Tempera: A New Granular Instrument

This video is sponsored by the makers of Tempera: playtempera.com
Tempera is a new granular instrument by the makers of the Vector Synth: www.vectorsynt...
It features 8 sample slots, each represented by a verticle column, that can be played back polyphonically, 4 granular emitters, envelopes, lfos, a filter, and a reverb.
I've been alpha-testing this unit and have made some content for it. Check it out in person at Superboooth 2023.
Join me on Patreon and get access to music, presets, samples, and a great community: bit.ly/rmrpatreon
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[@PaulBreitzmann]

We are living in a golden age of bloop boxes.

[@tennisgenius]

it really is amazing what the hardware renaissance has given us. FPGAs exploding in popularity and solid state tech getting cheaper than ever has revived an interest in embedded programming and hardware design. to call the bar "raised" is an understatement- it's more like the bar got nuked into orbit and we're all just along for the ride. i love it!

[@tennisgenius]

i should mention too that i dont even recall there being this amount of incredible tech even five years ago. there was some of it of course but something about this new decade has given artists and hardware engineers alike a re-fascination with technology. some sort of seismic paradigm shift occurred like three years ago- covid being the inflection point of course- and ever since it really has been a new golden age for audio technology.

[@badfeng]

@@tennisgenius It'd be interesting to read a breakdown of how some of these prodcts are developed. I assume that single board computer tech, Raspberry Pi type hardware, is core to offerings by boutique companies, which is cool.

[@justinschwieger71]

All of this happening during a massive chip shortage too is crazy.

[@silentshadowdnb]

I'm all for it!! ❤

[@RedMeansRecording]

Since everyone is asking, the developer of this said he wanted to hit around 650 euro for the price point. Please do not quote me on that, as circumstances may change.

[@ericvernooij2917]

Surprisingly inexpensive then.

[@subradial]

sounds very promising, really looking forward to it!

[@jumpingflash]

Hitting 800 euros now... bit too much for a blipping box :-) but still... who am I, It is an anjoyable blipping box.

[@gweeboyoda]

I can't really afford this right now either, but this can drone with the best of em, while retaining a broader set of timbres, and you can use the sounds it produces with a sampler to make your own synths/instrument samples. Dunno what the best samplers are for that but my Zoia will do at least a crude job of it and should have enough DSP that I could arrange different samples for each octave so it doesn't get too processed.

[@MrZah]

I'm loving this kinda granular revolution we've been going though for a little while now. It's such an exciting space!

[@jacobroufa]

Space really is the right word for it, too. Lush and gorgeous sounds here.

[@picturesofaneighbourhood5950]

I don't need this at all but man do I love that it exists. thanks for sharing it so beautifully

[@TheRealChrisVessey]

I, however, need this. Wonder how hard it is to get a kidney out and ship it?

[@owlygemart]

What a fantastic beautiful little machine! I am not musically-technically minded at all and I don't understand most of the music lingo but when something sounds so good it makes your eyes water, you know you're onto a good thing ❤ watching your hands dance around whats essentially an incomprehensible panel of lights is like watching you weilding magic

[@JakobHaq]

What an interesting take on a granular instrument. So many great ideas.

[@robertsyrett1992]

Now if only it were an iPad app...

[@Dead_Gods]

Just preordered. Really looking forward to this one.

[@3tree]

Really nice instrument and a great demo, thanks Jeremy

[@CraftyOldGit]

Wow, that sounds fabulous, especially where you used the orchestral samples. That timpani is haunting.

[@Delzra]

im by far not capable enough to make the most out of hardware like this, but im absolutely in love with the possibilities this enables

[@cbschrader]

Same here, but I keep buying them for some reason. I have a Synthstrom Deluge and a Dirtywave M8 that I’m not great at, but I still love playing around with them anyway. Think those two are enough for me for now though. Must…resist…the…temptation.

Great innovation! The orchestral sample demo was fantastic!

[@SoundDevour]

This is what I have been looking for…. Yaaasss! Bring me the darkness box!

[@mister_bleeps]

I didn't think there was anything new that could be done with granular synthesis but this emitter grid interface is really intriguing.

[@RedMeansRecording]

Right?

[@safa1one]

was just re looking into hardware granular synths and came across this one, thank you for the presentation!

[@ericpeters0n]

Super cool unit! Am I the only one who wants it to include some sync'd sampling/looping capability as well?

[@Simeon_Harris]

what a beautiful instrument. i've been in love with granular synths and processing for years and tried almost all the software versions out there. i love that there's no giant screen on this, it forces you to play and use your ears and just be creative. the UI seems very intuitive as well. excellent demo.

[@therealfaintinggoat]

@5:10 Jeremy, you may take this compliment for granted but this was a beautiful piece of music.

[@pamelaa4010]

I am afraid to get something like this.... I would get this, play with it, come up from the basement, and everyone would say: ""You're ALIVE....!?! You have been gone for 16 years, we thought you were dead....!"" =)

[@xxTHExxABYSSxx]

Amon Tobin and Aphex Twin are going to love using this

[@RikMaxSpeed]

Amazing performance instrument, and great video presentation. Can’t wait to see this in person - off to Berlin tomorrow.

