Ultra-portable, easily programmable drum machine expands the UNO line
May 8, 2019 – IK Multimedia unveils UNO® Drum, the newest member of its UNO series. Designed in collaboration with Italian analog specialist Soundmachines – the same team behind IK’s acclaimed UNO® Synth – UNO Drum offers a wide sonic palette combining fat, punchy analog sounds with digital flexibility and convenience. A robust selection of programming and live performance features and controls makes it easy for musicians, producers and DJs to add massive drum grooves to their music. UNO Drum’s compact form, battery power and affordable price make it ideal for on-the-go music creation and performance.
True analog tone and PCM flexibility
Six warm, rich, true analog drum sounds – two different kick drums plus snares, claps, and hi-hats – form the essential core kit for creating fat analog beats. Additional PCM elements (with 54 samples to choose from) provide deeper sonic flavors. They include toms, rims, cowbells, rides and crash cymbals for creating complex, unique and full rhythm tracks. Up to 12 elements can be used in total between analog and digital sounds, with 11-voice polyphony available. The analog and digital elements can be freely swapped, for sonic possibilities that go beyond the pre-set combinations. Together, these analog and PCM sounds suit the widest genres of music and musicians, and a variety of live scenarios.
A wide range of drum elements is organized in UNO Drum’s 100 pre-programmed and fully editable drum kit presets, a first in its class. This makes it easier and faster for users to find an inspiring kit they can experiment with or tweak to create the perfect groove. All sounds can be stored and recalled on the fly.
Top panel editing controls allow for adjustment of key parameters of each sound element. Users can tweak the Tuning of their kicks for sub-shaking hip-hop, adjust the Snap for punchy EDM drums, push the Decay for thundering industrial sounds, and much more. UNO Drum’s in-depth controls encourage experimentation to take drum tracks far beyond the norm.
Analog audio effects with character
For added punch and sound character that stands out in a mix, UNO Drum also offers two analog master audio effects: Drive and Compressor. Increasing the drive will make grooves hit harder, with an aggressive edge. Adding compression will result in tracks that are tighter, fatter, and more powerful. User settings can be saved along with drum kits for instant recall.
Easy to play and program
UNO Drum offers 12 touch-sensitive pads with two velocity zones, for more expressive live playing and easier programming. They can be used to play entire beats live with a pad-style feel, or to easily add live flare on top of pre-programmed rhythms.
These pads are also used to select individual drum pattern elements. Each element’s pad can be used to edit parameters for that specific drum sound, in real-time, as patterns play. This enables users to evolve tracks, build tension towards a drop, go lo-fi for a break, and more. For added performance convenience, a dedicated Tap Tempo pad is also included.
Flexible programming options
UNO Drum offers easy programming options to suit any style. The 64-step sequencer allows users to program in patterns one step at a time, using the 16 buttons across the bottom of the panel, or record a pattern in real-time. Up to eight parameters can be automated per step, to add even more variation and feel to their grooves. The Song mode lets users chain up to 64 patterns together to create extended grooves. Any of the stored sequences can be triggered live on the fly, in any order desired.
Additionally, for quick inspiration out of the box, UNO Drum also comes pre-loaded with 100 drum patterns (in addition to the 100 drum kits). Users can quickly scroll through choices and find a pattern that adds the perfect flavor to their genre, or experiment with new styles. Sounds can be swapped out or adjusted, and patterns can be instantly saved and revisited at a later time.
Head-turning performance effects
For even more performance impact, UNO Drum offers a generous set of five performance effects on the programmed patterns: Stutter (from subtle repetitions to DJ style loops), Roll, Humanize (slight randomization of velocity, timing and volume to emulate a live drummer), Swing (timing and accent adjustments) and Random (brand new pattern creations).
Integrate into any live, studio, or mobile set-up
For use at home, in the studio, in a DJ booth, and beyond, UNO Drum can perfectly integrate into regular live set-ups, computer DAW-based studios, or mobile rigs centered around an iOS device. It offers USB and traditional MIDI via 2.5mm jacks (cables included) for use with Mac/PC, iOS devices or traditional outboard MIDI gear, for a perfect pairing in any rig. UNO Drum also offers an audio input to daisy chain directly with IK’s UNO Synth or any other gear, routed through its internal compressor, with no need for an additional mixer.
On-the-go music made easy
Weighing only 400g, UNO Drum is super lightweight and small enough to fit in a backpack, yet sturdy enough to hit the road for gigging. It can also be used as a portable sketchpad to create grooves and songs that can be saved and recalled whenever and wherever they’re needed. UNO Drum can be powered by 4 AA batteries or via the USB port, either from a computer or a battery pack.
Pricing and availability
UNO Drum is available for pre-order from the IK Multimedia online store with free shipping* and for pre-order from IK authorized dealers worldwide, for the affordable price of only $/€249.99**.
UNO Drum is proudly made in IK's own Italian manufacturing facility using a combination of state-of-the-art, automated mounting machines and test systems, and fine, renowned Italian craftsmanship. Shipping is scheduled for June 2019.
* Free shipping valid for pre-orders from the IK Multimedia online store only
** All prices excluding taxes
For more information about UNO Drum, please visit: www.unodrum.com
To see UNO Drum in action or watch the tutorial series: www.unodrum.com/video
