Why are so many producers praising Imaginando BAM?€149, imaginando.pt
BAM’s developer, Imaginando, refers to its latest creation as a “beat maker and music maker”. This is a perfectly accurate description, but one that doesn’t shed much light on what you can expect for your €149. So let’s take a closer look and find out exactly why BAM is garnering so many strong user reviews.

READ MORE: Arturia’s V Collection X is the widest and deepest edition yet

What is Imaginando BAM?
At its heart, BAM is a 16-track DAW built around a non-linear arranger that is driven by per-track step sequencers. There are no conventional linear tracks here, so the app is focused entirely on creating and combining patterns.

Each track in BAM features a series of modules. A Trigger module defines the default pitch and velocity values for notes added to the track’s patterns and provides retriggering, probability and time offset controls for the notes playing through the track. This is followed by two modulator slots, each of which can load either an envelope generator or an LFO and can be assigned to drive other parameters.
Next up is the most important module, the track’s sound generation engine, which is followed by a pair of effects slots. The audio chain concludes with an output mixer that can host two additional global send effects.
BAM Mixer view
Choice of engines
The app comes with a healthy choice of sound engines. For fans of old-school drum sounds there’s a generic Drum Synth module that combines oscillator, noise and filter to synthesise a wide range of analogue-style drums. There’s also a collection of ‘08’ engines that are inspired by drum hits of a Roland TR-808.
Also useful for drum sounds is the Sampler engine into which you can load your preferred kick, snare, or whatever samples. This engine includes a capable, subtractive-style synthesis stage with a multimode filter and a pair of flexible envelope generators (one for the amplifier and one for the filter), so it’s as useful for pitched and polyphonic parts as it is for drum sounds.
The app comes with a large collection of samples – both drum and pitched – and you can of course import your own samples, but the process of assigning a sample to the engine is a bit long-winded: use the integrated browser to locate a sample, import this to the project’s Pool where it is assigned an index number, then finally select this index number in the Sampler engine.
BAM Automations view
The ability to choose and combine these different voices is like having a fully customisable drum machine, but it also brings us to BAM’s biggest shortcoming: external keyboard or pad controllers can only trigger one voice at a time, because the other voices are on different tracks. This means you can’t play your custom drum machines as though they were a full drum kit.
But this isn’t an issue when it comes to pitched sounds, something BAM is equally capable of producing. The Oscillator engine provides a very capable two-oscillator subtractive synth that benefits from the same flexible filters and envelopes as the Sampler engine. And complementing the various 808-style engines is the Hofmann synth, a recreation of the classic MC-303 in all of its dirty, squelchy glory.
Driving external synths – either hardware or standalone software – is possible thanks to the MIDI Out engine, while the Audio In engine allows that synth’s sound (or indeed any other sound) to be fed back into BAM for processing and mixing.
Finally, the iPadOS version boasts AUv3 support so that any compatible instrument can be loaded as a sound engine, and any AUv3 effect can be loaded into the various effect slots. A similar update for the desktop version is on its way too, bringing AU, VST and VST3 support.

Sequencing, patterns & polyrhythms
BAM’s main screen, the Matrix, is conceptually similar to the non-linear arrangers found in Ableton Live and Bitwig Studio. The columns of the Matrix grid represent BAM’s tracks, and Patterns occupy the individual cells of the matrix.
Patterns can be triggered individually or as part of a scene (all patterns within the same Matrix row are considered part of the same “scene”) making it easy to jam and experiment with combining the patterns you have created. When you are ready to create a more tightly defined arrangement, you can set how many bars and beats the scene will play for and what happens when that time has elapsed – moving to the next scene, for example.
Where things get really interesting is with the patterns themselves. These can be recorded manually, although we expect many will use the groovebox-style step input methodology that BAM is geared towards.
BAM Matrix view
Two of the three pattern editing views are devoted to this step input approach: Timeline allows you to edit within a single view all patterns of the currently active scene, although only gate information is shown.
Automations view focuses on a single track, allowing automation lanes to be added and sequenced for any track parameter.
Finally, Composer view presents a pattern in a traditional piano roll editor, allowing full control over note pitch and length.
Patterns are 16 steps long by default but can range from one to 256 steps. Step length/resolution is handled slightly oddly, though, being presented as a multiplier that’s applied to the default 1/16th note length. Additionally, each pattern has its own independent time signature, looping behaviour and groove. This all adds up to some deep and extensive polyrhythmic potential.
BAM Timeline view
Device versus desktop
Currently, the best experience with BAM is with iPadOS – the design and workflow are perfectly matched to touch interactions. The desktop version is practically identical, and so lacks certain interactions that people expect in a desktop app: tool tips to help decipher the various buttons and icons, or clicking-and-dragging to adjust numeric values, for example.
Imaginando is not resting on its laurels, though, and has many plans for the ongoing development of BAM, with the initial focus on making the desktop version feel more like a traditional desktop app.
The absence of linear recording won’t pose problems for producers who like to work exclusively with loops, but others will surely find BAM’s ability to easily jam with patterns and arrangements a powerful and fun way to develop original parts, bedding and backing to add to their projects.
BAM Composer view
Key features

