hat on top of a more organic-sounding hi-hat to smooth it out a bit.
RVK-808 by Electronic Sound Lab
My favourite free 808 VST is RVK-808, it has a number of different processing options and different 808 based kits, although I sometimes prefer using samples since it can be a bit memory and processor intensive.
Download RVK-808, available for both Mac OS and Windows
Monster Drums by Agus Hardiman
I don’t think I could finish a drum machine guide without mentioning Monster Drums. It’s my second favourite free drum VST, just slightly edged out by DR-84, mostly due to specialisation. While DR-84 focuses on a tight collection of high-quality 80s kits, Monster Drums is a multi-genre rompler that’s constantly evolving, with new drum kits added regularly.
Agus Hardiman, the developer, is a fantastic guy who puts a huge amount of time and passion into creating great free plugins — so it would be remiss not to give him a shout here. Monster Drums currently includes around 20 drum machine kits, making it a strong choice even for vintage and 80s-inspired sounds.
Download Monster Drums, available for both Mac OS and Windows
Synthwave Light - 120 Presets for Vital
While this isn’t a VST or a free 80s drums VST, if you're still struggling to achieve that perfect synthwave sound, you might want to check out my preset pack, Synthwave Light.
Synthwave Light includes 120 presets specifically designed for creating authentic synthwave tracks. Unlike other preset packs I've tried, this one excels at easy layering, allowing you to build rich, unique sounds right out of the box. It saves you time on post-processing, letting you focus on your creativity. I listen to a lot of synthwave, so you'll find all the essential sounds in this pack, along with sequences that can spark inspiration, even if you're new to the genre.
Buy my preset pack, Synthwave Light - 120 Synthwave Presets for Vital
80s Bubblegum - 37 free 80s Presets for Vital
If you're still after some more freebies, I've created a free preset 80s preset pack for Vital.
80s Bubblegum is a free 80s preset pack which will help you to recreate 4 classic 80s tunes: Take On Me Presets by A-Ha, Just Can't Get Enough by Depeche Mode, Blue Monday by New Order, and Axel-F by Harold Faltermeyer.
You can use these sounds in your own songs too.
Get our free 80s preset pack, 80s Bubblegum - 37 presets for vital