BFD 3 is a compelling Drum Software Instrument that operates both standalone and within your favourite Digital Audio Workstation as a VST/VST3/AAX/AU Instrument for 64-bit Operating Systems. 


Designed for creating great-sounding, realistic acoustic drums. It delivers true, impactful, release-ready sound alongside a host of creative features and significant updates, BFD 3.5 delivers uncompromising detail for the easiest BFD experience yet.


TABLE OF CONTENTS


Frequently Asked Questions



What are the minimum System Requirements for BFD 3.5?

WindowsMAC
Windows 10 version 1909 and aboveMacOS 12 Monterey and above
55GB free disk space required55GB free disk space required
8GB DDR3 RAM and above8GB DDR3 RAM and above
Intel Core i5 3.0 ghz and above orIntel Core i5 3.0 ghz and above or
AMD Ryzen 3 (2017) and aboveApple Silicon M1 and above
This software requires an internet connection to authorizeThis software requires an internet connection to authorize
Supported formats: VST2, VST3, AAXSupported formats: VST2, VST3, AAX, AU (Intel and ARM - Rosetta is not required)



How do I get started with BFD3?

A detailed setup guide for the latest BFD3.5 update can be found in this support article: BFD 3 | How to Install & Authorize BFD 3 Software


Is BFD3 a boxed or a downloadable product?

BFD3 and the BFD3 Core Library are available as a downloadable product via the inMusic Software Center. 


The boxed USB version is no longer available - if you encounter any issues with the BFD3 Core Library download, please speak to our support team.



How big is the download version?

BFD3 & BFD3 Core Library is a total download size of 55GB.



Are expansion packs available for BFD3?

Yes - See THIS page to purchase expansion packs for BFD3.


For help getting started with installing your expansion packs, see this support article: BFD 3 | How to Install & Authorize my BFD3 Expansion


Note, if upgrading to BFD 3.5, you must download/install the latest expansion updates for compatibility with BFD 3.5 - Content from 3.4 or earlier builds is incompatible.



Can I use BFD3 without a DAW or host?

Yes - BFD3 comes with a standalone version that can be used without a host/DAW. 


BFD3 features pattern sequencing and audio/MIDI export functions so can be used as a self-contained tool.


For recording capabilities, we suggest using BFD3 in a Digital Audio Workstation. 



Does BFD3 support languages other than English?

No - BFD3 is available only in an English language version, but it works fine in any language operating system.


Is there a demo version?

While there is no demo version of BFD3 available... We strongly suggest users refer to our demo recordings to hear BFD3's capabilities. 


The hyperlink above directs you to our SoundCloud playlist for BFD3 to hear all the fantastic sounds/samples the software offers. 



Can I store BFD3 Core Library or Expansion content on an external drive?

Yes - BFD 3.5 allows playback from an external drive, however, this supports only USB C / Thunderbolt drives that allow suitable speeds; an SSD is typically recommended for these use cases. 


To learn more information about loading content from an external drive, see HERE.



Are there any elements from BFD2 that cannot be loaded into BFD3?

Kit-piece presets from BFD2 cannot be loaded into BFD3 - This system has been replaced by Processed Drum presets that allow you to save presets containing a loaded Drum along with Drum Editor and channel effects settings.


The PSP Vintage Warmer effect introduced in BFD 2.1 has now been deprecated. The new DCAM Distortion effect features new algorithms that can be used for subtle warming as well as shredding distortion.


SOUNDS AND CONTENT



How detailed are the sounds?

BFD3 features new articulations: rim-clicks for Snares, rim-shots and rim-clicks for Toms, splashes and bells for hi-hats.


Many kits also feature additional ambient mic channels such as mono and hardware-compressed room channels, allowing greater mixing flexibility.

The following figures represent the maximum velocity layers per Drum class in the BFD3 Core Library:

  • Kicks: 60
  • Snares: 80
  • Toms: 50
  • Hi-Hats: 65
  • Other: 50



How big can I make the kit in BFD3?

The kit in BFD3 is limited internally to 64 pieces with a maximum of 5 Drums from each Drum Class.

To achieve this kit size you must have enough system resources and you must be able to map all required articulations to notes within the 128 key range of a MIDI channel unless you only want to play the kit with BFD3's built-in Groove engine, which internally addresses each articulation directly without using MIDI notes.



Are there any brushed/mallet sounds in BFD3?

Yes - one of the kits is provided in brush and mallet versions.



How many toms or cymbals can I load?

You can load up to 5 floor toms, 5 mid toms, 5 rides, 5 crashes, and so on. However, going beyond a certain number requires you to create additional MIDI mappings unless you only want to address them directly from the Groove engine.



What about kicks and snares?

