Richie Souf is a cornerstone of the modern "Atlanta Sound," known for his work with superstars like Young Thug
. His drum kits are highly sought after by producers because they offer the exact textures—distorted 808s, crisp snares, and unique percussion—that define melodic trap.
Below is a comprehensive guide to understanding, finding, and using Richie Souf-style drum kits to elevate your production. The Richie Souf Sound Aesthetic
Richie Souf’s production style is characterized by a "dark but clean" atmosphere. When looking for a kit that carries his signature, expect these elements: Melodic 808s
: His 808s often have a distinct mid-range "knock" that cuts through phone speakers while maintaining a deep low-end. Industrial Textures
: He frequently uses percussion that sounds like clanging metal or synthesized Foley, giving his beats a gritty, avant-garde edge. Simple but Effective Drums
: Unlike some "busy" producers, Souf focuses on high-quality individual hits that don't require heavy mixing to sound professional. Recommended Richie Souf Drum Kits
While many "repacks" exist online, these are the most reputable sources for his specific sounds: Richie Souf - Richie Souf Drum Kit (Official) This is the definitive "OG" kit used during the BEASTMODE 2 era with Future. Highlights
: Contains the exact 808s used on tracks like "31 DAYS" and "WIFI." It is prized for its "dry" sounds that allow for custom processing. The "Souf" Collection (Third-Party Inspired Kits) Many sound design labels (like ProducerGrind ) offer kits inspired by his workflow. Highlights
: These often include "loops" and "midis" in the style of Richie, which is helpful if you struggle with the rhythmic bounce he is famous for. The "Pluggnb" & Melodic Trap Expansion
Since Richie Souf was a pioneer of the melodic trap movement, many kits labeled "Pluggnb" or "New Jazz" heavily borrow from his 808 and clap selections. How to Use These Kits Effectively
Simply owning the sounds isn't enough; you need to apply his specific techniques: Shorten Your 808s
: Richie often uses shorter, "plucky" 808s that leave room for the kick to breathe. Use the "Out" knob in your sampler to tighten the tail of the bass. The "Clap-Snare" Layer
: A staple of his sound is layering a very short, high-pitched snare over a traditional trap clap to create a "snap" that feels more aggressive. Minimal Percussion Loops
: Instead of a constant hi-hat roll, try using one-shot percussion hits from his kits on the "off-beats" to create a staggering, hypnotic rhythm. Where to Find Them Official Artist Pages richie souf drum kit
: Check his social media bios (Instagram/Twitter) for links to official storefronts or partnerships with platforms like Reddit Communities : Subreddits like
The Ultimate Richie Souf Drum Kit Guide: Sound Like the Atlanta Elite
If you’ve heard the iconic tag "I just told Richie we rich!" on tracks by Future, Gunna, or Playboi Carti, you already know the vibe. Richie Souf is the secret weapon of Atlanta’s trap scene, known for a signature sound that blends gritty, distorted 808s with ethereal, atmospheric melodies.
For any producer looking to capture that high-end trap energy, finding the right Richie Souf drum kit is the first step. Here is everything you need to know about his sound and where to get the official tools. 1. The Richie Souf Signature Sound
Richie Souf’s production isn't just about loud drums; it’s about a specific "mood" he creates. His style is characterized by:
Melodic Depth: Heavy use of psychedelic and cloud rap elements, especially on projects like Carti's Whole Lotta Red.
Unique 808s: His bass often feels "fuzzy" yet precise—grounding the track without overwhelming the vocals.
Minimalist Bounce: He avoids over-complicating patterns, focusing on a clean "knock" that gives rappers like Young Thug and Gunna room to float. 2. Official Drum Kits & Sound Packs
While the internet is full of "Type" kits, Richie has released official professional-grade samples that are essential for serious sound design:
No Face Vol. 1 (Splice): This is his primary official release. It contains over 100 loops and 72 one-shot drums directly from his personal library.
Richie Souf: Vol. 2 (Future Audio Workshop): A specialized pack for the SubLab synthesizer. It includes 10 custom-designed sub-bass patches modeled after his biggest hits.
Richie Souf: Red (Plugin Boutique): Another SubLab expansion featuring signature 808s like "808 VVS," "808 Skeleton," and "808 Molly". 3. Popular Community Kits (Lunch77)
The "Lunch77 Richie Souf Drumkit" is one of the most widely used community-curated packs. It features approximately 231 sounds, including one-shots used in tracks for artists like 21 Savage and Juice WRLD . This kit is popular because it organizes sounds by their "feel," such as the "Atlanta Kick" or "Hi-Hat Souffle". 4. How to Use These Kits Effectively
To truly sound like Richie, don't just drag and drop samples. Follow his philosophy: Richie Souf is a cornerstone of the modern
The Ultimate Guide to Richie Souf Drum Kits and Sound Packs Richie Souf
is a prominent Atlanta-based producer recognized for defining the modern sound of hip-hop through his work with major artists like Future, Gunna, Playboi Carti, and Young Thug. His drum kits and sound packs are highly sought after by producers looking to replicate the hard-hitting yet atmospheric feel of his signature trap anthems. Official Richie Souf Sound Packs
Richie Souf has released official expansions through Future Audio Workshop (FAW), specifically designed for their SubLab synthesizer. These packs focus on the powerful low-end frequencies essential to modern urban production.
