Toontrack has announced three new MIDI packs inspired by modern funk.

Modern Funk Grooves features a collection of drum grooves and fills inspired by modern funk and other related genres, performed by noted session drummer Darby Todd.

The grooves and breaks recorded by the early 1970s funk forerunners are some of the most sampled and imitated in modern music history. In fact, the rhythm sections of that era laid the groundwork for what would become the basis of early hip-hop and other beat-heavy genres to follow. Frankly, funk is in our musical DNA.

While this collection of drum MIDI certainly nods to the past, it has its sights steadfastly set on the past few decades and especially the now. Think Jamiroquai, Vulfpeck and their contemporaries and you’ll get the idea. Expect a broad collection of sturdy beats, loose feels and intense rhythms that all pivot around one thing and one thing only – the heart of it all: groove.

This is the epitome of a MIDI pack for any writer of songs where the rhythm section plays the leading role. Be it that you’re writing a hip-hop, contemporary R&B, neo-soul or, of course, funk track – these grooves will have your back.

Created by session player Laurence Cottle, Modern Funk EZbass MIDI delivers EZbass MIDI inspired by modern funk and other related genres.

Funk is the ultimate no-stops and no-holds-barred playground for bass. In a funk groove, literally anything goes – slapping, popping, double-stops, triple-stops, picking, tapping and the list goes on. But at the same time as it takes playfulness and creativity beyond the convention, it never strays from its basic core value: locking in with the drums to form a bedrock-solid groove foundation. Because, if there’s one genre out of them all in which the groove is central, it’s funk.

This EZbass MIDI pack concentrates on funk of the past few decades and delivers a stellar collection of modern-sounding, big, bold, inventive and savvy basslines for songs where the bass will be the obvious showstopper. Remember: The mother of all grooves has yet to be written. Go for it!

Lastly, Modern Funk EZkeys MIDI offers up a collection of piano/keyboard MIDI inspired by modern funk and other related genres performed by professional session player.

What would a fat, funky groove be without a glossy, harmonic icing on the top? An unwavering staccato-like keyboard, perfectly locking in with the core rhythm section is just as given in a funky beat as the very beat itself. No doubt, the keyboard has a momentous place in funk as we know it.

This EZkeys MIDI pack was influenced by the origins of funk but firmly has its foothold in today. Expect all the slick harmonies, clever rhythms and all the insanely nifty keyboard grooves you need to take any modern beat to the next level. Basically, get ready for some insanely groovy piano and keyboard MIDI. If you’re looking for groove, this is it.

The MIDI packs are available from Toontrack and distributor PluginFox, priced 29 USD/EUR each.