Audio Realism Drum Machine Review

AudioRealism ADM review Where some plug-ins emulate a single Roland beatbox, this one does an admirable job of recreating three €113; $124; By Music Radar Team 24 January 2008.

AudioRealism has announced a new virtual drum machine, AudioRealism Drum Machine (ADM), that promises to capture the best of the sounds of drum machines of the early 80’s.

Features

Three realtime switchable drum machine models
Internal 32 step sequencer with global accent per step, four prescale selections per pattern, flam and shuffle, 128 patterns per instance
Pattern transformation functions: Expand, shrink, swap, duplicate steps, randomize pattern, randomize part, cut/copy/paste pattern and parts
Undo function for pattern transformation functions
Pattern Controlled FX (PCF) which can control any of the parameters for each step
Various pattern transformation functions
Full MIDI CC with learning function
Rebirth pattern import
Imports 909 Sysex
Two MIDI modes (Pattern and Note)
Tempo sync to host
Polyphony: 11 parts total
Outputs: 11 individual unprocessed, 2 master outputs (processed)
Pattern library
100% Laser gun free

You can preview the ADM below.

No release date or pricing has been set yet.

Description:

Booming bassdrums, saucy cymbals and crispy snares can be used to describe the sound of drum machines from the early 80’s. ADM contains three classic vintage drum machines from that era rolled into one, combined with a 32-step internal sequencer and pattern controlled fx (PCF). Get all your patterns into ADM via the Import Rebirth function or directly from your old 909 via sysex (we will provide a free tool for dumping sysex).

Sounds

ADM contains 25 drum generators, each one carefully modeled after the classics’ analog circuits and 4 PCM players, for a total of 34 sounds (some generators have two sounds). Certain sounds have been extended with extra parameters, like the tuning and attack of the 606 bassdrum. The accents effect on bridged-T oscillators that make up the bassdrum and tom-tom sounds has been closely simulated and the hihats and cymbals sound and react very close to the originals.

The complete list of sounds is as follows: BD808, BD909, BD606, SD808, SD909, SD606, LT808, MT808, HT808, LC808, MC808, HC808, LT909, MT909, HT909, LT606, HT606, RS808, CL808, RS909, MA808, CP808, CP909, CB808, CRASH909*, OH606, OH808, OH909*, CH606, CH808, CH909*, CY606, CY808, RIDE909*.

* Denotes sampled sound, all other sounds are synthesized (including the 606 and 808 cymbals). ADM will be shipped with a replacement sample instead of the original 909 samples (we respect the copyright holder’s rights to the ROM), but can easily be replaced by the user with an appropiate sound, or any other .wav or .aif sample the user wishes to use.

PCF with sequencer

The PCF can be used to automate any of the drum machines parameters, for instance it’s possible to change the cutoff and Q parameters for each step. In fact it can control any of the drum machines parameters, for example you can set the amount of snappy on each step or switch from maracas to handclap on specific steps, giving the illusion of more polyphony (something that had to be done by hand on the original machine). The PCF can also control the amount of mangle (a type of distortion) on specific steps, and if the FX should be applied to a sound or not.

Skins

ADM comes with two skins: Coal and Creme.

Formats

VST 2.3 for PC
VST 2.4 for Mac (Universal Binary)
Audio Units for Mac OS X (Universal Binary)

Minimum System requirements

Windows 2000/XP, P4 1 GHz, 256 Meg RAM or equivalent
Mac OS X 10.3.9, G4 1 GHz or Intel CPU, 256 Mb RAM or equivalent

*Disclaimer: I'm a songwriter, producer, and educator. My writing style may read like a billboard ad, but my user review is sincere and authentic. I only appraise a product I consider extraordinary, hence the high rating. I don't work for the developer. In fact, I rarely work at all. :-) I hope you find my review useful. — Tommy Zai.

INTRO

ReDominator by AudioRealism is a super fat sounding virtual synth, which is modeled after the classic Alpha Juno 1/2 (JU-1/2). I actually had the JU-1/2 in the late 80s, and I can say without hesitation that this fine emulation brings me back and still inspires me. Actually, I remember foolishly selling my hardware model, opting for the newfangled digital offerings of the day. ReDominator has eased the pain of letting that synth go.

ReDominator delivers the unmistakable Hoover Sound* that was made famous by early Roland and Korg synths. However, it was the top 10 hit track 'Dominator' by Dutch techno pioneers Human Resource that resurrected the sound. 'I'm bigger and bolder and rougher and tougher, in other words sucker there is no other — I'm the one and only dominator. Wanna kiss myself!' It's no wonder this synth is called REDOMINATOR! And, what is the default patch called? LOL I have created tracks for the 90s techno-rave scene featuring this sound, and I have also used that vacuum tone on countless other tracks. This synth will deliver Mr. Hoover to you and much, much more — I quickly discovered a full-featured and powerful polyphonic synth that is capable of sweet basses, leads, pads, and all kinds of sweeping atmospheric soundscapes.

*There are several thick swirling carpet cleaning presets, and it's not difficult to create your own:

1. Choose the sawtooth waveform.

2. Evenly space oscillators by an octave.

3. Apply PWM.

4. Crank up the chorus effect.

FAVORITE FEATURES

• Vintage Interface.

• Fun to program.

• More fun to play.

• Love the sliders and knobs — tight and responsive.

• 200+ patches. . a few duds, but countless good ones.

• Complex envelope generator.

• Sawtooth variations.

• Low aliasing waveforms.

• Moderate CPU hit.

• Innovative, responsive developers (responded to my inquiry within an hour)

OTHER THOUGHTS

• What will AudioRealism bring back to life next? Psss, I miss the pads on my Juno-106 and the lushness of my Oberheim synths and rackmounts.

You have obtained this typeface software either directly from Monotype or together with software distributed by one of Monotype’s licensees.This software is a valuable asset of Monotype. 1 matches Oops! Garamond tamil font. Should not ask this.If you once had the typeface explain your situation to Monotype and see what they can/will do for you.NOTIFICATION OF LICENSE AGREEMENTThis typeface is the property of Monotype Typography and its use by you is covered under the terms of a license agreement.

• AudioRealism satisfies our audio obsessions, i.e., the wet, filter TB-303 bass, TR drum machines, and now the Hoover Sound a la Alpha Juno.

SUMMARY

ReDominator looks analog, sounds analog, and with the right controller — feels analog – a very specific, wonderful classic analog synth, which can deliver a wide range of sonic timbres from thin bite to fat punch to swirl. I'm not saying this is the last synth you'll ever need or that it's the ultimate 'go to' instrument. There are more appropriate Swiss army knife soft synths out there. However, what I am saying is this — for the price, ReDominator is unbeatable for what it is and how it sounds! I highly recommend this synth to any eMusician, producer, film/video scorer, DJ, sound designer, and any other kind of audio tracker, who is looking for 'that sound' and a whole lot more. Tommy Zai gives ReDominator two big, fat thumbs up. Thank you, AudioRealism, for resurrecting a classic synth that never should have died! Viva la ReDominator.