Machinedrum SPS-1 is a dedicated 16-track percussion synthesizer and arranger. It offers four 16-part fully tweakable percussion synthesizers with an advanced synchronised effect system with full hands-on control. The integrated pattern step sequencer is specialized for percussion programming. SPS-1 comes with 6 individual audio outputs and two inputs.
SPS-1 comes with four percussion synthesizers (MD-synths) each of which is created from a unique starting point. The MD-synths are built of several specialised machines which are all individually designed with customised controls. Each machine is designed to generate one type of drum sound, such as bass drum or claves. Each of the 16 tracks can hold any of the more than 40 available machines.
The MD-synths in the Machinedrum are:
TRX - Inspired by the classic rhythm machines of Roland's TR-series. Compared to its timeless forerunners TRX brings an extended parameter set, allowing superior control over the sounds produced.
EFM - Based on frequency modulation, and is the most extreme of the MD-synths. The EFM-parameters offer a wealth of new cool percussive sounds.
E12 - Carries the traditions of sample based drum machines such as Simmons and Emu SP1200. It is built on carefully processed sampled percussion sounds and offers individual control for all E12-machines.
PI - Based on models of acoustic drums. Having their roots in scientific models, PI-machines are "Physically Informed", but the sounds generated can be stretched beyond the limits of real-world drums.
In addition there are also machines that handle the two audio inputs for sequenced gating and envelope filters. This allows for any external source to be used as a percussive sound.
The Effects
The effects of the Machinedrum are tightly integrated with the sound generation. The Track Effect System offers dedicated effects for each of the 16 tracks. They are always at hand with dedicated controllers and form a natural extension of the MD-synths to shape the definite percussion sounds.
The Track Effect System consist of five concurrent effects: Amplitude Modulation, 1-band EQ, 24dB Lo/Band/Hi-pass resonant filter, Sample Rate Reduction and distortion. The track effects have been carefully selected to complement the MD-synths.
The Stereo Master Effect system is composed of the Rhythm Echo delay, the Gate Box reverb, the Dynamix compressor and an EQ with parametric and Hi/Lo-shelf controls. The Rhythm Echo and Gate Box each has dedicated sends from the 16 percussion tracks. The EQ and Dynamix process the mixed main out stereo signal.
Sound Control & Sequencing
Machinedrum sequencing comes in two levels: Classic and Extended. In Classic mode the sequencer operates as would be expected of a classic drum machine, with the sequencer separated from the synthesis. Extended mode ties these two together by keeping track of the kit used for a certain pattern. In Extended mode all Synthesis, Effects and Routing parameters can also be locked to fix values for any step. This feature encourages creativity and inspires the user to easily build advanced dynamic patterns. In addition, the user is also offered unsurpassed sound parameter control with 16 syncronised dual waveform LFO's.
The pattern based Percussion Sequencer of SPS-1 delivers control of 16 tracks of internal percussion synthesis or external MIDI drum triggering. 128 patterns of up to 32 steps are available for instant replay, step edit and realtime recording. Each pattern also offers step programmable Accent, Swing and Slide. SPS-1 can switch from Pattern mode to Song mode where patterns are chained together to form a song in a dedicated song editor.
Machinedrum uses MIDI as its internal communications protocol. This means that all functions available in the Machinedrum can be controlled externally using the MIDI interface. All knobs and buttons that control the sound also transmit MIDI messages that can be recorded for external automation.
Technical specifications 16 Track Percussion Sequencer
32 Step Pattern Length Max
128x User Programmable Patterns
32x User Programmable Songs
Swing, Slide and Accent control
16x24 Parameter Locks per sequencer step
16x Dual Waveform LFO's
Full Realtime Control
Full MIDI Support
Effects
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