Platinum Samples Zildjian Artist MIDI Groove Library — Free Download

Artist-Driven Groove Collection

This library captures the performance styles of two dozen professional drummers who have endorsed Zildjian cymbals, including well-known session and touring players. Each groove was performed on an electronic drum kit and edited to provide concise, playable examples of the artist’s approach. The collection covers a broad stylistic range from Funk and Blues to Rock, Reggae, Latin, Country, and Pop.

The grooves are presented in a variety of time signatures, including common meters like four-four and three-four, as well as more complex ones like seven-four and thirteen-sixteen. This makes the library useful for songwriters and producers looking to expand beyond standard rock feels.

Multi-Format Compatibility

The library includes MIDI files in multiple formats to work with a range of popular drum software. Dedicated versions are provided for BFD2, BFD Eco, EZDrummer, Superior Drummer, Addictive Drums, Steven Slate Drums 4, and Cakewalk Session Drummer. Additionally, General MIDI standard MIDI files are included, which can be used with any GM-compatible drum software or hardware, including drum machines and synthesizers with drum sounds.

This multi-format approach removes the need for manual mapping in most cases, allowing you to load grooves directly into your preferred drum instrument. For users of GM devices, the standard files offer broad compatibility, though mapping may require adjustment depending on the device. The collection is optimized for a standard kit layout, which aligns with the default mappings in most modern drum software.

Workflow and Production Use

In a digital audio workstation, you can drag and drop these MIDI grooves onto a drum track, then edit them to fit your song arrangement. Because they are MIDI, you can easily change tempo, quantize, or humanize the performance, and replace individual drum hits with your own samples.

For producers working in rock, pop, or country, the grooves provide authentic feels that can be tweaked to match a specific song. The inclusion of complex meters like thirteen-sixteen or nine-four offers opportunities for progressive or experimental music. The artist-focused nature of the library means each groove carries a distinct musical personality, which can inspire creative drum parts or serve as a study tool for learning different drumming styles.

Practical Applications

The library is practical for songwriters who need realistic drum parts without programming from scratch. You can quickly audition grooves across different styles and meters to find the right feel for a song. It also works well for music producers in genres like Latin, reggae, or funk, where authentic rhythmic patterns are essential to the style.

For educators or students, the grooves serve as examples of professional drum performances, useful for analyzing phrasing and dynamics. Because the MIDI is performed by endorsed artists, it offers a reference for how different drummers interpret various styles. The General MIDI files extend usability to hardware setups, making it a versatile resource for both studio and live environments.

Key features

• Performed by 24 Zildjian-endorsed drummers
• Includes Funk, Blues, Rock, Reggae, Latin, Country, and Pop grooves
• Time signatures include 4/4, 12/8, 9/4, 3/4, 5/4, 7/4, 13/16, 5/8, and 6/4
• Formats for BFD2, BFD Eco, EZDrummer, Superior Drummer, Addictive Drums, SSD4, Cakewalk Session Drummer, and General MIDI
• Optimized for standard kit: 1 kick, 1 snare, 3 toms, 1 hi-hat, 2 crashes, 1 ride
• All grooves performed on a Yamaha DTX900 electronic drum kit

Best for

Best for songwriters and producers seeking authentic, ready-to-use drum grooves across multiple genres and time signatures, with compatibility for major drum software and General MIDI devices. Also valuable for educators studying professional drumming styles.