New Akai Rhythm Wolf - Analog Drum Machine and Bass Synth?

Real or not? You be the judge. I'm not seeing anything on the Akai site yet. This one is in via Soviet Space Child.  Synthtopia is reporting on it and the following is via Gearslutz.  $199 price point.

Update: some discussion on The MATRIXSYNTH Lounge

Update2: looks like the Akai site is down. Updates coming or too much traffic?

Update3: The site is back and the info is up here.  Supersize image and press release captured further below.

"Musikmesse 2014: Following in the wake of the Korg Volcas and Roland's Aira range, Akai is the latest brand to get in on the vintage-inspired groovebox action with the announcement of the Rhythm Wolf – an analogue unit combining a five-voice drum machine and single-ocsillator bass synth.

The drum machine section of the Rhythm Wolf comprises kick, snare, metallic percussion, and open and closed hi-hat sounds, all of which are tuneable. The bass synth, meanwhile, can be switched between saw and square waveshapes, and features a filter with resonance control and a basic envelope shaper. Akai describes Rhythm Wolf as having an "authentic analog design that references classic rhythm machines and synthesizers" - no prizes for guessing which instruments the company is alluding to.

The whole unit is built around a 32-step sequencer, and also features six MPC pads for live performance. There's also a 'Howl' distortion circuit for adding a bit of dirt to the sounds. Additionally, the Rhythm Wolf features a USB MIDI connection and has both MIDI and gate in and out ports, so can be triggered via a DAW or external hardware. It packs a swing control on its front panel, and the unit also appears to have a built-in preset bank.

Arguably the most interesting aspect of the Rhythm Wolf, however, is its price. At an estimated street price of $199, the unit comes in at slightly cheaper than the combined price of the Volca Beats and Bass, and cheaper than either the Roland TR-8 or TB-3.

The Rhythm Wolf is due to arrive summer 2014. Visit Akai Professional for more details.

Rhythm Wolf highlights (from the official press release)
5-voice analog drum machine and synth—authentic analog design that references classic rhythm machines and synthesizers
Legendary analog drum sounds—kick, snare, open & closed hi-hat, and metallic percussion
Synth-bass module—selectable square or sawtooth wave with classic filter design for warm, deep basses and squelchy leads.
Onboard 32-step sequencer—classic drum machine workflow for quickly laying down grooves and melodies
Six genuine MPC pads—responsive controls for sequencing and finger drumming
Howl knob—custom distortion circuit for additional sound design
USB-MIDI and MIDI In/Out—flexible MIDI connectivity for easy integration into modern studios
Gate Trigger—triggering via modular synths, vintage sequencers, or external sound sources
Independent audio outputs—dedicated outputs for the drum machine and synth-bass module for precise mixing"

Update: full size pic & press release:

"AKAI PROFESSIONAL UNLEASHES THE RHYTHM WOLF

Leading music production equipment manufacturer debuts an analog drum machine and bass synthesizer inspired by the classics.

Cumberland, RI, USA—March 11, 2014. Akai Professional (akaipro.com), a leading innovator of music equipment for production and performance, announces the Rhythm Wolf, an analog drum machine and bass synthesizer module with built-in sequencing.

The Rhythm Wolf is an authentic analog instrument that combines the coveted sounds of early electronic and hip-hop music with genuine Akai Professional workflow. Inspired by the classic analog beat machines and synthesizers of the past, Rhythm Wolf enables today’s musicians to harness iconic analog sounds for music production and performance. The drum machine consists of five highly-tweakable drum sounds and includes a kick, snare, open & closed hi-hat, and metallic percussion. Onboard controls allow users to customize the tuning, amplitude envelopes, and volume of each drum voice separately for precise real-time adjustment. The bass synthesizer features a selectable oscillator (sawtooth or square wave), classic filter design, a filter envelope with variable decay, and is capable of creating powerful bass sounds and squelchy leads.

Outfitted with six genuine MPC pads and a built-in 32-step sequencer, the Rhythm Wolf provides an ultra-responsive interface with a classic drum machine layout. Drum patterns can be fine-tuned using the Rhythm Wolf features USB-MIDI, MIDI In/Out, a gate trigger, and integrates seamlessly with modern and vintage equipment.

