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

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 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

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…

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

MIDI-fied Roland TR77 from Brandon Daniel on Vimeo.

I would certainly love to get some classic analog drum machines MIDIed like this. According to Wikipedia the TR77 was Roland’s very first product. Hey Brandon how about some individual outs and some tuning for the kick drum (always the one weak point in most early drum machines)?

“Just finished building trigger shaper/converter circuits x12 for this project, and it works! Still need to work something out for the Guiro, but all in all, I’m happy with it.Sounds triggered over MIDI from the Electribe.” – Brandon Daniel

For more info: wikipedia.org/Roland_Rhythm_77

DM1 – The Drum Machine for iPad – By Fingerlab from Fingerlab on Vimeo.

The Fingerlab DM1 is a very good iPad drum machine. I think it ranks up there with the iElectribe and Funkbox. It’s quite fun and easy to make patterns and the initial sert of drum machines sound great. After laying in a basic beat on the step grid you can jump onto the pad page and lay sounds in live. There’s a song mode, effects and a mixer page where you can control sound length and more. Highly recommended for anyone who likes drum machines.

“DM1 is an advanced vintage Drum Machine. It turns your iPad into a fun and creative beat making machine. Easy and fast to use, loaded with 24 superb electronic drum kits and beautiful hyper-realistic graphics, DM1 has been designed for a lot of instant fun.” – fingerlab.net

For more info: fingerlab.net

Nick from Sonic State’s full review of the Korg Monotribe. I can’t believe these things are $229 (link)! I can’t believe people are complaining that’s too expensive. You have to make and enjoy music of a certain retro style to really get this box. If your looking for a sound source of that retro nature this is going to get you there better/easier than any plug-in. I can’t wait to see Korg’s next analog thing. Imagine what they can do at $999.

“c’mon korg, give us a? ms-20 mkII!” – nekrobot

For more info: korg.com/monotribe

via sonicstate.com

Nick from Sonic State opens up the new Korg Monotribe. Who is this marketed to? Me! I’d buy it just for the little analog drum machine. For the music I do this thing sounds right on.

“In addition to analog synthesis, monotribe brings together intuitive ease of use and a three-part discrete analog rhythm section, plus the proven appeal of Electribe-style sequencing.” – korg.com

For more info: korg.com/monotribe

I try almost any audio creation app for iOS. I definitely have a group of favorites and Polychord is one of them. If you make verse chorus type of music connect Polychord to your DAW and recording. The MIDI generated is a nice secret weapon. Polychord 2 was recently released so if you passed by the original I suggest taking a look at 2.0.

“Shoulda Woulda Coulda, Inc. is readying a major update to their iPad music composition tool, Polychord. The version 2 update brings a vast quantity of new exciting features to this highly-rated app including the ability to record your song data, a new graphical user interface, and Palettes.” – Future Music

For more info: polychordapp.com