HumBeat 2.0

Real drummers never hit exactly on the grid. HumBeat analyzes your MIDI patterns and applies intelligent timing variations that respect musical context. Fast rolls stay tight (3-8ms variation) while slower grooves get more natural looseness (10-20ms). The engine applies different timing multipliers per instrument: kicks and snares stay tighter (70% of base), while hi-hats (150%) and crashes (180%) get that characteristic human sloppiness.

MIDI drums programmed at constant velocity sound lifeless. HumBeat applies natural velocity variation scaled by instrument type: hi-hats get 40% more variation (ghosting), kicks stay consistent (40% less variation), and snares fall in between (20% less). The Velocity Contour feature shapes phrasing—adding subtle crescendos during fills and rolls. Accent Enhancement automatically boosts notes above your threshold (default 110) by 8%, making accented hits punch through the mix.

Flams are the signature of a real stick player—two sticks hitting almost simultaneously but not quite. When HumBeat detects simultaneous notes on the same drum, it spreads them by your configured amount (0-20ms), creating that characteristic "fat" snare or tom sound. The Drag feature adds grace notes before snare hits with configurable probability.

At extreme speeds (200+ BPM single strokes), even the best drummers lose power. HumBeat's blast beat detector monitors note density and automatically applies velocity compression when notes arrive faster than your threshold (default 70ms apart). This simulates the natural "choking" effect.

HumBeat automatically alternates single kick notes into Left/Right foot patterns, applies foot dominance, simulates fatigue accumulation during long passages, and adds timing drift as legs tire. Configure your left/right kick notes (default B1/C2, MIDI 35/36), set the threshold for alternation, and dial in the "Human Factor".

The "pocket" separates a great drummer from a metronome. HumBeat lets you push snares behind the beat (the "lazy" feel), rush hi-hats ahead (driving the song forward), or glue the kick to the grid as an anchor. These micro-adjustments (0-50ms) create the illusion of swing and groove.

Drummers get tired. After a long fill or intense section, velocity naturally drops and timing gets sloppier. HumBeat tracks cumulative effort across your track—fast hi-hats drain stamina faster than quarter-note kicks. As stamina depletes, hits get softer and timing looser. This creates that organic "human breathing" quality.

Drummers alternate hands (RLRL) but they're not ambidextrous—one hand always hits slightly harder. HumBeat simulates this by tracking alternating strokes and applying your configured hand difference. Set which hand leads and add accent emphasis on the downbeats.

When a drummer plays a fill, they naturally accelerate and crescendo toward the crash. HumBeat detects tom runs and snare fills, then applies configurable tempo rushing and velocity curves. Fills build energy instead of sounding mechanical.

Even with a metronome, human drummers drift slightly over time. HumBeat applies slow, organic timing waves across your entire track using smooth sine-wave modulation. Subconscious "breathing" quality for ballads and grooves.

Route your MIDI through the plugin and hear humanized output instantly. The plugin captures incoming notes, applies all algorithms, and outputs the result to your drum sampler. When no file is loaded, HumBeat automatically captures live MIDI input.

Multiple ways to get MIDI into and out of HumBeat:

See exactly what HumBeat is doing. Original note positions appear as ghost markers, while humanized positions show actual timing and velocity changes. Zoom in/out, fit to view, or reset. Updates in real-time as you tweak parameters.

Save favorite settings as presets. Profiles for different drummers or genres. All 10 panels (Timing, Flam, Blast, Double Bass, Groove, Endurance, Stick, Fill, Contour, Drift) are saved and recalled.