Start a DiscussionOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== BeepStreet Drambo ====== There has been [[https://forum.audiob.us/discussion/25864/beepstreet-drambo|a great deal]] of interest in it since it was first announced. In recent months, a number of videos have been posted demonstrating its many features. After a long and desperate but also somewhat entertaining wait, Drambo was officially released to the public on April 1st, 2020. Drambo is a sequencer and easy-to-use modular synth with user sample support. For an FAQ, scroll to the end of this article. **App type**: App and AUv3 **App store link**: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/drambo/id1469365718 **Developer**: [[http://www.beepstreet.com/ios|Beep Street]] **Developer AB Forum Handle**: @giku_beepstreet **Manual**: http://beepstreet.com/public/downloads/Drambo%20manual.pdf **NOTE**: Some of this page and some videos below were created while the software was in beta. The software was released to the public on April 1, 2020. ===== Concepts ===== ==== Workflow and sequencer ==== Drambo is a virtual modular synthesis and sequencing studio that consists of modular synthesis tracks, each with a corresponding sequencer track. The synthesis tracks can be chosen by hitting the corresponding drum pads. An audio mixer channel representation of all tracks that also allows for scrolling through tracks can be shown by hitting the upper right "burger menu" symbol, while a grid representation of all sequencer tracks can be shown by hitting the upper right dot grid symbol. As Drambo supports both landscape and portrait orientations of your iDevice, more sequencer or modular synthesis tracks can be seen by turning the device into portrait mode. It can be a good idea to place tracks next to each other that may require simultaneous tweaking, especially when using AUv3 plugins that rely on visuals. Drambo's sequencer is built around a pattern concept. Each pattern has a certain number of steps and repeats and unless the "Loop" symbol on the transport bar is enabled, all patterns will play in a linear sequence. After the last pattern has finished playing, Drambo will continue playing the first pattern again. The sequencer has a modular concept, much like the synthesis modules but with features specific to sequencing. Sequencer step modules are called "Step Components" and they can be shown by hitting the STEP button on the right. Apart from the most common "Note" component, many other step components are available that perform certain actions or define conditions under which the following step component is executed. This is one way to play, for example, a sequenced note only every 4th pattern repeat or randomly at this position. Polymetric sequences with different sequencer lengths on different tracks can be achieved by adding a "Jump" step component on any sequencer step. It allows for jumping to any other step in the sequence as soon as the playhead in this sequence reaches that step. ==== Routing ==== Drambo allows you to connect modules without wires. Tapping on a signal port which is not yet connected will show all ports that can it can be connected to, which are all modules that are located before the module you're about to connect. When designing modular creations, keep this limitation in mind, as it may in some cases (instant Feedback) require a few duplicate modules to achieve the same effect as in classic modular systems. Connections are indicated in two ways: The color of a signal port is the same as the module it receives from, and when you tap on a signal port, both the port and the connected port will flash in orange color. Double-tapping on a signal port will open a popup menu to disconnect that port. Routing is not limited to a track. You can also route signals between tracks, including track mixer modules in the "Main" channel. When routing MIDI signals, be aware that routing MIDI to a track will make the MIDI signal available to track modules, not to the sequencer. ==== Signals ==== There are different types of signals inside Drambo. Some