Polyrythmic recently released version 3.5 of Archibald, a complete and powerful tool for creating grooves. Thanks to its flexible step-sequencer, you may edit drum parts of virtually any level of complexity. Archibald is then able to add its own realistic interpretations of your patterns, putting a "human" touch to note, velocity, and attack information, according to your own taste. Archibald comes with a 260 mb sound bank, and may be extended with any third party sound. Also includes a 'pattern creator' and a 'Live' module, to drive Archibald on the stage.
Archibald is a virtual drummer who adds improvisational touches to your drum patterns. As you build your rhythm in the step-sequencer, you assign Archibald a margin of interpretation from 0 to 100%. This margin allows for a more realistic sound, based upon the simple fact that no drummer plays two consecutive eighth notes with exactly the same tone and attack. The sampler engine which accompanies the step-sequencer uses 44.1 kHz resolution and a set of realistic sounds.
The second sequencer, driving the first, allows the user to program sequences based on several bars. Archibald may interface with your sequencer via Rewire technology, allowing you to mix the 12 individual outputs from within your favourite sequencing software. You may also export your work as audio. Or use Archibald to drive any MIDI device.
Archibald allows you to use any sound you like. Archibald is able to use sounds in two ways:
- SAMPLER uses multi-sampled sounds, to get realistic and natural effects.
- SYNTH uses one sound and applies effects to it that follows notes' instructions, to create unrealistic and synth like effects.
The included sound bank is 45 MB, reaching up to 40 samples per instrument, such as for the snare drum. Registered users have access to a 217 mb bonus bank. And Archibald also allows you to build your own banks with your own sounds, in AIFF or WAVE types.
The program produces either stereo or multi-channel output. When using stereo, a mixing window allows you to craft the perfect drum sub-mix, balancing levels and panning information to suit your needs. When using multi-channel, it is assumed that you will be performing your mix within your sequencer, or sending to a hardware mixer for the task, just as though you were using 12 microphones. You can also insert 2 VST plugins per track.
Creator builds rhythm patterns for you. Select a style, click on Apply Pattern: a new rhythm has been created that you can easily edit. You like the bass drum, but not the hihat? Create another pattern for the hihat only. Or modify hihat's velocities only. Want to go further? Creator also allows you to create your own styles.
Live: play Archibald on the stage. This allows you to drive Archibald in real-time, i.e. for a performance on the stage. Thanks to your computer's keyboard or a MIDI Keyboard (or foot controller), launch complex sequences and apply a modulation to velocities and probabilities.
Archibald costs $38 / €28 and is available for Mac OS X Universal Binary (OS 10.4 or later) and Windows (XP and Vista).
