Review: Ferrum – Modern Trailer Percussion by Keep Forest

Ferrum helps set the new standard for louder than life cinematic percussion. The huge range of highly processed drums and crisp metallic percussion is wrapped in a flexible and concise interface. This genre-defining library is incredibly ferocious and will have you blowing the doors off the multiplex in no time.

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Review: Ferrum – Modern Trailer Percussion by Keep Forest

Any trailer or epic music composer must have been sleeping under the rock the past few years if they have not encountered Keep Forest yet. The boys from Belarus have been tearing it up in the heavy-hitting world of hybrid cinematic effects and percussion. Up to now they have included percussion only as part of larger products, but now we finally see their first dedicated percussion library. And it was worth the wait! Expect uber-powerful ensemble drums and more metal percussion than you would probably ever need.

Ferrum – Modern Trailer Percussion sells for $299 from Keep Forest

Thoughts

Keep Forest have taken trailer and epic music percussion to a new level with Ferrum. The main drum percussion patches are as powerful and processed as anything currently available and when combined with a very flexible interface, sequencer and no shortage of round robins it is also incredibly playable. Their super modern, mid-scooped sound will beat its way through the densest mix. The metallic percussion collection is huge, verging on the daunting; again, it features that highly refined, transient and punchy sonic trademark of Keep Forest. They work great as accents on main drums and are tight enough that they can be programmed at very fast tempos and for complex signature fills.

However, it is a very specific library and certainly not an orchestral percussion all rounder. The metals veer between processed and more natural sounding, but with the drums there is nothing particularly organic, which will restrict its use to sound design and hybrid cues. At the normal selling price it will likely appeal only to professional trailer and film composers (unless you are a rich hobbyist!). That said, for what it does – an almighty onslaught of powerful cinematic percussion – Ferrum is one of the best out there.

Facts

Ferrum: Kontakt Library 5GB, WAVs (48khz, 24bit) 3.4GB

550 drum and metallic percussion sounds across 23 patches with up to 16 round robins

Features stage placement module, step sequencer, effects rack, numerous snapshots and multiple playback modes

Works with the free Kontakt 6 Player

Free version also available

Ferrum – Modern Trailer Percussion sells for $299 from Keep Forest

Demos of Ferrum – Modern Trailer Percussion by Keep Forest

Videos of Ferrum – Modern Trailer Percussion by Keep Forest

Contributor Sam Burt reviews Ferrum – Modern Trailer Percussion by Keep Forest
“Ferrum helps set the new standard for louder than life cinematic percussion. The huge range of highly processed drums and crisp metallic percussion is wrapped in a flexible and concise interface. This genre defining library is incredibly ferocious and will have you blowing the doors off the multiplex in no time.”