Rhythm Wolf Highlights:
• 5-voice analog drum machine and synth—authentic analog design that references classic rhythm machines and synthesizers
• Legendary analog drum sounds—kick, snare, open & closed hi-hat, and metallic percussion
• Synth-bass module—selectable square or sawtooth wave with classic filter design for warm, deep basses and squelchy leads.
• Onboard 32-step sequencer—classic drum machine workflow for quickly laying down grooves and melodies
Swing function, Pattern Select, and Tempo Control knob. A custom
distortion signal path, activated by the “Howl” knob, adds grit and character for additional tone
shaping.
Two audio outputs enable producers and
performers to mix percussion sounds and bass independently.
• Six genuine MPC pads—responsive controls for sequencing and finger drumming
• Howl knob—custom distortion circuit for additional sound design
• USB-MIDI and MIDI In/Out—flexible MIDI connectivity for easy integration into modern
studios
• Gate Trigger—triggering via modular synths, vintage sequencers, or external sound
• —dedicated outputs for the drum machine and synth-bass

Akai Professional Product Manager Dan Gill notes, “The Rhythm Wolf puts those sought after analog drum machine and synthesizer sounds right into the hands of today’s musicians. We set out to make a compact drum machine and bass synthesizer, inspired by the classics, that can adapt to any studio setup and integrate with modern and vintage music equipment.”
The Rhythm Wolf will be available in Summer 2014, distributed worldwide with a $199.99 USD street price. Akai Professional will unveil the Rhythm Wolf at Musikmesse, Hall 5.1, Booth B45, March 12-15 in Frankfurt, Germany. For more information, visit: akaipro.com/messe2014.

###

About Akai Professional
The world’s most influential manufacturer of music production gear, Akai Professional (akaipro.com) develops creative technologies to empower music makers with tools that are unmatched in expressive capability. Akai Professional is best known for creating the legendary MPC, an instrument that has inspired generations of producers and performers and spawned entirely new genres of music. Akai Professional is a part of the inMusic Brands family (www.inmusicbrands.com)."

Update4:

Musikmesse 2014: Akai Rhythm Wolf Video

Published on Mar 11, 2014 delamartv·373 videos

Unfortunately no audio demo.

Akai Rhythm Wolf Arrives - Richard Devine Modular Performance & Interview

Akai Professional Rhythm Wolf - A Richard Devine Performance

Published on Sep 5, 2014 AkaiProVideo

"This Rhythm Wolf performance video features Richard Devine – acclaimed sound design guru, synth aficionado, and artist. Watch as he integrates two Rhythm Wolf drum machine/bass synthesizers into his sci-fi grade synth rig to create a brooding, hypnotic soundscape."

Akai Professional Rhythm Wolf - A Richard Devine Interview

Published on Sep 5, 2014

"Richard Devine – acclaimed sound design guru, synth aficionado, and artist – talks Rhythm Wolf and the appeal of analog."

"Curious about Rhythm Wolf? Go wild at \\ http://bit.ly/ANALOGBITE //

More about Richard Devine at \\ http://bit.ly/1vXdQ7N //
Like Richard Devine on Facebook at \\ http://on.fb.me/1t9cEth //
Follow Richard Devine on Twitter at \\ http://bit.ly/1ql1KSY //

Analog Bite

Rhythm Wolf combines a drum machine, bass synthesizer, and step sequencer into one rugged device with a fierce, 100% analog signal path.

Take the beat off the leash with fully tweakable kick, snare, open and closed hi-hat, and accent percussion sounds. Use the oscillator with selectable waveforms – sawtooth/square wave – and analog filter to create bass sequences that squelch and growl. Gate Trigger In/Out, USB MIDI, and 5-pin MIDI In/Out enable Rhythm Wolf to join your inner-circle of vintage and modern gear to integrate with hardware synthesizers, sound modules, DAWs, and more.

Into the Wild

A 32-step standalone sequencer and six custom-calibrated MPC-style pads are onboard for extensive programming and finger drumming. Mute/solo, intro/fill and sequence A/B switches give you the space to roam with complete control over your beat.

