oiz!

the Softube Heartbeat is on sale at an interesting price on PB;

the question is: is it worth getting ?

how does it compare to other similar drum vsts (D16, FXP Tremor etc) ?

the very few reviews ive read about it were dissing HeartBeat for lack of versatility in terms of sound shaping and lack of built-in step sequencer (which i dont need at all) and praised it for sound quality.. soo?

my electro drum vst's of choice are:

-TRANSISTOR REVOLUTION for kontakt (for TR808/909)
-AlyJames Lab VPROM (linn etc)
-Beatbox Anthology by UVI

so am i getting something new/better with the HeartBeat?

TIA

 

Last edited: Feb 15, 2017

It's Always nice to get to know different tastes and not always eat the same meal.

I'm not familiar with the vsti's you listed but I would suggest that you give it a try. You can already have an idea on how it sounds on Softube's website and you can also try it on our sister site before buying it.

To make a long story short, I like Heartbeat a lot but it's of course a question of taste.

 

It's Softube so it's quality
All softube is good
Sometimes a little on the expensive side but if on sale Only you can decide that.
For that price it's pretty good i reckon.
Is highly tweakable with different separate independent engines that generate sounds. You can do some cool stuff with that.
Sounds themselves are great and GUI well designed far as I concerned and pretty user friendly. Biggest drawback is the lack of onboard sequencer like u mentioned. However, for me personally that is not a problem at all as don't like doing sequencing that way.
Just use your DAW
The algos are great and the sounds pretty well modelled.
If you like early 80's drums or 909\808 etc i reckon your will love it.
As it's Softube it also has great FX built in & the reverb etc is also real cool.
Personally I don't like Kontakt for drum sounds and rather than sampled sounds with this your using independent engines to generate sound via It's modelled analogue synthesis so it's different totally in that aspect
It's also dedicated. So, In that aspect again, yes, your definitely getting something new & in my own opinion it's way ahead of Transistor Revolution or any kontakt library that way.
Personally I don't like sampled drums on kontakt like that. They aren't very good imo
Beatbox Anthology - again sampled & for me I don't like UVI engine or interface that much for drum stuff like that.
Don't like the interface full stop & the sounds not that great for me
Nearest to this I guess in that way is AlyJames Lab VPROM that in no way at all is affiliated with Linn himself lol.
Well is ok but simply aiming at emulating the Linn LM-1 as opposed to a whole spectrum of different sounds and machines etc.
Obviously a legendary bit of kit back in the day but for me personally V-Prom emulation don't do it
Heartbeat again way ahead of that with much more variation & sounds on offer.
Personally, I think Heartbeat quite a bit better than all of them but that's just a personal take.
Are you getting something new?
Hard question I guess but yes you are getting there personal take on classic sounds from 80's using modelled analogue synthesis & with dedicated great modern day FX onboard.
Uses Ilok manager but you don't need dongle but if you don't mind that its all good
As always it's not what you get etc but what you do with it & for me personally at that price I think it's a pretty good hands down deal

 

It's not been released on the sister site, so that option isn't available ;)

 

I'm pretty sure it comes with the Softube bundle on AZ as I have a full working version right now. The only Softube plug that isn't AFAIK is Modular.

As far as Heartbeat goes, it's an awesome drum synth. I'm not sure what those reviewers were talking about saying it's not versatile. It has a some serious sound design capabilities and it's multi-out so you can load audio tracks for each of the 8 Heartbeat channels and process each one with separate FX. It gets even better if you have Modular because the entire plugin loads as a module and you can get even more creative with it.
The only thing I'd say is a negative is it only has 8 drum channels. That's still more than enough. That Audio Layer Machine is pretty cool too.

 

+1 to Modular

and Heartbeat in it

 

I think it sounds awesome, but I don't like that it doesn't have multi-out - That's a workflow killer for me.

 

Is there a 64bit version of it? I've had a 32bit one, but then i had switched to 64 bit and lost Heartbeat.

 

@MYCbeats Are we even talking about about the same software, friend?

