Dave Smith Instruments Tempest user reviews ( 9/10) - 6 user reviews

• 10/25/12

  JimboSpins's review "Online Community"

  1 people found this review helpful

  Characteristics

  The Dave Smith Instruments Tempest is an analog drum machine and synth. It cost almost 2 thousand dollars but is well worth the money considering all of the features you get with the Tempest. The Dave Smith Instruments Tempest has a bright LED display with real time recording. It does have adjustable swing timing, but the swing timing is not as good as the swing function of the AKAI models. The Tempest will connect with your computer via USB and it has MIDI in and MIDI out.

  Utilization

  There are 6 analog voices on the Tempest, and each of them has 2 digital oscillators and 2 analog oscillators. The Tempest is fully loaded with a large bank of presets and preloaded samples. There are 16 pads that are pretty well built, but they are not as touch sensitive as I would have liked them to be. There are over 450 sounds on the Dave Smith Instruments Tempest. There are also, 8 TRS outputs and a headphone ¼ output; but the Dave Smiths Instruments Tempest does not have any inputs.

  Sounds

  One of the pluses of using the Dave Smith Instruments Tempest is that there is an online community that you can tap into. You will be able to have all of your technical questions answered and exchange sounds with other users. Not too long after the Tempest came out, they came out with another driver update, So all of the drivers are currently very stable.

  Overall Opinion

  The quality of the Dave Smith Instruments Tempest is solid; it is well built and portable. I am happy that I have chosen to use the Tempest. The value for the price is decent, it does seem like it cost a little too much at times but you will find yourself using the Dave Smith Instruments Tempest very often once you purchase it. The manual will help you right away if you have any questions, and the communities of fellow users are available any time of the day!
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• 08/14/12

  zap32's review ( translated ) Improve this translation " Unique"

  Characteristics

  The tempest has a midi in and out but for now only works in the south, has to see in future updates.
  
  
  
  Level effect was a distortion and a compressor section but works on the master output, otherwise there is a delay.
  
  
  
  Its level was the right has two oscillators with a bank of digital sample of very good quality and a desire editable, there really is something to do with a more complete almost any analog synth (2 VCO-VCF-VCA) and ADSR Digital and LFO (a check)
  
  
  
  There is no software on the PC edition.
  
  
  
  The sequencer is, smashing up 64 steps, a mode 16 beats (16 pattern), 16 sounds to type as its rhythm on an MPC, time step 16 (step sequencer), 16 mute, 16 and 16 Levels as tuning MPC.Il is also on a roll parameterizable way, a reverse mode and of course the two sliders fx fully customizable allowing lots of thing live but also to record the movement of faders but just on a sound at once.

  Utilization

  Level ergonomics is not bad at all considering the possibilities of the machine but often navigate the various menu and access to digital sample of two oscillators is not very practical, it is necessary each time hitting a pad to hear a sample is a long and often breaks up before finding the right note.
  
  
  
  The sound editing is no problem, it is well done and it was still a lot of parameters accessible directly via the knobs of the Tempest but we still often go through the different menu, saw the possibilities of normal the machine!

  Sounds

  Sounds ideal to my style of music (Dubstep), a belief that he is made for it! There is just missing the kicks fishing but with work it is feasible because the samples are just one more but the strength This bar is the synthesis part, it's a real synth 6 monophonic voice.
  
  
  
  The expression is very good and worthy of a workflow MPC.
  
  
  
  The effects are terrible, the disto trash well the compressor efficiently but it's not worth a dedicated compressor, delay is very good too and sliders fx are really insane.
  
  
  
  I love his level pads but all the rest, nothing to throw it's very good.

  Overall Opinion

  I use it for 6 months and I could hardly do without it, this bar is truly unique and able to create a complete song she was alone.
  
  
  
  Level I had a bar of Xbase jomox (I miss his kick!), A MAM ADX-1 and different groovebox (MC-909, electribes) but the Tempest is really a part.
  