Standalone beat and pattern maker
For iPadOS, macOS or Windows
16-track non-linear sequencer
Pattern sequencing and arranging
Polyrhythmic patterns and probabilistic triggering
Assignable sound engines
Can use hardware and software synths
Two insert effects per track
Master mixer with two global send effects
Capture external audio and easy resampling of app’s output

The post Why are so many producers praising Imaginando BAM? appeared first on MusicTech.

Flexport taps Shopify for cash, behind the wheel of the Kia EV9 and where Amazon wants to investTechCrunch Mobility is a weekly newsletter dedicated to all things transportation Sign up here — just click TechCrunch Mobility — to receive the newsletter every weekend in your inbox. Subscribe for free. Welcome to TechCrunch Mobility – the same weekly newsletter you’ve been reading, but with a new name and a few changes. Don’t worry, this […]
© 2023 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.

Beatdapp adds $17M to fight fraud for UMG, SoundExchange, Napster, and moreMusic fraud detection company Beatdapp has announced new partnerships with SoundExchange and Napster and a strategic collaboration with Universal Music Group. Beatdapp technology identifies streaming fraud and missing royalties for. Continue reading
The post Beatdapp adds $17M to fight fraud for UMG, SoundExchange, Napster, and more appeared first on Hypebot.

Noise Engineering expand Alia platform Noise Engineering's innovative Alia oscillator platform now offers a choice of six different firmware options. 

A new supersonic jet, Notion launches a calendar app, and CES chases off sex techWelcome, folks, to TechCrunch Week in Review (WiR), a digest of the past few days in tech happenings. As I write this, snow’s gracing New York City — an increasingly rare treat thanks to our changing climate. And that feels fitting in light of the Apple Vision Pro’s imminent launch. After all, one of the […]
© 2023 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.

Getting It Done: The Week in D.I.Y & Indie MusicLast week, our tips and advice for the independent, do-it-yourselfers out there covered the basics of AI copyrights, tech trends to follow this year, and more…
The post Getting It Done: The Week in D.I.Y & Indie Music appeared first on Hypebot.

REWIND: The new music industry’s week in reviewA busy week by any definition, the music industry was no exception, with Coachella 2024 lineups released, analog music making a comeback, and more…
The post REWIND: The new music industry’s week in review appeared first on Hypebot.

Promote your AUDIO SERVICE for FREE on this site! Got a AUDIO SERVICE you wish to promote (for FREE)?

Promote your AUDIO SERVICE for FREE on this site!
Got a AUDIO SERVICE you wish to promote (for FREE)?

IPS Training Weekend announced The Institute of Professional Sound have announced an upcoming residential training event that aims to help audio professionals get up to speed on real-world practices.

Orange Amplification Launch Glenn Hughes Signature Purple O BassFollowing the success of the Glenn Hughes Signature Crush Bass 50 Combo Amp, Orange Amplification has announced the launch of the Glenn Hughes Signature Purple O Bass guitar. Based on the popular O Bass, the new Signature O Bass has a rich vibrant purple finish and comes with two changeable ivory and jet black 3-ply scratchplates and a quality padded gig bag.

The luxurious color of the Glenn Hughes Signature Purple O Bass evokes the 1960’s and 70’s as well as the beginnings of heavy metal. Whatever the music played, this eye-catching deep purple bass guitar will certainly make a statement on any stage or studio, especially when coupled with the purple Glenn Hughes Signature Crush Bass 50 Combo!

Longtime Orange Ambassador, Glenn Hughes, as the ‘Voice of Rock’ celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Deep Purple’s Burn album in 2023.  In 2024 he will be taking his ‘Glenn Hughes Performs Classic Deep Purple Live’ show on a nationwide USA tour.

To find out more about the new Glenn Hughes Signature Purple O Bass and all the other Orange Amp products, go to orangeamps.com.