Torn into Parts

Carve out the perfect drum textures with continuously variable volume and tuning for each part. The kick drum attack and decay are adjustable for transients that hang, bang, and crush. Snare and open hi-hat also feature decay controls for unique sound design while the adjustable accent percussion can be modulated to click, punch, knock, "shush" and more.

The Face of Bass

Make menacing basslines with a tweakable, onboard bass synth. Envelope, filter and waveform controls let you design low-end that goes from liquid-smooth to bone-crushing and everywhere in between. Filter Resonance and Cutoff add distinction and movement to live or studio performances, while the step-sequencer keys let you program parts across a 3-octave scale.

Trigger Happy

Rhythm Wolf mates with your collection of synths that support Gate Triggers to create exclusive sonic offspring. Use it with supported homebrew hardware, classics or modern machines and infuse Rhythm Wolf DNA into all of your creations.

Let it Howl

Get your hands dirty with a custom noise, grit and distortion effect completely unique to this breed of instrument. The Howl knob lets you mangle the music into all-new textures, transitions and progressions that snarl, bark and howl. Use it as an effect or a part of your signature sound that stands alone on the food chain.

Outputs:
5-Pin MIDI Out/Thru
USB MIDI
1⁄8-inch Gate Trigger Out
1⁄4-inch Bass Synth Out
1⁄4-inch Main Out

Inputs:
5-Pin MIDI In
USB MIDI
1⁄8-inch Gate Trigger In
DC power In"

Akai Professional Rhythm Wolf - In the Studio with Big Black Delta

Published on Oct 9, 2014 AkaiProVideo

Akai Rhythm Wolfs on eBay - Wolfs or Wolves?

"Jonathan Bates, aka Big Black Delta, takes you inside the studio for an up-close look at how he uses Rhythm Wolf's sounds, pads, and sequencer in his work.

Music by Big Black Delta, available on iTunes: http://smarturl.it/bbdalbumitunes

Curious about Rhythm Wolf? Go wild at \\ http://bit.ly/ANALOGBITE //

More about Richard Devine at \\ http://bit.ly/1vXdQ7N //
Like Richard Devine on Facebook at \\ http://on.fb.me/1t9cEth //
Follow Richard Devine on Twitter at \\ http://bit.ly/1ql1KSY //

Analog Bite

Rhythm Wolf combines a drum machine, bass synthesizer, and step sequencer into one rugged device with a fierce, 100% analog signal path.

Take the beat off the leash with fully tweakable kick, snare, open and closed hi-hat, and accent percussion sounds. Use the oscillator with selectable waveforms – sawtooth/square wave – and analog filter to create bass sequences that squelch and growl. Gate Trigger In/Out, USB MIDI, and 5-pin MIDI In/Out enable Rhythm Wolf to join your inner-circle of vintage and modern gear to integrate with hardware synthesizers, sound modules, DAWs, and more.

Into the Wild

A 32-step standalone sequencer and six custom-calibrated MPC-style pads are onboard for extensive programming and finger drumming. Mute/solo, intro/fill and sequence A/B switches give you the space to roam with complete control over your beat.

Torn into Parts

Carve out the perfect drum textures with continuously variable volume and tuning for each part. The kick drum attack and decay are adjustable for transients that hang, bang, and crush. Snare and open hi-hat also feature decay controls for unique sound design while the adjustable accent percussion can be modulated to click, punch, knock, "shush" and more.

The Face of Bass

Make menacing basslines with a tweakable, onboard bass synth. Envelope, filter and waveform controls let you design low-end that goes from liquid-smooth to bone-crushing and everywhere in between. Filter Resonance and Cutoff add distinction and movement to live or studio performances, while the step-sequencer keys let you program parts across a 3-octave scale.

Trigger Happy

Rhythm Wolf mates with your collection of synths that support Gate Triggers to create exclusive sonic offspring. Use it with supported homebrew hardware, classics or modern machines and infuse Rhythm Wolf DNA into all of your creations.

