2007 Winter NAMM Show: Submersible Music previewed the new 2.5 version of DrumCore software at the NAMM Winter Show Show in Anaheim, CA (January 18-21st).

DrumCore 2.5 adds new features that increase DrumCore’s capabilities as a MIDI instrument and make workflow easier when writing songs.

New Features:

• MIDI Standalone Mode – Now DrumCore can act as a standalone MIDI drum instrument, responding to input from any MIDI controller and MIDI interface connected to a users’ computer. Use DrumCore as a sound source at gigs and play it live from a pad controller without the use of any host software.
• “Pad Swapping”- 2.5 makes it easy for users to create custom hybrid kits. Combine Matt Sorum’s thunderous kick with Zoro’s snappy snare or throw in an electronic drum sound to add some low-end boom. Mix and match sounds by using a simple pop-up menu on each drum pad. Users see a list of all available DrumCore kits and can select any sound assigned to that pad from any of those drumkits. All sample layers plus pitch, pan and volume settings are automatically copied to your new kit.
• Drag-and-Drop Sample Assignment – DrumCore 2.5 makes it easier for users to create their own drumkits by allowing drag and drop to the Pad Editor. Also you can now re-order the sample layers on a pad by simply dragging them above or below other layers.
• Real-Time Editing – In 2.5 user edits to the Pad and DrumKit editor happen in real-time, which makes editing and creating drumkits even easier. Users can change the velocity assignments of the sample layers on a pad and get immediate feedback by hearing how they respond to a MIDI controller or sequence. Also there is a new “Audition Strip” which lets users preview velocity assignments using DrumCore without other MIDI controllers or other software.
• “Cue Mode” – hear loops and/or fills in context and back to back. With DrumCore 2.5 there is a new “Cue Mode” where a selected audio or MIDI files will not play until the previously selected file has ended. This allows users to hear how different loops and fills work together before they are exported to the main recording software (like Pro Tools, Cubase, etc.).
• New content – Available for both registered DrumCore 2 and 2.5 users there is a collection of additional content available now on http://www.drumcore.com. This includes more MIDI fills and a GrooveSet by premiere Latin percussionist Luis Conte (Sergio Mendes, Madonna, Clapton, etc.).

Standard DrumCore Features:

• Loop Librarian/Search Engine – the fastest way to the perfect groove The DrumCore search engine provides quick access to thousands of grooves, fills, variations and individual drum sounds. Search content based on drummer, style (rock, funk, country, and others), feel (straight, shuffle, etc.), time signature and tempo. Users can change criteria (create a new “style” for example) and enter their own comments for searching.
• GrooveSets – building blocks for creating a great drum track Content is organized in “GrooveSets”, with a basic groove, variations and fills that support standard song structure (intros, verse, chorus, etc.).
• The “Gabrielizer” – fuel for the creative process. DrumCore’s “Gabrielizer” technology intelligently generates variations on audio or MIDI content based on a set of “drummer rules”. Gabrielized files can be saved back into your library and/or exported to your digital audio workstation (DAW).

DrumCore 2.5 for PC and Macintosh (G4, G5 and Intel) will be available via the DrumCore website and selected dealers for $249 US retail, ($199 MAP). Upgrades will be free for those who purchased DrumCore 2 and DrumCore 2 upgrades in 2007. For other registered DrumCore 2 users it will cost $29.99 US and $49.99 for DrumCore 1/1.5 users and be available via the Submersible website.