ReBirth RB-338

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ReBirth

A ReBirth file, running the program's default GUI.
Developed by Propellerhead Software
Latest release 2.0.1 / September, 1998
OS Microsoft Windows 98 and better,[1] Mac OS 8,[2] Mac OS 9[2]
Genre Software synthesizer
Website ReBirth Museum

ReBirth RB-338 (commonly referred to as simply ReBirth) is a software synthesizer for 32- and 64-bit versions of Microsoft Windows[1] and Mac OS 8-9.[2] It was developed by Propellerhead Software, and its first alpha version (for Mac OS) was publicly released in December 1996. Propellerhead Software ceased developing the program in January 1999. Support was officially discontinued in September 2005. Shortly afterwards, the ReBirth Museum Web site was launched and the last version's (2.0.1) disk image was made available as a free download. Propellerhead Software continues to develop other software relating to pop-oriented computer-based music composition, including Reason, its flagship software synthesizer.

Contents

[edit] Features

ReBirth emulates two Roland TB-303 synthesizers, and 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.[3] There are four modifications included in the ReBirth installation by default (though the default ReBirth GUI seems to count as a modification as well).

The virtual knobs and controls can be assigned to physical counterparts via MIDI, so knobs, modulation wheels, faders and other performance controls available on keyboards and modules can be used to shape the software sound.

[edit] Critical Reception

ReBirth was an early[citation needed] software synthesizer, pioneering this class of instruments along with Cubase , Cakewalk , Digital Performer, and Reality, in the mid-1990s.[4] The sound quality, assuming that the CPU could cope with the sampling rate, was imposed by the quality of the sound card itself. Cheap- and low-specified soundcards would degrade the otherwise great analog emulation achieved by this proto soft-synth.

The software emulates two monophonic bass synthesizers with filters, two analog drum machines, effects, other filters, and patterns simultaneously, also processing and sending MIDI messages. This suggests highly optimized programming on Propellerheads' account, contrasting with extremely CPU- and sound-card-demanding modern soft synths and plug-ins.

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[citation needed] software synths that emulate analog synthesis (which the TB-303 featured), due to the reputedly inimitable sound of analog synthesis, and quality degraded by low-end sound cards. Despite this, Roland contacted Propellerheads to give it an unofficial thumbs up, which Propellerheads considered to be the Roland Seal of Approval.[5]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Windows FAQ page with system requirements
  2. ^ a b c Mac OS 9 FAQ page with system requirements
  3. ^ The modification page on the ReBirth Museum website
  4. ^ Rule, Greg. "Keyboard Reports: Steinberg ReBirth RB-338," Keyboard 23:9:256 September 1997.
  5. ^ Propellerheads (2005). "The Debut". The Rebirth Museum. Retrieved on 2007-04-15.

[edit] External links