BKE Tech | Simpler to Sound Better

Beta Testers Wanted

Jeffery Powers — Thu, 02 May 2013 20:15:28 +0000

Join Team BKE Beta Testing program.

BETA TEAM TESTING CASES NEEDED: BT/BTV v1.3.0b2/v2.3.0b2

DAWS Needed for BTV testing (32 bit versions only):

• Logic (v8 and up)
• Abelton Live (v8 and up)
• FL Studio (v8 and up)
• Cubase (v5 and up)
• Nuendo (v5 and up)

*all above tests with and without BT as controller on OSX (v6.4 and up) and Windows (Vista and up) platforms.- Preferably on desktop and laptop environments.

**It would also be helpful to have a diverse group of audio interfaces to test with. We have noticed certain conflicts with some interfaces.

BT uses/configs Needed for testing:

• BT as MIDI master via DIN
• BT as MIDI master via USB
• BT as MIDI slave via DIN
• BT as MIDI master via USB
• BT as MTC master
• BT as MTC slave
• BT Librarian on above windows platforms
• BT Librarian on above OSX platforms
• BT Update Wizard on above Windows platforms
• BT Update Wizard on above OSX platforms

Hardware Slaves/Masters needed for MTC and external tracking tests:

• MPC 2000/2000XL - (Factory and JJOS Firmware)
•MPC 5000 - (Factory and JJOS Firmware)
•Korg Triton (or other Korg workstations)
•Roland MV-8000
•Roland Fantom (or any other Roland workstations)
•Traktor and any other DJ rigs

***Any other dedicated hardware that can interface with BT via DIN or USB.

Test focus - Operations:

Sample editing, Sample recording, saving files to different SD cards, Saving to different thumb drives, pattern sequencing, kit building, song construction, auto-chopping, time-stretching, long sample manipulation, operating with expansion packs, backing up internal memory, making changes during performance, working with external tracks.

If you want to be considered for the Beta Testing Team follow these instructions exactly:

1. Prepare an email with the following fields
2. What Slave/Master combination(s) will you be testing with BEAT THANG
3. What DAWs, brand, version will you be testing with BEAT THANG
4. What type of computer are you using for testing BTV include operating system (MAC or PC), and OS version.
5. Send the email to beta@bketech.com

If you have any questions send an email to beat@bketech.com

BEAT THANG Press Release: Firmware Update 1.3.0 and Price Change

Jeffery Powers — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 17:25:37 +0000

BKE announces major price reduction, a new firmware update (version 1.3.0), new preset and expansion sounds, for the BEAT THANG sampling workstation.

Newly enhanced standalone workstation now available at just $699 / 679 EUR

Nashville, TN – April 25th, 2013 - Today BKE Technology announced new features, firmware update and reduced price on their award-winning BEAT THANG: Standalone sampling workstation, permanently reducing the price to just $ 699 / 679 EUR.

Improvements in upcoming firmware v. 1.3.0 include the introduction of MIDI Time Code functionality, faster performance, new Librarian feature for bi-directional hardware and computer file transfer/management/backup, as well as all-new preset and expansion sound library expansions.

BKE has released a video in coordinating with this announcement: Click here, to see the Video

BEAT THANG version 1.3.0 (BT 1.3.0) is the world’s only fully-portable standalone hardware workstation that combines a rugged all-metal chassis, premium fully-velocity-sensitive chromatic keypads, and an award-winning modern sound library of thousands of original samples with an internal rechargeable lithium ion battery - giving you up to 4 hours of unplugged performance and advanced I/O with no computer required.

Now with drag and drop computer file transfers over USB 2.0 and MIDI Time Code (MTC) enhancements, BEAT THANG is the world's most advanced hardware sampling workstation, offering impressive standalone power and simple integration into any DAW, studio setup or DJ rig.

Availability:

BEAT THANG is available at dealers worldwide and at the BKE online store, while supplies last. Firmware update 1.3.0 is scheduled for rollout in May 2013 —with free upgrades available by download for all existing users.

Existing CustomersAnyone who purchased a BEAT THANG in the past 90 days is eligible for a $200 store credit at BKEtech.com/store, by submitting proof of purchase to support@bketech.com.

