Top 3 Tools For Metal Songwriter (2024 Edition)

Does this sound like you?

You've dedicated endless hours fine-tuning every detail, investing hundreds of dollars in gear that often goes unused. Your workflow hasn't become any smoother, and you find yourself struggling to complete even the simplest intro/verse/chorus song.

Been there done that!

Whether you're a seasoned musician or just starting out, these indispensable resources are guaranteed to enhance your creative process and take your compositions to the next level.

1. Neural Amp Modeler

Let's be real, the Neural Amp Modeler is a godsend when it comes to guitar tones. It not only blows away the competition but also keeps the focus squarely on tone by ditching fancy controls and distracting user interfaces. And the best part? It's open-source and totally free to use.

Whether you're looking to capture your own rig or dive into the vast library of captures from the growing community, you'll have endless options at your fingertips.

You'd be amazed at how little processing your guitars need in the mix once you switch to NAM.

The response, the feel, everything about it is top-notch. If you haven't given it a shot yet, I highly recommend checking it out today.

Pros

• Unbeatable sound quality, at no cost
• Versatility at its finest, including previously tricky elements like fuzz and rich harmonic distortion
• Now, your own rig can be a plugin

Cons

• Can be a bit demanding on your CPU
• Currently lacks native Pro Tools/AU/RTAS support (though this may change in the future)

Get Neural Amp Modeler here: https://www.neuralampmodeler.com/
You can explore Loudstakk's NAM profiles here: 

2. EzDrummer/Superior Drummer

In a sea of drum samples and virtual instruments, one stands out as the ultimate choice for songwriters: Toontrack's EzDrummer/Superior Drummer line.

Packed with features and boasting a workflow that leaves competitors in the dust, these tools are a game-changer for anyone looking to streamline their creative process. The Songbuilder section alone can revolutionize your workflow and speed up your production like never before.

But it's not just about features—the sound quality is top-notch too. With a vast selection of expansion packs curated by industry professionals, you can customize your sound to perfection and achieve a pro-level tone with ease.

No matter your style or genre, Toontrack reigns supreme as the undisputed king of virtual drumming. It's an investment worth every penny, and you'll thank us later for introducing you to it.

Pros:

Cons:

• The initial cost may be a bit high for some users.

More info here: https://www.toontrack.com/

3. Drum MIDI Grooves

So, you've spent hours meticulously programming drums note by note, section by section, only to watch your future Grammy-winning riff disappear into thin air.

I've been there. Yours truly spent over a decade programming drums until MIDI Grooves came along and changed the game entirely. While you might not want to use them as your final album tracks, the ease they bring to the songwriting process is undeniable. Need a double-bass section here, a blast beat there, and some killer fills to tie it all together? What used to take up to 15 minutes now takes less than 15 SECONDS.

And let's not forget about presenting ideas to your band's drummer. With MIDI Grooves played by a human drummer, the song becomes actually playable. Say goodbye to those impossible-to-recreate fills and hello to something achievable in real life.

Pros:

• Songwriters can focus solely on songwriting without being bogged down by drum programming.
• The grooves are fully customizable to fit the song's needs.
• Provides a significant time-saving advantage.

Cons:

• Those with rigid drumming specifications may find themselves compromising for the closest match rather than an exact fit.

Check out Loudstakk MIDI Grooves here: