Author Archives: peterdines

ParamDrum initial release

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Here’s the initial public release of the ParamDrum, the Reaktor drum machine with Machine Drum style parameter locks.

Reaktor drum machine with parameter locks from Peter Dines on Vimeo.

 

The most important features:

  • Note velocity represents probability a step will trigger
  • Enter and delete notes with a MIDI keyboard
  • Record per-step automation with MIDI CCs
  • Independent sequence length for each of the three sequencers
  • Extremely low CPU usage – 1 to 3 percent CPU on my four year old laptop
  • fun beat sequences practically fall out of it

This is a drum sequencer for people who want a fast, easy way to create unique sounding electronic beat sequences. It doesn’t have a compressor or reverb – surely you already have these things yourself, right? – what it has is a fun and fast workflow, and the ability to produce sequences that will surprise you as you create them. It’s not a one-button “tada, here’s your beat” randomizer, nor is it a traditional sequencer that expects you to painstakingly determine every detail. It’s a nice balance between the two. I put a lot of effort into the usability and workflow and I hope you’ll find it as much fun as I do to work with.

The file, which can be downloaded here, is a password protected RAR. Want the password? It’s $15.00 USD. What you get for that is the ParamDrum, an instructional PDF, access to updates (remember to enter your email when you purchase!), and occasional bonus downloads like custom sample maps.

You must enter a valid email address so I can send you a password for the file.

ParamDrum Add to Cart

I’m going to be using the ParamDrum in a project involving Maschine, the new NI hardware / software package, and a modified version may eventually see a sponsored release at kore.noisepages.com. If that happens, anyone who purchases the current version of ParamDrum will receive another package of equal or greater value from my private reserve.

Modifying Spiral’s Scales

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I was talking to someone on the NI Reaktor forums about this and decided to post it here for everyone’s benefit.

The Spiral instrument, which sends algorithmically generated MIDI to other instruments or synths, has a limited number of scales and you might want to customize it to add your own scales. Here’s how to do it.

You have to dig down through the macros into trig note -> pitch correction -> scales and make the “scales” table visible.

Then you can choose the notes you want to be included and excluded from a given scale.

Of course, then the scales won’t match the labels… I’d advise modifying the chromatic scale as your custom one because it’s the easiest to return to its default value (all notes included, none excluded).

It’s interesting programming in Spiral, the way they did this – looks like the instrument retains the previous pitch if the current pitch is not in the scale.

Reaktor drum machine with parameter locks

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Another peek at what’s cooking at ReaktorTips Sound Laboratories.

This is a granular drum sampler I’m working on in Reaktor that has Elektron MachineDrum style parameter locks. I think it sounds pretty good so far. Note the ridiculously low CPU usage – 2% to 2.1%

Reaktor drum machine with parameter locks from Peter Dines on Vimeo.

At the moment, the knobs are used to write looping parameter automation per step, and this works great with Kore 2 hardware controllers, but entering percussion sequences must be done with the mouse. I’ve tried using a keyboard to enter data but it’s hard and fiddly to get the exact velocity you want on a given step, and a pain to remove steps.

I’m going to wait till my Maschine arrives and use its drum pads to trigger sequence entry. The sequencer doesn’t send MIDI yet, but the controller does and from everything I’ve heard it’s a joy to use.

Sorry to keep teasing you guys with this stuff but no downloads – I’m trying to think of a way to monetize this, either with a small payment for the ensemble plus documentation, or maybe something sponsored. And yet at the same time, I want to share. Ah, conflict.

Granular Sampler Download – Very Simple Grainer 02

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Didn’t I say I’d have the next installment in this series ready “next week” a year ago? Dang.

Very Simple Grainer 02 from Peter Dines on Vimeo.

Here’s a new and improved version of the Very Simple Grainer, with some new features, fixes and a couple of new samples. I’ve moved controls around, added the very nice sounding Core saturator that comes with Reaktor 5, added LFOs to the grain size and speed parameters, and fine tuned a couple of other things. If you’ve been following the material I’ve posted here and at Noisepages, you should be able to puzzle it out. If you have questions or feature requests, post a comment.

Download Here

The first iteration, with instructional PDF, is here.

Update: you’ll want to add your own samples as I’ve only included two. Use this technique and set them all to a root key of zero.