BATTERY 3 FEATURE DETAILS
- The header: Loading and saving kits, setting master tempo and volume
- The Cell Matrix: displays between 16 and 128 sample cells
- The Edit Pane: containing browser, cell edit, effects and sound-editing parameters
Operating BATTERY 3 is a fast and intuitive process. Select an individual cell or multiple cells and all the associated sound parameters are displayed in the lower section of the interface. A vast array of settings can be changed quickly and easily: filter, compressor, pan, pitch, outputs, modulations, envelopes and the list goes on. Alter these settings and you can hear, and see, the effects in real-time.
Mute, solo and adjust key parameters for individual sample cells, groups of sample cells or entire rows and columns of sample cells. The "Cell" panel in the Edit Pane displays all relevant information with respect to the basic MIDI information, voice groups, key range, name and similar parameter settings for the currently selected sample cell or group of sample cells. Right clicking (ctrl-click) on a sample cell calls up a context menu, allowing you to load samples into the sample cell, copy and paste, re-arrange, save sample cells and more. You also have the option of browsing through the drum cell library and choosing from a huge selection of over 2500 drum cells – specialized drum sounds that are based on multiple drum samples and specific parameter settings.
Rearrange the sample cells or customize the cell matrix itself: Up to 8 rows with between 4 and 16 sample cells per row ensure your drum kit is presented in the most economic and practical manner. The small triangle button just below the bottom right-hand corner of the cell matrix toggles the Edit Pane on and off - saving still more screen space.
BATTERY 3 is the first sampler to include a set of advanced articulations and performance features, making your drum tracks more realistic than ever.
- 10 different drum rudiments: Flam, drag, roll, buzz, three stroke ruff, speed roll, muted, alternate and release stroke and the Geiger Counter.
- The Echo repeats the MIDI in note, either based on a fixed time or synced to the host or master tempo. Gravity slows down the time and tune changes the pitch of each repeated note.
- Using the voice and choke groups adds a more natural feel to hi-hats. The cell activation with cycle round robin or cycle random will automatically switch between different samples or cells.
- Adjust the velocity per cell to fit your input interface (keyboard or drum controller) and use the input quantize to adjust the note on of a cell based on a time grid.
BATTERY 3 provides many effects for use in individual cells, allowing you to fine tune each drum sound.
- Filter and EQ: Each sample cell has a dedicated, multi-mode filter section including presets that have been optimized specifically for drum sounds. Use the 16 individual types of filters and eq’s to tweak each individual drum hit and achieve the precise sound needed.
- Compressor: One powerful compressor per sample cell allowing you to control and manipulate the dynamic range, making sure that every individual drum sample packs just the right punch.
- Saturation: can give a sound a lot more punch and attack. Negative saturation can also be set, allowing it to work much like an expander.
- Bits: allows for some retro, lo-fi sounds. Emulate the old school digital equipment or try out some "sci-fi fractional" bit reduction.
- Hertz: is another outstanding candidate to be used as a modualtion destination. Hertz sets the sample rate bewteeen 15.8KHz and 1KHz, achieving some clangy, metallic sound effects.
BATTERY 3 can be used as a comprehensive loop production machine.
- Preview beat loops synced to the master or host tempo directly within the browser.
- Drag and drop a loop onto a cell and play back the whole loop synced to host tempo.
- Import all slices of a loop into separate cells.
- This method allows you to adjust the character of each slice individually and edit the rhythm itself.
- Sync the LFOs, the MIDI echo and delay effect, so that even after changing the master tempo everything stays in sync with your song
- Input quantize and retrigger functions. Quantize the length of each note and retrigger a cell.
Don't want the headache of having to deal with extra plug-ins or additional effects? Just use BATTERY 3's internal limiter, compressor, equalizer to master your kit for final production. Or add a tempo synced stereo delay with individual send levels per cell.
The integrated reverb effect has two modes: one algorithmic reverb and a convolution-based reverb for a more authentic sound. You can even drag samples directly from the matrix onto the convolution display and load it as an impulse. For example, try dragging a snare sample onto the convolution display and listen to how a full drum kit sounds when played through a snare.
Wave Editor: The graphical wave editor lets you edit your sounds in minute detail (down to the single sample level). Cut, copy, paste, normalize, reverse and more - adjust the sounds fit to your exact needs.
Looped Samples: Loop a section of the sample. You can choose up to four sections to loop as well as the number of times each section is repeated. This feature allows BATTERY 3 to extend percussion sampling beyond mere "one-shot" sample playback into sustained sounds.
Mapping: The graphical mapping editor offers an intuitive way to load samples and arrange them on the different velocity layers within a sample cell. In the map view, samples display additional parameters defining how they are triggered and crossfaded etc,. Tune, volume and pan can be adjusted individually per sample.
Automate and Modulate: Use the integrated, freely assignable LFOs, envelopes and other sources to modulate up to 8 destinations per cell simultaneously. Manipulate the velocity, key position, pitchbend, aftertouch, release velocity, volume envelopes, pan, pitch sample start and a whole host of other parameters for every individual hit.
As these modulation sources can also be MIDI controllers, it's possible to feed signals from external hardware MIDI fader boxes and manipulate the sound as a real-time performance. Alternatively you can use the automation feature in plug-in mode to record automation data for later playback.