Let it Howl

Get your hands dirty with a custom noise, grit and distortion effect completely unique to this breed of instrument. The Howl knob lets you mangle the music into all-new textures, transitions and progressions that snarl, bark and howl. Use it as an effect or a part of your signature sound that stands alone on the food chain.

Outputs:

5-Pin MIDI Out/Thru
USB MIDI
1⁄8-inch Gate Trigger Out
1⁄4-inch Bass Synth Out
1⁄4-inch Main Out

Inputs:

5-Pin MIDI In
USB MIDI
1⁄8-inch Gate Trigger In
DC power In"

Akai Rhythm Wolf Musikmesse Videos

MESSE 2014: Akai Rhythm Wolf Analog Beats n Bass

Published on Mar 12, 2014 sonicstate·734 videos

"MESSE 2014: Akai Rhythm Wolf Analog Beats n Bass Sweet rhythm and tweakery"

MESSE 2014: Akai Rhythm Wolf
)
Published on Mar 12, 2014 Future Music Magazine·387 videos

"Musikmesse 2014: Akai Rhythm Wolf, a new compact analogue drum and bass synth."

Musikmesse 2014 - AKAI Rythmn Wolf Drumcomputer

Published on Mar 12, 2014 musotalk·978 videos

[Musikmesse] Akai Rhythm Wolf

Published on Mar 12, 2014 Audiofanzine·1,062 videos

Musikmesse 2014 WALDORF Streichfett String Synthesizer (english)

Published on Mar 12, 2014 MusicStoreTV·2,306 videos

Akai Tom Cat Vs Rhythm Wolf

Published on Oct 9, 2015 NAB622

"Side by side comparison of the Tom Cat and Rhythm Wolf.

I like them both, but if I had to choose just one, the Tom Cat is the clear winner for me."

Update:

Akai Rhythm Wolf vs Arturia Drumbrute

Published on Feb 20, 2017

"In this round we pit the other Akai animal, the Rhythm Wolf, against the new comer the Arturia Drumbrute. Peak levels have been matched with appropriate room for gain during tweaking of the drum parameters. The Rhythm Wolf will play for one bar, then the Drumbrute will play a bar. I hope this helps you in choosing the best analog drum machine for your studio."

Akai Rhythm Wolf Mods

Rhythm Wolf Mods - Part 2 - Demo of bass synth sequence

video by openmusiclabs

"this is a quick overview of the mods done to the Rhythm wolf, mostly showing how the bass synth sounds in a sequence. full details can be found here: http://wiki.openmusiclabs.com/wiki/Rh..."

Rhythm Wolf Mods - Part 1 - Overview
video by openmusiclabs

Akai's Greatest Hits

video upload by AudioPilz

"Hey everybody, in this video we will take a look at the infamous Akai Animals, Rhythm Wolf, Tom Cat and - of course - the legendary Timbre Wolf. We will try to find out if they are as bad as everyone says, how these analog machines have earned their questionable reputation and maybe we can even make them work in actual music production .

This is Akai’s Greatest Hits !!!

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:22 How it all began
01:01 Akai Rhythm Wolf Overview, Drum Machine Voices
01:34 TB-303 Style Mono Analog Synth
02:00 Useless UI, Howl Distortion
02:21 Redeaming Qualities, Sequencer, Build Quality
02:44 Additional Features
03:03 Akai TomCat Overview
04:08 Timbre Wolf Introduction, A Tribute to Dan
04:40 Timbre Wolf Voices Overview
05:12 Voice Modes (Mono, Poly, Unison)
05:38 Multiple Outputs + Short Timbre Wolf Jam
05:54 Form Factor, Features
06:23 Tuning, Calibration, Build Quality
06:37 Akai Animals on Bad Gear
06:50 Jam without FX
07:37 Fully Mixed Track using only the three Machines
08:08 Is the Timbre Wolf the next TB303 ???
09:17 Patreon Vocoder Shoutout"

Circuit Tracks and Timbre Wolf (Electro Tribal Crab Dance)

video upload by HardtekStudios

"Every time I go to start up a new jam, I can't help but grab the Novation Circuit Tracks. This time, I'm pairing it with the Akai Timbre Wolf. I think it compliments the digital sounding Circuit Tracks perfectly! Midi track 2 from the Tracks is sequencing the Timbre Wolf. I could have just synced up the Sequencer from the Timbre Wolf, but having all those instruments in one spot makes jamming so much more fluid. I recorded the Circuit Tracks and the Timbre Wolf separately using the Zoom L-12 Livetrack and imported those into Logic for mixing and processing with Compressors and EQ. I'm using a different style of compressing than normal, so tell me what you think."

