BFD3 (Stereo) won't show up

[Prime Mover]

I'm having to re-install plugins to a different computer. I've got most of them figured (with a few exceptions). But one that's dogging me is BFD3. I've gone through the install process multiple times, I've checked the Plugin Components folder, but the only thing that shows up in DP is "BFD [32-out]". When I open a project with a BFD instance, it fails to connect. When I go to the Plugin Preferences pane, it doesn't show anything but BFD3 [32-out], I don't even have the option to enable/disable, because the line item just isn't there. I'm still running MacOS 10.15 (Catalina), which this download said it supports. Any ideas?

[mikehalloran]

32 bit plugins will not run in Catalina.

[Prime Mover]

It's a 64bit plugin. [32-out] refers to channel output.

[HCMarkus]

I've been disappointed with BFD support; starting to smell a bit like abandonware.

That said, I was still able to run without issue on my 5,1 Mac Pro under Mojave. Now that I'm on Apple Silicon, BFD3 is dead to me. Maybe I'll upgrade if they bring out an AS version, but I'm now using the Kontakt-based drums in NI Komplete. By selecting the BFD Pad Map in Kontakt, the transition is pretty easy for the most part.

BFD's authorization scheme has been the subject of much wailing and gnashing of teeth; I think they just revised something. You might want to try downloading the current version.

[Prime Mover]

Mojave is 10.14. Catalina is 10.15, which changed a lot of •••• in audio. I purchased BFD under FXpansion. I could try upgrading to the new company's version though. I'm guessing it will still work. I'll give it a shot.

[mikehalloran]

Mojave is 10.14. Catalina is 10.15, which changed a lot of •••• in audio. I purchased BFD under FXpansion. I could try upgrading to the new company's version though. I'm guessing it will still work. I'll give it a shot.

Beat me to the punch. First, you create an inmusicbrands.com account. This lets you sign into https://www.bfddrums.com/ and there you can register your serial number, purchase upgrades etc.

Next, you'll be downloading a new, ridiculously complicated BFD License Manager to install the latest version. It has its own, inaccurate PDF manual but I figured it out anyway.

BFD3 is one of those plugs that required a complete shut down and reboot of my Mac before it loaded into DP the first time— at least it did for me (some NI updates including Kontakt do that, too).


The only thing I like about the new site is that I was able to upgrade from BFD Eco 1 to BFD3 for $49.95 !?!?!? I went through the purchase process and pasted in my Eco serial number when it asked for a discount code. It wasn't my intent to purchase; just checking price but, when it dropped below $50, I pulled the trigger.

[HCMarkus]

They are selling BFD on the cheap. Another reason for concern re: future development.

Wish I went with Toontracks all those years ago... SD3 is Apple Silicon Native and clearly actively maintained.

[James Steele]

Superior Drummer 3 has become my “go to,” especially the Bob Rock kits. XLN Addictive Drums is another one I like. If I had to recommend going with one or the other, I’d say do SD3. Might be EZ Drummer 3 might be good too. I’ve been considering upgrading to it from EZ2.

[mikehalloran]

I have Superior Drummer, also.

I recently heard a brush kit in BFD3 that I think is well suited to one of my summer projects and that's why I upgraded Eco when I saw how inexpensive it is to do so. Other than it being on sale, I don't recall what I paid in 2011.

[HCMarkus]

In fairness to BFD, I found this today, regarding M1 Native:

Yep working on it! We hit a snag with some 3rd party code that needs to be updated before we can go to beta. But it is in progress, and there isn’t too much more work to do.

One can hope.

[Prime Mover]

Okay, so it suddenly just started showing up on my startup check... and failed. Ooof. This is the FXpansion version though. I'm TRYING to get the newer inMusic version, however when I go online to type the serial number, the codes don't line up. I haven't figured out how to use my FXpansion code to get a newer inMusic code.

[mikehalloran]

Okay, so it suddenly just started showing up on my startup check... and failed. Ooof. This is the FXpansion version though. I'm TRYING to get the newer inMusic version, however when I go online to type the serial number, the codes don't line up. I haven't figured out how to use my FXpansion code to get a newer inMusic code.

If you’ve created your inMusic Profile, you should be able to use it to log into the other web site bfddrums.com and register your old license. This should send you to download the new BFD license manager.

As I mentioned, the new license manager is ridiculously complicated but that’s where I found my license after logging into it. Only when I highlighted the license did Download and Install show up. After downloading, I had to quite the license manager before it would actually install but eventually, it did.

[mikehalloran]

I just went into my profile and saw that, for moving my registration, I get a free expansion pack. I had to click on a Get Coupon link to obtain the code but, once entered, it showed up as Free. I chose BFD Jazz Noir as my free pack.

Again, back to the BFD License Manager where my new license showed up after logging in. Highlight to Activate License in the first tab, when it disappeared, on to the next tab where I had to highlight it again before I could download.

[HCMarkus]

Also, there are apparently some serial number shenanigans required to make data from BFD1 and 2 and some expansions work in BFD3 now:

https://forum.bfddrums.com/t/read-this- ... ssions/194

I think you have to post a few times to get PM Privileges.

[mikehalloran]

Also, there are apparently some serial number shenanigans required to make data from BFD1 and 2 and some expansions work in BFD3 now:

https://forum.bfddrums.com/t/read-this- ... ssions/194

I think you have to post a few times to get PM Privileges.

Which begs the question: Could they have made this any more confusing?