Gamble Kid KONTAKT-SYNTHiC4TE: A Retro Gaming and Chiptune Music Lover's Dream
Gamble Kid KONTAKT-SYNTHiC4TE: A Review
If you are a fan of retro gaming and chiptune music, you might be interested in a virtual instrument that recreates the classic sound of a very famous Japanese 8-bit handheld console from 1989. The console is none other than the Game Boy (GB DMG-01), and the instrument is called Gamble Kid.
Gamble Kid KONTAKT-SYNTHiC4TE
Gamble Kid is a virtual instrument for Native Instruments Kontakt, developed by borth audio, a small company that specializes in creating unique and inspiring sound libraries. In this article, we will review Gamble Kid and see what it can do for your music production.
We will cover the following aspects of Gamble Kid:
The sound of Gamble Kid
The interface of Gamble Kid
The presets of Gamble Kid
The compatibility of Gamble Kid
By the end of this article, you will have a clear idea of whether Gamble Kid is worth your time and money, and how you can use it to create amazing chiptune music.
Introduction
What is Gamble Kid and what does it do?
Gamble Kid is a virtual instrument for Native Instruments Kontakt, giving you the classic sound of a very famous Japanese 8-bit handheld console from 1989 (GB DMG-01). The original GB sound chip features four sound channels: Square (CH1/CH2), Wave (CH3) and Noise (CH4). To enable MIDI support, a self-built Arduinoboy MIDI interface was used in addition to the software mGB V1.3.3 running on the GB. To reduce audio noise, the GB was modified with an additional audio output bypassing the internal speaker (Pro Sound Mod). The audio was recorded using an A-Designs P-1 microphone preamp.
Gamble Kid allows you to play and manipulate these four sound channels in Kontakt, with additional features that are not available on the original hardware. You can adjust the attack noise and note release noise, use a full AHDSR volume envelope, apply a low pass filter with an AHDSR envelope, and add chorus, reverb, rotator, tremolo, and vibrato effects. You can also use mod wheel to control various parameters such as pitch bend, filter cutoff, vibr How to get Gamble Kid and how much does it cost?
Gamble Kid is available for purchase from the official website of borth audio. The price is $29 USD, which is very reasonable for such a high-quality and versatile instrument. You can also download a free demo version of Gamble Kid, which has some limitations but still lets you try out the sound and features of the instrument.
To use Gamble Kid, you need to have Native Instruments Kontakt 5.8.1 or higher installed on your computer. Gamble Kid is not compatible with the free Kontakt Player, so you need to have the full version of Kontakt. Gamble Kid requires about 600 MB of disk space and 2 GB of RAM.
The Sound of Gamble Kid
How does Gamble Kid emulate the sound of a famous Japanese 8-bit handheld console from 1989 (GB DMG-01)?
Gamble Kid emulates the sound of the GB DMG-01 by using high-quality samples recorded from the original hardware. The samples are carefully edited and looped to preserve the authenticity and character of the sound. Gamble Kid also replicates the quirks and limitations of the GB sound chip, such as the aliasing noise, the limited polyphony, and the pitch range.
Gamble Kid does not use any synthesis or emulation techniques to generate the sound, so you can be sure that you are getting the real deal. Gamble Kid sounds just like a real GB device, with all its charm and nostalgia.
What are the four sound channels of the original GB sound chip and how can you use them in Gamble Kid?
The original GB sound chip has four sound channels: Square (CH1/CH2), Wave (CH3) and Noise (CH4). Each channel has its own characteristics and parameters that you can control in Gamble Kid.
The Square channel (CH1/CH2) produces a square wave with variable duty cycle, which affects the timbre of the sound. You can choose from four duty cycle options: 12.5%, 25%, 50%, and 75%. The Square channel also has a volume envelope, a sweep function, and a fine tune option. You can use the Square channel to create leads, basses, arpeggios, and other melodic sounds.
The Wave channel (CH3) plays back a custom waveform stored in a 32-byte register. You can choose from 16 different waveforms in Gamble Kid, or create your own using an external editor. The Wave channel also has a volume control and a fine tune option. You can use the Wave channel to create pads, organs, bells, and other harmonic sounds.
