Perhaps your audio buffer is set too small.

I raised the buffer level, but that didn't help. I also tried the tom-toms through Garitan, but same results. Any other ideas?

>I raised the buffer level, but that didn't help. I also tried the tom-toms through Garitan, but same results. Any other ideas?<

Since you've given no clue as to your setup, my guess is the same: Your buffer is too small.

Another possibility is that you don't have enough free RAM. If a reboot makes the issue go away, that was the likely problem and you have a memory leak somewhere. Buffers are RAM dependent. NI has tech documents on how this works using Kontakt as an example.

I can confirm that I have the exact same issue. Softsynth frame drums crackled and pop while nothing else does.

My setup is an i7 with 16GB of RAM, I make huge mixes with very heavy samples in FL Studio as well, so this has nothing to do with RAM limitations.

I would very much like to know why specifically Softsynth percussion crackles like this.

Thank you for your time.

My buffer is set at 1024; you may want to check that in Audio Devices.

You may also want to play through your file with VST Banks & Effects open to verify that you aren't getting clipping on your drum track especially if you are applying reverb or other effects to the sounds.

>My setup is an i7 with 16GB of RAM<

This is not normally a RAM issue. It can be a player issue, however. Multiple instruments through one instance of a player (Aria or another) will use one core (there are some exceptions but those VIs use their own players). To get around this, open another instance of the player. The OS will assign this to another core.