[NAMM] Dave Smith Tempest

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Dave Smith Instruments today introduced Tempest, a new analog drum machine, at the 2011 NAMM Show.

Tempest is a collaboration between Smith and friend and fellow instrument designer Roger Linn.

Though Smith is also responsible for some drum machines—most notably Sequential’s DrumTraks and Studio 440—Tempest is his first to utilize analog synthesis to generate the sounds. “We’ve designed a very flexible new synth voice for Tempest, ” said Smith. Linn added, “The design of Tempest reflects a rethinking of what a drum machine needs to be in the current era. It’s not so much a drum machine as a new musical performance instrument for the creation, manipulation, and arrangement of beat-oriented music, with an intuitive and efficient use of human gestures.”

Tempest’s 16 velocity- and pressure-sensitive pads are arranged in an 8 × 2 array to facilitate both real-time and step entry of beats. Two pressure- and position-sensitive Note FX slide controllers provide a new method of performance and control.

Pricing & Availability

Tempest is expected to be available by June 2011 with a projected MAP of $1,999.00.