  
  
  What I love most, the sequencer and the fx part, what I like least, access to samples.
  
  
  
  For me the value is correct for the possibilities of the machine, there has seen the price of a polyphonic synth.
  
  
  
  And yes I would do it without hesitating choice now that the updates have resolved all the problems I had to debut.Merçi Pym for his work which is very active and accessible via the forum CIO, as the community of which the Tempest sharing their project directly importable via sysex.Non frankly it's very good, now I think we should try it, to listen as it is a sacred and investment even when it has character, it sounds like no other machine and for me it is a big plus.
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• 06/18/12

  Deathkillaz's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  Specifications are available on the manufacturer's website, so do not list them here ...

  Utilization

  Although it has many controllers on the front, it must still navigate the menus to access the countless functions of the Tempest, but this is almost unavoidable to not stand in front of a camera and immense expensive ... I regretted that there are cons no dedicated knob to sustain and release envelopes without using the shift function.
  
  
  
  Editing sounds is easy if you are comfortable with the basics of sound synthesis. It should cons thoroughly familiar with the different editing modes (beat, pad, time step, mute etc.), especially to see what functions are available in the selected mode. At first it may require an adjustment period ... Then it depends on the skills of each sound-design.
  
  
  
  The manual is clear, but the Tempest has evolved so much since its release with its many updates to the OS, many functions that are not listed. DSI will offer without doubts to-date manuals online.

  Sounds

  The sounds available on the Tempest factory are mainly based on samples, which is a bit disappointing for a BAR analog.
  
  We must therefore go to work and create their own sounds to actually operate the machine. The Tempest is presented, due to its architecture, such as a synthesizer 6 voices, so for those who know programming quickly BAR sounds on a synth that should not pose a big problem. Besides, I think he does a good job also polyphonic synthesizer!

  Overall Opinion

  I use the Tempest for the past four months. I had previously Machinedrum SPS1 MKII an Elektron. The Tempest has much more features, but is currently a little less "robust" since its OS is still in development phase active enough ...
  
  Nevertheless, it is a machine that I really like, and each update of the OS brings some good things, allowing each time to go a little further with the potential of the Tempest.
  
  I had the first contact a very good feeling for improvisation by playing with the different controls in Live, and I never tire of it.
  
  If the choice had to be rebuilt, I would do!
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• 05/02/12

  Mr FILF's review ( translated ) Improve this translation " farpait!"

  Characteristics

  At the top. On paper as in the ears, we can not lie.
  
  No editor, but it is necessary?
  
  For my part, I would have preferred a larger palette of preset sounds analog.

  Utilization

  With small analog bases, the creative process goes quickly. It took me two evenings to produce my first sound.
  
  The manual is English, but I only consulted to guide me when I stumbled on some points. Now everything is clear - almost as my base suits me a lot already!
  
  The sound editing is top, the strength is.

  Sounds

  The sound is perfect. I Maschine and quantity of sample I'm already spoiled. The analog side I'm a fan of the first hour makes me smile just talking about it.
  
  Then choose the tempest is choosing a product that meets your expectations.
  
  For the sample, or bet on Octotrack Maschine. For the analog, the competition is already won ...

  Overall Opinion

  I use tempest for 1 week.
  
  My third component that runs smoothly (in fact too because I am limited on the 16T pending the update):
  
  http://soundcloud.com/k-laboratory/paramoral
  
  It will give you insight.
  
  
  
  So far I like almost everything as it responds to my expectations. Ie do sound design and compo-David unassuming nickname Guetiennes.
  
  Only drawback, that the SHIFT - must recognize - a little slow. But when this is completed, the machine will become a reference type.
  
  
  
  The value for money for a 6 analog voice is fairly good in spite of some confusion in comparing the device to the analog modeling.
  
  
  
  With the experience if I repeat this choice? ... my experience is not yet sufficiently made. I will return then complete it in due time.
  