Up to 5 kicks and 5 snares can be loaded, with access to all articulations as long as they are mapped to keys or accessed directly from the Groove engine.



What are articulations and velocity layers?

Each drum, cymbal, hihat, or percussion instrument within BFD3 features a number of articulations, each representing a way of playing the instrument.

Each articulation is recorded at gradually increased striking intensities from quiet to loud, with the range of samples designed to be addressed by the MIDI note velocity range. These individual recordings are called velocity layers.



How long do kits take to load?

Overall, kit loading times are comparable to those in BFD2. However, please bear in mind that BFD3's library features more articulations and audio channels. 


The BFD3 library is compressed on disk in a lossless format, so data is quicker to load from disk.


In addition, BFD3's loading routine has been improved - it now loads velocity layers more intelligently across the kit so that each Drum is playable more quickly.


Note, users upgrading to BFD 3.5 for the first time, may experience a total load time of up to 5-10 minutes upon scanning your content and authorisation.

MIXING AND EFFECTS



Can BFD3's effects be used outside BFD3?

No - BFD3 effects are available within the standalone application and plugins. 



Does BFD3 support hosting of VST or AU plugins for internal effects?

No - We do however, include a plethora of high quality processing and effects. 

Each channel in the mixer can be routed to a discrete output for processing in your host or with outboard hardware.



Is there built-in artificial reverb as well as the natural ambiance channels?

Yes - the effects suite includes 4 Overloud Breverb algorithms as well as a new reverb developed in-house called FXverb.


FXverb is based on the Diffusor algorithm found in Bloom and is expanded to provide versatile and high-quality reverb sounds.



Can you put separate EQ and compression on each drum?

Yes - there are 6 effect slots per mic channel, plus the ability to create further aux channels for sub-group processing.



I see a "DCAM" logo on some of the effects. What's this?

DCAM is our proprietary analog circuit modeling technology, and stands for "Discrete Component Analogue Modeling". DCAM enables us to build virtualized electronic circuits in code, the results of which are superbly authentic. The compressors in BFD3 are very realistic models of 2 of the most well-known studio compressors ever and sound great even at extreme settings. The effects suite also includes DCAM-modelled envelope shaping, distortion, and resonant filtering.



I like to use group busses and side-chained effects in my mixes. Can I do that any of that in BFD3?

Yes. Aux channels can be freely created in the mixer, to which the outputs from multiple channels can be routed. Signals can also be routed as parallel sends. Certain effects, such as the Bus Compressor, can be side chained from any other signal in the mixer. BFD3 also includes an external sidechain input for using with sidechain-enabled effects.



Does the standalone support multiple outputs?

Yes, if your audio interface features multiple outputs, the standalone application will support them.


TECHNICAL INFORMATION



What operating systems are supported by BFD3.5?

Windows: 10 Version 1909 and above

macOS: Monterey (macOS 12) and above. 



Will my BFD2 and expansion pack content work in BFD3?

Yes, however - the BFD2 and BFD 1.x libraries have been repackaged as BFD London Sessions and Eldorado respectively. Please reach out to us at www.bfddrums.com/support with your FXpansion serials and the email associated with your new inMusic account and we can get you that content. All other BFD-compatible expansion packs - are usable after they have been specified within BFD3's content locations (data paths). If you have already authorized your expansion packs for use on your system, you will not need to re-authorize them for use with BFD3.



I'm having problems with adding expansion packs to my BFD3 installation - please help?

Please first see this guide on expansion setup: BFD 3 | How to Install & Authorize my BFD3 Expansion


Note, if upgrading to BFD 3.5, you must download/install the latest expansion updates for compatibility with BFD 3.5 - Content from 3.4 or earlier builds is incompatible.



I'm experiencing latency issues, what should I do?

Latency issues are typically associated with the soundcard configured for your computer and the Audio Buffer size settings - Try lowering the buffer size if experiencing latency issues and consult the user guide for your soundcard/audio interface. 



Does BFD3.5 support 32-bit architecture?

BFD3 supports only 64-bit architecture on Windows & Mac Operating Systems - 32-bit systems / DAWs are not compatible. 



Does BFD3 support/take advantage of multi-core CPUs?

Yes - BFD3 complies fully with your DAW's multi-core CPU management.



Can I run BFD3 on a DAW with no Internet connection?

Yes, however, an internet connection is required for download and authorization. 



Does BFD3 support Apple Silicon ARM processors on Mac?

Yes! As of the 3.5 update, Apple ARM processors are supported with BFD 3.5 natively. 


If you're still running BFD 3.4, please be sure to update via the inMusic Software Center. BFD 3 | How to Install & Authorize BFD 3 Software



I'm experiencing issues with high RAM consumption - What should I do? 

