Dave Smith Instruments Tempest Reviews

4.6/5.0 based on 6 customer reviews

Sweetwater Advice

Mike Harris

What happens when the great minds behind classics like the Prophet, Linndrum, and MPC come together? The Tempest (created by living legends Dave Smith and Roger Linn) is not only an analog beast of a drum machine, but also doubles as a six-voice analog synth.

Carson McClain

Your prayers have been answered! The Dave Smith Instruments Tempest brings the brains of two electronic music icons together, one responsible for MIDI, the other responsible for the MPC. Tempest is both analog and digital in one unit, which is a HUGE plus for the modern drum machine enthusiast and electronic music producer. If you've been waiting on the perfect hardware drum machine that everyone refused to make, look no further because they made it!

Bart Good

Dave Smith Instruments Tempest is a pretty BIG deal. I really think that this is destined to be the modern equivalent to the now-famous 808 drum machine. Yes, I think it's THAT big! For anyone who wants the sound of true analog drums with the extensive control and editing capabilites that digital provides, the amazing Tempest combines those seeminlgy different worlds into one complete unit. This is THE must-have drum machine of the decade!

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Customer Reviews

Harlan Miller
from Boise ID
May 25, 2012Music Background:
Sequence guru

Tempting tempest

High Quality high cost easy interface but lacks that Punching sound

Daniel
from Boston, MA
May 23, 2012Music Background:
Audio Engineering Student, Musician, Producer

Synthesis to a whole new level

I am truly blown away by this incredible machine. It really forces you to approach synthesis from a whole new level. Being able to trigger all of YOUR own drum sounds right from the source... unbelievable. Truly makes me proud to be a musician.

If you are into analog synthesis and want to transform your sound, this is right for you. Anywhere from the punchiest kicks to the softest melodic synth sounds, this thing can do it all. The sequencer is incredibly intuitive as well. This really might just be the only drum machine you will ever need.

Patrick Petro
from Bloomington, IN
January 25, 2012Music Background:
Drummer and percussionist for over 20 years, electronic musician for 5, co-designer of the Zendrum ZAP

Just buy it!

This thing is just incredible! I've used about every drum machine made to date. And many synths. And every midi percussion controller. This is the best single device I've used yet. It's like the best parts of an MPC, analog synth, Ableton Live, the old E-mu Command Stations, and some of the great Monome apps have all been brought together into a single machine.

And the online community working with this device is a great source for new sounds and beats. I purchased Tempest within a few months of its release and there's already been a huge OS update, with more to come. The guy who codes the software participates regularly in the forum, and listens to user suggestions.

Beyond all of that, the pad sensitivity is the best I've come across for rubber or silicone pads. I'm a bit of a drum pad snob, having only found the awesome Zendrum to give me the pad sensitivity I'm looking for as a long-time drummer and percussionist. I'd say these pads are about 90% as sensitive as the Zendrum pads, which are at least twice as sensitive as anything else I've played.

DSI has created a beast of a machine, truly combining the best that Dave Smith and Roger Linn have to offer. You will NEVER regret this purchase. Get it and be happy!

Randomseed
from Akron, Oh
June 4, 2012Music Background:
Electronic

Tempest

Whoever says this does not have punch has not dug into into enough. It is not for the faint of heart or people who are not generally into getting deep into synthesis but for those who are this thing is a pandoras box.
4+1 Osc per track W/ 5 envelopes! If that means something to you...you want this. If that does not make sence to you keep looking for something simpler.

Stinky D
from
April 4, 2013

weak kicks, but fun

I've explored this machine. It cannot make good analog kickdrums. Its a great synth though. Its software is totally buggy, But its slowly steadily getting updates. I would check out the elektron A4 as an alternative.

brendon moeller
from NY
April 16, 2012Music Background:
composer, performer, DJ

the only drum machine you need

well thought out beautifully constructed work in progress. has become essential part of my studio and stage set up.