Image-Line has announced the release of Drumaxx, a virtual drum instrument for Windows and Mac.
The Drumaxx percussion modeling instrument gives you total control over 16 physically modeled drum pads that can be routed to independent outputs for external effects processing.
Drumaxx is not based on samples or even commonly used ‘synthesis’ techniques, where oscillators are mixed and the result is always ‘electronic’. Drumaxx uses modeling algorithms to create bass drums, hi-hats, snares, realistic and electronic sounds too. But what about the traditional ‘Achilles’ heel’ of synthesis, cymbals? Drumaxx creates cymbals and metallic percussion also.
At the core of Drumaxx is a model where the vibrating membrane is represented as a mesh of interconnected points. Each point is given physical properties including mass, inertia, stiffness, damping, and all that good physics stuff. For the musician, this means Drumaxx gives you control over multiple parameters such as material, thickness, tension and shape. More importantly, the parameters can be modulated in real-time as a function of velocity or external controls. The drum body is also under user control too, including body material, size, vibration damping, and shape. All this gives you multi-dimensional performance options, a Matrix of variables providing nearly infinite possibilities.
Drumaxx features
- 16 Physically modeled drum pads
- Multi-output for individual effects processing on each pad
- Huge range of modeling possibilities covering sounds from cymbals to kettle-drums
- Velocity modulation matrix for detailed expressiveness
- Integrated Stepsequencer with trigger-key playback
- Integrated effects
- Single-pad version ‘Drumpad’ available for tight integration with FL Studio
Drumaxx is available for PC and Mac (VST/AU/Standalone) for an introductory “pay what you think it’s worth” price until 31 March, 2010, with a minimum of $13 USD to cover costs. Image-Line will donate 1 USD from each sale to support Haiti earthquake victims.
More information: Image-Line
