BeatForge
BeatForge is a drum machine, step sequencer, and REX player plugin for macOS and Windows.
What BeatForge is
BeatForge is a drum machine, step sequencer, and REX player plugin for macOS and Windows. Its drum section includes TR-606, TR-808, and TR-909 models, while more than 40 sound engines generate voices on demand without a sample library. Sequencing tools include per-step parameter locks, 32 edit groups per track, polymeter, swing, Euclidean fills, and a 16-pattern song mode. Sound tools include a modeled 1176 compressor, tube saturation, EQ, delay, per-track plate reverb, and drawable LFOs.
The slicer supports WAV, AIFF, FLAC, MP3, and OGG, and the plugin also supports native .rx2 files. Tracks can receive and send MIDI, controls support MIDI learning, and tracks or slices can use separate output pairs. Donk FM imports Yamaha .syx banks, and BeatForge integrates the Beat This! algorithm for sample analysis. A perpetual licence costs €39 once and includes free updates. The complete version is available for 14 days without a payment card. BeatForge is written by one developer in Belgium; the site footer identifies PulSonix.
Good
- Includes TR-606, TR-808, and TR-909 models.
- More than 40 sound engines.
- Supports WAV, AIFF, FLAC, MP3, and OGG.
- Includes MIDI input, output, and control learning.
- 14-day full-version trial requires no payment card.
Watch out
- Paid licence required after the trial.
- Requires macOS 11+ or Windows 10+ 64-bit.
- Available for macOS and Windows only.
Who it suits
BeatForge suits music makers on macOS or Windows looking for a plugin that combines drum-machine sounds, step sequencing, sample slicing, and MIDI routing.
Verdict
BeatForge combines drum synthesis, sequencing, sample slicing, and MIDI routing in one plugin. Its €39 perpetual licence includes free updates, and the full version can be tried for 14 days.
Plans and prices
From BeatForge's own pricing page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| BeatForge | €39, paid once | 14-day full-version trial · macOS 11+ or Windows 10+ 64-bit · One-time; perpetual licence with free updates |
The facts
Each one read from BeatForge's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Audio tools
- It includes a modeled 1176 compressor, tube saturation, EQ, delay, per-track plate reverb and drawable LFOs.checked 8 Oct 2026
- File formats
- The slicer supports WAV, AIFF, FLAC, MP3 and OGG, and the product supports native .rx2 files.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The Donk FM synth imports Yamaha .syx banks, and the manual says BeatForge integrates the Beat This! algorithm for sample analysis.checked 8 Oct 2026
- MIDI and routing
- The product supports per-track MIDI input and output, MIDI learning on every control, Launch Control XL LEDs and separate output pairs for tracks or slices.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Product
- BeatForge is a drum machine, step sequencer and REX player plugin.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Security and transparency
- The maker says the compressor signal path is published on GitHub under the MIT licence, with its derivation and approximations documented.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Sequencing
- Features include per-step parameter locks, 32 edit groups per track, polymeter, swing, Euclidean fills and 16-pattern song mode.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Sound engines
- The site describes more than 40 sound engines and says voices are generated on demand without a sample library.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- The developer lists [email protected] for support and says replies usually arrive the same day.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Updates
- The €39 purchase is a perpetual licence that includes free updates.checked 8 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Drum machines
- It includes TR-606, TR-808 and TR-909 models rebuilt from service drawings and checked against hardware recordings.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Platforms
- BeatForge is available as a standalone app and plugins for macOS and Windows; listed plugin formats include VST3, AU, AAX and CLAP.checked 8 Oct 2026
The company
- Maker
- BeatForge is written by one developer in Belgium; the site footer identifies PulSonix.checked 8 Oct 2026
Money
- Trial
- The complete version is available for 14 days without a payment card.checked 8 Oct 2026
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