MeatBeats Plugins Review: Classic House & Techno Sounds for Modern Producers

Every now and then something nudges you to write about it.

Not because it’s sponsored, not because someone asked – just because it deserves a bit of light.

That’s how I feel about MeatBeats.

I’ve known Danny Taurus since back in the day.

Him and Mark Archer even did a remix for us.

So I know exactly where he comes from – the early days of House and Techno when sounds weren’t “presets,” they were hard-won textures sampled, shaped, and carved into existence.

And that’s what his plugins feel like:

a goldmine of classic, familiar tones that carry the DNA of that era.

Tools built by someone who lived it.

FEM-BASO – A Shortcut Into the Early Techno & House Palette

I use FEM-BASO because it taps straight into that sound.

Not a replacement for the hardware – I wouldn’t say that – but a quick doorway to the FM basses that shaped so many early tracks.

DX100. TX81Z. FB-01.

Those sharp envelopes. The metallic weight. The bite in the low mids.

The hardware has its charm – but FEM-BASO gets you in the neighbourhood instantly.

For writing, sketching, or finishing a track that needs that unmistakable FM bass presence, it just works.

Sometimes that’s all you need.

Orbhits – Classic House Stabs Without the Fuss

Orbhits is another one I use a lot.

There’s a bass preset in there I reach for repeatedly because it sits right in the mix on every system.

But the stabs… that’s where it really shines.

Punchy, grainy, familiar.

They sound like the records that pulled so many of us into this world in the first place.

If you love early House, Rave, or any 90s-influenced production, you’ll recognise the tone straight away.

And again – no fuss. Just the sound, ready to go.

Why These Plugins Matter

I think that’s why I felt the need to write this.

Not to promote – Danny doesn’t even know I’m doing this – but because these tools capture something a lot of modern solutions miss:

They sound like the beginnings of House and Techno.

Not a polished imitation.

Not an “inspired-by.”

The real thing, sampled from the machines that shaped the genre.

For producers who care about lineage, authenticity, and quick, musical workflow, these plugins really are a bit of a treasure chest.

If You’re Curious, Start With the Free Ones

MeatBeats has a handful of free plugins and sample packs.

They’ll give you a clear sense of Danny’s approach: simple tools, classic tone, straight to the point.

If those click, the rest will feel like a natural fit.

Final Thought

There’s so much noise in the plugin world these days.

But every once in a while, someone releases something that speaks straight to the roots of the music – no marketing style, no hype.

Just solid tools made by someone who knows why certain sounds matter.

MeatBeats is one of those projects.

And if you’re making House or Techno, these plugins might remind you why you fell in love with the sound in the first place.