SDS-x

What it does

A drum sampler and sequencer with a large colour-coded pad grid, running standalone or as an AUv3. Each pad takes two samples with their own pitch, pan and level, a trigger mode running from one shot to gated to a retriggering toggle, a velocity range, and its own MIDI note. The right side holds two stackable panes chosen from sequencer, effects, levels, samples and settings. Kits, patterns, tempo and imported samples save into banks and share by AirDrop or email.

In the demo

Jade runs the factory kits, each of which arrives with a sequence already programmed, drags replacement samples onto pads, and stacks two snares on one pad split top and bottom. She records a pattern live, draws one in by velocity, chains patterns, then loads it into AUM and GarageBand.

Worth knowing

A single pattern tops out at 16, so length comes from chaining. A snare roll played in has to be programmed rather than captured, and haptic feedback is iPhone only.