Channel the Dark, Cinematic Power of Metro Boomin
Metro Boomin is one of the most influential producers of our era. Known for crafting genre-defining beats for artists like Future, 21 Savage, Travis Scott, and Drake, his sound has become synonymous with modern trap: hard-hitting 808s, eerie melodies, crisp snares, and haunting textures.
If you’re a producer looking to capture that signature vibe, investing in the best Metro Boomin drum kit is a no-brainer. But not all drum kits are created equal. You need high-quality samples that are clean, hard-hitting, and engineered for today’s sound.
In this guide, we’ll break down:
-
What makes Metro Boomin’s drums so unique
-
What to look for in a Metro-style kit
-
The best drum samples and loops to use
-
How to use them effectively in your own beats
Let’s dive in and level up your production game.
What Makes Metro Boomin’s Drum Sound Special?
Metro Boomin’s style is the perfect fusion of minimalism and impact. His drums are punchy, clean, and never overcrowded, allowing space for eerie melodies and massive 808s to dominate the beat.
Key Ingredients of the Metro Sound:
-
Thick, distorted 808s with long decay and heavy saturation
-
Snappy snares and rimshots that cut through the mix
-
Rolling hi-hats with precise MIDI timing
-
Layered percs like bells, clicks, or texture hits
-
Dark ambient FX that add cinematic tension
His sound is emotional, moody, and melodic—but still hits hard enough to rattle your subs.
To get close to that signature vibe, you need a drum kit that delivers not just high-quality sounds, but sounds engineered to cut in a trap mix.
What to Look for in a Metro Boomin Drum Kit
1. High-Quality 808s
Metro’s 808s are the centerpiece of his production. Look for drum kits that include:
-
Long 808s with slow decay
-
Distorted 808s that still retain clean sub frequencies
-
Tuning already matched to root keys
-
Multiple variations: short, punchy, glides, and clean
2. Snappy Trap Snares & Claps
Metro’s snares are sharp and forward. Go for kits that include:
-
Dry snares with minimal reverb
-
Realistic rimshots for melodic sections
-
Layered claps for build-up and variation
3. Clean Hi-Hats & MIDI Loops
Rolling hi-hats define the bounce of a Metro Boomin type beat. Great kits will include:
-
Closed and open hats with tight transients
-
Hi-hat MIDI patterns for instant groove
-
Variations in velocity and pitch
4. Unique Percussion & FX
Percs add character to your beat. Look for:
-
Bell one-shots, texture hits, wood blocks
-
Reverse FX, risers, and ambient pads
-
Vocal chants and background textures
5. Royalty-Free and Ready to Use
Cedar Sound Studios ensures all samples are 100% royalty-free, so you can release tracks commercially with zero worries.
Best Metro Boomin Drum Kit from Cedar Sound Studios
Metro Essentials Vol. 1 – Cedar Sound Studios
Crafted specifically for producers who want that Metro Boomin-style punch, Metro Essentials Vol. 1 delivers a carefully designed toolkit with:
-
15 Heavy 808s – clean, distorted, gliding, and punchy
-
10 Trap Kicks – low-end knock with tight attack
-
20 Snare & Rimshots – crispy and mix-ready
-
12 Claps – wide and full with perfect layering
-
20 Hi-Hats + 10 MIDI Loops – drag-and-drop Metro bounce
-
15 Percs & FX – cinematic textures and one-shots
-
5 Melodic Loops – dark piano, pad, and synth melodies inspired by “Without Warning” and “Savage Mode II”
All samples are labeled by key and BPM, and work seamlessly in Studio One, FL Studio, Ableton, Logic, and more.
You can plug these into your session instantly and get working without needing extra third-party plugins.
Available now at Cedar Sound Studios Sample Pack Store.
How to Use a Metro Boomin Drum Kit in Your Beats
Start with the Bounce
Use the hi-hat MIDI loops or program your own using:
-
1/8 or 1/16 base
-
Triplet rolls and velocity shifts
-
Hi-hat pitch modulation for energy
Add snares on the 3rd beat and layer ghost snares for bounce.
Load Up the 808
Choose a clean 808 from your kit and match it to your melody’s root key. Add glides using automation or MIDI legato features.
Layer a short kick sample for added punch if needed—but be careful not to muddy the low-end.
Add Texture with Percs and FX
Subtle percs placed off-grid create rhythm variation. Layer ambient FX to fill empty space and give your track a cinematic feel.
Finish With Arrangement
Metro’s beats often follow a clean intro-build-drop structure. Use your melodic loop for the intro, then drop in the full drum pattern for the chorus.
Add variation between verses and hooks by swapping snares, changing 808s, or removing hi-hats.
Pro Tips for Metro Boomin-Style Drums
-
Sidechain the 808 to your kick using soft compression
-
Pan your hats slightly left and right to widen your drum mix
-
Use tape saturation or analog emulators on your drum bus
-
Layer percs subtly — less is more
-
Don’t overfill the beat — leave room for the artist
Metro’s sound is powerful because it gives space to the vocals and lets the drums breathe.
Who Should Use a Metro Boomin Drum Kit?
Trap & Hip-Hop Producers
If you’re making beats for trap artists, drill rappers, or melodic rap, a Metro-style kit gives you a modern edge.
Lofi & Cinematic Beatmakers
Dark pianos, eerie pads, and ambient textures blend perfectly with Metro-inspired drums for scoring, lofi, or sync tracks.
Songwriters & Vocalists
Even vocalists benefit from Metro-style beats. The clean mix and strong rhythm leave space for lyrics to shine.
Final Thoughts: Get That Metro Vibe
The best Metro Boomin drum kit gives you all the tools to craft hard-hitting, emotionally charged trap beats that stand out. But don’t settle for recycled sounds or poorly mixed loops. Your drum sounds should inspire you and your listeners.
At Cedar Sound Studios, our Metro Essentials pack is built with real producers in mind: usable sounds, cinematic textures, and top-tier mixing all wrapped into one. Whether you’re chasing your first placement or building your beat catalog, this kit is a powerful weapon in your arsenal.
Take the guesswork out of sound selection. Get the Metro bounce. Build better beats.