SnareRush

SnareRush is a synthesized snare drum instrument inspired by classic drum circuitry, but radically expanded with the potential of ITB synthesis. No samples, every hit is generated in real time from oscillators, envelopes, filters, and noise.

Extensive control over dynamics and tone, this is an over-powered swiss army knife for snare drum and percussive sound design.

SnareRush is in beta and is likely to change a lot!

Features

Dual-oscillator body synthesis with pitch sweep, waveshaping, and phase modulation
Click transient and secondary oscillator with independent decay and tuning
Multi-mode noise source - Noise9, Velvet, Crakl, and Flip - for the snappy wire character
Per-section envelope shaping with curve controls
Stereo spread via an independent noise tap
Subtle snappy swell on repeated hits, like real hardware capacitor accumulation
Envelope ceiling, choke, and output clipper
Keyboard tracking and deterministic noise mode for repeatable renders
Microtonal options
Real-time waveform display and VCA envelope visualisation

Download & Install

macOS

Download for Mac

1. Unzip the archive, then copy the plugins into your user plugin folders:

cp -R "SnareRush.vst3" ~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/
cp -R "SnareRush.component" ~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/

2. Remove the macOS quarantine flag (required once after download):

xattr -rd com.apple.quarantine   ~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/SnareRush.vst3
xattr -rd com.apple.quarantine   ~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/SnareRush.component

The plugins are ad-hoc signed, not notarised with an Apple Developer ID. The xattr step unblocks them without needing Gatekeeper approval.

3. Rescan plugins in your DAW.

Formats: VST3, Audio Unit (AU)

Windows

Download for Windows

1. Unzip the archive.

2. Copy SnareRush.vst3 into your VST3 plugin folder:

C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3\

3. Rescan plugins in your DAW.

Format: VST3

Roadmap

Todo and possible features

CPU optimization
UI streamlining
Fine tune parameter ranges and defaults
De-clicking
AFX mode/per-note programs
Presets and patch storage
Clap style envelope train option on snappy
General .scl and/or .tun microtuning.
Phase inversion option for click
Snap points on some knobs for multi-defaults - e.g. classic ratios on Osc 2 tune
More flexible accent handling
MPC stuff

If there is something specific you'd like to see, submit a feature request at https://github.com/ryandorward/SnareRush-releases/issues or get in touch

Credits

SnareRush is free to use.

Built with JUCE, the open-source C++ framework for audio software.

Circuit research drawn from the Sound on Sound Synth Secrets series and the work of Electric Druid on vintage drum synthesis.

Inspiration taken widely from the sound design, DSP, electronic community. Thank you to all the forums, discussions, and sharers of knowledge.