Dave Smith Tempest Drum Machine
This powerhouse drum machine lets you step-sequence beats, record in real time, edit sounds, add tuned synth parts, tweak FX -- without stopping playback.
Overall User Ratings (based on 2 ratings)
Submitted August 22, 2019 by W J in Minneapolis, MN
"What are you waiting for?"
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Hands down one of the most versatile and qualified pieces of hardware available for the price, and can replace tons of equipment in one package. The amazing sound that comes out is what keeps you up all night, tweaking knobs and building patches. the hierarchical modulation system from a full track all the way down to a snare drum is why I bought it. easily mix and perform live with a real synth and sounds that YOU created, don't be just another Ableton punk! Goes from modern tribal deep house to harsh noise and then to 80s disco and back again in a heartbeat. Ease of use is excellent, but there is a LOT going on here! If you are new to synths and drum machines you will learn a ton about how they work as some of my friends have while using it. The Tempest is a powerhouse beast, so be patient. Cons:-As with any proper synth it can take a VERY long time to create a beat or patch you are very pleased with.-Some people who have not had experience with hardware synths have found the Tempest intimidating and annoying when using it. Big learning curve for beginners.
Sound
The way it sounds is completely up to you. Sounds absolutely beautiful even plugged into some crappy stereo at your friend's house. Throw a decent compressor at it and some quality rack effects processors... even better.
Features
The Mixer feature is awesome, expression sliders can do things you've never even heard before. The master beat modulation controls(LPF,HPF,Envelopes) are incredible. Dedicated Distortion knob is killer whenever you are at a Small, Loud venue and you want to melt faces and make people confused. So versatile. The DSI 2-pole and 4-pole Lowpass filters are what sets the Tempest apart from anyone who uses a laptop and software instruments to create music.
Ease of Use
Very easy to use considering how much it has to offer.
Quality
I have owned mine for over a year now using it for many hours a week and the operation is still perfect. knobs are still tight and pads are like the day I bought it. All interconnects/jacks are still rock solid. You will need a hard case for transport.
Value
Absolutely worth it. Still expensive, though!
Manufacturer Support
Yes. DSI support is very good in comparison to what you usually get elsewhere nowadays.
The Wow Factor
DSI always slays.
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Submitted June 7, 2017 by Mario Ghecea in Everett, WA
"Its a beast and still on top of its game"
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Best drum machine around at my opinion although there are others out there like the Electron Rytm, MPCs and Maschine. For a standalone this is the most musical and has the best integration since it is also a six voice polyphonic synthesizer. The neat thing that this does that other units do poorly is sculpting your sound design and the voicings can be stacked in parallel. It is a true hybrid synthesizer with about 1000 lynndrum wavetables in ROM. The sounds are great for any genre and with the added DCO's you have something that nothing else can create! Four oscillators all together. Two wavetables + 2 DCO's. Triangle and variable pulse wave. The mod matrix is routable to anything just like my Prophet 12. Get it because it is unique, powerful, real-time control that nothing else can beat without great added complexity! I'm loving it and was thinking of getting a second one before they disappear from the market! It has tons of character and superb hybrid sounds which I pass through Eventide H9 for added WOW factor!
Musical Background:
Producer, Composer, Musician
Musical Style:
Electronic, EDM, Darwave, Industrial
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