The Noise channel (CH4) generates white noise with variable frequency and volume envelope. You can choose from seven different frequency ranges and four different envelope shapes in Gamble Kid. You can use the Noise channel to create drums, percussion, effects, and other noisy sounds. How does Gamble Kid enhance the sound quality and add more options than the original hardware?
Gamble Kid is not just a faithful reproduction of the GB sound chip, but also a modern and versatile instrument that gives you more control and flexibility over the sound. Gamble Kid adds some features and options that are not available on the original hardware, such as:
A full AHDSR volume envelope for each channel, allowing you to shape the amplitude of the sound over time.
A low pass filter with an AHDSR envelope for each channel, allowing you to filter out the high frequencies of the sound and create more dynamic sounds.
A chorus effect for each channel, adding a subtle modulation and widening to the sound.
A reverb effect for each channel, adding a sense of space and depth to the sound.
A rotator effect for each channel, simulating a rotating speaker cabinet and adding movement and stereo width to the sound.
A tremolo effect for each channel, modulating the amplitude of the sound and creating rhythmic variations.
A vibrato effect for each channel, modulating the pitch of the sound and creating pitch fluctuations.
A mod wheel control for each channel, allowing you to assign various parameters to the mod wheel and create expressive sounds.
With these features, you can enhance the sound quality and add more options than the original hardware, making Gamble Kid a powerful and creative tool for chiptune music production.
The Interface of Gamble Kid
How does Gamble Kid look and feel like a real GB device?
Gamble Kid has a very unique and attractive interface that mimics the look and feel of a real GB device. The interface is designed to resemble a GB screen, with pixelated graphics and greenish colors. The interface also has some interactive elements that make it fun and easy to use, such as:
A power switch that turns on and off the instrument.
A contrast knob that adjusts the brightness of the screen.
A volume knob that adjusts the master volume of the instrument.
A headphone jack that plays a click sound when you plug in or out your headphones.
A cartridge slot that shows the name of the instrument and allows you to change it by clicking on it.
A battery indicator that shows the battery level of your computer.
The interface of Gamble Kid is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also functional and intuitive. It gives you a realistic and immersive experience of using a real GB device. What are the main controls and parameters of Gamble Kid and how can you tweak them to create your own sounds?
Gamble Kid has a simple and straightforward interface that lets you access and adjust the main controls and parameters of each sound channel. The interface is divided into four sections, corresponding to the four sound channels: Square (CH1/CH2), Wave (CH3) and Noise (CH4). Each section has a set of knobs, buttons, and switches that allow you to tweak the sound to your liking.
Here are the main controls and parameters of each sound channel:
Channel
Controls and Parameters
Square (CH1/CH2)
Duty: Selects the duty cycle of the square wave, from 12.5% to 75%.
Vol: Adjusts the volume of the channel, from 0 to 15.
Env: Selects the envelope shape of the channel, from none to decay.
Sweep: Adjusts the sweep function of the channel, which changes the pitch over time.
Fine: Adjusts the fine tune of the channel, from -64 to +63 cents.
Attack Noise: Adds a noise burst at the beginning of each note, simulating the aliasing noise of the original hardware.
Note Release Noise: Adds a noise burst at the end of each note, simulating the aliasing noise of the original hardware.
AHDSR: Adjusts the attack, hold, decay, sustain, and release stages of the volume envelope.
Filter: Adjusts the cutoff frequency and resonance of the low pass filter, and enables or disables the filter envelope.
Effects: Enables or disables the chorus, reverb, rotator, tremolo, and vibrato effects, and adjusts their parameters.
Mod Wheel: Assigns a parameter to be controlled by the mod wheel, such as pitch bend, filter cutoff, vibrato depth, etc.
Wave (CH3)
Waveform: Selects one of the 16 waveforms available for the channel, or loads a custom waveform from an external file.
Vol: Adjusts the volume of the channel, from 0 to 15.