Open BFD 3.5's preferences, navigate to 'Engine' and enable '16-bit mode' - Enabling 16-bit mode will reduce the RAM consumption by 50%. 



Does BFD3 support drag-n-drop of grooves to hosts?

Yes, as MIDI or bounced audio.



Does the new Groove engine load existing MIDI drum file/performances into it?

Yes - Note, Third-Party Grooves may appear as 'unauthorized' but they will still work as expected. 


Can MIDI files be exported directly from BFD3?

Yes, via drag & drop direct to host, Finder, etc, or using the Save menu in the Groove page.



Can audio be exported directly from BFD3?

Yes, multi-track audio rendering & export is built-in and extremely easy to use. You can export Grooves as audio, and also set up BFD3 to export what it's playing in sync with a host that is sending it MIDI. The export features allow you to 'record-arm' any channel in the BFD3 mixer - whether it is a direct mic channel, ambiance channel, or aux/master channel - so that the channel is exported as a discrete audio file. This means you can create multi-channel bounces very easily, which is something that not all hosts can do. The audio export features are built into the BFD3 interface itself, so you can use them either when running the plugin in a host or when using the standalone application.


USING ELECTRONIC DRUMS



Which electronic drumkits and MIDI controllers does BFD3 support?


BFD3 includes factory mappings for the following kits:

  • Alesis ControlPad, DM5, DM5 Pro, Trigger I/O, Command, Command Mesh SE, Crimson, Crimson II, DM10, Nitro, Nitro Mesh, Nitro Max, Strata Prime, Strike & Strike Pro, Surge, Surge Mesh SE. 
  • Alternate Mode DrumKat, TrapKat
  • Clavia DDrum
  • KAT KT1, KT2
  • Korg Pad Kontrol
  • M-Audio Trigger Finger
  • Roland TD-10, TD-11, TD-12, TD-15, TD-20, TD-20X, TD-3, TD-30, TD-4, TD-6, TD-8, TD-10, TD-12, TD-20, TD-3, TD-6, TD-8
  • Simmons SD1000
  • Yamaha DTX Multi12, DTX500, DTX502, DTX700, DTX900, DTXtreme
  • Areodrums



My E-Drum kit isn't on this list. Can I still use it?

Easy-to-use functionality is built-in for setting up mappings for less common controllers like Zendrums, TrapKats, Mandala Drums, Hart, XDrum, Pintech, RET, Roland HD-1, HPDs and SPDs, Ion IED-1s, etc., as well as customized or DIY controllers and modified versions of the factory-supported controllers (e.g. TD brains with extra toms or cymbals from Roland or elsewhere).


If your kit is not listed, you can manually map your kit - See this guide to learn about how to MIDI Map your kit: BFD 3 | e-Kits - Setup & How to Load / Use Key Maps



Does BFD3 support positional sensing?

Yes - BFD3 supports positional sensing using a MIDI CC for snares - to switch between the hit/half-edge articulations.


PURCHASING/LICENSING



What kind of copy protection scheme is used?


This product features a challenge-response authorization system, with three installs on your own machines, allowed simultaneously.

  • Internet is needed for the download and authorization of the software. The License Management system requires an internet connection every 90 days to confirm the status of the license. This will happen automatically in the background if you are already connected. 
  • You do NOT need to have an internet connection to use the program, except to allow reauthorization every 90 days. 
  • You must, however, authorize the product before it can be used - there is no 'grace period' after installation.


Can I use it on both my laptop and main machine?

Yes - you can install on up to 3 machines as long as only 1 is running it at any one time. 



Do I need to re-authorize when installing the OS again or upgrading the OS/hardware?

A new major operating system version is enough of a change that the authorization system will require re-authenticating the product; point releases should be fine. Likewise, a significant hardware change will also require re-authorization. We will be monitoring the situation closely and adjusting the flexibility of the authorization system to get the best balance of copy protection and annoyance levels.

If reinstalling an existing OS without changing any hardware, you will be able to save the auth file and simply re-import it when authorizing the product again.



Do you allow license transfers?


Yes, however:

  • If you're the seller, you must contact us in advance of the sale. If you're the prospective second-hand buyer, you must check that the seller is cleared to sell. If in doubt, contact us.
  • There is a flat $50 fee per product for a license transfer, which can be purchased from our online shop.
  • Review copies, NFRs (Not For Resale copies, sometimes used for in-store demos), etc., cannot be transferred under any circumstances.
  • We reserve the right to refuse a license transfer request.

Once a transfer is authorized and the fee has been paid, the new owner is entitled to exactly the same upgrade paths and technical support resources as if they had bought the product new.


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