ONE-SHOTS
Dec 1, 2005 12:00 PM, By Jason Scott Alexander
BIGGA GIGGAS THE FM ENCYCLOPEDIA
GIGASTUDIO SAMPLE COLLECTION
Not content with merely sampling the classic and now somewhat acquired taste of Yamaha's original factory presets, Bigga Gigga's John Thomas took on the Herculean task of custom-programming nearly 200 new patches on his DX7 and multisampling them as the basis for this library. Spanning three DVDs, more than 10.5 GB of 24-bit, 48kHz mono samples have been mapped into a total of 188 GIG files to create more than 650 instrument presets. Programmed specifically to take advantage of GigaStudio 3's performance features, the FM Encyclopedia does a good job of living up to its name, providing spot-on keymaps (upward of eight velocity layers on some programs) of virtually every classic sound type and effect from the original brown DX. All of the great electric pianos, organs and Clavs — not to mention fantastic, cutting FM-style leads; punchy basses; and pads — are perfectly preserved and ready to be dropped into the most current hip-hop, R&B or pop project.
Through Giga preset editing, Thomas provides several variations on the sampled source, many making use of mod-wheel filter control. Even more, using GS3's stacked instrument feature, you can quickly combine the presets to create your own DX7 stacks in no time. For those who have invested in making GigaStudio3 their main sound source, though, the FM Encyclopedia represents the most comprehensive one-stop source of FM sounds you're going to find.
BIGGA GIGGAS (DIST. BY GLASSTRAX MUSIC)
THE FM ENCYCLOPEDIA > $195
At a glance: Three-DVD set containing multisamples of custom DX7 sounds recorded in 24-bit, 48kHz mono. Exclusively programmed for GigaStudio 3.
Contact: www.glasstrax.com/biggagiggas
LOOPMASTERS AFRO-LATIN PRODUCER
SAMPLE COLLECTION
The popular Loopmasters Origin Series grows again with Afro-Latin Producer, taking to the beaches, bars and clubs of Brazil, Argentina and Cuba for an authentic yet impressively progressive exploration of cultural samples and loops. Loopmasters provides more than 1,350 samples as Acidized WAV and REX2 files, with more than 30 multisamples prepared specially for NN-XT, HALion, Kontakt and EXS24 formats. An audio CD is also included for easy auditioning of loops and samples.
Designed to be a comprehensive toolkit for blending interchangeable Afro-Latin flavors into your productions as little or as much as you like, the selection includes live-played drum loops; classical and electric guitars as chords, looped riffs and single notes; live bass lines and multis; sizzling sax and trumpet loops and hits; Rhodes and Cuban acoustic-piano phrases; percussion loops; five drum- and percussion-kit multis; effects kits; and more. In great Loopmasters fashion, everything deserving is arranged in tempo-categorized folders from 90 to 160 bpm. The drum loops are decadent, expressing distinctly modern club flavors such as Latin disco, funk and house; tribal; and world jazz. Getting above 135 bpm is absolutely exhilarating with doses of Brazilian techno, freestyle jazz, carnival snaring and frenetic Brazilian drum 'n' bass. With tons of loops, multisampled instruments, full drum kits and more, this represents awesome value for the money — and a great way to heat up the cold winter nights!
LOOPMASTERS (DIST. BY BIG FISH AUDIO)
AFRO-LATIN PRODUCER > $69.95
At a glance: South American rhythms and instrument loops with a progressive club and jazz-fusion flavor. NN-XT/EXS24/HALion/Kontakt/REX/WAV/audio CD.
Contact: www.bigfishaudio.com
SONY DR.FINK'S FUNK FACTORY
SAMPLE AND LOOP COLLECTION
For more than 10 years, Matt Fink held down the keyboard spot in one of the most influential funk bands of all time: Prince and the Revolution. Sony sets up this two-disc toolkit-style collection with promises of a library that delivers “all the core components of the classic Eighties pop/funk sound.” Stylistically, Fink is true to the era by offering up two- and four-bar Acidized funk beats and both electric- and synth-based instrument phrases. On many beats, he draws from the original Linn LM-1 Drum Machine for that classic chunky sound. On keys — in addition to vintage Rhodes, Wurlitzer and Clavinet — Fink also enlists the modern help of the Korg Trinity and Karma, the Roland XV-3080 and the Access Virus b.
Although the prescription is enticing of a good buzz, the white-bread funk programming disappoints — sounding, for the most part, reminiscent of every lame ROM demo I've ever heard. This is the same Matt Fink that Prince hired to help define his “sound”? Uninspiring and uninventive sums up much of the discs' middling sequences, bass loops, effects, orchestra hits and keyboards folders. Nevertheless, I did manage to find the odd treat or two: Within the sizable collection of synth brass are some wonderful phrases that I could imagine playing off Sheila E.'s blazing stick work, and another folder holds more than 70 beautiful analog-synth pads and solos. Overall, I can't help but feel that, even some 25 years after the fact, this stuff isn't half as groundbreaking as what the Revolution originally dropped. Sorry, Doc, but this one's in need of a checkup!
SONY
DR. FINK'S FUNK FACTORY > $99.95
At a glance: Two-CD collection of electro- and synth-funk phrases and loops in Acidized WAV format.
Contact: www.sonymediasoftware.com
| Want to use this article? Click here for options! |  |
