Whether you want an authentic emulation of an old-school beat box, a sophisticated virtual kit that sounds just like a real one, or a piece of software that offers the best of the electronic and acoustic worlds, there’s a drum machine plug-in available that will meet your requirements.

Although nothing will never quite replace the feeling of hitting a real kit or tapping away on a set of drums pads, it’s undeniably possible to create all the drum sounds you need in software, and if you want to get the tactility back, an electronic drum kit or pad-based MIDI controller will sort you out.

Which, though, are the very best VST and AU drum plug-ins for PC and Mac? MusicRadar asked, you nominated; MusicRadar compiled a shortlist and then you voted for your favourite. What follows is a countdown of the results, finishing off with what you think is the best drum machine plug-in in the world today.

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