of them are unique, others are interchangeable and only have different labels to facilitate a straightforward workflow. As of December 2020, Drambo works with the following signal types: === Audio, Pitch, Gate, Velocity, Time === These all behave like "analog signals" like you find them in hardware modular systems. Check Drambo's built-in manual (page 6) for details. These signals are interchangeable, you might need math modules to adjust their levels to work together as intended though. === MIDI === A stream of MIDI messages. It's a unique signal that can only be used with modules that have MIDI ports. There's a number of modules available though to convert between MIDI and control signals. === Spectrum/Wavetable === Another unique signal that can only be used inside a Wavetable Oscillator rack, currently only suported by the "Wave effect" and "Wave filter" modules. (Tip: Here is where you can have low, high and band pass filters with arbitrary steepness by combining Wave filter modules and using your sampled waveforms processed to 2048 samples length.) === Modifying signals === Most signals (except "MIDI" and "Spectrum/Wavetable") can be processed by a multitude of general processing, math, mixer and utility modules. One very handy module is the Graphic Shaper which allows for drawing arbitrary curves that map a unipolar or bipolar signal to an output signal. This could be a simple velocity re-mapper, a time signal groove quantizer feeding Gate/Velocity and CV sequencers or a value scaler to optimize MIDI control of certain parameters, but since it runs at full audio rate, it can also be used for wave shaping and more exotic sound design. By feeding it with a simple sawtooth oscillator which has Anti-aliasing turned off, you can draw any oscillator waveform. ==== Real-time parameter control ==== Drambo offers multiple methods to manually and automatically change one or multiple parameters, knobs and buttons. They all have the same type of destination, the parameter(s) under control but they have different sources. These sources are available: === Parameter locks (p-locks): === These are tied to sequencer steps. Each step can store one or more value changes. Changes to parameters remain active until the next non-empty step in the sequence of the same track. Note that these are the only way to store parameter changes inside a sequencer pattern. === Modulators: === A wide choice of modulation sources is available. You can use LFOs, oscillators, envelopes, graphic modulators, or even the Flexi sampler which could be used to record an automation signal and play it back either whenever triggered, or in a loop and in sync with the pattern playback. === Scenes: === Independent from patterns and track modulators, scenes can store parameter changes as "presets" or "snapshots", so to say. Up to 16 different snapshots can be stored and recalled on scene pads A to P, and choosing a scene is done by hitting either the left or right button next to the horizontal crossfader which will allow for seamless morphing between the snapshots stored on the scenes chosen on the buttons left and right from the crossfader. Like modulators, these are independent from the pattern sequences and will work globally. ==== Creating Sampler instruments ==== Since february 2021, the Sampler can automatically import and map samples to appropriate key and up to 4 velocity ranges. For this to work, your samples need to follow one of these file name conventions: **{SampleName}_{NoteNameOr3digitNoteNumber}_{3digitVelocity}.fileextension** **{NoteName}{space or _ }{optional: letter v}{3 digits velocity}** **{NoteNumber}{space or _ }{optional: letter v}{3 digits velocity}** Upper or lower case shouldn't matter but make sure file names don't have more than two spaces or underlines, they separate file name from note numbers and velocity values. Supported formats are M4A/AAC, MP3, WAV, AIF, any bit depth and any sample rate and 1 or 2 channels. Flexible sample rate support also allows you to adapt each sample's sample rate in order to save space, something that had often