Infinitedigits Amenbreak VST brings the fun of the hardware breakbeat mangling sampler Zeptocore to a plugin for macOS, Linux, and Windows.
One of the most exciting open-source projects of recent years is Zeptocore, developed by Infinitedigits. It’s a Pocket Operator-style groovebox powered by a powerful breakbeat mangling engine. From there, the Zeptocore also went to Eurorack this year with the Ectocore/Ezeptocore.
In December, Infinitedigits takes the next logical step by bringing the Zeptcore engine to an even wider audience with the Amenbreak VST plugin, available in both commercial and free versions.
Amenbreak VST
Amenbreak VST is a plugin version of the open-source Zeptocore hardware performance-based multi-playhead sample mangler. Infinitedigits has ported many elements of the Zeptocore hardware into the Amenbreak VST.
The core is based on Amenbreak, a well-known drum break, and on the slicing technique applied to it. It’s straightforward to use. You load a sample or, better yet, a loop into the Ambreak VST, and the fun begins.
The engine detects the BPM of your sample and also tells you the target BPM. You can slice it automatically in auto mode or manually. Each slice offers four distinct playback modes: ping-pong, looping, oneshot slice, and oneshot sample.
Nice is that the looping mode offers built-in start and end crossfades, with which you can get very smooth transitions.
If you use non-drum instruments or vocals, check out the “Preserve” button to keep the sample’s original pitch. Press the start button on the performance page (Careful! mode), and you’re ready to go.
Deep Mangling Fun
The internal sequencer then runs straight through the slice sample, but the real fun begins with the main parameters: “Amen” and “Break”.
Amen is a wrangler that randomly selects sample slices and replays them while Break infuses effects, but on a probability basis.
The higher the parameter, the greater the likelihood that the sample slices will be played back with an effect. These include reverses, stutters, jumps, and stretches. This can lead to highly creative results, but also to crazy chaos.
You can delve deeper in Careful Mode, where you have complete control over the five effects: reverse, stretch, stutter, tapestop, and tunnel. The latter scrubs the audio folders in real time.
In the settings section, you can explore even deeper into the Amenbreak VST engine, including the effects and all other features. For example, you can adjust the number of steps of the sequencer.
Free Version
As mentioned at the beginning, there is a commercial and a free version. The free version has a stripped-down feature set that excludes pitch preservation, stereo mode, decimation FX, and the unique tunneling FX. Yes, the free version is mono.
Both versions also feature full MIDI control with MIDI learn, enabling slice triggering and parameter automation. DAW integration with classic transport sync is also provided (start, stop, follow host tempo).
First Impression
The open-source Zeptocore is a super fun, portable instrument that makes sample slicing very immediate, enjoyable, and creative. Packaging that into a plugin to reach more people is a brilliant idea.
At the current price of $19, it’s a no-brainer in my opinion. I hope the developer considers bringing the plugin to iOS as well. That would be amazing!
Amenbreak VST is now available at an introductory price of $19, down from $29, through the end of the year. It runs as a standalone app and as VST3 and AU plugins on macOS (native Apple Silicon and Intel), Linux, and Windows.
More information here: AB
Yasssss. 19 is a steal. Zoink!
Iosssssssssssss please
wow!
great Idea.
A versão free está aparecendo “Demo”