More product information and press materials

Additional information on BT v. 1.3.0 is available at: www.bketech.com/

A digital press kit with photos is available at: www.bketech.com/mediakit

How to find the right drum machine software

Jeffery Powers — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 22:18:38 +0000

Beat Thang Virtual 2.2.3

10 things to consider before you buy

Last time I checked there was a staggering array of drum machine software suites, but only a few that are very popular and widely accepted as professional-grade solutions. I started to wonder, if I was just starting out in music production how would I make that decision about what to get first. Knowing what I know today and how difficult it might be to consider your options and make a decision I decided to write down ten things you could use to help make and informed decision. BKE makes a drum machine software called BTV (Beat Thang Virtual). I'll use BTV as a relative means of comparison and as an example for you to compare against. However I recommend that you ultimately narrow your options down and then test drive them to see if they are right for you before you invest money.

Beat Thang Virtual 2.2.3

10 things to consider before you buy

What do you want to do with it? Do you want a solution that you can use to create full radio-ready songs? Or do you want something for a specific purpose like just making drum beats. If this is your first piece of software I recommend checking out a comprehensive solution that is simple and intuitive. If you are just starting out learning music theory could be helpful and save you time in long run. For example, the free BTV software demo comes with full video training library to teach you all the fundamental concepts about how to create music in a very handson way.

Beat Thang Virtual 2.2.3

10 things to consider before you buy

Are you the kind of person who wants to sample your own live sounds and make electronic music out of them, if so you want to be a designer. Do you want to sample existing sounds, shape and arrange them? Or do you want to just have an amazing library of preset sounds that you can customize but don't have to for them to sound good? For instance BTV allows you to sample any sound or import sounds that you can then edit or use as they are inside our production. You'll likely get to a point where you want to shape or create you own sounds, but in the beginning won't know how. A program that offers both, but doesn't force you to shape or create all your own sounds is probably where you want to start.

Beat Thang Virtual 2.2.3

10 things to consider before you buy

Are you a musician? Have you never made music in your life? How are you computer skills? Basically if you don't have strong computer skills and an understanding of musical theory it is best to shorten your learning curve by not adding too many layers of complication all at once. Many drum machine software programs or music production software suites can be quite complicated to operate. For example BTV was designed to help beginners progress to pros quickly and then enable you to have a access to deeper level functions as your skills progress.

Beat Thang Virtual 2.2.3

10 things to consider before you buy

Are you an-hour-a-week or a 6-hour-a-day type? Most of us have lives and day jobs. Regardless of our greater intentions, life has a way of distracting us from what we want to do. With that being said, whether you have a lot of time or a little to spend creating music, it is best to find a drum machine software that is efficient — one that you can learn and operate quickly so that you can focus more on creating music and spend less time learning to operate equipment.

Beat Thang Virtual 2.2.3

10 things to consider before you buy

You can get into some lower end drum machine software programs for as little as $40 USD. You can also spend thousands of dollars on Digital Audio Workstation. To find the right balance between features, sounds, usability is what I recommend. A drum machine software program that is simple enough to learn quickly, but also one you won't out grow fast. Many of the lower-end solutions will be easy at first but a few weeks or months into it, you'll get dissatisfied and begin looking for something more feature-rich. On the other end of the spectrum you could plop down $500 or more and step into something that would immediately overwhelm you and keep you from doing the very thing you started out to do. Begin in the middle. Try something like BTV, it's free for 14 days. Get your feet wet, watch the video training, make beat and see where you need to go from there.

Host based or standalone?
Can you try it first?
Sound library
Internal sound processing
Adaptability or scalability?

I hope this helps you begin to consider the things. This isn't intended to be a definitive list to consider but more of a starting point. I know there are many of you in the BKE FAM who might have some things that we need to add to this list, so feel free to share your comments to help some of the newer folks find the kind of gear that will help them make great music.

Pick one and play around. You can get BTV software for free for 14 days. You can download it and be making music in moments. Give it a try see what you like about it. Sometimes by trying one it helps us to better understand what we are really looking for. Read more about BTV here. Or try it free here.

Overview

Jeffery Powers — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 21:58:58 +0000

BEAT THANG

The world's first truly-portable professional-grade workstation.

Collaborate anywhere
Ground-breaking features empower you to create wherever you are.
Professionally Designed Sounds
Thousands of samples that will stand out in your mix right-out-of the box.
Intuitive & easy-to-use
Award winning interface helps you find your creative zone faster and stay in it longer.

Lady Tha ProducHer shares a sample based beat

btennyson — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 08:11:56 +0000

Lady Tha ProducHer shares a sample based beat she made with her Beat Thang..