  However, I am a happy owner who will put an 8/10 until 2 updates that make me salivate.
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• 12/31/11

  ThisIsTheSky's review ( translated ) Improve this translation "A very sleek drum"

  Characteristics

  Drum machines / analog synthesizer (with additional digital wavetables), six votes.
  
  
  
  - Midi in / out, midi over USB (coming soon)
  
  
  
  - 8 + headphone audio outputs, two expression pedal inputs
  
  
  
  - Low Pass Filter with internal resonance, high-pass amplifier feedback, distortion, analog, analog compressor, analog envelopes and LFO.
  
  
  
  - 16 rubber pads, two ribbons tactile effects, high quality LCD screen, knobs.
  
  
  
  - Real-time programming and not (step sequencer sensbible to velocity), sequencer on the fly
  
  
  
  For more details and photos, visit the Dave Smith Instruments

  Utilization

  Tempest is very fine, with nice attention to detail finish. His pads are very nice to play and feel the whole instrument is excellent, it was designed by Roger Linn, the man behind the drum machines like the Roland R5 or Akai MPC 60, and this feels. Almost everything is in its proper place and easily and intuitively editable. Tempest makes the most of its LCD screen rather small, but very high quality.
  
  
  
  The pads are top quality. I much prefer the pads of the Akai MPC series and MPD. For comparison, they are almost identical to those of NI Maschine, duty rubber and bright when pressed, but the instrument gives an impression of superior strength compared to the Native Instruments midi controller.
  
  
  
  Editing sounds is relatively intuitive upon first use, but becomes really easy with a little practice.

  Sounds

  I see Tempest primarily as an instrument of "sound design". The first two versions of the embedded OS is relatively poor in the bank's pre-programmed. We are here far from the software solutions like Geist, BPM and Maschine or huge sound libraries come with pre-chewed the product. Here, it is not enough to press "play" to be satisfied. Some demos embedded TMEM its rather poor.
  
  
  
  Tempest features four oscillators per voice (voice polyphony simmultanées six), two analog oscillators (triangle, sawtooth up to the full extent of the squares), and two wavetable oscillators offering several hundred digital samples, which all the white noise, pink, green, etc.., classic TR-808, TR-909, LinnDrum, Simmons, and digital sound samples of all kinds, and wavetable derivatives Prophet 5V. These four oscillator can be combined together or used alone.
  
  
  
  The subtraction circuit includes two analog filters with a low-pass resonant (switchable 2 or 4 poles), envelopes, LFO modulations or return amblification (Amp Feedback), a floor of analog distortion and compression stage analog (the latter two floors only on the master output, however). In other words, the sonic possibilities are endless!!
  
  
  
  Purely analog sounds are clearly superior to those produced by a software simulator. They can range from enjoyable to tom-tom sounds more disconcerting imaginable.
  
  
  
  The samples were embedded in 16-bit 44.1 kilos. But make no mistake these chiifres, they are all of excellent workmanship. The choice is not infinite as in a software sampler (and attention, we can not add their own samples !!!), but the restriction avoids the error, and the range is wide enough to allow the design sound just ready all possible. The drum samples are provided by FXpansion (Geist, Guru) and Goldbaby. I personally was surprised by the quality of return of samples shipped by Tempest. The analog circuitry makes digital samples better than any software for my taste (and hop a light tap filter and compression!)
  
  
  
  This drum machine is not suitable for rendering realistic acoustic drum though. For this, the transition to specialized software (Toontrack, Addictive Drums, BFD2) is required. This instrument covers the history and current events of the drum, so focus more electro, pop, cold wave, hip hop, techno.
  
  
  
  Experience Tempest can initially be quite disconcerting, in that its sounds are not banks in the state's current OS formatted as much as other software products. The list of embedded samples is not as comprehensive. It is not enough to press "play". Tempest is not ready to open the carton. You have to spend time for "designer" sound that we love, the range of possibilities is very large. Not being a software, Tempest does not benefit from the integration of plug-in delay, reverb and other effects of all kinds. on the other hand there are eight separate outputs to process his sound afterwards. Some sounds are analog rather disconcerting, in that they are so big and rich that they will require some control in order not to drown the whole rhythm. Tempest is an instrument that requires a degree of control and in this sense, not necessarily ideal for novice or lazy user.

