HammerHead Rhythm Station
Editors’ Review
Most music-creation software is mired in overly complex interfaces and indecipherable jargon. HammerHead Rhythm Station 1.0 couldn’t be more different. The percussion tool makes beat composition an effortless endeavor, even for those who have never used a drum machine. Although the software doesn’t have much in the way of features, it doesn’t need to. Six channels, 16 beat tracks, and basic tempo control provide a straightforward way to make unique beats. Any track worth saving can be exported as a CD-quality WAV file. Experienced beat aficionados may tire quickly of the minuscule sample library and effects tools, as well as the complete lack of integration with other music software titles. However, the software couldn’t be more perfect for beginners who want to learn the drum-machine basics. Best of all, it’s 100 percent freeware.
WHAT’S NEW IN VERSION 1.0
Developer’s Description
Aimed at the dance scene, HammerHead is a simple software drum machine similar to the Roland TR-909. You can use it to create techno loops and jungle patterns, and record your actions to a high-quality, noise-free WAV or RAW file for use with your sampler or sequencer. It includes 23 separate drum patches and six complete loops, plus a feature to implement banks with six samples of your own, making a total of 35 samples that can be used at one time. HammerHead also features adjustments for tempo, shuffle, feedback, and distortion, as well as the ability to export drum loops by measure or by entire session.