Rhythm Wolf thru TP-2 and Moogerfooger MuRF (Steel Wall Wizard)
video upload by HardtekStudios

"With this setup, I have the Drums and Bass Synth of the Akai Rhythm Wolf going into the Korg TP-2 Tube Preamp & Compressor. The Drum output of the TP-2 is routed into the Zoom L-12 Livetrack for recording,. But the Synth Bass output gets processed by the Moog Moogerfooger MuRF, using the static sequence mode. Then to the L-12 Livetrack for recording. All of this is then uploaded into Logic for mixing."

Akai RHYTHM WOLF Review (Tell it like it is)

Published on Nov 15, 2014 space travel made easy

"The other week I got myself an Akai Rhythm Wolf.
This was such a promising little drum machine but was one of the biggest let-downs I've ever had with hardware.
Watch the video to find out why I thought it so piss-poor.

Have you got a Wolf? What you think of it?
Feel free to comment below."

Akai Rhythm Wolfs on eBay

Previous Rhythm Wolf videos

Faxi Nadu - Akai Rhythm Wolf SUCKS

Published on Jan 17, 2015 Faxi Nadu

Akai Rhythm Wolfs on eBay

"Why the Akai Rhythm Wolf is just a horrible machine. Everything about it is just an epic fail. Part 2.

check us out:
http://www.faxinadu.net
http://www.soundcloud.com/faxinadu"

Part 1:

Faxi Nadu - Akai Rhythm Wolf SUCKS - Rantview Part 1

Published on Jan 11, 2015 Faxi Nadu

And used in performance at 4:51:

Nomad Moon - Stasis Yoga - Ocean Star Empire LIVE Trance Remix TAKE A 120115

Published on Jan 13, 2015

"Ocean Star Empire performed by Faxi Nadu, a live practice session/improvisation in the studio with a deep trance remix to Nomad Moon's ambient tune "Stasis Yoga". Take A.

Ocean Star Empire's Purity LIVE show is performed by band members Faxi Nadu and Oss - a journey of hypnotic levels. Real live psychedelic trance with constant interaction between the performers and the music using synths and controllers.

#ableton #live #psytrance #goa #apc40

Info and booking:
Booking: faxinadu@hotmail.com"

Dreadbox Erebus & Rhythm Wolf "ChiRp Tune"

Published on Jan 6, 2017 Ludwig Kopp

"Erebus meets the Wolf.
Erebus gets some layered midi from a sequencer which was earlier programmed by the wolf.
The wolf is listening to the midi clock.
Sound is all raw.
No computers here."

Update: one more:

Dreadbox Erebus analog synth Greets n Pipes

Published on Dec 29, 2016 Ludwig Kopp

"Dreadbox Erebus with Akai Rhythm Wolf
All analog Sequencing jam
No DAW
No added sugar, external FX or processing"

AKAI RHYTHM WOLF // MFB KRAFTZWERG // Session 2/2

Published on Feb 25, 2015 LESINDES

"AKAI RHYTHM WOLF + MFB KRAFTZWERG that is a powerful duo last not least for Akai's capability to transmit its bassline vi MIDI. so this features also the MIDI sequencing capablilities of the AKAI RHYTHM WOLF which aren't useless at all!!!!"

