Twisted Electrons BlastBeats | Retro FM Groovebox

Blip Expert Take

The BlastBeats pairs vintage MS-DOS style retro drum and synth rhythms with a killer feature no other groovebox possesses at this scale: 100% motorized faders that instantly recall or play back your live automation sequences. It is quirky, exceptionally characterful, and remarkably fun to jam on during live sets.

A ten voice groovebox (six drums, four synths) with iconic FM-sound character. BlastBeats utilises the chip from the 90ies Soundblaster Cards and makes the potential of these devices fully accessible

To many the Soundblaster Soundcards where the first adventure in computer sound. But quite surely almost no one ever dived into programming this chip, because this was really (!) tricky. Which is a shame because this chip – also called Yamaha OPL3 – is actually a quirky little 18 channel FM Synth with two to four operators per voice and with lots of parameters.

Enter the BlastBeats: Lots of charming retrostyle buttons and faders give you real time access to the parameters and the sequencer is up to date with advanced functionality like parameter locking.

The Twisted Electrons BlastBeats

While the DX7 chip had to make do with a sine-tone operator waveform, the YMF262 wielded multiple waveforms. And while you were dependent on feedback to gain a more raw sound with a single sinewave, with a multi-wave operator, the sound is immediately rough and satisfying. The YMF262 is also known as the OPL3, has a maximum polyphony of 18, and enabled music tech-heads of the time to go nuts. The BlastBeats deviates a little bit from what the OG tech-heads had to work with, because this machine offers a fixed instrument layout, making it far more easy to understand and control. Six drum tracks are laid out: kick, snare, tom, open hi-hat, closed hi-hat, and cymbal. There are two monophonic synth tracks and two duophonic synth tracks. The healthy supply of faders lined up across the control panel provide fast and direct access to the sound parameters, completing a far more accessible workflow than the little diaphragm buttons of the DX7.

The BlastBeats Groovebox

This chunk of hardware is not just a synthesizer, but a fully-fledged groovebox. 160 complete songs can be produced with 16 patterns, each with up to 64 steps. For sequencing, you're set up with a row of old-school push-buttons laid out x0x-style - adding to that vintage-synth feel, and slapping a grin on the face any self-respecting synth-nerd. Of course, if you're not so bothered about pushing buttons and nudging faders, then you can always control the BlastBeats via MIDI using your DAW. However you want to use it, you're offered an immense array of options that are well worth getting to grips with, and ultimately, you can get to work quickly with this unit. FM synthesis has a reputation for being simple but extensive, which has a lot to do with the classic FM synths that were controlled by nothing more than a set of diaphragm buttons and tiny display. Loaded with fifty-six faders, the BlastBeats presents a completely different experience of FM synthesis, revealing what it actually is: a genuinely elegant synthesis method that places an enormous bank of potential beneath your fingertips.

Who Is This For?

Live electronic musicians, chiptune artists, and retro gaming sound designers chasing raw, uncompromised 90s computer sound aesthetics.