After 8 years, this plugin still sounds top-tier. They made a timeless instrument. Still useful for making unique but classic drum machine tones. (I use it for layering with sample percussion for hi-fi but still characteristic percussion, great for layering with real drums.) Softube’s sound quality is always top-notch.
Currently, Heartbeat is down to $129. I love it. The individual voices are phenomenal. A couple of things... I would like to have seen longer decay times across the board. I also wish I could double-click a knob/slider to input a value. There’s no easy way to map knobs/sliders on my controller to Heartbeat. That seems to be bit of an oversight. I’ll have to take the time to do it in Logic.
the two "perc" sections are based on the pearl syncussion SY-1. my friend has one and I'd be interested to do some comparisons. that thing is a monster :)
Bassdrum sounds rich and deep, can't complain on the other sounds either. First I was skeptical about yet another 808/909 emulator, but this does look interesting. The CPU hit sounds a bit brutal, though..
Not bad value - if you can get it when Softube offer occasional discounts... and it has great sound shaping possibilities. But it's biggest omission is absolutely no built-in pattern sequencer. What were they thinking?!
Greatest sofware drum machine since Microtonic which is still a ruler for me. Punch2 is good too. Heartbeat on the other side can be used in Modular. As I love Softube I am absolutely not amused about that they rely on iLok, the biggest garbage in the whole music scene ever. Cheers If there would be a second dev which had all those plugins and would also be a king in analog modeling, but no iLok, I wouldn't thing twice to change brand in an instance of a blink. But I do not see such a company. Softube are on top since decades.
I am happy to know that if anything every happened to my computer/ilok (fire/stealing/hardware failure) I could get all of my licenses on ilok up and moved to a new machine in a matter of minutes. And that's more just softube, but also other manufacturers instruments/plugins who use ilok. The software can also easily be sold/moved to other accounts. This hate towards ilok is quite weird, but have fun opening tens of support tickets if something goes wrong.
Plugin alliance my friend. You have to authorize them to your computer but there’s no ilok and as far as I know you can use them on unlimited computers for life. I got their all bundle for like 500 bucks on Black Friday and was able to install every plug-in on a second computer with like two clicks. I don’t necessarily hate ilok since I don’t pirate anything and I only have two computers. In some cases it’s actually been helpful, but yeah it is annoying that they treat us like criminals just for buying the product the correct way
I use and love many Softube plugins but I agree, iLok is garbage. You don't technically need a dongle, but if you're not using a dongle you have to be very careful about updating your OS or upgrading anything in your computer. If anything changes that makes iLok think it's running on a different computer, you will lose access to all your licenses and have to contact each developer to ask them to reset your licenses. The dongle is the only reliable way to avoid that problem (unless you lose or break your dongle). What a mess.
Yes. iLok is the most horrible thing in the whole music business. Just unsecured and user unfriendly garbage. Can't understand that such a dev house like Softube relies on such a crap. If something really goes wrong you got a serious problem. Most paradox thing is that the iLok manager does not allow you to get full control of your licenses from the program alone, no matter from which PC. You need access to the PC the license is bound to. What is willingly forced bullshit on customers cause you can't access a PC when it's HDD is broken. And exactly this is the most common scenario you need to control your licenses. I'm just shaking my head and ask how could this get to the actual state we are in now?
Sorry but the sound is unbeatable for a software drum machine, the best i have ever try and heard, i´m ver, very happy with it, i do Germain techno and it is the perfect tool to me. of course each one has it´s own way of working. But that´s sound at another level over what you can find in the market. That´s why it is very CPU eater
Sorry Kirk but you are not right at all, i´ve just tested the plug in and is a powerful sound design tool. sounds pretty much like my Elektron Analog Rytm 8, with the limitations of a plug in. To me the best is the kicks they are amazing analog sounding, the perc i just don´t like it. and the layer for fill not too usable to my taste. Anyway i´m very limited in use, this plug in is a CPU eater just two kicks can push Ableton to 75% of CPU usage and clicks and pops appears very soon. That´s due to the high definition programing of the sound engine, which make it sound very very good. To me the best in sounding plug in on the market, on what Machine Drums are. a good comparison would be with Spark, this plug in sound a lot better, and lot better than a TR8, don´t be confused about that, as well lot more of sound design options.
Наука
After 8 years, this plugin still sounds top-tier. They made a timeless instrument. Still useful for making unique but classic drum machine tones. (I use it for layering with sample percussion for hi-fi but still characteristic percussion, great for layering with real drums.) Softube’s sound quality is always top-notch.
Seriously..I just pulled the trigger and bought it tonight. It's so charming and playful.
This was a great review, very thorough. I also liked the summary. I hope for more reviews from Dan in the future.
Interesting overview/review Dan - thank you!
This instrument is outstanding. Very impressed by the sound quality and creativity it provides.
Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you
Currently, Heartbeat is down to $129. I love it. The individual voices are phenomenal. A couple of things... I would like to have seen longer decay times across the board. I also wish I could double-click a knob/slider to input a value. There’s no easy way to map knobs/sliders on my controller to Heartbeat. That seems to be bit of an oversight. I’ll have to take the time to do it in Logic.
the two "perc" sections are based on the pearl syncussion SY-1. my friend has one and I'd be interested to do some comparisons. that thing is a monster :)
You can use the Heartbeat modules in Softube Modular if you have it as well.
