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Dave Smith Instrument Tempest Analog Drum Machine
Product Description for the Dave Smith Instrument Tempest Analog Drum Machine
Dave Smith Instruments today introduced Tempest, a new analog drum machine, at the 2011 NAMM Show. Tempest is a collaboration between Smith and longtime friend and fellow instrument designer Roger Linn. Though they've consulted with each other on past projects, Tempest marks the first time a product will carry both the Dave Smith Instruments and Roger Linn Design logos. "If you're going to make a drum machine, who better to have in your corner than Roger Linn?" said Smith, referring to Linn's legacy as inventor of the digital drum machine.
Though Smith is also responsible for some fine drum machines—most notably Sequential's DrumTraks and Studio 440—Tempest is his first to utilize analog synthesis to generate the sounds. "We've designed a very flexible new synth voice for Tempest," said Smith. Linn added, "The design of Tempest reflects a rethinking of what a drum machine needs to be in the current era. It's not so much a drum machine as a new musical performance instrument for the creation, manipulation, and arrangement of beat-oriented music, with an intuitive and efficient use of human gestures."
Tempest's 16 velocity- and pressure-sensitive pads are arranged in an 8 x 2 array to facilitate both real-time and step entry of beats. Two pressure- and position-sensitive Note FX slide controllers provide a unique new method of performance and control.
"We're very excited about Tempest," said Smith. "It's an instrument with a lot of personality and it's great fun to play. It has been a long time since there has been anything new in the drum machine world."
Features
- Each of the 6 analog voices has 2 analog oscillators plus 2 digital oscillators (with a large bank of included samples), Dave's classic analog low-pass filter with audio-rate modulation, an additional high-pass filter, analog VCA with feedback, 5 envelopes, 2 LFOs, an extraordinary variety of analog modulation routings, and stunning sonic quality, warmth and punch. Although optimized for drum sounds, it excels at tuned sounds as well, and even doubles as a 6-voice analog synth. In addition to the 6 direct voice outputs, there are stereo mix outputs and phones outputs, plus 2 inputs for foot switches or expression pedals, MIDI in/out and USB.
- The performance-oriented operating system, 90 panel controls, and bright 256 x 64 OLED display work together to provide a tightly integrated, non-stop workflow: record a drumbeat in real-time, switch to another drumbeat and use the lit pads to record it using step programming, switch to another drumbeat and record tuned keyboard parts, use the 2 touch controllers to to record real-time note or beat-wide parameter animations, use the generous sound controls to edit any of the drum sounds, tweak the analog effects or drum mix, arrange beats in real time and record the live arrangement into a song, enter/exit Song mode and much more, all without ever stopping play.
- 16 pressure- and velocity-sensitive lit pads are arranged in a 2x8 configuration, providing intuitive access to all your fingers and providing the ideal compromise between the popular 4x4 pad arrangement (popular for real time programming ) and 1x16 arrangement (popular for step programming) because Tempest does both. The pads can be used to play 32 drum sounds (2 banks), mute/unmute the 32 sounds on playback, play and arrange 16 beats in real time, play one sound at 16 tunings (in a variety of scales) or 16 velocities, or as 16 time steps for step programming. The ROLL button permits creating drum rolls or repeated groove patterns by varying pad pressure as the beat records, and doubles as a momemtary "stutter" effect when the pads are assigned to play beats. Use the Sustain button on tuned parts like a keyboard's Sustain pedal, or to choke drum sounds or drumbeats when the pad is released.
- Two pressure- and position-sensitive Note FX slide controllers permit real-time recording of note or beat-wide sound parameter changes into the drumbeat as you play. For example, record simultaneous filter frequency, tuning, envelope decay and pan changes for each note, or control similar parameters affecting the entire beat.
- A variety of unique effects are provided while maintaining a pure analog signal path: 1) Stereo analog compressor and distortion circuits affect the stereo output mix, 2) beat-synced delay is achieved by generating additional delayed note events within the sequencer, and 3) a beat-synced "stutter" effect is created entirely within the sequencer by looping short portions of the drumbeat on demand.
- The degree of swing timing can be adjusted in real time during playback. Roger used his entire bag of tricks to make the swing sound very human and natural.
- Compact and portable: 15.4" L x 9" W x 2.5" H
| Brand | Dave Smith |
|---|---|
| Weight | 12.0000 |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 15.4" L x 9" W x 2.5" H |
| Show ''Call For Price'' | N/A |
Dave Smith Instrument Tempest Analog Drum MachineMove your mouse over image or click to enlarge
Dave Smith Tempest Analog Drum Machine FIRST LOOK | NAMM 2011 | ProAudioStar.com
Roger Linn Jams on Dave Smith Tempest | ProAudioStar.com
Customer Reviews
3 Item(s)
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Lot's of potential, Sounds Awesome, OS Needs Work
Review by NoiseProduction -
First off, this box sounds great. It has two analog oscillators, great samples and tons of modulation capabilities. The filters are awesome... and you can create just about any percussive sound you can think of. No problems there. It is also very well made. Attention to detail is first class, much like the Prophet '08. The sequencer has potential, but I found it to lack many things that COULD make it intuitive. The things that do make it intuitive are limited and once you get into doing complex structures, it can fall apart. This will surely be addressed with OS upgrades, but I for one don't have a money tree to pick leaves from while it sits in my studio waiting. Since it doesn't play well with my external sequencer, it's difficult to use. Yes, I was able to do some dub step type tracks with it, but I'm wanting to write some IDM songs, and that proved difficult. Also, the fact that the screen flickers randomly, but ALSO right before it starts dropping voices, I'm afraid it could be out of warranty before the OS is mature. These things said, my hat is off to Dave Smith and Roger Linn. I think it's an awesome product and can see the potential that it has. If it was half the price I would live with it. But at 2K, it has to deliver. Just my two sense. (Posted on 11/14/11)Rating
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lacks cv
Review by lover -
it has usb, and the standard for todays musicians should be playing this live and not in a studio. it didn\'t get 5 stars because its lacks cv outs, otherwise bless dave smith (Posted on 3/23/11)Rating
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Yea... this thing set us back a few decades... OVERPRICED JUNK
Review by Hater -
Totally unimpressed by this dinosaur... hahaaaa what way to bring back 1970! wohoooo analog drum machine.... Who is gonna fix this thing when it breaks. No usb... for output to daw... cmon folks... the industry standard for todays musician is pro-tools... not reel to reel. (Posted on 1/26/11)Rating
3 Item(s)
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