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PRESS RELEASE

Dance Music Module for Chameleon Ready

June 09, 2003

Chameleon Front Panel
(Click for a close-up)
Chameleon Rear Panel
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Soundart has released the dance music module software 'Fahrenheit' for their Chameleon platform - a fully re-programmable DSP-based rack-unit.

Fahrenheit includes a complete emulation of the TB303, TR909 and TR808, the Roland hardware that inspired a musical counter-culture. Soundart's emulation allows users to use these sounds on stage or in the studio with the 1U Chameleon rack.

The final release of Fahrenheit includes a multitude of routing options and new production features, such as a freely assignable resonant KeyFilter and audio input to the mixer section.

Chameleon followers will have noticed that previous beta versions of this software were known as 'Reborn', in a friendly nod to a well known software which also emulates the Roland classics. However, the company has decided to christen the full release "Fahrenheit", because of its unique take on the recreation of these dance music production tools.

Fahrenheit's highlights include:

  • Emulation of Roland's classic dance music production tools: the TR909 and TR808 drum machines and two TB303 bass synths, with all parameters. Every sound (including the individual drums) can be processed independently through the comprehensive mixer section.
  • The mixer section has 26 channels, one for every sound source, with 2 FX inserts, 2 FX auxiliaries and of course stereo panning and volume. However, totally flexible mixing and routing options allow the creative freedom to filter, distort and compress individual sounds of any combination of sounds, as well as Reverb FX and three delays.

    For example, users could send most of the drum sounds to one channel with heavy compression, and only the bassdrum through a fat distortion and the snare through a wild delay - this kind of flexibility gives a wide palate of possible sounds. However, Fahrenheit's mixer and its FX are independent to the sound sources - so it's easy to swap the signals around and hear what its like with the wild delay on the bassdrum, the compression on the snare and the distortion on the rest of the kit.
  • Mixer inserts feature 4 compressor and 4 distortion units, as well as a global resonant KeyFilter for sonic sculpting. Users can trigger the KeyFilter envelope from a MIDI keyboard, while mapping frequency across the octaves. So program a filter sequence over parts of the drum kit alongside a 303, and leave the bassdrum alone.
  • Audio input. As the Chameleon has audio in, Soundart have added a neat new function to the final release: users can input any line level audio into the Fahrenheit mixer to route alongside the internal sounds, allowing all manner of creative moments. This is ideal for live work, for KeyFiltering of vocals or turntables, for live effects processing of audio alongside the core sounds of the 303, 808 and 909.

Fahrenheit is available now as a free download for Chameleon users on our web site: www.soundart-hot.com/english/users1_4.htm

The Chameleon houses in a 1U rack the same Motorola DSP processing power as found in many brands of audio hardware, along with 2x24bit I/O A/D D/A converters and MIDI I/O. Low-level Soundart code allows it to effectively function as a "blank canvas" for talented software developers to use how they please. End-users load applications like Fahrenheit via MIDI and the Chameleon instantly becomes a completely different tool.

For more information, visit their web site at http://www.soundart-hot.com/.

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