I'm quite liking the look and sound of these 3 as alternatives to hardware TR-808, TR-909 and a TB-303.

However, I'm just wondering if anyone knows whether they are worth investing in and good enough to use for some techno productions. And on that note, any recommendations for any tutorials on these to help learn to master them?

 

I prefer AudioRealism Bassline as a 303 (though Phoscyon is ok) and Roland's 808 and 909 plugins (substantially better than D16).

 

@Bunford All those mentioned by you and by @Rudy Manterie are good options BUT no VST is going to replace the character of the 808,909,303. Indeed, choosing the best VST emulation of any of them is almost an exercise in futility. Take 5 TR 808 and they all WILL sound differently. The same goes for the 909 and 303. Good thing is that there are plenty of options out there, including free ones. The ones that require a license are pretty affordable. A good idea is to have several to choose from them as you go. Also, there are hundreds of sample libraries which many of us use in combination with VSTs.
One 909 VST which is free and rival paid ones is SynthMax Dr910 (32bit only). On the other hand you have new ones like UVI Beat Box Anthology and UVI Urban Suite. Check them out. I love them! Don't forget Wave Alchemy's Evolution and Revolution. The 303 is not alone. Remember Rebirth 338 and Venom VB 303. There is a site that compares them all. https://www.acidvoice.com/tb_303_vst_plugin_software.htm
To summarize, short of the original hardware, or a clone, when it comes to 303, 808, and 909, the optimal choice should not be limited to one VST or sample pack but a combination of them. The choice is purely subjective.

 

Last edited: Jan 13, 2019

D16' 303 emulation is excelent. Just try it out, Bunford

 

most of the time DAW drum engine is better then machine emu

 

Also, a thing to remember is that you have to heavily process all these to achieve the sound you hear in a well produced EDM. Preferably through analogue hardware. That nice sounding saturation is the key to success.