The post Orange Amplification Launch Glenn Hughes Signature Purple O Bass first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Joe Walsh Announces $260,000 in Grants For Southern California Vets VetsAid, Joe Walsh's national 501(c)3 non-profit, announced the disbursement of $260,000 in grants to veterans services organizations based in Southern California or with operations on the ground in Southern California. The funds were raised from the 7th annual concert event which took place on November 12, 2023 at the North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre and featured an out-of-this-world bill with performances by Walsh and Stephen Stills, Jeff Lynne’s ELO, The War on Drugs, The Flaming Lips, Lucius, Jack Tempchin and the San Diego Marine Band. 

VetsAid divided the proceeds from the 2023 concert event into various sized grants and all recipients were chosen by Walsh and the VetsAid board after a rigorous application process. Grant recipients were selected and announced just before the concert event last November. The disbursements are as follows: 

$30,000 – CreatiVets – Using songwriting, visual arts, music and creative writing to help disabled vets in the Los Angeles area cope with service-related trauma.

$30,000 – Children of Fallen Patriots – Providing college scholarships and educational counseling to military children in Southern California who have lost a parent in the line of duty. 

$30,000 – TAPS – Providing compassionate care and comprehensive resources for all those grieving the death of a military or veteran loved one. 

$30,000 –  Foundation for Women Warriors – Dedicated to honoring and empowering the women veteran community. 

$30,000 – Veterans Legal Institute – Providing pro bono legal assistance to  homeless, at risk, disabled and low income current and former service members in Orange County and the Inland Empire to eradicate barriers to housing, healthcare, education, and employment and foster self-sufficiency.

$30,000 – Veterans Village of San Diego – Serving San Diego’s veterans and their families in overcoming homelessness, addiction, unemployment, barriers to health and mental health care and related challenges. 

$15,000 – Shelter to Soldier – Bringing post 9/11 Southern California veterans together with trained rescue dogs to help both recover and move forward. 

$15,000 – Vets’ Community Connections – Connecting veterans, military and their families to the San Diego County community. 

$10,000 – Fisher House Southern California – Providing temporary lodging and support to military members, veterans and their families when receiving treatment through a Southern California Navy or VA medical facility. 

$10,000 – HunterSeven Foundation – Specializing in medical research and education specifically on the post 9/11 veteran cohort.

$10,000 – Honor Flight San Diego – Escorting San Diego County veterans to Washington, DC to visit and reflect at the Memorials dedicated to their sacrifice and service. 

$10,000 – Cal-Diego PVA – Improving the quality of life for veterans of the United States Armed Forces and others who have a spinal cord injury of dysfunction in the San Diego area.

$5,000 – Zero8Hundred – Delivering individualized support to service members, spouses and their families before, during and after transition to thrive in their post military life. 

$5,000 – Navy Marine Corps PROUD Foundation – Providing financial and in-kind support to San Diego County’s County’s Navy Marine Corps Relief Society programs & local active duty Sailors, Marines, Veterans, Retirees and their families in need.

Providing support to organizations that care for America’s veterans as well as their families is deeply personal to Walsh, himself a Gold Star survivor whose father died while on active duty on Okinawa, Japan when Walsh was just 20 months old. 

“San Diego welcomed us with open arms… on a very cold night! They bundled up and rocked out with us under the stars for a once-in-a-lifetime celebration and salute of our precious veterans and the community we’ve built. VetsAid 2023 was a demonstration of the power of great music to unite, spread joy and be a part of something bigger than all of us… and to me, that’s America.” Walsh explains. “I’m grateful to all the fans, supporters and road dogs who now follow our traveling circus to points across the country. We’ll see you back on the East Coast for 2024!”

Additional event details to be announced.The post Joe Walsh Announces $260,000 in Grants For Southern California Vets  first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Lordstown Motors founder launches new EV startup with trucks we’ve seen beforeThe ousted founder of bankrupt EV startup Lordstown Motors has launched a new company called LandX Motors, that prominently displays the same electric pickup truck he once promised would beat Tesla, Ford and General Motors to market. Steve Burns, a self-described “serial entrepreneur,” bought most of the remaining assets of his former startup late last […]
© 2023 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.

Canada’s CMRRA and SX Works Global Publisher Services strike partnership with Barbados’ COSCAP'COSCAP is proud to embark on this transformative journey with CMRRA and SX Works Global Publisher Services,' said CEO Erica K. Smith Ph.D
Source

Clavia unveil Nord Grand 2 The latest Nord stage piano promises to deliver the responsive feel of an acoustic grand thanks to the use of Kawai’s premium triple-sensor Hammer Action keybed.