PulseCode

PulseCode is a PCM Drum Machine that pays tribute to the gritty, lo-fi sounds from the late 1980s. PulseCode takes a different approach to "sample-based drum synthesis", using strategic layering concepts that are based on the various techniques used by producers of that era to get massive drums sounds. All of the sounds supplied with PulseCode have been resampled using vintage 12 and 13-bit samplers to stay true to the era. Gated reverb is effortless with PulseCode, as each sound includes it's own sampled reverb layer recorded from a vintage unit from the same time period. These techniques can usually be tedious and time consuming to recreate, but with PulseCode they are second nature. PulseCode's Drum Editor lets you tweak and shape the different layers of each Sound Element to create totally new sounds from the original source sample. The result gives you that huge drum sound so prevalent in the 80s and often heard in EBM, Industrial, Electro, Coldwave, SynthPop and Synthwave. But PulseCode was also designed with experimentation in mind, and can easily be taken into uncharted territory for a more modern and unique approach to these styles and beyond.

PulseCode's Pattern Sequencer makes it easy to lay down a beat on the fly. From there, you can make polyrhythmic modifications with individual speed and length for each drum. Flams and Multi-Function Accents per step allow for even more interesting grooves. And for some realtime manipulation, Flow and Fracture controls can give your rhythm life or break it all down into chaos.

To accompany the Pattern Sequencer is a Drum Fill Arpeggiator, where fills and rolls can be played on your MIDI keyboard in time with the beat. In fact, PulseCode takes full advantage of MIDI controller functionality, integrating the use of the Modwheel and Pitchbender to control various functions.

PulseCode is a very expressive drum machine that is meant to be played like an instrument, inviting hands-on control and bringing the fun back to beat making.

Drum Layering Techniques

Each drum sound supplied with PulseCode is made up of multiple layers that can be mixed and tweaked to taste to craft unique drum sounds. Add Grit for lo-fi crunch. Add Hit for top-end slap. Add Body for low-end boom. Add Reverb for a bigger sound. Sprinkle Noise where necessary.

Resampled for Maximum Crunch

All layers of each sound have been resampled with vintage gear to create a truly authentic sound with loads of character. Each sound has a special Grit layer designed to bring in the crunchiest aspects of classic lo-fi sampling.

Gated Reverb

Each drum sound includes its own reverb layer, captured from a vintage effect unit and resampled from a classic sampler. The reverb can be pitched, filtered and gated, giving your drums the perfect backdrop for that huge 80s sound.

Pattern Sequencer

PulseCode uses a versatile 64-step Pattern Sequencer for beat creation and performance, utilizing Accents and Flams in interesting ways. Each drum can alter it's sequence speed and length, making Polyrhythms and odd-timings a breeze. Pattern Offsets allow for the adjustment of the Pattern's starting point, with the ability to create four different pattern variations that can be triggered in realtime.

Flow

Instantly give your static sequences movement and variation with a single Flow control. Under the hood, Flow can be tweaked and offset to modulate volume, decay and panning. Top it off by adding a bit of swing to the sequence.

Fracture

Fracture lets you change the beat with builds, breaks and wild stutters using a single snap-back control for each drum. Slide the control right for a buildup of craziness, slide to the left for a total breakdown of the sequence. Let the control go and it snaps back on beat.

Drum Fill Arpeggiator

Create custom fills and rolls that can be played on a midi keyboard, perfectly on beat with the Pattern Sequencer. Use the Velocity Grid to give it some movement. The Pitch Envelope will sweep the pitch up or down for classic drum roll effects. Set the speed independently of the Pattern Sequencer for fast rolls or slow fills. Trigger multiple drum notes at once to create cycling arpeggios and uncommon grooves.

Drum Mixer

Mix down the whole beat with individual volume and panning, as well as routing each drum to its own audio channel for adding external effects.

Total Control

Map Fracture to the Pitchwheel, Flow to the Modwheel, and Pattern Offsets to a single slider, all while playing the Fill Arpeggiator on your keyboard and you're totally in control of the drum machine.