Today I received my latest eBay purchase in the mail: a Suzuki Omnichord OM-84. Add a star to my hipster cred wall. Nevertheless I love the (analog) sound and playability of these instruments. There were a few variations and you can buy new digital models with MIDI called Qchords. If you have an iPad and you want some Omnichordness download the very good Polychord app (link). There’s a good blog that covers old Omnis here: omnichords.blogspot.com. Any of you Wire to the Ear readers own an Omnichord?
“The Omnichord is an electronic musical instrument, introduced in 1981 and manufactured by the Suzuki Musical Instrument Corporation. It typically features a touch plate, and buttons for major, minor, and diminished chords. The most basic method of playing the instrument is to press the chord buttons and swipe the touch plate with a finger or guitar pick in imitation of strumming a stringed instrument.” – Wikipedia
For more info: qchord.net
This entry was written by , posted on February 2, 2012 at 11:10 am, filed under drum machine, hardware and tagged Omnichord, Qchord, Suzuki Omnichord. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink and follow any comments with the RSS feed for this post.
Here’s a pretty boom clik NAMM announcement. Swedish company Clavia who makes the Nordlead keyboards has announced a new Nord Drum module. It’s red and, “…lets you create classic retro-futuristic percussion with analog waveforms or use the harmonically complex waveforms together with different colors of noise for results that both sound and respond stunningly organic.”. EBM bands around the world will be hiring drummer again soon.
“The Nord Drum is a revolutionary 4-channel drum synthesizer that is the result of a creative collaboration between Clavia and drum/music technology enthusiasts Bruniusson & Berg. With an amazingly vast sonic palette and an astounding level of playability it is guaranteed to change your perception of what’s possible with synthetic, sample-free percussion.”
For more info: clavia.se
via Matrixsynth
This entry was written by , posted on January 17, 2012 at 4:12 am, filed under drum machine, hardware and tagged Clavia, drum machine, Nord, Nord Drum. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink and follow any comments with the RSS feed for this post.
I really like the Folktek hand made music machines. Besides some unique sounds they are perfect to put on show in music videos. If I had an extra few grand laying around I would consider the Drum Scape. Has any of you ever used or seen a Folktek instrument in person?
“When requesting a Drum Scape, you can expect something in the vein of the works you see here. Each is a little different but all hold true to the future antique asthetic and all have the same capabilities unless it’s obviously an expanded on version (such as the Midi Drum Scape” or the “Drum Scape Sequencer”).” – folktek.com
For more info: folktek.com/instruments/quadrum/drum-scape-overview
This entry was written by , posted on November 5, 2011 at 2:49 pm, filed under drum machine and tagged drum machine, Drum Scape, Folktek. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink and follow any comments with the RSS feed for this post.
There are a growing number of sample/sample loop players on the iPad. RGBSOUND Pro is another albeit a pretty one which could find it’s place on stage or in an art show. I also found it interesting how by stoping/starting clips the loops launch at different times creating some nice Minimal style “get in your head” sequences. There is a free version for a limited time. I like it.
“By tapping the colors you play sounds and you launch infinite electronic loops, by shaking the device you change your music pattern.” – rgbsound.com
For more info: rgbsound.com
This entry was written by , posted on September 27, 2011 at 5:44 am, filed under drum machine, iPad and tagged iPad, RGBSOUND. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink and follow any comments with the RSS feed for this post.
This is going to hurt my bank account ($2,000 USD). I really like how you can record real time effects on the two pad strips (link). I hope the included samples don’t ruin a near perfect analog thing. So far the demos sound pure enough for me. Anyone NOT getting one?
“The all-new Tempest analog drum machine (created by none other than the living legends Dave Smith and Roger Linn) is expected to be available sometime in Fall 2011.” – Sweetwater.com
For more info: davesmithinstruments.com/products/tempest
This entry was written by , posted on September 5, 2011 at 10:30 am, filed under drum machine, hardware and tagged analog, Dave Smith Instruments, drum machine, hardware, Roger Linn. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink and follow any comments with the RSS feed for this post.
This morning I’ve been playing with the newly released RealBeat. It’s for iOS AND Mac. Upon launching the app it has sequence blocks set up. You hit record on a few sample slots and everything starts playing. There are a few effects on Kaosillator type pads. You can edit the samples and sequences. RealBeat is a slick and fun audio app. What you hear above took less than a minute with my own voice. Recommended.
“Record your voice, your fridge, your neighbour’s dog or let your iPhone or iPad speak and make rhythms out of the sounds immediately. RealBeat concentrates on simplicity and fast results. No steep learning curve or cluttered screens! Get creative in an instant!” – apps.piringer.net
For more info: apps.piringer.net/realbeat.php
This entry was written by , posted on August 31, 2011 at 6:04 am, filed under apple, drum machine, iPad, iPhone and tagged iOS, macintosh, RealBeat, sampler. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink and follow any comments with the RSS feed for this post.
One of my favorite iOS music apps is sir Sampleton. It’s a pretty popular Sampler and drum machine. What I love about it is it’s simple and really fun. I just discovered another app which is very similar with even more quirk built in. Badlion’s Garage Synth gives you some drum loops, very analog synth presets and a weird selections of samples in slots. There’s also a tilt pitch feature. Beware if you’re at my next dinner party because I’m breaking this guy out.
