Rating: ***** 5/5 Stars
SOS reviewed the original Rytmik library from Cinematique Instruments in the January 2021 issue. As with many of the company’s titles, it was perhaps aimed primarily at working media composers and had a price tag that reflected that. However, the slightly left‑field collection of drum and percussion sounds and cool/creative UI provided a winning — if somewhat quirky — combination. Unsurprisingly, Rytmik II follows the same broad concept and, thanks to an expanded sample base and some thoughtful evolution of the UI, promises to make something that was already very good even better.
Rytmik II delivers some 350 individual sound sources that span sound‑designed booms, drum sounds (both conventional and unconventional) and a wide range of percussion‑style sounds. Within an individual preset, a combination of these can be organised into the 14‑lane step‑sequencing environment, with sequences up to 32 steps in length that also offers per‑lane sequencing of effects. There are mixing control options for each lane, global effects, and flexible sound modulation options. All of these functions are spread across three main pages (accessed via tab icons located towards the top‑left of the UI) while a fourth page — the default on opening the instrument within Kontakt — provides a very neat browser with tag‑based categories to filter your selection from the 500+ supplied presets. Filters such as Organic, Electro, Cinematic, Dark, Ticking, Busy or Lazy hint at the intended styles but, almost wherever you look, there is something interesting, intriguing and inspiring to find. The presets do a great job of showcasing just how good Rytmik II can sound.
There are a lot of very cool features built into the sequencing and effects engines. For example, within the Mixer screen, you can select a sound to access more detailed settings for that sound. This includes its step‑sequencing options but also randomisation options that allow you to control which element (pattern, sound, EQ, etc, or everything) get randomised. It’s a great way to experiment with changing up a pattern to either give it a different flavour or to add variety. Also excellent are the global attack and decay controls that operate on all sounds within the current preset and allow you to shift it from sharp and snappy to soft and boomy and all flavours in between. Even better, you can automate these and create some fabulous variations in dynamics. And there is plenty more to discover once you dig in.
The original Rytmik was very good indeed; Rytmik II is even better.
Rytmik II is the kind of thing Cinematique Instruments do so well. While the price might put it beyond some, working media composers or more experimental pop music producers will find plenty to love here. The UI is cool and encourages experimentation, the sounds are wonderfully quirky, and the extensive preset collection will inspire straight out of the box. The original Rytmik was very good indeed; Rytmik II is even better.
€196.35
www.cinematique‑instruments.com
€165