Fine: Adjusts the fine tune of the channel, from -64 to +63 cents.
AHDSR: Adjusts the attack, hold, decay, sustain, and release stages of the volume envelope.
Filter: Adjusts the cutoff frequency and resonance of the low pass filter, and enables or disables the filter envelope.
Effects: Enables or disables the chorus, reverb, rotator, tremolo, and vibrato effects, and adjusts their parameters.
Mod Wheel: Assigns a parameter to be controlled by the mod wheel, such as pitch bend, filter cutoff, vibrato depth, etc.
Noise (CH4)
Frequency: Selects the frequency range of the noise, from high to low.
Vol: Adjusts the volume of the channel, from 0 to 15.
Env: Selects the envelope shape of the channel, from none to decay.
AHDSR: Adjusts the attack, hold, decay, sustain, and release stages of the volume envelope.
Filter: Adjusts the cutoff frequency and resonance of the low pass filter, and enables or disables the filter envelope.
Effects: Enables or disables the chorus, reverb, rotator, tremolo, and vibrato effects, and adjusts their parameters.
Mod Wheel: Assigns a parameter to be controlled by the mod wheel, such as pitch bend, filter cutoff, vibrato depth, etc.
With these controls and parameters, you can tweak each sound channel to create your own sounds, or use the presets provided by Gamble Kid.
The Presets of Gamble Kid
How many presets does Gamble Kid offer and how are they organized?
Gamble Kid offers 64 presets that cover a wide range of chiptune sounds. The presets are organized into four categories: Basses, Leads, Pads, and Percussion. Each category has 16 presets that you can access by clicking on the corresponding buttons on the interface.
The presets are named after famous GB games or characters, such as Tetris, Zelda, Mario, Kirby, etc. The presets are also color-coded according to their category: Basses are red, Leads are yellow, Pads are green, and Percussion are blue. You can easily see and select the presets by looking at the cartridge slot on the interface.
What are some examples of presets that showcase the different sound possibilities of Gamble Kid?
Here are some examples of presets that showcase the different sound possibilities of Gamble Kid:
Bass - Metroid: A deep and powerful bass sound that uses a square wave with a 25% duty cycle and a sweep function. The sound also has a low pass filter with a high resonance and a filter envelope that creates a wah-wah effect. The mod wheel controls the filter cutoff frequency.
Lead - Pokemon: A bright and catchy lead sound that uses a square wave with a 50% duty cycle and a volume envelope. The sound also has a chorus effect that adds some width and detuning. The mod wheel controls the pitch bend range.
Pad - Final Fantasy: A lush and warm pad sound that uses a custom waveform with a lot of harmonics and a volume envelope. The sound also has a reverb effect that adds some space and depth. The mod wheel controls the vibrato depth.
Percussion - Donkey Kong: A set of percussion sounds that use white noise with different frequency ranges and volume envelopes. The sounds also have a rotator effect that simulates a rotating speaker cabinet. The mod wheel controls the rotator speed.
How can you load, save, and edit presets in Gamble Kid?
You can load, save, and edit presets in Gamble Kid using the standard Kontakt features. To load a preset, you can either click on the cartridge slot on the interface and select a preset from the list, or use the Kontakt browser and navigate to the Gamble Kid folder. To save a preset, you can either click on the disk icon on the interface and enter a name for your preset, or use the Kontakt file menu and select Save As. To edit a preset, you can simply tweak the controls and parameters on the interface as you wish.
You can also use the snapshot feature of Kontakt to quickly load and save presets without leaving the interface. To use this feature, you need to click on the camera icon on the top left corner of Kontakt and select Show Snapshot Menu. Then you can see all the snapshots available for Gamble Kid and load them by clicking on them. You can also save your own snapshots by clicking on Save Current Snapshot As. The Compatibility of Gamble Kid
What are the system requirements and specifications of Gamble Kid?
Gamble Kid is a virtual instrument for Native Instruments Kontakt, so you need to have Kontakt 5.8.1 or higher installed on your computer. Gamble Kid is not compatible with the free Kontakt Player, so you need to have the full version of Kontakt. Gamble Kid requires about 600 MB of disk space and 2 GB of RAM.
