Softube releases Heartbeat drum synth

Heartbeat is described as a drum synth with a classic sound that uses 80s-style analog modeling synthesis, but also includes modern features.

Heartbeat features 8 instruments channels, including 2 for the bass drums, 2 for the snare with 6 parameters each as well as percussion, hi-hat and cymbal channels.

On the innovation side, Softube developed an Auto Layer Machine that allows for stacking sounds or trigger chains of event on 4 channels. This feature, when associated with the Chaos randomize feature, open the way to new sound creations.

The Heartbeat synth also includes velocity control for the volume, pitch, attack and decay, a time gate to decrease the global decay time and create stutter-like effects, and you’ll find an effect section with adapted version of the Softube Valley People Dyna-mite dynamic processor and TSAR-1 reverb plug-ins, as well as a new Filter Echo (a filtered delay with cutoff and resonance controls), and an output saturation. Last, each channel includes a mixer with volume, pan, ping-pong (auto-pan), EQ and send levels for the reverb and delay effects.

Heartbeat is a VST 2/3, AU and AAX plug-in for Mac OS X and Windows. It is available for $219 and you can download a trial version from www.softube.com. Note that you’ll need a Pace iLok account, but not necessarily an iLok dongle.