ReBirth RB-338
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| ReBirth | |
 A ReBirth file, running the program's default GUI. |
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| Developer: | Propellerhead Software |
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| Latest release: | 2.0.1 / September, 1998 |
| OS: | Microsoft Windows 98 and better[1], Mac OS 8[2], Mac OS 9[2] |
| Use: | Software synthesizer |
| Website: | ReBirth Museum |
ReBirth RB-338 (though commonly referred to as simply "ReBirth") is a freeware software synthesizer for Microsoft Windows (from Windows 98 onwards)[1] and Mac OS 8-9[2]. It was developed by a Swedish company called Propellerhead Software and its first alpha version (for the Mac OS) was first released to the public in December 1996. Propellerhead Software stopped developing the program in January 1999, though the company officially declared the discontinuation of the project on September 2005. Afterwards, the ReBirth Museum website was launched and the last version's (2.0.1) disk image was given for free download. Propellerhead Software continues to develop Reason, which is now their flagship software.[3]
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[edit] Features
ReBirth emulates two Roland TB-303 synthesizers, a Roland TR-808 and Roland TR-909 drum machines at once. Each of the emulated devices has its own pattern selector, a feature the original devices are lacking. This allows fast switches between different musical sequences, and re-programming the TB-303 for playing different notes, for instance, is rendered unnecessary. This feature has been adopted in some of Reason's devices. ReBirth also features mixers, a pattern controlled filter (PCF) and some of the standard effects in software synthesizers like delay, compressor and distortion.
The program also supports user modifications, which may replace the samples in the drum machine emulations and modify the GUI[4]. There are four modifications included in the ReBirth installation by default (though the default ReBirth GUI seems to count as a modification as well).
[edit] Critical Reception
Some enthusiasts have criticized ReBirth's software emulation of the TB-303 as being an inferior copy of the genuine sound. Such criticism is common to all software synths that emulate analog synthesis (which the TB-303 featured), due to the reputedly inimitable sound of analog synthesis.
However, another notable clone is the "Bass Line" plugin from AudioRealism, which, according to the company, accurately emulates every aspect of the original hardware's sound by way of analog modeling techniques. The plugin also features far more extensive MIDI control, allowing the sounds of the TB-303 to be played and controled via a MIDI controller or an external sequencer. (It should be noted that the AudioRealism Bass Line plugin is only an emulation of the sounds of the TB-303, not the TR-808 & TR-909)
[edit] References
- ^ a b Windows FAQ page with system requirements
- ^ a b c Mac OS 9 FAQ page with system requirements
- ^ The conclusion of the project's development and a timeline
- ^ The modification page on the ReBirth Museum website
[edit] External links
- Rebirth Museum - download location (download is only available on BitTorrent). Dedicated to all things ReBirth.
- Propellerhead Software's homepage
- AudioRealism's product homepage - AudioRealism's BassLine plugin demo available in VST and AU formats.
