MATRIXSYNTH: NAMM: Dave Smith and Roger Linn Create a Tempest


Thursday, January 13, 2011

NAMM: Dave Smith and Roger Linn Create a Tempest


YouTube via DaveSmithInstruments | January 13, 2011

Boomchik arrives in a Tempest (click and scroll to see how it has evolved over time).

"Analog Drum Machine a First for Legendary Designers

January 13, 2011—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."

Tempest is expected to be available by June 2011 with a projected MAP of $1,999.00.

Summary of 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

Price and specifications subject to change."

For those at NAMM: "Just moments from now Dave Smith & Roger Linn will introduce Tempest to the world at NAMM. Tempest, a new analog drum machine, is a collaboration between Dave and Roger.

If you’re attending NAMM, stop by booth 5900 and check out a demo. Tempest is expected to be available summer 2011 and is priced at $1,999 US MAP (subject to change)."


Update: interview on Create Digital Music


Update: Tempest on the NAMM floor via @califaudio

Update:

Dave Smith Tempest drum machine interview - NAMM 2011

YouTube via SoundsAndGear | January 13, 2011 |

http://namm.soundsandgear.com chatting with Dave Smith about the new drum machine from him and Roger Linn called Tempest!"

Update:

Robert Linn & Dave Smith @ NAMM 2011 - Tempest

YouTube via DontEatWhatTheyFeed | January 14, 2011 |

Dave Smith muestra la caja de ritmos Tempest

YouTube via Hispasonic | January 14, 2011 |

Update: one more with Roger Linn:


YouTube via SynthMeTV | January 14, 2011

Update:

DSI Tempest Namm2011 Rock oN Report

YouTube via RockoNCompany | January 14, 2011

Update:

NAMM 2011: Synthgeek.tv - Dave Smith Tempest Demonstration with Roger Linn

productionroom | January 15, 2011 |

"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."

Update:


Dave Smith and Roger Linn show the Tempest Drum Machine from Richard Devine on Vimeo.

"Roger Linn showing me some of the new features on the Tempest Analogue Drum Machine at the NAMM 2011 show.

davesmithinstruments.com/​news/​tempest.php"

15 comments:

  1. At last! Linn Drum 2 lives!

    ReplyDelete
  2. just 6 voices? for $1999?
    sorry, no sale..... it's nice, but not that nice...

    ReplyDelete
  3. * Each of the 6 analog voices has 2 analog oscillators plus 2 digital oscillators (with a large bank of included samples)

    Maybe the price looks high but I honestly think this is THE NAMM showstopper of 2011. Sounds and looks awesome to me.

    ReplyDelete
  4. fully fledged analog drum machine, tons of capabilities, plus the ability to play it as a 6 voice analog polysynth...

    Compared to other stuff out there I think 2000$ is somewhat reasonable.. sure I'd like it to be cheaper, but who wouldnt want to save money?

    Nonetheless, I'll probably be financing one of these puppies.

    ReplyDelete
  5. 6 voices is fine, you don't need more than that playing at once in a drum machine.

    ReplyDelete
  6. $2,000.00! Fuck me.

    Made out of gold is it?

    ReplyDelete
  7. the pads have me Wishing this were a sampling drum-machine ???

    ReplyDelete
  8. OMG... What a bunch of wuzzies! Here in Costa Rica, we earn around $12k a year, and still we own our moogs, synths and yes -you can bet we will- our Tempests. We don't cry like you guys about how much a thing cost, if you are serious about sound, save money and buy your instruments. Period. I think $2k is a very reasonable price for all the work this guys have put in this machine.... or you guys work for free????

    ReplyDelete
  9. thank you Ernesto -exactly my thoughts

    ReplyDelete
  10. analogue signal path or not, 2K for a 6 voice drum machine is excessive...
    You can buy a TR808 and MPC for the same money.

    Sorry, I truly don't get what this offers over other more affordable things.

    ReplyDelete
  11. From above: "it excels at tuned sounds as well, and even doubles as a 6-voice analog synth."

    ReplyDelete
  12. "analogue signal path or not, 2K for a 6 voice drum machine is excessive...
    You can buy a TR808 and MPC for the same money."

    If you are less than 25 then i will understand you comment as it would be perfectly logical.

    mopho tabletop x 6 = $2100 (no pad, no centralised UI, no dynamic sequencer)
    doepfer dark energy x 6 = $3750 (no pad, no centralised UI, no dynamic sequencer)

    But i guess when deadmau5 has a huge collection of monophonic modular systems i am sure you say the same exact comments "Go get an MPC dude Duh!!"

    ReplyDelete
  13. Really, I'd say it sounds more like six Evolver voices thinged up with the sequencer parts of an MPC, but with the special magic of Messrs Linn and Smith sprinkled liberally to make an analogue beat instrument. Now I already have an MPC and an Evolver, but even buying the additional five Evolvers (or a Poly Evolver) would cost over $2000 (Mono Evolver desktop is about £375 in the UK these days.) All in a case that appears similar in size to an MPC 1000 but not quite as thick, with lighty up pads that can switch on the fly between step and realtime programming. $2000 is looking quite reasonable :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. I think $2,000 is perfectly reasonable. Some of you haven't checked vintage gear prices lately!

    ReplyDelete

To reduce spam, comments for posts older than one week are not displayed until approved, usually same day. Do not insult people. For items for sale, do not ask if it is still available. Check the auction link and search for the item. Auctions are from various sellers and expire over time. Posts remain for the pics and historical purposes. This site is meant to be a daily snapshot of some of what was out there in the world of synths.

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