[@subradial]

Wow, thank you for this video Jeremy! 🙏I own & love the 'GR-1' and various granular VSTs but after watching this I know that sooner or later I will also add it to my granular 'arsenal', fantastic and inspiring piece of gear!

[@emptyvesselnz]

"or left and right through other samples" - wow ok, I don't think I've seen that outside of Madrona Labs Kaivo's use of multi-channel WAVs. Really a lot of very innovative ideas in this instrument, impressive stuff! The set of wavetable samples really got me.

[@milk_bath]

Yeah that’s such a wonderful and novel idea.

[@Silkynight]

I love that you mentioned Borderland, for 9 solid minutes I was thinking “ this is hardware Borderland”. Cool device. Granular is one of the most creative type of synthesis. Further reading: microsound by Curtis Roads

[@mattkaz9604]

Nice. It's good to see more granular hardware popping up. It's a great tool and so far we've mostly only seen it done with any depth on software apps.

[@bazrin]

The sound quality on this is otherworldly.

[@CaptainCoffee-III]

Tempera looks fun, fun. I love my Vector. Looks like it's going to get a little brother now.

[@synthmage00]

Conway's game of life looking ass instrument. I want it.

[@beaumccafferty5676]

This is wonderful. I've just pre-ordered it! It's a long wait so I'd love to hear some more examples. More please.

[@somberrhombus]

that wavetable example was really dope.

[@jakenameson5422]

Super, super cool. I love these stereoscapes so much.

[@OoraMusic]

love this one!

[@Jin-Hu]

Holy frickadoodle, running orchestral samples this way is a stroke of genius!

[@aquaticborealis4877]

It’s very cool. In the right hands, it looks like it will be a wonderful instrument.

[@turbotambourine]

Absolutely love the orchestral stuff going on there! Amazing!

[@toddtrillo7445]

Wow , very interesting , look fwd to finding out more about this awesome unit

[@bahgo]

Tempura :)

[@pongtrometer]

If only Animoog had longer sample playback time , yes Borderlands is amazing….the design of this device is soul interactive. Beautiful Design.

[@vecvan]

this looked really interesting, can't wait to watch this

[@seanspartan2023]

This is one of the sickest pieces of gear I've ever seen and it's way out of my league to play. You really made it come alive!

[@questionmarq]

That looks and sounds so fulfilling . Love it

[@ludwiglauer7997]

This needs a conway's game of life algorithm

[@RedMeansRecording]

Agree

[@vardoger]

Yes! How can they pass up the chance to add that? Aren't they nerds?!

[@FreeBeat]

Wow, killer demonstration and explanation (and instrument too). Granular synthesis is very overwhelming to me, you made everything here super digestible for dummies like myself, thanks! That orchestral section was absolutely gorgeous.

[@mcolville]

WOW!

[@nkozi]

Oh now THIS is up my alley.

[@SyntheticSan]

7:50 min. left me speechless. This is exactly the missing link in my setup! Thank you for the mind-blowing vid

[@politesociety]

This looks like the granular instrument I've been waiting for. I kind of wish that the samples went cross instead of down, but that's pretty minor. Sounds lush AF.

[@mrclean111111]

RE the samples up/down - I wonder if they envision holding the unit in both hands and you can play the samples with your thumbs?

[@politesociety]

@@mrclean111111 good point, that does sound like it would be more pleasing. 💚

[@sgriggl]

turn it sideways

[@lbarnett748]

Definitely needs little a few drum like waves to add. Being a sampler I guess you can add in percussion with those sequences. This thing looks crazy awesome

[@RevivedAndRewritten]

Awesome video! I feel like you showed a huge range of the capabilties of this sweet lil device. I kinda want one now >_>

[@asynchronicity]

Really looking forward to pairing this with an Osmose

[@katelikesrectangles]

the orchestral stuff sounds like bartok, that's amazing. and the outro jam was so nice i forgot i was writing this comment and fell asleep

[@Genshi]

Wow! I 'm really liking this! Hope it's out sooner rather than later (and let them know if they need a Beta tester, I'm available!)

[@HustonSingletary]

Love this walkthrough. Nice one Jeremy. Tempera sounds fantastic, looks like a deep and twisted rabbit hole.

[@spdycar13]

Love my Vector and their team! No doubt this will be great too.

[@alipaulstagram]

Spraying through other samples is genius.

[@ukbloke28]

that's how granular synthesis works, it's been around a long time. Not really genius here, you can do the same with a load of different iPhone apps, a Lemondrop or a GR-1.

[@alipaulstagram]

@@ukbloke28 Granular synthesis usually sprays through a single sample. Not multiple.

[@ukbloke28]

@@alipaulstagram No. My Lemondrop has two granular engines plus a conventional oscillator. The GR-1 has 4 engines IIRC. I'm not sure about the various iOS iterations but given the greater processing power, I'd expect even more. The thing is, just two engines already results in some very busy and complex patches, especially with two or more notes engaged. You can also load samples that change over time and use fixed play position to track through to change sounds on the fly.

