Heartbeat is a drum machine from Softube built from eight instrument channels based on modeled analog synthesis, with a four-channel Auto Layer Machine for layering sounds and triggering beat patterns.
Heartbeat at a glance
| Developer | Softube |
|---|---|
| Type | Instruments / Drum Machine |
| Formats | VST3, VST2, AU, AAX |
| Operating systems | Windows 10 or later, macOS |
| Apple Silicon | Native |
| Architecture | 64-bit |
| Copy protection | iLok |
| Hosts named by the developer | Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Cubase, Reaper, Studio One |
| Price on Plugin Boutique (October 2026) | €137.84 |
What Heartbeat does
The core of Heartbeat consists of eight instrument channels, and most of their sound originates from Softube’s own modeled analog synthesis. Two dedicated snare channels have six parameters each, the percussion channels are built on the same model and cover sounds from 80s style synthetic toms to cowbells, and the hihat and cymbal channels offer flexible synthesis engines of their own. Each of the eight channels has a dedicated mixer strip with volume, pan, ping-pong auto-panning, EQ and effect sends.
The Auto Layer Machine layers sounds across four channels and triggers beat patterns from them, with a Chaos slider that adds randomness to its behavior.
Key features
- Eight modeled analog channels. Eight instrument channels produce the drum sounds, with two snare channels, percussion channels and hihat and cymbal channels, each with its own synthesis controls.
- Channel mixer strips. Each channel has its own mixer section with volume, pan, ping-pong auto-panning, an EQ and effect sends.
- Auto Layer Machine. A four-channel layering module that stacks sounds and triggers beat patterns from them, with a Chaos slider controlling how much randomness the pattern behavior gets.
- TSAR-1 and Filter Echo. An adapted TSAR-1 reverb and a new Filter Echo delay with adjustable Cut Off and Resonance parameters are included among the effects.
Heartbeat compared with similar plugins
SR-88 from AudioThing and Cherry Audio’s CR-78 Drum Machine are also drum machines for Windows and macOS, with SR-88 offering CLAP alongside VST3 and CR-78 adding a Standalone build. Drum Synth from AIR Music Technology is an instrument for VST2, AU and AAX on the same operating systems.
| Plugin | Developer | Type | Formats | Systems | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heartbeat | Softube | Drum Machine | VST3, VST2, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS | €137.84 |
| SR-88 | AudioThing | Drum Machine | VST3, VST2, AU, AAX, CLAP | Windows, macOS | €28.76 |
| Beat Machine 1 | DopeSONIX | Drum Machine | VST2, AU | Windows, macOS | €68.43 |
| CR-78 Drum Machine | Cherry Audio | Drum Machine | VST3, VST2, AU, AAX, Standalone | Windows, macOS | €48.59 |
| Drum Synth | AIR Music Technology | Virtual Instruments | VST2, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS | €98.18 |
Price and availability
Heartbeat was listed on Plugin Boutique in October 2026 at €137.84. Prices change often, so the store page shows the current one.
Heartbeat FAQ
Is Heartbeat available as an AU plugin for Logic Pro?
Yes. Heartbeat is available in AU format for macOS, and the developer names Logic Pro among its hosts.
Does Heartbeat require an iLok dongle?
No. The developer states that no iLok USB dongle is required, though the plugin uses iLok copy protection.
Is Heartbeat available as a torrent or magnet link?
Heartbeat is distributed as a magnet link torrent, a repack or a .rar and .iso archive, and portable editions are searched as well.