That is why i think they should make a 59$ Modular version...
I have Drumazon and Spark LE already...
Bassdrum sounds rich and deep, can't complain on the other sounds either. First I was skeptical about yet another 808/909 emulator, but this does look interesting. The CPU hit sounds a bit brutal, though..
is there a sequencer ????
Hi, is it possible to midi learn when used inside a DAW ? Thank you.
04:00
The perc modules are inspired on te syncussion pearl ...just so you should know
If they make a Rack Extension for Reason I'm in for sure..
8:20 the auto wired up compressor for ducking ...
Brilliant ...
8:40 ferris buellers day off
chicka-chickaaaaah
Does anyone know of an instrument that has a simple sequencer/randomiser like this one, but you can use your own samples?
I got it and Im not happy with it T_T Rather get Drumatic 4 for a fraction of the cost.
wHY NO PATTERNS OR SEQUENCER?
Not bad value - if you can get it when Softube offer occasional discounts... and it has great sound shaping possibilities. But it's biggest omission is absolutely no built-in pattern sequencer. What were they thinking?!
I have no idea how this shipped without a sequencer.
Greatest sofware drum machine since Microtonic which is still a ruler for me. Punch2 is good too. Heartbeat on the other side can be used in Modular. As I love Softube I am absolutely not amused about that they rely on iLok, the biggest garbage in the whole music scene ever. Cheers
If there would be a second dev which had all those plugins and would also be a king in analog modeling, but no iLok, I wouldn't thing twice to change brand in an instance of a blink. But I do not see such a company. Softube are on top since decades.
I am happy to know that if anything every happened to my computer/ilok (fire/stealing/hardware failure) I could get all of my licenses on ilok up and moved to a new machine in a matter of minutes. And that's more just softube, but also other manufacturers instruments/plugins who use ilok. The software can also easily be sold/moved to other accounts.
This hate towards ilok is quite weird, but have fun opening tens of support tickets if something goes wrong.
Plugin alliance my friend. You have to authorize them to your computer but there’s no ilok and as far as I know you can use them on unlimited computers for life. I got their all bundle for like 500 bucks on Black Friday and was able to install every plug-in on a second computer with like two clicks. I don’t necessarily hate ilok since I don’t pirate anything and I only have two computers. In some cases it’s actually been helpful, but yeah it is annoying that they treat us like criminals just for buying the product the correct way
nice product, but iLok and the price just kill it for me..
+Chevytravelleruk doesnt need an ilok dongle but yea, way to expensive.
+Chevytravelleruk HA ilok? fuck that shit then....
I use and love many Softube plugins but I agree, iLok is garbage. You don't technically need a dongle, but if you're not using a dongle you have to be very careful about updating your OS or upgrading anything in your computer. If anything changes that makes iLok think it's running on a different computer, you will lose access to all your licenses and have to contact each developer to ask them to reset your licenses. The dongle is the only reliable way to avoid that problem (unless you lose or break your dongle). What a mess.
Yes. iLok is the most horrible thing in the whole music business. Just unsecured and user unfriendly garbage. Can't understand that such a dev house like Softube relies on such a crap. If something really goes wrong you got a serious problem. Most paradox thing is that the iLok manager does not allow you to get full control of your licenses from the program alone, no matter from which PC. You need access to the PC the license is bound to. What is willingly forced bullshit on customers cause you can't access a PC when it's HDD is broken. And exactly this is the most common scenario you need to control your licenses. I'm just shaking my head and ask how could this get to the actual state we are in now?
the chaos sliders are th only interesting thing about this. would softube release a vst with just that i wonder?
Sorry but the sound is unbeatable for a software drum machine, the best i have ever try and heard, i´m ver, very happy with it, i do Germain techno and it is the perfect tool to me. of course each one has it´s own way of working. But that´s sound at another level over what you can find in the market. That´s why it is very CPU eater
If they sold this for $100 it's a total hit. At $219 I'd save a bit more and get a used TR-8. Big mistake for a new company IMO.
+plasterpopulace Much more flexibility than the Tr8.
Softube is not a new company.
Wya over priced for little functionality. Logic Pro X is $199 upgrade from LP9. This instrument can't even hold a candle to Alchemy alone.
WAY*
Just another 808 909 phony I'm really tired about this stuff.
+Kirk Monteux ah yes but it has a phony pearl syncussion though! :/
Sorry Kirk but you are not right at all, i´ve just tested the plug in and is a powerful sound design tool. sounds pretty much like my Elektron Analog Rytm 8, with the limitations of a plug in. To me the best is the kicks they are amazing analog sounding, the perc i just don´t like it. and the layer for fill not too usable to my taste. Anyway i´m very limited in use, this plug in is a CPU eater just two kicks can push Ableton to 75% of CPU usage and clicks and pops appears very soon. That´s due to the high definition programing of the sound engine, which make it sound very very good. To me the best in sounding plug in on the market, on what Machine Drums are. a good comparison would be with Spark, this plug in sound a lot better, and lot better than a TR8, don´t be confused about that, as well lot more of sound design options.
Pretty sure this is not a drum machine - more like a sample player !
Digital edged nastiness.. You can tell it's Softube by the terrible distortion algorithms a la Ableton's Amp effect..