WurliBeat

WurliBeat is a Kontakt recreation of the rare Wurlitzer Electronic Swingin' Rhythm preset rhythm machine. The Swingin' Rhythm is an early analogue rhythm unit intended to accompany Wurlitzer's organs, and features five preset rhythms in combination with four one-shot kit pieces (kick, brush, block and cymbal) plus a Snare kit piece that can either be one-shot or continuously rolled. The onboard rhythms are typical of the 50s era, and comprise Waltz, Latin, Foxtrot, Teen and March, which features the rolled snare prominently.

WurliBeat recreates the Swingin' Rhythm comprehensively. The preset rhythms can be combined and sync automatically to DAW tempo, while the kit pieces have been sampled individually multiple times, allowing for random sample selection to preserve some analog instability in the sounds. This is particularly important for the Kick sound, which has irregular vinyl-like components that strongly benefit from random playback.

Complementing the sounds are two key built-in effects: an output limiter / compressor for adding weight and cohesion, and an IR convolved reverb of a 1950s Plate reverb, to bring authentic ambience to the beats. Finally, each kit piece can be panned and trimmed for level from the front panel.

The tone of the WurliBeat is compressed towards the midrange and offers a character that is ideally suited to chillout styles like ambient, trip-hop, New Age, nu jazz or ambient house; or for layering into other styles that depend on a more forceful basic beat but would benefit from its unusual and quirky midrange tonality.

Features:

• 24-bit multiple samples, randomised on playback for analogue feel.
• 5 preset rhythms which sync to DAW host tempo and can be combined.
• Inbuilt compression and era-appropriate convolution plate reverb.
• Level trim and pan position controls for each kit piece.
• Photo-realistic user interface.

WurliBeat is available now and requires a FULL version of Kontakt 4.2.3 or later (all versions of Kontakt 5 are supported).