[@Dekkie61]

This thing seems VERY much inspired by Plinky, which also has 8 columns of capacitive touch interface to (among other things) play back samples with multiple playheads (8 in plinky's case). Looks and sounds like it too. Buuuuuut, Vector Synths seem to have expanded on Plinky's granular sampler a lot; the emitters, but also the box itself, which looks very solid. And the fact that it will probably be a lot more available

[@jeremjerem]

It's sounds so great and i find it very beautiful

[@JavaGamesHD]

Thanks you for Heaven and Hell tracks, I love it and will use on next video!

[@aseomg]

I feel like I'm living 20 years into the future with the release of this!!

[@LesSondiers]

This is played bloopyfully. I am bloop.

[@jpmudkip1870]

Starting at 1:20 ish I started to get real Porter Robinson Nurture vibes. Reminds me of wind tempos. This instrument looks sick!

[@chrisdavies9143]

Sounds great, huge, can't wait to hear more.

[@hovermotion]

Wow...this is a ultra dream machine...

[@memorycanyon2259]

I could listen to that all day

[@noisetheorem]

This is amazing! It's not just a device, but an instrument! They can have my credit card, just send me one!

[@GreatistheWorld]

What an exceedingly pleasant video. Just a joy to let happen. Thank you so much

[@leighrussell8908]

the stuff at the end is worth an album!

[@orchidsvoid]

Wow this thing is extremely interesting! I want one...

[@ronanbax6102]

Finally something a little more innovative and "out there" that looks very playable!

[@doctorauxiliary]

mmm... the stuff leading up to the 10:00 mark is... muah!! *chef's kiss I think I really like this thing. thanks, jeremy!! ps... yes... the link I'm the description is no bueno.

[@Chilisgrillandbar]

7:04 this sounds like the Humanity soundtrack for PlayStation, sooo cool

[@EclipseAtDusk]

AYYYY, this is just like the one mode on the A fuck I can’t remember what that little thing was - there was a little modular synth that did something similar but chip shortages killed off production

[@splatterling4539]

I don't need this I don't need this I don't need this I don't need this I don't need this I don't need this I don't need this I don't need this Love those little foxes :)

[@MattPerrin]

That is just all around wonderful.

[@combatrock]

I fkn love tempura, with that little dipping sauce and a couple rolls, maybe some sake? Fuggedaboudit!

[@REOvolt]

Now that’s what I would call innovation. Love the concept ❤

[@floor_baba]

Okay yeah I'm def keeping my eye on this one

[@lemonhscott7667]

I’d love to try that time emitter mode on drums

[@thebluehotel5215]

Man your demos are the best

[@rhettmoir]

This thing sounds gorgeous

[@hurricane6014]

Well, there goes another piece of my savings. Can’t wait for this to happen.

[@bungeechord1]

Nice demo! Refreshingly original instrument.

[@synkuk]

Superb stuff ... looks very interesting :)

[@petepoly]

Amazing synth can't wait to play it :)

[@greygrass8575]

Nice, that's how they made Gothic 3 theme (4:45)

[@Nonsense913]

Damn. 30 seconds in and I already want this thing.

[@soopysalles]

Been waiting for a sort of hardware version of Slate & Ash's Cycles. Looks like this might be it!

[@RedMeansRecording]

Totally

[@bryangrunauer]

12:00 that sounds a lot like the chemical brothers' escape velocity, specially the final section, 9min+. I wonder if they use granular synthesis to get to that sound, whenever these plucky "lights sound" show up I always think of them. Thank you Jeremy you make me want to make music

[@FloChai]

Lovely❤ if it comes in white and the encoders silver. I’m buying.

[@randynovick7972]

Ooooo. I like this thing. Danger. Danger.

[@rainandria5213]

You gave me massive flashbacks to the Interstellar soundtrack at 5:20, holy shit.

[@justinschwieger71]

The only part about this that sucks is that they don't seem to use the name Beetlecrab anymore. Was a dope company name.

[@0Fdigital]

It'll take a lot to tear me away from Emission Control 2 / Borderlands, but this is dangerously close! It's nice to see so many granular-capable devices (and true granular too, not just moving loop points through a sample) appearing all of a sudden.

[@MrNiniko]

Such a beautiful machine.

[@jarengardner695]

Wow this was beautiful to listen to!

[@milk_bath]

Love the UI and unique idea.

[@immersiveworlds]

Wow. The approach to using emitters is super innovative and the visual look is quite beautiful.

[@ScottRabara]

Wow, this is amazing; looks like it would make me want to immediately play with it omg

[@ScottRabara]

Welp, I just preordered it after watching this video SO EXCITED

[@NoirEtBlancVie]

Super yummy! Granular in hardware is 🤤

[@aaronl3460]

Especially when he calls it the Tempura at the 3:03 mark 😂

[@antfactor]

OK.. now THIS looks like a fun instrument to perform with. Very nice. :)

[@BNLNRD]

Oh my, I'll definitely check this out at Superbooth! It'd be swell running into you. :)