Groove Agent 5
Groove Agent 5 is a drum production instrument for creating rhythms and drum tracks on macOS and Windows.
What Groove Agent 5 is
Groove Agent 5 is a drum production instrument for creating rhythms and drum tracks on macOS and Windows. It includes a sample recorder for capturing audio directly into the instrument, and supports sample import, mapping, and round-robin playback. Supported sample formats include WAV, AIFF, and REX; listed plugin formats are VST 3, AU, and AAX. The product also supports surround audio and standalone use. Steinberg recommends its Download Assistant for installation and provides the application installer separately from sound content. The Groove Agent 5 content download is a 33 GB ISO for macOS and Windows. Version 5.1.10 added native Apple silicon support on Mac and Steinberg Licensing, while eLicenser licenses continued to work at that time. Steinberg lists compatibility with its Pop Essentials expansion, which includes 10 Pop Styles. The product is paid, with no free plan. A listed update for Groove Agent 5 owners costs 59.99 USD once.
Good
- Sample recorder captures audio into the instrument
- Imports and maps samples
- Supports WAV, AIFF, and REX
- Available as plugin and standalone app
- Supports surround audio
Watch out
- No free plan
- Sound content download is a 33 GB ISO
- Listed price is for an update from version 5
Who it suits
Groove Agent 5 suits music producers who want a drum instrument for building rhythms and drum tracks, including users who record or import their own samples. It is available for macOS and Windows, as a plugin and standalone application.
Verdict
Groove Agent 5 combines drum production with sample recording and import, and supports both plugin and standalone workflows. Check the substantial sound-content download and the listed update’s ownership requirement before choosing it.
Plans and prices
From Groove Agent 5's own pricing page, checked 3 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Groove Agent 6 update from Groove Agent 5 | $59.99, paid once | Update for Groove Agent 5 owners |
The facts
Each one read from Groove Agent 5's own pages, with the date it was checked.
Where it runs
- Apple silicon
- Groove Agent 5.1.10 added native Apple silicon support on Mac.checked 3 Oct 2026
The company
- Company founded
- Steinberg’s history page says the founders established Steinberg Research GmbH in 1984.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Company headquarters
- Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH lists its head office in Hamburg, Germany.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Company support
- Steinberg says it provides service for customers interested in recording, composing, and producing music.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 1984checked 28 Sep 2026
- Headquarters
- Hamburg, Germanychecked 28 Sep 2026
What it does
- Download
- Steinberg provides a Groove Agent 5 application installer and separate sound content downloads.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Expansions
- Steinberg lists Groove Agent 5 as compatible with its Pop Essentials expansion, which includes 10 Pop Styles.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Included content
- The Groove Agent 5 content download is a 33 GB ISO for macOS and Windows.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Installation
- Steinberg recommends using Steinberg Download Assistant to download and install Groove Agent 5.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Licensing
- Groove Agent 5.1.10 added Steinberg Licensing, while eLicenser licenses continued to work at that time.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Product type
- Groove Agent is a drum production instrument for creating rhythms and drum tracks.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Sound creation
- Groove Agent 5 includes a sample recorder for recording audio directly into the instrument.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Standalone use
- Steinberg’s version history states that Groove Agent SE 5 gained a standalone application; this entry is for the SE edition.checked 3 Oct 2026
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