  Overall Opinion

  I do not use it for a long time but I wanted to quickly publish a notice because the product is still new and I liked to read a few before you buy.
  
  
  
  The best is still to go in the store to listen (something I have not done yet ;-))
  
  
  
  I ocllectionné a lot of drum machine software and hardware in my life. This one is located in the firmament of the quie possible to st. It will probably show its age.
  
  
  
  This product is very different from the popular Maschine from Native Instruments. Its sequencer is much better designed, and its purpose quite different in philosophy sound. Maschine offers software and other handling of samples galore, Tempest is a tool for analog sound design quality.
  
  
  
  Tempest is also still under development. Free updates of the OS are coming. Perhaps it is wiser to be patient (I did not ;-))
  
  
  
  I would return here in a few weeks if I feel that things are changing in my opinion.
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• 11/14/11

  Anonymous 's review ( translated ) Improve this translation " good machine .. forthcoming"

  Characteristics

  direct out / midi / pedal in / usb but no audio in.
  
  saturation and compress only the general.
  
  a lot of samples of plants are not many "preset" factory.
  
  4 sequencer steps to 32T have made no measurements to quantify (for now)
  
  no publisher (for now)

  Utilization

  the first version of the OS was very limited (no PFL sound backup system so long) it's getting better with updates, but much remains to be done to make something really powerful. USB is not ACRIF, the undo not etc. .. promised many functions that are not there. we must look at this post to be an exhaustive list:
  
  http://dsiforum.org/viewtopic.php?t=1777
  
  PYM is active on the forum it was he who developed the tempest for DSI. (Rather hefty the guy)
  
  the sequencer is very effective in my opinion. can be programmed on the fly. in the last OS you can user to audition the sounds you want to load and it will be improved in order to be made during playback.
  
  editing and sound management of the machine in general seems to me frankly efficient and well thought through on the screen. qq enough days and a good week to master the entire architecture (the MODPATH allocation of FX etc. ..)

  Sounds

  I posted a lot of opinions conernant disappointing sound.
  
  the machine has four generators. 2 analog and 2 digital oscilloscope. the two are used for digital noises and sample library. Excluding the samples are very very present constitution das tempest of sound. Personal m'ntéresse it does not. as an MPC or take samples for kontakt. Especially since we can not import your samples.
  
  
  
  I thought that until the developer (pym) make some pure analog sound. He promises to release a preset bank KD SD 100% analog. the first I've heard are really good and can use the functions of the tempest without FX depitch specific sample or loss of transients.
  
  
  
  I made some progress let envbisager also is a very good analog machine. for the live performance pad FX are very powerful and provide world completely barred and sometimes much better than the original beat. it's very creative.
  
  
  
  the compressor and distortion have no control (except more or less) but work very well. architecture is really about brooms and 5 and the MODPATH can do many things in analog. the only thing to regret is not being able to choose to send the osc to the LP or HP. forcing the two filters are in series. it would have been interesting to have the samples in the HP to avoid loading down the spectrum between analog and samples.
  
  
  
  So I changed my mind and I'll use more and more this machine by adding sound personal because those factory does not suit me.
  
  But it is a "risk" for DSI released a box "analog" when all the basic presets are not: S is perhaps why PYM is quite active on the issue and proposed out "rapidly" a bank analog (the minimum is not it?)
  
  
  
  Another cool thing is exactly what pym. a particularly good guy in his programing and that is more active on the forum and meet everyone at the same time actively developing for the tempest. he took and discusses every sense of the forumers which is very good.

  Overall Opinion

  I never liked you travel with a laptop to make ziq. Once back because an often should redo everything so the vsti and the mixed sound to the headset sounds rotten. but I will go well with the tempest because it is fun to program for both the sequencer for sound.
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