Five12’s Numerology review
So Numerology, my favourite piece of music software has finally been updated to version 2. Jim (the developer) has put an enormous amount of work into this new version and it really shows. The same discrete analog style sequncing is still there, but contained within a much more fluid and easy to use framework. The most noticeable refinement is the interface, much cleaner and with a Reason-style patchbay on the back of each module. Modulation of any parameter is now just one right-click away, thanks to a context menu which will drop in envelopes, LFOs and control sequencer automatically patched in and ready to start working their magic. I’ve only spent a day or so with the new version so far, but there have been so many improvements and short cuts in my workflow – it really is a joy to use!
Numerology now has built in sample processing with an Audio Sample and Drum Kit module, and it now also features an Envelope Follower which converts audio data into CV for modulation. All of the modulation within Numerology is CV, so I imagine it would be the perfect tool for controlling older synths. the CV can of course be converted into CC date for plugins or more modern synths.
The MIDI sync is very tight. Running Numerology from my G3 iBook via an Edirol UM1 interface into my MPC 2000 gave me only 3 ticks of latency!
All in all this a great update of an already great piece of software. If you’ve got $100 bucks left over from Christmas, and you don’t know what to spend it on, give the demo a whirl – it’s fully functional (but with no save).
Further info from five12.
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And an excellent series of demo videos from Jim himself.
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