Sample Libraries

Sample and loop libraries have come a long way from being delivered on a humble audio CD — the most recent trend is to include a specific playback front-end for easy integration with your sequencer.

When it comes to drum sounds, BFD and its XFL expansion pack offer unprecedented levels of detail and flexibility, totalling over 30GB of sample data. Is it overkill, or the rhythm programmer's ultimate weapon?

Appraisals of Sample Lab Drum Fundamentals 4* • Tekniks Blue Shock 3* • Smart Loops Pro Drum Works (Volume One) 4* • Cycles Volume Two: Unnatural Rhythm 4*

Sonic Implants extend their New World Symphony with an orchestral brass sample library.

Reviews/appraisals of the latest sample CDs: VSL Chamber Strings 6* • VSL French Oboe 6* • Zero-G Akoustik Bass Hitz 6* • PMI Consolidated! 3*

This DVD disc is intended to demonstrate 5.1 surround-sound techniques, with four world-class drummers providing the source material.

Rather than using modelling technology to emulate classic synths, Ultimate Sound Bank have created an eight-Gigabyte sample library and packaged it with an accessible virtual instrument front end.

Reviews/appraisals of the latest sample CDs: VSL Woodwind Ensembles 6* • VSL Epic Horns 6* • Loopmasters Percussionism 6* • PMI Baroque Organ 5*

Reviews/appraisals of the latest sample CDs: Tekniks Xtreme House 2 ***** • PMI The Emperor ***** • Tekniks Ghetto Grooves 2 **** • PMI The Old Lady *****

Gary Garritan takes on the orchestral behemoths with a small but perfectly formed library packed with extra features.

Reviews/appraisals of the latest sample CDs:Luscious Grooves 5* MULTI-FORMAT; Electro Magnetic Pulse 4* AUDIO+WAV+REX; SAM Solo Sessions 4* MULTI-FORMAT; Saophones 1 5* GIGASTUDIO/EXS24 MKII.

Reviews/appraisals of the latest sample CDs: PCP-80 Electric Grand 5* •  Solo Strings 5* • Tool Shed Percussion 5* • Woodwind Collection Expanded Edition 4*

Reviews/appraisals of the latest sample CDs: The Legend Of China 4* • Freaky Jazzy Funky 2 4* • Glass & Stones 5* • Opus 1 5*

These days, if your sample library is going to be a success, it seems you've got to release it with a virtual-instrument front-end. Analogue synth fanatic and long-standing sample-library producer Ian Boddy does not disappoint with his latest creation...

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 ****.