Reaktor drum machine with parameter locks from Peter Dines on Vimeo.
The most important features:
- Note velocity represents probability a step will trigger
- Enter and delete notes with a MIDI keyboard
- Record per-step automation with MIDI CCs
- Independent sequence length for each of the three sequencers
- Extremely low CPU usage - 1 to 3 percent CPU on my four year old laptop
- fun beat sequences practically fall out of it
This is a drum sequencer for people who want a fast, easy way to create unique sounding electronic beat sequences. It doesn't have a compressor or reverb - surely you already have these things yourself, right? - what it has is a fun and fast workflow, and the ability to produce sequences that will surprise you as you create them. It's not a one-button "tada, here's your beat" randomizer, nor is it a traditional sequencer that expects you to painstakingly determine every detail. It's a nice balance between the two. I put a lot of effort into the usability and workflow and I hope you'll find it as much fun as I do to work with.
The file, which can be downloaded here, is a password protected RAR. Want the password? It's $15.00 USD. What you get for that is the ParamDrum, an instructional PDF, access to updates (remember to enter your email when you purchase!), and occasional bonus downloads like custom sample maps.
You must enter a valid email address so I can send you a password for the file.
ParamDrum
I'm going to be using the ParamDrum in a project involving Maschine, the new NI hardware / software package, and a modified version may eventually see a sponsored release at kore.noisepages.com. If that happens, anyone who purchases the current version of ParamDrum will receive another package of equal or greater value from my private reserve.
thanks Peter. can we have the pdf separately unencryptet to see what is all about ?
ReplyDeletethanks so much peter.
ReplyDeletei am pretty overwhelmed by this little machine. it´s so easy to use and so much fun to play with. and the results just sound amazing.
i´m really glad i bought this and i will have to study every detail of this ensemble.
Anonymous, that's such a good idea I've gone and done it. The PDF is available unencrypted on the drop now. I mean, it's not like I'm trying to protect.... trade secrets... or something... ;-)
ReplyDeleteflur, I'm so pleased that you're enjoying the instrument! If you use it in a track, send me a link because I'd love to hear it.
Hey Peter, just sent payment...been looking forward to the release and can't wait ;-)
ReplyDeletehey peter,
ReplyDeletei plan on using this on some tracks indeed and will let you know when there is something to listen to.
i just tried using a midi keyboard and some knobs with it. works just great!
did you think about the possibility to use automated faders instead of the meters? so one could also "draw" the parameter automation with the mouse. i would like that, but i guess that would destroy the whole concept of recording the automation with real knobs and keys, right?
I like your idea of replacing the meter with an automated fader - that way we keep the knob for the ease of MIDI learn from a control surface. I'll also give the macros the option of an arbitrary sequence length instead of tying them to the drum sequence length.
ReplyDeleteWill try some things out soon and post an updated ensemble, which will be free to registered users.
Great work here! It's super fun to play... and dead simple. One feature request I have would be some p-locks on the decay of a pitch envelope. That might be interesting!
ReplyDeleteThat's an interesting idea... it doesn't really have any envelopes as it's designed for one-shot drum samples. But a pitch decay could be fun. I'm thinking maybe a non-automatable trim control for the amount of pitch modulation and an automation for the decay rate. Does that make sense?
ReplyDeletePleased to hear that people are enjoying the instrument.
BTW, is anyone using the swing amount automation? I'm considering making that a static control in the next version instead of being automated.
That sounds good. Automation on pitch env decay rate would be really great! If you want to get even more Elektron-like, you could add some freely assignable LFOs and create P-Locks for the LFO depth.
ReplyDeleteI don't really use the swing amount automation.
I have some compound LFOs that would be good for that. What I might do is use value modules to get instantaneous values from the LFOs and assign a non-automated knob to LFO depth for live tweaking.
ReplyDelete