This free VST drum enhancer plugin promises to make your kicks smack “10 times harder”

(Image credit: Cymatics)

There have been some great free VST plugins of late, and Cymatics’ Diablo Lite just might be another one. Designed to make your drums hit harder and cut through your mix, this promises to increase perceived loudness while keeping db levels the same.

There are two main controls: Punch is a transient shaper, while Clip is a hard/soft clipper that adds saturation. There are also input, output and mix knobs.

Diablo Lite is designed to be used on kicks - which Cymatic says can be made to smack “10 times harder” - snares and full drum loops. Before and after audio examples are available on the website.

Available for PC and Mac in VST/AU formats, you can register for your free download of Diablo Lite on the Cymatics website. It looks like a full, chargeable version is set to follow.

I’m the Deputy Editor of MusicRadar, having worked on the site since its launch in 2007. I previously spent eight years working on our sister magazine, Computer Music. I’ve been playing the piano, gigging in bands and failing to finish tracks at home for more than 30 years, 24 of which I’ve also spent writing about music and the ever-changing technology used to make it.