Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ 4/5 Stars
Based on the same single‑screen interface as other recent Quiet Music releases, and supporting the usual macOS/Windows 64‑bit plug‑in formats (though not AAX), DreamWaves is based on the sounds of electric pianos that have been modified and processed to make them sound ambient, ethereal, lo‑fi — and in some instances mildly disturbing. The instrument comes with 71 multisampled presets and requires 3.5GB of hard drive space. There’s also a free Lite version offering just seven presets, but it is otherwise fully functional with all the same controls.
DreamWaves’ interface provides flexible but non‑intimidating controls divided into marked sections. These are used to modify the presets using a volume ADSR envelope, resonant filtering and LFO modulation, plus onboard effect sections covering reverb, chorus, delay and distortion. Each effect section has its own bypass button and the controls are much as you’d expect to find on an effects pedal. A Cab button allows cabinet emulation to be added to the distortion section to smooth off some of the rough edges and to add character. The modulation section offers a choice of LFO waveforms with selectable source and destination options, while the resonant filter can be set to low‑pass or high‑pass. There’s no envelope control for the filter, though — you just set it and leave it. Master volume and tune controls are also included, and a virtual keyboard in the centre of the GUI allows sounds to be auditioned using the mouse.
Some of the sounds are recognisable as having started life as an electric piano, others less so, but in all cases you can transform them into something very different using the controls, for example by adding a slow attack, adjusting the filter and tweaking the effects. There are lo‑fi type electric pianos here but also sounds reminiscent of tongue drums, organs and even otherworldly strings. Some make excellent pads with a bit of attack rolled off, and the Epianic and Evolvnt presets have an almost vocal quality to them. Other presets hint at marimbas or bowed glasses.
DreamWaves is something of a bargain and provides a quick and easy way of serving up inspirational sounds.
Given the low cost and ease of use, DreamWaves is something of a bargain and provides a quick and easy way of serving up inspirational sounds, especially for those working in the ambient, chill and lo‑fi genres. It may not be super‑sophisticated but its instant gratification potential should win it a lot of friends.
€36
€30