@Bill Vkerchi? Yes, sir. There is.

 

Yes, There isnt multi out audio option (kick drum one channel, snare one channel etc), atleast not for VST version, if there is please tell me. I'm using Studio One.

 

I've just finished playing with it and I will agree that it sounds awesome. Really awesome. It has also got some interesting and original capabilities. And it's got 18 multi outs. However, in my humble opinion, there are many things that are just plain wrong with it regarding synthesis and yes - versatality. I would also like to see more separate presets for the modules.

I can't understand the pairing of snare with rim in one module and MIDI note, and pairing snare with clap in the other module and MIDI note [crossfaded by velocity! what?], although the latter possibly kinda even makes some sense, but I would like to have separate, proper modules for every sound like D16 Nepheton and Drumazon, or AudioRealism ADM.

So there are 8 drum modules, 2 different ones for kicks, 2 for snares/rim/clap, 2 percussion modules, and one cymbal. I don't think that's enough of drum modules. The sound controls are well thought, but I miss more control of the sounds. The GUI is too big with everything on one page. I rarely use the mixer and FX in a rhythm machine, so I think they could have separated those pages or at least somehow design the GUI better. Then they would get more room for more modules. There should be 2 for kicks, 2 for snares, 3-4 for toms, 2 or more percussion modules, and 2 hihat modules? Something like that. Too much space has been taken by the mixer, compressor, echo, and reverb. Way too much space wasted on things not everyone use.

To sum it up: I love the sound. It sounds really nice, but I hate the GUI. In purely functional way, not the colours! I would also like to see a [X0X like?] pattern editor. This rhythm machine could use some work and then it would become really great. As things are now I wouldn't part with my money for it, even at discount price.

Cheers!

 

Last edited: Feb 15, 2017

@MYCbeats I use the Heartbeat VST with Ableton and if I create 8 audio tracks I can select each Heartbeat drum channel as a specific audio input.


Heartbeat always outputs on multliple channels so in StudioOne you might just have to click the 'CH' button and enable the separate channels for individual tracks.

But the piano roll is the greatest X0X sequencer ever, no..?

 

Last edited: Feb 15, 2017

hmm kay.. thank you all for the input

i had to install the 20 days free demo of HeartBeat (using that bizarre and annoying Gobblin (gobbler) app, doh!)

well, it DOES sound great, AND it does have multi output (i was able to send each drum instrument to a separate audio track and process the sound further with UADers in Studio One)

so.. well, it does sound GREAT, and it is definitely something new and worth to have. the gui &nd the concept is a bit meh..

regards.

ps: i hope that gobbler app won't rat out to softube about the other audioutopia softube cracked stuff i use here

 

Last edited: Feb 15, 2017

Yeah that Gobbler crap is a load of hassle. I've had technical problems with that a while back so I got rid of it. Could be better much better now.