Akai Rhythm Wolfs on eBay

Akai Timbre Wolf demo song 2.12.2017 with friends

Published on Dec 2, 2017 Veli-Matti Rautio

"This song is made by four Akai musical equipments ME20A midi sequence arpeggiator, VX90 midi sound module, Rhythm Wolf analog drum machine and Timbre Wolf analog synthesizer with a helping hand of me and Boss RC-505 looper.
Instruments used:

VX90 & ME20A making arpeggio with reverb.
VX90 two pads with chorus.
Rhythm Wolf analog drums with reverb.
Timbre Wolf synth bass with RC-505 chorus and lead with Boss Super Chorus.
Akai ME20A midi sequencing synced to RC-505.
Boss RC-505 looping, midi master clock and fx, tempo was 112,5.
Mackie 802 VLZ3 for mixing and Nikon D3200 videorecorder.
Composed, played and arranged by me in Studio Tupos 2: )
Olipa työläs sessio! Koko päivä tässä touhussa meni, mutta onneksi valmista tuli: ) Seuraavaksi lähden koirien kanssa ulos happihypylle; )"

All Akai sound sources.

Akai Rhythm Wolf VS Korg Volca Bass & Beats

Published on Oct 11, 2014 HardtekStudios

"This video is not a song or jam, but a side by side comparison of the new Akai Rhythm Wolf and the Korg Volca Beats & Volca Bass. Each part is demoed by the Volcas in the left channel and then the Rhythm Wolf in the right channel to compare each units sound quality and functionality. No EQ, compression, or effects were used at all to give a most accurate to in person sound quality possible. Hope you enjoy."

Akai Rhythm Wolfs on eBay | Volcas on eBay

Review - AKAI Rhythm Wolf analog Drum Machine - english

Published on Feb 16, 2015 musotalk

"AKAI Rhythm Wolf review in Englisch. The Rhythm Wolf is an analog drum computer with a simple mono bass synthesizer. It is cheap but the build quality is quiet good. It features full size MPC Pads and nice knobs to tweak the sounds. More german language reviews and videos: http://www.musotalk.de"

Akai Rhythm Wolfs on eBay

Freq Sample Wolf (Featuring the Volca Sample, Rhythm Wolf & Freqbox)

Published on Jan 14, 2015 HardtekStudios

"Really fun jam with the Korg Volca Sample doing percussion & SFX, the Akai Rhythm Wolf for drums & bass, and the Moog Freqbox processing the Wolf's Bass. Make sure to check out my other music channel; Down Zer0 for live performances, Music Videos and more! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_BY...
All sounds in Korg Volca Sample are custom Hardtek Samples."

Akai Rhythm Wolfs on eBay

PSS 14 Thru Moog MF Delay with Rhythm Wolf

video upload by HardtekStudios

"Snippet of a longer jam to showcase the Yamaha PSS-14 through the Moog Minifooger MF-05 Analog Delay pedal. Rhythm Wolf is providing some backing track. Recorded into the Zoom L-12 and then edited in Logic. The Rhythm Wolf has some compression and EQ applied in Logic, but the PSS-14 is unprocessed."

Rhythm of the Death Wolf (featuring Akai Rhythm Wolf & DOD Death Metal Distortion)

Published on Feb 7, 2015 HardtekStudios

"This jam was recorded spur of the moment more to showcase how well the Rhythm Wolf plays with distortion than to jam out a kewl track. The Drums are recorded with no external fx, but with plenty of the built in distortion. The bass line is being processed by the DOD Death Metal Distortion pedal, one of the most brutal distortion units ever made."

Akai Rhythm Wolfs on eBay

Akai Rhythm Wolf Live With Modular

Published on Oct 25, 2014 darksideothetune

"Akai Rhythm Wolf Clocked by 4MS Quad Clock Distributor. Bass, kick,snare,and hats all come from the Wolf."

Akai Rhythm Wolfs on eBay

Growling Wolf Howl (Akai Rhythm Wolf dirty jam)

Published on Oct 14, 2014 HardtekStudios

Akai Rhythm Wolfs on eBay

"This is the jam featuring the dirty side of the Akai Rhythm Wolf. The sounds really come out with just a small tweak of the howl knob. The video starts with the knob at zer0. The 1st two bars it is brought up to 9:00. it is steadily raised thought the video. Hope you enjoy. Here are some fun links for more music & videos.
Down Zer0 Channel-
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_BYk...
Soundcloud Page-
https://soundcloud.com/hardtek-studios
CDbaby Artist Page-
http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/DownZer0"