Audiomodern Playbeat 3: the smartest groove generator in 2021?
· Source: Audiomodern
· Source: Audiomodern
· Source: Audiomodern
· Source: Audiomodern
Audiomodern’s newest release, Playbeat 3, seriously looks like fun. Playbeat 3 is a groove machine which creates patterns, rhythms and variations out of nothing, over and over again. It has sample import and editing, a mixer, and various options for export. Playbeat 3 runs as a plug-in or standalone, and is also available for the iPad. Let’s look into more of that good stuff…
Audiomodern Playbeat 3
Playbeat 3 features eight independent sequencers that generate new beats and grooves. Real-time pitch shifting, flams, volume, panorama settings, and other functions (such as the density feature) make it even easier to come up with new pattern. Of course, you can always ‘intervene’ yourself, but the actual fun comes from getting into the many randomisation functions that you can activate.
That aside, it’s a simple workflow – load audio material, change it up, then try your luck with randomly generated patterns. You don’t even have to rely on samples, either, because Playbeat can also control external hardware (or other plug-ins) via MIDI.
As the second refinement of Audiomodern’s generative concept, Playbeat 3 contains more sequencer tracks, more effects, the new pad section, completely revised algorithms for creating grooves, and a new system for sample and preset management. This not only ensures a fast workflow when searching for and importing samples, but also for exporting them. Additionally, stems and entire patterns can now be exported as MIDI or audio files via drag-and-drop.
Playbeat 3 also has enhanced sample management features that let you create personalized sample packs/sets. These include your own artwork, name, description, and tags. Naturally, you can export and share them with other Playbeat users.
Playbeat 3 features
- Eight individual sequencers
- Complex patterns with density parameters
- Random control based on steps, density, pitch, flam, volume, pan, and others
- Advanced algorithms for sound analysis
- Endless mode per channel
- Number of generated notes can be specified
- Advanced randomize functions
- Selectable quantization
- Customizable sequence range
- Pad section
- Integrated mixer and sample editor
- Sample, preset and folder management with tagging system
- Sample loading with drag-and-drop support
- Audio and MIDI export
- Extended MIDI settings for controlling plug-ins and hardware
- MIDI control and MIDI learn
- Tempo sync with DAW
- Create and share your own Playbeat packs
Price and availability
Audiomodern Playbeat 3 is available in VST2, VST3, AU, AAX and standalone formats for macOS (10.12 or newer) and Windows (7 or newer). A demo version can be downloaded from the manufacturer’s website. Until December 6, 2021, you can get the plug-in for EUR 59 down from the regular EUR 69. Updating from an older version costs EUR 19. The iPad version requires iPadOS 14 or newer and costs EUR 10.
More information about Audiomodern Playbeat 3
- Audiomodern website
- Audiomodern Playbeat 3 at Thomann (affiliate link)
- Playbeat 3 for iPad
- More Audiomodern news
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One response to “Audiomodern Playbeat 3: the smartest groove generator in 2021?”
Yep. Like the idea. Let it generate some rhythms, sample them, bang ’em together into a tune on something else. With this, PaulsXStretch and a Swarm Synth you could make something pleasantly weird.