Gamble Kid is compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems, and supports both 32-bit and 64-bit architectures. Gamble Kid also supports the NKS standard, which means that you can use it with any NKS-compatible hardware controller, such as the Komplete Kontrol keyboards or the Maschine devices.
What formats and platforms does Gamble Kid support?
Gamble Kid supports the following formats and platforms:
Kontakt: This is the native format of Gamble Kid, which allows you to use it as a standalone application or as a plugin in any DAW that supports VST, AU, or AAX formats.
WAV: This is the format of the samples used by Gamble Kid, which are stored in a folder called Samples inside the Gamble Kid folder. You can access these samples and use them in any other sampler or audio editor that supports WAV files.
NKI: This is the format of the presets used by Gamble Kid, which are stored in a folder called Presets inside the Gamble Kid folder. You can access these presets and use them in any other Kontakt instrument that supports NKI files.
NKSN: This is the format of the snapshots used by Gamble Kid, which are stored in a folder called Snapshots inside the Gamble Kid folder. You can access these snapshots and use them in any other Kontakt instrument that supports NKSN files.
How can you use Gamble Kid with other music production software and hardware?
Gamble Kid is a very versatile and flexible instrument that can be used with other music production software and hardware in various ways. Here are some examples of how you can use Gamble Kid with other music production tools:
Use Gamble Kid as a standalone application: You can use Gamble Kid as a standalone application by launching it from your applications folder or desktop shortcut. You can then play Gamble Kid using your computer keyboard or a MIDI keyboard connected to your computer. You can also record your performance using the built-in recorder feature of Kontakt.
Use Gamble Kid as a plugin in your DAW: You can use Gamble Kid as a plugin in your DAW by loading it as an instrument track or an insert effect. You can then play Gamble Kid using your DAW's MIDI editor or a MIDI keyboard connected to your computer. You can also record, edit, mix, and process your performance using your DAW's features.
Use Gamble Kid with an NKS-compatible hardware controller: You can use Gamble Kid with an NKS-compatible hardware controller, such as the Komplete Kontrol keyboards or the Maschine devices, by connecting them to your computer via USB. You can then play Gamble Kid using the hardware controller's keys, pads, knobs, buttons, and screens. You can also access and tweak the parameters and presets of Gamble Kid using the hardware controller's interface.
Use Gamble Kid with other virtual instruments and effects: You can use Gamble Kid with other virtual instruments and effects by routing them together using your DAW's features or a third-party software such as Jack Audio Connection Kit. You can then play Gamble Kid along with other sounds and apply effects to them using your DAW's features or external plugins.
Conclusion
Gamble Kid is a virtual instrument for Native Instruments Kontakt that recreates the classic sound of a very famous Japanese 8-bit handheld console from 1989 (GB DMG-01). It offers four sound channels: Square (CH1/CH2), Wave (CH3) and Noise (CH4), each with its own characteristics and parameters that you can control in Kontakt. It also adds some features and options that are not available on the original hardware, such as a full AHDSR volume envelope, a low pass filter with an AHDSR envelope, and various effects and modulation features.
Gamble Kid has a unique and attractive interface that mimics the look and feel of a real GB device, with pixelated graphics and greenish colors. It also has some interactive elements that make it fun and easy to use , such as a power switch, a contrast knob, a volume knob, a headphone jack, a cartridge slot, and a battery indicator. The interface also lets you access and adjust the main controls and parameters of each sound channel, such as duty cycle, volume envelope, sweep function, fine tune, filter cutoff, effects, and mod wheel. Gamble Kid offers 64 presets that cover a wide range of chiptune sounds. The presets are organized into four categories: Basses, Leads, Pads, and Percussion. Each category has 16 presets that you can access by clicking on the corresponding buttons on the interface. The presets are named after famous GB games or characters, such as Tetris, Zelda, Mario, Kirby, etc. The presets are also color-coded according to their category: Basses are red, Leads are yellow, Pads are green, and Percussion are blue. Gambl