DrumComputer

I have to agree with the previous reviewer. I planned to use this to trigger external drums (more on the acoustic side) but find it nearly impossible to map the output. Yes: what the H is H? Why can't ALL the kits simply be mapped to a/the same sequential series of notes? At least that way it would be only half as difficult to remap them to external devices. It is so time consuming I don't bother anymore.

As for importing WAV, I would be happier if I could import a whole kit at once (again, a matter of time). That way I could avoid this external remapping just to get drum sounds I like, as I'm not that into electronic drums. Alternately I wish they provided an acoustic kit or three.

I bought for the excellent sequencer, random functions and the auto-fills - I'm very happy with that aspect. I just thought it would be more user-friendly.

I consider this one of Sugar Bytes' rare misfires. DrumComputer COULD be useful but the unnecessary time-consuming hoops you have to jump through to get a satisfying sound will have you quickly reaching for your handier Playbeat or Triaz machine. Firstly, Western music scales from A to G. When you attempt drum mapping with DrumComputer, some of the patches are mapped to H. Huh? Did I mention that mapping sounds is like pulling teeth? Would it kill Sugar Bytes to use standard mapping for their eight pads? To wit: When you pull up the first kit, SB Analog Kit, the kick is mapped from F3 to F#3, the snare on G3, and the high hat on E7, a note that doesn't even exist on an 88-note controller! If you then slide the kit down so that the kick is triggered by C1, you notice the high hat is then mapped to H4. Where the hell is H4? That doesn't even exist.

Another weak point is the sound collection itself. The kicks are mushy, a lot of sounds are unpredictable in their variance, and for whatever reason, a lot of drum sounds are always pulled up flamming. You have to remember to turn that off. The snares also leave a lot to be desired. One plus is DrumComputer now allows import of wave files. That's definitely handy. The modulation matrix and sequencer isn't bad, either. Neither are the effects, but I suspect producers will just record the drums dry and add effects later. If Sugar Bytes fixes DrumComputer's ghastly mapping system and sound engine, I believe they'll have a winner.

This thing is crazy! I had fun for hours while studying it's possibilities. What a toy!
For me there are two ways to use it: First is to click "make new kit" and the pattern dice and to drag out this completely randomized pattern into my DAW. Then I use this as a starting point for inspiration.
Second way is to use all the great possibilities to make a drum kit and a drum track from scratch.
There are so much ways to create/shape every single sound. All packed into a wondeful GUI, easy to understand and pure fun to use. The sounds are clear but in my opinion often very aggressive in the mids,
so, the first thing I do before I use Drumcomputer, is to put a presetted EQ after it.
You have to accept that this thing is not made to get some real acoustic sounding drums out of it but it is my first choice for electronic drums and for quick sketching a drumtrack.
The only thing I wonder about is why it's not possible to automate the drum pattern dice in the sequencer...??
That would be great for live performances. But anyway, 5 overall stars from me.

I bought this at launch, and played with it all weekend. Sugarbytes has really outdone themselves!

DrumComputer's synth module is highly versatile, but the real jewel is the randomizer/sequencer. Not just random junk to plod through to find a good lick here or there. Random beats are structured properly, and instantly groove with onboard sounds, or routed out to your own samples. Demo this right away, you will not regret.