Marble 2: Kontakt Sequencer Instrument by Cinematique Instruments

Marble 2 has two parallel sound slots, each with an open 16-step sequencer. Open means every step can carry its own values for eleven parameters, among them velocity, pan, length, distortion or bit depth, lowpass filter, tuning, micro tuning, chorus, repetition, reverb and delay. For textures, each step can also set a start point in the sample.

The real-time shaping section adds a further layer. Thirteen effects can be adjusted for each of the 127 steps in the table, and the mod wheel runs through those steps to recall the settings. Changes to the sound happen while the pattern plays, which makes it practical for performing and tweaking patterns on the fly.

The 63 sound sources include synths, organic sounds, 16 percussion sources ranging from deep and powerful to urban, and 16 field recording samples and textures. The developer reports more than 2,500 single samples in total.

The preset browser is organized into 23 filterable categories, and you can save patterns to a favorites list. The included presets, around 400 in all, include hybrid percussion loops, atmospheric melodies and field recording snippets, which can serve as starting points for your own arrangements.