Groove Menus are a special feature only available on the Distorted Reality 2 and the new Metamorphosis CD-ROM libraries. This unique programming method on these CD-ROMs allow for real-time mixing and layering of grooves in any tempo simply by playing chords on the keyboard.

Sounds a bit like Groove Control™ doesn't it? Well, it's actually not related at all. In this case, when the groove's tempo changes, its pitch changes too. Ordinarily, on acoustic loop libraries- this is an undesirable effect....the instruments usually end up sounding unnatural. However, on a "processed" groove library like DR2 or Metamorphosis, the effect is quite magical, with all the oddball pitch variations contributing even more sonic weirdness to our loops. The strange stretchings morph into new grooves and offer a wealth of new possibilities -especially because you can "play" them in real-time.

Each tempo range (50, 55, 60, 65, etc. to 180) has all of the loops from that volume assigned to multiple keys in tempo-matched programs. Playing intervals and chords results in amazing "instant remixing" that can be inspiring and also a great way to put a groove track together quickly.

The Groove Menu method works by having tuning offsets in the sampler to compensate for the tempo differences of each loop. At this time, Emu samplers are not able to use this feature because of their more limited tuning architecture. Convert-loading the groove menu programs into other sampler platforms may work, but the tuning conversion must be 100% perfect for accurate sync to work. We've tested the Groove Menus sucessfully on:

Gigasampler/Gigastudio, Kurzweil, Unity, EXS24, S-1000, 2000, 3000, 5000/6000, Roland 760/770 and XV-5080 and it works great.

So how to you use the Groove Menu programs at the "in-between" tempos (62 BPM for example)? Simply use the Production Calculator on the Mac Data Disc (also on our Golden Ears page), or you can use the following formula if you're on Windows. Find the tuning difference between the program's tempo and your desir ed tempo (ex: 60 BPM and 62 BPM), and offset the Program/Patch tuning by that amount (ex: +56 cents). It's easier than it sounds an it's a fun way to work that is more interactive than normal loop multitracking techniques.

TEMPO to PITCH FORMULA
The formula to determine how many cents you adjust to change loop tempos is:

Td = Desired tempo
Ts = Current Sample tempo
n = Detuning (in cents: 1200 cents = 1 octave, tempered scale)
n = ( 1200 / log[2] ) x log[Td / Ts]


Try entering it into a Scientific Calculator (like the one provided in Windows) like this:
Desired tempo / Current tempo = log * 1200 / 2 log = Detuning in Cents

If you are a Mac user......just use the Production Calculator utility, which is a whole lot easier!