Richie Souf: Vol. 2 (SubLab Expansion): Features 10 "hit-ready" sub-bass sounds. This collection includes 7 iconic 808 basses and 3 deep sub-basses.
Richie Souf: Red Edition (SubLab Expansion): Contains 9 exclusive sub sounds. Notable patches in this pack include 808 Coupe, 808 Neon, 808 Real ATL, and 808 Skeleton.
No Face Vol. 1 (Splice): This was Richie Souf’s first-ever official drum kit, released exclusively through Splice Sounds in late 2020. Where to Find and Purchase
These kits are available through several reputable music software retailers:
Future Audio Workshop (FAW): The primary home for the Richie Souf SubLab Packs.
Plugin Boutique: Offers individual expansion packs such as Richie Souf: Red and Vol. 2.
Splice: Host to the No Face Vol. 1 collection, which includes a broader range of drum one-shots beyond just sub-bass. Key Features and Compatibility
Format: The SubLab expansion packs typically come as .subpack files, which are easily imported directly into the SubLab preset browser.
Hardware Integration: All FAW patch packs are NKS ready, meaning they are fully compatible with Native Instruments hardware like Maschine and Komplete Kontrol for seamless browsing and control.
Versatility: While the 808s are "primed for instant use," they are designed to be flexible enough for further customization within your DAW to suit specific track needs. Community Alternatives
In addition to official releases, the production community on platforms like Reddit (r/Drumkits) frequently shares fan-made or inspired kits. For example, producers often look for "drums like Richie Souf" in "Whole Lotta Red" (WLR) style kits that combine his sounds with those of other influential producers like F1lthy and Art Dealer. Richie Souf: Vol. 2 - Future Audio Workshop Title: The Secret Sauce of the Underground: Deconstructing
Title: The Secret Sauce of the Underground: Deconstructing the Richie Souf Drum Kit
Slug: richie-souf-drum-kit-review
Posted by: [Your Name] Category: Drum Kits / Sound Design
If you’ve been scrolling through YouTube beat-making tutorials or diving deep into the darker, harder side of modern hip-hop, you’ve heard the name Richie Souf whispered with a certain level of reverence.
For the uninitiated, Richie Souf is the Atlanta-based producer behind genre-defining tracks for Playboi Carti, Ken Carson, and Destroy Lonely (think Magnolia, Rockstar Made, and New Tank). His sound is the backbone of the “Opium” and underground rage scene—a chaotic blend of distorted 808s, frantic hi-hats, and eerie synth stabs.
But how do you actually get that sound? You start with the Richie Souf Drum Kit.
A hidden gem in these kits is the "Noise" folder. Richie uses vinyl cracks, wind, and synth drones to fill the empty space in a beat, creating the "wall of sound" effect common in Opium productions.
Let’s be honest: most "producer kits" you find on Reddit are just repackaged stock sounds from 2016. The Richie Souf kit, however, is a cultural artifact. It isn’t about melody loops; it’s about attitude.
Here is what you actually get when you load this kit up:
The Richie Souf kit is not designed for "hard" or aggressive trap music (e.g., 808 Mafia/Metro Boomin style). Instead, it occupies a niche characterized by:
Traditional trap kits, like those popularized by Lex Luger or Metro Boomin in the early 2010s, prioritize aggression. Their kicks distort, their 808s clip, and their snares crack like gunfire. The Richie Souf kit, conversely, prioritizes space. Richie Souf—an Atlanta native and close associate of Playboi Carti’s Whole Lotta Red era—built his reputation on minimalism.
The kit’s core samples reveal this immediately. The kicks are often short, punchy, and "knocky" rather than boomy, leaving frequency room for the 808. The snares and claps are dry, tight, and frequently layered with rim hits that sound more like a finger snap than a drum. However, the most distinctive elements are the open hats and percs. Unlike the rapid-fire, tripletted hats of EDM-trap, Richie Souf’s hats are loose, swung, and often feature pitch slides. The percussion loops included in the kit—foley sounds, bottle clicks, and vinyl crackles—are designed to create a "wobble" or a "swim" that makes the beat feel intoxicated and human, even when locked to a grid.
This is where Richie Souf truly shines. These kits contain softer, rounder 808s (often pitched up to a bass guitar frequency). The drums are sparse. The hi-hats are slower, more swung. There is a heavy reliance on reverb throws and snare fills. This style is currently dominating the underground "PluggnB" and "Jersey Club" hybrid scenes.