Rico

RICO is UJAM's groove-oriented beat plugin designed specifically for reggaeton, dancehall, and Latin pop production. The tool bundles 20 playable styles across 10 drum kits, generating patterns from straightforward four-on-the-floor constructions to complex dembow variations and syncopated perreo rhythms. With 460 patterns and 50 presets at your disposal, the plugin functions as both a pattern generator and performance instrument, allowing real-time style manipulation via the "Me Gusta" control.

The plugin's architecture prioritizes rapid workflow. After selecting a kit and style, users access the Mix section, which applies multi-effect chains that fundamentally reshape the drum character. Settings like The Grinder introduce delay and bit reduction, while Wrecking Ball applies heavy distortion and Good 2 Go adds compression and filtering. This approach acknowledges that authentic Latin percussion production typically requires extensive layering and processing - RICO automates these decisions through preset combinations.

RICO's strength lies in its sonic directness and usability rather than granular editing capabilities. The drum samples sit comfortably in contemporary pop and hip-hop contexts, and the pattern library reflects genuine knowledge of reggaeton production conventions. The MIDI drag-and-drop functionality allows export to your DAW for further customization, though the plugin remains most effective when used as an idea generator or arrangement layer.

The tool suits producers working under time constraints in pop, EDM, and urban genres who need authentic Latin rhythmic foundation without deep genre expertise. While specialized producers may find its preset-based approach limiting, RICO efficiently fills the gap between basic drum machines and full session arrangement work.