Know if maybe a little bit of topic but will vent it lol
I really don't see the purpose of these middle men, money robbing types.
I mean what is the point really with all that rubbish
I don't know enough about protections in detail etc to have a problem with most.
I got a shittin iLok and loads of licenses on it & I don't even mind that as the software I wanted used it so was little other choice at the time.
I hate the Ethos behind dongle shite and find it intrusive but if needs must I suppose
I fuckin hate iLok but as Moleman said meh....lol.
Don't know about 3 generation etc and the metal casing etc and whether it better designed than 2 as 2nd generation is designed shit and real fragile.
Will get to the point where every USB port occupied by shit lightscribe dongle with shit ass type scanner with no ports left for USB interface
Interface itself have a shittin dongle on it soon lol
Is getting beyond ridiculous
Why do companies support this shite when they openly know wrapper can be targeted as a weak point etc.
I really hate these middle men type shit and how they just about scamming genuine customers.
Everything I run on production PC is legit but I so hope the teams manage to bust every shit iLOk related protection out there and finally put this piece of shit where it belongs.
Why can't certain DEV's follow the example of some of the other great DEV's who use far less invasive user friendly protections.
Say what u like about say u-he, or synapse audio et al but from a personal perspective I've never had ANY problems with inputting a serial etc. To be quite honest I admire such integrity and common sense.
Is not like iLok offers any more protection than those two for example
Those protections appear to be just as strong if not stronger than many iLok shite protections.
Why can't companies simply adopt such a viewpoint. From a personal viewpoint it would make my life much easier
Product itself would probably end up far better protection, cheaper with non invasive protection giving benefits to lower CPU usage and resources.
Maybe I talking shite there but I really don't get it and would be cool if someone could explain why these companies insist on supporting these farcical bullshit protections that offer no significant benefits
Don't get it at all but quite possibly I just being dumb lol
As for Heartbeat it is an awesome product imo.
Personally I think it's pretty underrated and a lot of people not tried it etc.
Softube a fantastic company imo who makes total quality products. Most Swedish companies are the same imo.
Also consider they founded only in 2003?? I think of them being way older than that
Some of the best compressors & channel strips available out there for certain platforms without running dedicated hardware like UAD etc. FET is awesome and the Tube Tech series again hugely underrated I reckon. If you can get those on sale, cheap buy them IMO. Won't need much else that way when u got them.
Modular is pretty awesome also & again underrated imo. The way they expanding it is awesome imo. Is obviously gonna be a huge money spinner should more users choose to get involved but I really like the modular setup and the way they expanding it etc. Little pricey sometimes but a quality product regardless.
Obviously as a modular synth it has huge competition with Reaktor etc but there so needed a place for competition.
Again another thing that pisses me off
Why don't more companies even try to and challenge NI stranglehold on the market?
No one seems to even try & develop products in certain areas.
I mean where is the competition for Reaktor?
Where is the competition wrt Kontakt etc (almost zero) and most that try come out with total shite products.
Massive again. Reaktor cool as hell and a brilliant product but why aren't more companies developing modular soft synths etc.
There most definitely a place & a need imo. Again Heartbeat & Modular integrate real well.
Stereo channels & Multi-outs is no problem whatsoever and the sounds are fantastic.
Console 1 seems absolutely awesome also.
Never used it myself but seems again a really decent price for a quality integrated setup like that.
I guess there obviously a certain degree of "brotherhood" with the two companies with softube developing plugins for NI etc. Says it all really.
Can understand what sinewave was saying about the GUI.
For me it ok & I quite like it but with regards to the functionality I can see what he means etc.
Quality sequencer would be a good option but not the b all & end all etc.
All in all i think for that price it a great investment that you will get a load of use from.
Softube in general a great company and wish some others would maybe develop some products and explore the way they do
Apologies for rant lol but feel better now I said it even if half is complete rubbish lol

 

Ahhh, VST3 doesnt have the channels drop down but VST2 does.

 

First, I wanna say "Hello" to all guys here. This is my first post.
I tried Heartbeat earlier and have the same thoughts like most of you. The installation (Gobbler) is annoying, but it sounds really great.
Good to have multi outs, but for me it has too little number of channels. I'm also missing a sequencer with nice preset patterns and perhaps some more preset kits. The demo has 50 kits. Anybody knows how many kits has the full version?
By the way the price is OK, I just found it here at plugindiscounts.com for $77.19. There you can also find Modular for $75.

 

50 in the full version too

 

Thanks!
By the way, I found out, that it's possible to load multiple instances of the same drum racks in Modular. For instance, two SD/CLP racks. One for the Snare Drum and one for the Clap. With it I can separate the grouped racks or simply add as much racks as I want. I thought that with this method I can have more than 8 outs in my DAW (Live) but Modular shows me only 4 Outs (Aux). Any idea?

 

I would love to encourage everybody here to give Wave Alchemy Revolution a try, it's roughly targeted to the same sound archetype.
The samples are excellent and the feel is very authentic, if that even makes sense in a daw world...

 

not sure if anybody mentioned it yet but it's also on sale on plugindiscounts for $77