NAMM 2011: Dave Smith Tempest
Dave Smith Instruments today introduced Tempest,
a new analog drum machine, at the 2011 NAMM Show. Tempest is a
collaboration between Smith and longtime friend and fellow instrument
designer Roger Linn. Though they've consulted with each other on past
projects, Tempest marks the first time a product will carry both the
Dave Smith Instruments and Roger Linn Design logos. "If you're going to
make a drum machine, who better to have in your corner than Roger
Linn?" said Smith, referring to Linn's legacy as inventor of the
digital drum machine.
Though Smith is also responsible for some fine
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 x 2 array
to facilitate both real-time and step entry of beats. Two pressure- and
position-sensitive Note FX slide controllers provide a unique new
method of performance and control.
"We're
very excited about Tempest," said Smith. "It's an instrument with a lot
of personality and it's great fun to play. It has been a long time
since there has been anything new in the drum machine world."
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