

Zero-G has included a second layer to Beat Master, which is entirely centred around effects – and what a comprehensive set it is, too. The possibility of randomisation within the stereo imaging makes for a quick and easy route to unique interest, while the Zig-Zag parameter places each pairing of slices in a hard left/right configuration, which in the case of Stereo panning is extreme, but very usable. Contextually, this adds immense interest to a loop, with the bonus of creating space in the loop as well. Depending on the timbre being stretched, the results can again be interesting and rewarding, while the more obvious Pan parameter allows for the simplicity of offsetting a given slice to a space within the stereo image. This proves to be a point of endless fasciation, often starting a train of thought for an entirely new loop, which could be saved as a new user patch.Īnother favourite within the editing domain is the Stretch parameter, which allows for the stretching of a given partial within the groove. In the case of the Part parameter, this means that all of the sounds will change immediately, which can yield chaos and interest in equal amounts. It’s easy and quick to get different sounds, although it’s even quicker to change all sounds through a click of the Random button, which will literally randomise the entire loop, depending on the selected parameter. This is possibly a shade misleading, as it’s far more about selecting a different sound, which is undertaken by directly clicking on the wave while in edit mode, with an upward/downward mouse movement being required to change the sliced timbre. The central wave display is where this takes place, in conjunction with the buttons located above the first element being described as Part. While the preset content provides a wealth of choice, things get really interesting when you start to edit the templates, creating content which will be a little more unique. However, I did immediately think that while this option could be very useful for more precise production results, it’s actually the spontaneous nature of Beat Master that is its real strength, particularly when you consider that within each musical genre, there are a considerable number of useful grooves and you might find yourself simply gaining access to the selection through programmed key-switching anyway. Once exported, the MIDI file triggers the sliced elements perfectly.
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It takes me a while to work out exactly how to drag and drop the MIDI file while it is clearly possible, the manual only alludes to this functionality and I’m left to undertake a bit of trial and error to eventually locate a very small icon to the top/right of the wave window which yields the file: but it is unmarked, and certainly not what one might call obvious. There is also an option to trigger the sample or loop via an exportable MIDI file. Within each chosen genre and style, there are a number of drum loops available, all of which may be both triggered and key-switch from the keyboard.

Immediate results are obtainable by triggering loops directly from the keyboard. Due to this slicing, all loops will snap immediately to the chosen tempo of your DAW, also allowing for simple doubling or halving of the loop’s tempo, thanks to a global drop-down menu. Each loop is presented in a format which is reminiscent of a sliced loop, as first pioneered by packages such as Steinberg’s ReCycle. Once Beat Master is loaded, it’s then a matter of selecting one of 14 musical styles, organised in patches, where it’s possible to tweak and choose settings to either further endorse the chosen style, or migrate a considerable distance away from the starting point. This adds up to a sizeable collection of 4,000 drum loops, but all with a large amount of editing options, allowing the user to place their own stamp on the loops, with a minimum of fuss. The extensive 3GB content is compiled from individual drum samples and loops, which have been spliced, sliced and diced in a way to make access and use particularly easy. Beat this!īeat Master is a Kontakt-based instrument which, simply put, allows for the loading and triggering of a vast library of drum samples that ships with the product. Now the company turns its attentions to beats, with a sample-trigger package that lends itself beautifully to creative drum deployment. Zero-G has recently had huge success with its ever-expanding Ethera series, alongside its exceptionally clever Herz-OG fully-fledged synthesizer, all working within the Kontakt format.