“With Badlion’s Garage Synth anyone can be a musician. Just pick a beat and play some tunes over it, add some effects and you already have a hot track to listen to. Selectable keyboard – flash & rainbow / basic minimal. 48 beats – changeable volume and tempo. 8 samples – 4 octaves. 44 fx – loop or stop (once) functions. Tilt – you can pitch notes by tilting the phone.” – itunes.apple.com/the-badlions…
For more info: itunes.apple.com/the-badlions…
This entry was written by , posted on August 16, 2011 at 6:34 am, filed under drum machine, iPad, iPhone, synthesizer and tagged Badlion’s Garage Synth, drum machine, iOS, sir Sampleton, synthesizer. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink and follow any comments with the RSS feed for this post.
You can sync a Korg Monotribe with another Monotribe. With the SyncKontrol iPhone app you can sync a Monotribe with an iPad and/or wirelessly with Ableton Live (or any DAW). I still can’t get over the fact you can get a fully analog groovebox for about $230. I hope these sell like crazy so Korg keeps on making analog synths and drum machines.
“SyncKontrol offers owners of Korg’s monotribe Analogue Ribbon Station precise tempo control, plus the ability to sync their monotribe to WIST (Wireless sync) enabled apps! SyncKontrol allows you to control the tempo and start/pause of the monotribe Analogue Ribbon Station via the audio output of your iPhone. The app also offers Tap Tempo, a Swing function, and WIST (Wireless Sync-Start Technology) to sync monotribe to WIST-enabled apps such as Korg’s iMS20, iElectribe and iElectribe Gorillaz(tm) Edition. In addition, this application receives sync from Mac based DAW software by receiving MIDI clock and play/stop commands via Wireless Network MIDI.”
For more info: korg.com/monotribe
This entry was written by , posted on July 20, 2011 at 4:38 am, filed under Ableton Live, drum machine, hardware, iPad, iPhone and tagged iPhone, Korg, Monotribe, sync, SyncKontrol. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink and follow any comments with the RSS feed for this post.
I think the iPad makes a very good drum machine. The iElectribe, Funkbox and Tweakybeat have become essential tools in my arsenal. I have a new favorite called the DM-1 from Fingerlab. It has the two most important elements in music creation down pat. It sounds great and it’s very fun to use. I’ve been loving it so much I reached out to Fingerlab for the following interview…
1. Tell us a little about Fingerlab. Is it a one man show or a team? What city/country are you located in?
Based in Paris, France, co-founded by Aurélien Potier and Antoine Lepoutre during 2010, Fingerlab is a small group of independent workers, developers, designers and musicians. Fingerlab is born after the success of MultiPong our first App. For DM1,we have asked Jonas Eriksson (A designer from sweden) to do the graphics design, we discover him by his works on another projects as such as “76 Syntheseizer”
2. How long did it take you to create the DM1?
First Pascal Douillard work alone for half a year to create the prototype. After that, he contacted us in january 2011 in order to find some help to finish the App, the project was so exciting we couldn’t refuse !!. So it’s take approximatively 1 year to do the job.
3. Do you have a room full of vintage drum machines at the Fingerlab’s office? If yes please show us some photos!
[See above]
4. I would love to see a Random pattern generator (per drum sound). Any chance you will be adding that to the DM-1?
We have so many stuff to add in DM1, i can’t make any promises. But it’is a good idea ;)
5. I would love to see Panning (per drum channel) added to the DM1. What do you think? Can you add that for me?
Yes, we are working on it.
6. Are you working on more pro-audio music apps? If yes, can you give us a hint as to what to expect next?
Yes we do, i cant tell you more today, but stay tuned ;)
7. What are a few other iOS apps you use (from other developers)?
Game we love
-Osmos
-Spirit
-forget.me.not
Music
-Djay
-soundrop
-tweakybeat
-soundyeah
-soundythingie
0ther
-uzu
8. Where can Wire to the Ear readers connect with you on the net? Hit us with all the places to follow, spy and send you endless feature requests!
We are waiting for your request by email.
Thank you Antoine!
For more info on the DM1: fingerlab.net
This entry was written by , posted on July 19, 2011 at 9:00 am, filed under drum machine, interviews and tagged Antoine Lepoutre, Aurélien Potier, DM1, drum machine, Fingerlab, interview, iPad. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink and follow any comments with the RSS feed for this post.
Rhythm Studio from Pulsecode Inc. is going to draw comparisons with Propellerhead’s Re-Birth. However, if you check out the video above I bet you may still be interested. It looks pretty nice to me. What do you think? This app is not available yet.
“Rhythm Studio balances advanced features by using an easy to understand interface resembling real instruments. This means that one button does one thing just like it would with real hardware. Knobs turn, switches slide, and buttons press. You won’t get lost in abstract interfaces or design. Rhythm Studio is the next best thing to having the real hardware. Rhythm Studio includes a full 808 drum machine, 303 synthesizer, sample based synthesizer, XY style control pad, and mixer with FX.” – pulsecodeinc.com/rhythm-studio/
For more info: pulsecodeinc.com/rhythm-studio/
via Palm Sounds
This entry was written by , posted on July 18, 2011 at 5:31 am, filed under drum machine, iPad, iPhone and tagged iOS, iPad, iPhone, Propellerhead, Re-Birth, Rhythm Studio, Roland TB-303, Roland TR-808. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink and follow any comments with the RSS feed for this post.
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