been done in 80s and 90s hardware samplers to get the most out of very limited RAM in these machines. Sampler will try to map samples according to note name (also setting the root key from the given note name/number) and velocity between 001 and 127 for up to 4 samples stacked and velocity switched. Vertical and horizontal gaps are filled automatically by stretching the mapped range to the next neighbor in a hopefully sensible way. Levels will be uniform across different velocity windows in order to not destroy the velocity response in a typical setup where you would follow the Sampler with an ADSR that already adds adjustable polyphonic velocity response. Since auto mapping completely relies on sample names, you won't need any SFZ or EXS files for import, just the correct sample names. Batch renaming files can be done on MacOS using Finder rename or on Windows using the Multi Rename tool in Ghisler Total Commander. You drop all files into one folder, upload them to Drambo and in Sampler, use the "Create zones from folder" > "Select current folder" function. ===== Videos and Tutorials ===== * Ben Richards has posted a number of Drambo tutorials, demonstrations and tracks on his [[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX8g34WRpH3d0x_NdarjEIw/playlists|YouTube channel]] * SoundForMore has posted a large collection of [[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLirh7S2cI3fjQPRJ90MK56v9FZe4RAu4Q|Drambo tutorials]] on his YouTube channel. **Quick start** (6 minutes): {{youtube>KF0BWlwytTs}} **A more detailed tutorial** (38 minutes): {{youtube>WND26C9qv6E}} **A fun video teaser** -- Digital Katharsis 2 -- from @Giku_beepstreet: {{youtube>cSI8ebGpOVU}} **QuickStart — from bcrichards** {{youtube>KF0BWlwytTs}} **Copy/Paste Trick** {{youtube> At2XQkQi6lc}} **WaveSequencing Experiment** {{vimeo>401369875}} **Tutorial Series (Playlist)**: [[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNsn-cj_8McLT6AZsTFqYi663gNPIdSrT]] ==== Video List ==== This section lists Drambo-related vieos some of which were posted while it was still in beta. Many of these were posted in the[[https://forum.audiob.us/discussion/25864/beepstreet-drambo|Monster thread]] on the Audiobus forum. Resampling any track in realtime: In this case, the master track. http://youtu.be/glpg-URP_f8 Indian chief/heavy breather and a super saw at the end, all drambo modules. http://youtu.be/UF3TqNUwPAE Using Drambo standalone and simultaneously use other unrelated ios apps at the same time. Meaning I can make music and watch youtube! Game over! http://youtu.be/ppC5skRwrjc Flexi sampler is feeling great now, quick lofi sample automation. http://youtu.be/m9YUSQuk1Po Export audio files as perfect loops. http://youtu.be/yyFvwJo3tQg Drambo Beta step component’jump’ https://youtu.be/edF0xkKt7UI Drambo beat 4 https://youtu.be/SHsgX3oJNBM Drambo beta 2: http://youtu.be/gWi003jWg2Y BeepStreet Drambo Chinese Circus (prerelease demo): http://youtu.be/DPZzZErS_X0 Drambo App test 1 - live - modulated event generators http://youtu.be/Cx4w7YOXXMM Drambo App test 2 (low quality) http://youtu.be/l8HS77aUiYE Drambo Filter modulations http://youtu.be/jrDygRSQ6nQ Drambo First impressions http://youtu.be/q2sICzoZ_5k Drambo Scratch patterns http://youtu.be/ltzEyjR-7Uk BeepStreet Drambo Alpha Testing: http://youtu.be/yYpu8EmgBIg BopPad+Drambo: http://youtu.be/-YNHdCANrRo Drambo AUV3 (Instructional): http://youtu.be/pmLSEBVECGw Covers several use cases for the AUV3 instance of Drambo: sequencing other apps, recording midi, audio effect, and as a sound source in other apps. Drambo Cello: http://youtu.be/ifeSC1fTMEQ Drambo Clocks and Scenes: http://youtu.be/j7HJArUqYao Drambo Generator Modules (instructional): http://youtu.be/BsNCES_3t-8 Overview of most of the Generator modules in current beta version Drambo Drambo Processor Modules (instructional): http://youtu.be/gJl-pEy5nus Overview of most of the Processor modules in current beta version Drambo Drambo Sample mangling: http://youtu.be/lDzkV_CQsFU Drambo Sample slicing: http://youtu.be/wKpy4HZ9zNo Drambo Sampler and Flex Sampler (instructional): http://youtu.be/g-mLGpiB6QQ Overview of features in the Sampler and Flex Sampler modules. note: Outdated. Flexi sampler is new version of Flex; includes new features and fixed bugs. Drambo Start_stop effects on sampler: http://youtu.be/XqEIlcpVOgw Drambo Switchers and trigger button: http://youtu.be/XYYkrdimIH0 Drambo Tracks (instructional): http://youtu.be/oD5f0KgzxFY Overview of audio routing between tracks. NOTE: outdated, new system of audio routing between tracks has been introduced. Drambo a quick Impaktor like patch: http://youtu.be/eV3KjrFXNew Drambo creating a basic subtractive synth: http://youtu.be/20mAdG8enQ0 Drambo fun with sampler in scratch mode #2: http://youtu.be/aLHugCDRqs0 Drambo resonant ants: http://youtu.be/jJJBVs6HU5E Drambo (modular groovebox) acid rack: http://youtu.be/yPflVQbJBtA Drambo (untitled): http://youtu.be/jhHMZGNyYYM One sound in Drambo: http://youtu.be/2xJ6VX12g7I Playing with Drambo on iPhone XS: http://youtu.be/R1E5lkGS1Yk Drambo Beta - Some Basics (instructional): http://youtu.be/G_qqSWi3P6s Overview of core features included in standalone app. Outdated. Drambo Beta Master Track Transpose: http://youtu.be/Mk7Flb2nRrQ Drambo Signal and Routing Modules (instructional): https://youtu.be/KVvS6iytg50 Overview of how signal moves in Drambo, how to connect modules, and how to set up modulation. A short clip using classic synthesis and physical modeling: https://vimeo.com/392512154 Shiro - another example - https://youtu.be/4UEWgmKc9a4 BCRichard - another example - https://youtu.be/wAqKJclKCDc Shiro - P-Lockery - https://youtu.be/OwWfTAwHEc0 RS2000 - sequenced sequencer - https://vimeo.com/400779765 Shiro - 2020/93/28 - https://youtu.be/vXwtdF9G3-g ===== Module List (Feb 19,2020) ===== @giku_beepstreet [[https://forum.audiob.us/discussion/comment/753589/#Comment_753589|published]] this module list - XY pad - Reverb - Reset time - MIDI to CV - Scale - CV glide - Frequency shifter - Transient detector - Half rectify - Maximum - AN kick - MIDI monitor - Recorder - Mixer - Flexi sampler - Poly to mono - X-Fader - Decimator - Env AD mod - Audio input - S&H - Exp - Shift time - Retrigger - L/R to stereo - MIDI output - Integrator - MIDI CC - Pulse divider - Noise - Env AD - LFO - Add - Quantize - Phaser - Bend time - Freq to CV - Pitch (oct,semi,fine) - MIDI delay - MIDI humanizer - Pan - Env Flex - AND - Gyroscope - Reverse time - Multiply - MIDI to Poly - Shaper - Shot sampler - Filter - Compressor - Peaking EQ - Pitch - Amp env ADSR - Cosinus - Delay rack - Gate+velocity sequencer - Offset - Graphic shaper - Layers - OR - Voice selector - Pitch shifter - Scale time - Clip - Full rectify - Gate inverter - Sampler - MIDI CC generator - Amp - Number - Clock generator - Env ADSR - Slew limiter - CV quantizer - Procesor rack - Impulse - Instrument rack - Oscillator - Oscillator: Supersaw - Graphic env - CV to freq - Envelope follower - LFO (stereo) - MIDI key pressure modulator - Oscillator (semi) - Bit redux - Negate - Amp env AD - Sqrt - Stereo to mono - Delay FX - Adder - XOR - Minimum - Subtract - CV sequencer - Amp env AHD - Counter - Audio out - Sinus - AMP env AD mod - Function - Stochastic gate gen - Comb filter - Section - 1/x - Random - Log - Divide - Pitch (overtone) - Knob - Oscilloscope - Stereo width - Delay - Layer mixer - Modal resonator - Trigger button - FM operator - Mono to stereo - Chorus - Stereo to L/R - Text box - Voice number ==== Hidden tips & tricks ==== * Holding Mute and tapping on track will solo it, mute will remain blinking while such solo is enabled * Dragging unit slightly to the side reveals (+) button to add unit in between, when you release the finger while seeing the (+) button, the Add unit popover will show up and the unit will be added in the respective place. ==== modular Resources ==== [[https://wiki.audiob.us/modular_reading_materials|Modular reading resources]] ==== FAQ ==== tbd == Tags == {{tag>au_instr au_fx iaa_instr modular}} beepstreet_drambo.txt Last modified: 2021/02/16 04:50by rs2000
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