With the drum machine/groovebox combination Blast BeatsTwisted Electrons succeeded in a precision landing. The sound generation of the instrument, which specializes in FM synthesis, is based on the YMF-262 chip, which was often used in computer sound cards in the early 90s. Blast Beats' 10 voices are spread over six drum tracks and four synth tracks; the latter can be configured twice monophonic (2x 2OP or 1x 4OP) and twice duophonic (4x 2OP or 2x 4OP). Internally the drum tracks have fixed assigned notes, externally played with a MIDI keyboard these tracks allow pitched bass drums, snares and other percussion sounds. If you're worried about the complexity of FM synthesis, don't be: With only a handful of shift functions and the stately number of 56 sliders, handling is quick and easy! For sound creation there are 100 memory locations that store all 10 tracks together as one kit.
Opulent Sequencer
The sequencer of the Blast Beats can be called powerful. Primarily 160 songs and 2560 patterns, which can have a length of up to 64 steps each, can be programmed and recalled. For each step a trigger probability is programmable, this alone is a guarantor for varied patterns without having to set new respectively different triggers. If you don't want to be creative yourself, the digital Groovebox allows you to create patterns using a random function. In addition, fader movements in the sequencer can be recorded on the fly. This way you can create enormously varied grooves within seconds. If you change the drum kit later, the Parameterlocks remain intact. For spontaneous interventions, the sequencer offers three so-called tricks: Pitch Bend aka Spin Down, Freeze and Stutter. All three are also programmable in the pattern!
Good connection to the outside world
The Blast Beats also has plenty of connection options. In addition to the sum output, there are four individual outputs that can be assigned to the tracks as desired. This way, a few tracks can be spiced up with external effects devices on their way to the mixer, while others remain "dry". MIDI inputs and outputs as well as USB MIDI offer a reliable connection to DAWs or other MIDI devices for synchronization and note input and output. Last but not least the sequencer can be synchronized to a deton8 or hapiNES L via analogue clock eg. on the input and output side.
Twisted Electrons Blast Beats Sound Demo (no talking)
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