Xfer Records – Nerve
Price: $199
Web: www.xferrecords.com
Format: VST,
AU
There are of course various different ways
to bake a cake, and although a product such as Battery 3 seems to have the
sample-based drum machine pretty much sewn up, Xfer Records’ Nerve offers a
slightly different take on the concept. It comes with a lean 2GB library, which
includes kits, patterns and one-shots, but it can also import loops (REX or
REX2), detect hit points and create up to 16 slices. Slightly annoyingly,
though, it doesn’t include its own loops in the library.
Nerve
includes something called Precalc, which is basically a sample-specific effects
section
The top half of the interface includes 16
pads, a step sequencer (with step-based parameter automation page), pattern and
preset selectors; presets include drum kits, patterns and swing proves. The
bottom half of the interface handles sample editing (including the amplitude
envelope), LKO, filter, gate, pitch, sidechain compressor and ‘Precalc’
settings. These settings are on a pad-by-pad basis. There’s also the Repeater
effect, which is a real-time control for creating stutter effects (1/2
to 1/256 of a bar).
As mentioned, Nerve includes something
called Precalc, which is basically a sample-specific effects section. There are
a multitude of parameter including pitch modulation, ring modulation, stretch,
reverse, bitrate, fuzz, soft clip and bend. There are even four re-synthesis
waveforms (Sin, Saw, Sqr and Tri) and an additional sub-oscillator. The reason
these are called Precalc is that they’re effectively rendered rather than
generated in real time (not that you’ll notice any difference, apart from a
power CPU hit). Unsurprisingly, this toolbox of effects is excellent, and is
Nerve’s secret weapon for subtle enhancement, total trashing and everything in
between,
Overall, Nerve is a slightly ‘out there’
option for beats, but with this slightly leftfield approach come creative
options that you won’t find elsewhere. Nerve also sidesteps the typical
plethora of buss and insert effects by implementing its own sound manipulation
features. The supplied library, although small, is truly excellent and full of
tough, characterful sounds, but if you want more, just load up your own samples
and give ‘em some Nerve.
Sonic Charge – MicroTonic 3
Price: $99
Web: www.sonicharge.com
Format: VST,
AU
It
includes eight drum channels, an integrated 16-step sequencer with accent,
fill, swing and choke groups, and the ability to drag MIDI patterns into your
DAW
If you’re after a fully synthesis-based
drum machine, MicroTonic 3 is one of the best available. It includes eight drum
channels, an integrated 16-step sequencer with accent, fill, swing and choke
groups, and the ability to drag MIDI patterns into your DAW.
Synthesis channels include an oscillator
and noise generator, each with attack and decay envelope, and the oscillator
can be modulated by one of its three modulation waves (random, sine and decay).
Also, velocity sensitivity can be set individually for oscillator, noise
generator and modulation. Each channel includes a mix control
(oscillator/noise), distortion, single-band EQ, pan and output level.
MicroTonic 3 has a very simple floating
pattern editor with some useful pattern-generating tools, including Randomize,
Alter, Reverse and Shift. Patterns and patches can also be previewed from the
browser. If you’re still short of inspiration, check out Sonic Charge’s online
MicroTonic Patterarium at http://sonicharg.com/patterarium.
FXpansion – Tremor
Price: $149
Web: www.fxpansion.com
Format: VST,
AU, RTAS, standalone
The
variety of sounds this setup produces is very impressive indeed, ranging from
tight, edgy percussives to bouncy pitched hits
FXpansion’s entry into the synthesized drum
machine market is Tremor. It has eight synthesis engines, each of which
includes one DCAM additive oscillator, one sub-oscillator and one noise
generator. Sounds are shaped with three envelopes (Fast, Slow and Amplitude)
and then pass through a multimode filter (low, high, band, notch and peak
options), with pre- and post-drive (seven modes on each). The variety of sounds
this setup produces is very impressive indeed, ranging from tight, edgy
percussives to bouncy pitched hits.
Tremor also includes an impressive
eight-pane pattern sequencer (up to 24 patterns). Pattern lengths can be
defined individually for each lane, which is great for generating polyrhythms,
and various other features, such as swing, pattern insert and nudge, make
pattern creation very simple. Rounding things off are FXpansion’s TransMod
modulation system and three master effects – you can choose from 28 options
including buss compression, EQ, filters and distortions. A fine drum machine
with a big sound.
