Dave Smith Instruments Tempest  

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Dave Smith Instruments

The first true analog drum machine for 2011 and beyond!

The Tempest by Dave Smith Instruments combines authentic analog and digital synthesis with an intuitive interface, 16 velocity/pressure-sensitive pads, and a powerful sequencer. It's an instrument clearly meant to extend the capabilities and expand the imaginative reach of beat-oriented musicians everywhere.

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.


The fat sounds of the past meet the digital future.

Tempest Specifications:

  • 15.4"L x 9"W x 2.5"H
Write a Review Overall Rating Customer Reviews 2 See all 2 customer reviews...

The Tempest

| Review By: Nathaniel Pulkrabek | 2 months, 3 weeks ago

1 people out of 1 found this review helpful

Features:

This drum machine has everything you need and more to create interesting and original sounds, beats and songs. If you are serious about making original music, you need a tempest.

Quality:

Everything about this synthesizer is well thought out, well laid out and perfectly implimented for non-stop creative flow. Two of the world's most influencial minds behind what has become moder day music production have thrown together ever trick in the bag to creat a masterpiece of equipment. Every aspect of this machine is made to last. You get nothing short of what you pay for in quality.

Value:

Considering the fact that this "drum machine" also doubles as a six voice polyphonic ANALOG synthesizer... in 2012. Why is this even a question? 

Overall:

I have been reading about this synth since its first hints in the music media. I can't say enough on the topic of appreciation for this instrument. It was projected to be something truly inspirational in this time period. It has surpassed all my expectations. Best investment I have made so far in my musical experience.

Do you own the product?:
Yes
Have you used the product?:
Yes
Musical Experience:
Best 16 years of my life so far. 
Style of music you play:
Earth
Where you live:
Hawaii

Did you find this review helpful? yes no1114606

It's a drum machine, it's a modular, it's a polysynth!

| Review By: Chris Sparks | 3 months, 1 week ago

1 people out of 1 found this review helpful

Features:
Quality:
Value:
Overall:

First, I have to say that with all the routing options (and they are legion) and 6 round-robin voices being blasted a waveshaped preset with each note, combined with the very very musical filters, distortion, compression, and really nice oscillators, this thing is really modular in drum machine's clothing. What you lose in cool looking patch cables, you make up for in total recall, and for the most part, the controls aren't entirely shift functioned into oblivion. Better still, the controls have some interesting global functions in beats mode that only make it more fun to create live mixes.

 

This device seems like it was aimed at the 909 crowd (and overshot, IMHO) and the desktop synth crowd equally, and I can't think of anything with more features in such a small physical space. I've lusted after a Buchla for the past 3-4 years the way people have pipe dreams about a Ferrari, but this is definitely like being given a mint condition 1993 Viper. A Viper in hand is worth two Buchla 200s in the bush.

 

The build quality is solid, but I did take a point off because there was an air bubble between the hard plastic permanent protector for the OLED screen and whatever was under it. It was pretty easy to see, and I do think this should've been cleared up by QC at DSI's end, especially on something this expensive. However, it doesn't detract from the functionality. The knobs are very solid and feel good, the eclosure is pretty thick folded metal (I'd guess steel) and the entire device, while being VERY portable in size, is hefty enough to not be mistaken for a toy or a Maschine.

Do you own the product?:
Yes
Have you used the product?:
Yes
Musical Experience:
20 years
Style of music you play:
rock, industrial, ambient, trip-hop
Where you live:
Austin, TX

Did you find this review helpful? yes no1112244

See all 2 customer reviews...
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