Sample Libraries

Appraisals of the latest sample CDs: Alma Flamenco • A Funky Future • Vienna Overdrive • Cuckooland Completely Bonkers.

Multi-gigabyte sample libraries offer unprecedented realism and lots of potential for confusion. Redmatica's neat OS X utility allows Emagic EXS24 users to tame their unruly sample collections.

It's another multi-DVD orchestral library! Does it merit a thunderous introductory timp roll or a feeble tap on a vibraslap? Find out...

We review: Cimbalom **** • Jazz/World *** • Neo Soul **** • Vienna Concert Guitar *****

This month: Amazing Thailand **** • LA Riot V ***** • WEP ***** • White Grand ****.

Retailing at a paltry nine GBP per Gigabyte, this huge orchestral brass library from the USA appears to offer a big-screen experience at a Blockbusters price. Is there a catch?

This month's reviews: Atsiã ***** • Blister Pak ***** • Dub Basis **** • Evolution ****.

We review Project SAM Trumpets ***** • PLP Essential Dance Collection **** • Samplecraze Drumm ****.

The eagerly awaited upgrade from the VSL team breaks all records for size, depth and scope. Is it the be-all and end-all of orchestral sound libraries?

We check out: Amps & Pickups 2 **** • Post-Estonia Grand Piano **** • Brush Artistry **** • Distoteque **** • Tower Of Funk *** • Post Orchestral Instruments ***

Auditioned this month: Xtreme House **** • World Winds **** • Scott Rockenfield Queensryche Drums ****

Looking for rockin' drum kits, classic synths and world instruments? We sample the delights of four more library CDs.

• The Dark Side Of The Groove **** • Kick-ass Brass ***** • Drum N Bass Fast Forward **** • Phat Beats From The Box ******

We sample the delights of: Bombay Loops & Sounds **** • Da Nu RnB Hip Hop Two ***** • PMI Yamaha C7 ***

• Drumkit From Hell Add-ons **** • Nu Metal **** • PMI Historic Keyboards **** • Pukka Masala ****

With PE main man Chuck D (alongside Gary G-Wiz) on production, this library features 49 original construction kits spread over two audio CDs.

This Adobe Premiere plug-in has now been ported to two different real-time plug-in formats: VST (for Mac OS 9, OS X and Windows) and Apple's new Audio Unit standard (for OS X).

Flatpack contains a large selection of patches and sample sets for each of the modules in Reason v2 and, though largely electronic in character, it steers clear of catering for any single, specific style or genre.

Considering the kinds of cutting-edge dance music styles that are usually associated with Reason, the idea of a General MIDI Refill might appear to be a bit of a strange one...

Cinematix Vol. 1: 3* • James Johnson Spektral Minimalism: 5* • Robert Rich Ambient Atmospheres & Rhythms: 4* • Numina Emotional Peak Sounds For Cinema: 5* • Orchestral Series 3: Cinematic: 4*

**** While you might think that the large number of high-quality sampled pianos already available would cater for most musicians' needs, there has always been a breed of piano largely absent: namely, upright pianos...