How Baby Audio’s Tekno Plugin Brings Fresh Sound Design Tools

Baby Audio has steadily carved out a lane as one of the most forward-thinking plugin companies in modern production. Known for releases like Smooth Operator, TAIP, and BA-1, their products combine analog inspiration with workflow-focused digital design. Their next release continues this thread, but instead of another effect or synth, they’re turning their attention toward drums. On September 2nd, 2025, the company will release Tekno, a new analog-inspired drum synthesizer built entirely on synthesis instead of samples.

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Synthesis-Driven Drum Design

Most drum plugins lean heavily on sample playback. Tekno flips that by building each sound from the ground up through modeling and synthesis. It ships with 18 fully independent drum engines, ranging from kick and snare modules to hi-hats, claps, and percussive accents. Each engine uses circuit modeling to mimic the feel of hardware, while leaving room for modern flexibility. Because no two hits render the exact same way, producers get a more natural sense of variation compared to static samples.

This approach also makes Tekno well-suited for producers who want to sculpt drums to fit a mix instead of digging endlessly through folders of one-shots. Parameters can be pushed for classic electronic tones or dialed in for unconventional percussion. Baby Audio also built in Humanize controls, which introduce subtle non-linearities and evolving differences across patterns. Even when sequencing quantized rhythms, the results retain the looseness and unpredictability that make synthesized drums feel alive.

The plugin doesn’t emulate any specific machine, but it borrows from the energy and character of the drum boxes that shaped electronic music. With over 50 factory kits curated by producers such as Mr. Bill, Virtual Riot, and Yoad Nevo, users can get started quickly with sounds that are mix-ready. For those who like randomness as part of their process, Tekno includes Baby Audio’s upgraded preset randomizer. One click can generate an entirely new kit, encouraging exploration while still producing usable results.

Features, Effects, and Creative Workflows

Tekno is not limited to synthesis alone. Baby Audio worked with engineer Jatin Chowdhury to integrate a suite of onboard effects that complement the engines. Instead of forcing users to rely on external processing chains, distortion, filtering, and time-based effects can be shaped directly inside the plugin. This keeps workflow fast and allows the drum design and processing stages to remain closely connected.

For many producers, Tekno offers a different way to approach writing. Rather than pulling in pre-made loops or spending hours auditioning samples, the plugin gives them the ability to design percussion as they go. That flexibility makes it appealing across genres: electronic artists who want to push club tracks forward, pop producers looking for drums that cut through crowded mixes, and experimental musicians who thrive on sound design all stand to benefit.

The preset randomizer deserves specific mention because it encourages happy accidents. Many sound design tools either overwhelm users with options or produce results that feel generic. Tekno’s randomizer walks the line by creating kits that are both surprising and functional. It serves as a quick inspiration engine while also giving more experienced users a strong starting point for refinement.

Pricing and Availability

Tekno is released as of September 2nd, 2025, at a standard price of $129, with an introductory launch price of $79. It runs in all major DAWs on Mac and PC and includes full support for Apple Silicon systems. Baby Audio has also confirmed that Tekno will be available in VST, VST3, AU, and AAX formats.

With Tekno, Baby Audio is betting on synthesis-driven percussion as the next step for producers who want unique, controllable drum sounds without relying on the same sample packs everyone else is using. Between its 18 engines, humanization features, integrated effects, and curated presets, the plugin offers a toolkit that can adapt to both fast idea generation and deeper sound design workflows.

For more details, feature lists, and sound examples, visit babyaud.io/tekno.