AMG
Aug 1, 2001 12:00 PM, Dave Hill Jr.
As if Reason 1.0 weren't cool enough, AMG has unleashed 160 dB, the world's first batch of funk, trance, techno, and drum 'n' bass sounds in the ReFill file format. The CD gives Reason users more sounds, greater loop flexibility, and some ready-made patchwork, all for only $49.95.
Although 160 dB is technically a rerelease of AMG's Catalyst Series, vol. 2, the addition of more than 70 NN-19 multisamples, 40 Subtractor synth patches, and 10 ReDrum drum kits will add healthy production power to your Reason 1.0 jam station. Several hundred clean, creative, and style-specific REX-formatted drum and music loops are also built into this package. REX files make time stretching and real-time sample previewing a reality — as fans of Propellerhead's (www.propellerheads.se) ReCycle 1.x and Reason 1.0 programs are already well aware.
Other additions to this ReFill package are five stylized Reason songs (in RNS format) that ease the pain of setup. With their effects and instruments prerouted (patched), “Dark,” “Jazzy,” “Jumpup,” “Tek,” and “Trancy” allow you to get right to the business of composing. Each RNS file offers 16 bars of minimal yet stylistically authentic programming. The total ReFill file is almost 210 MB, which you should completely install on your hard drive to speed up shuffling between patches and sounds.
The most obvious reasons for adding 160 dB to your drum 'n' bass creation process are the more than 100 REX beats and breaks, which work in Reason's Dr. Rex. Grooves are categorized as either Breakbeats or Live Drums. The Breakbeats are a mix of acoustic and electronic kits with some mixed-in percussion. These loops tend to be funkier, punchier, and tighter than the Live Drums batch, which is split between James Brown-style funk and hip-hop, with a score of expertly trashed-out rhythms to round out the group. All of these rhythms are suited to acid jazz, hip-hop, funk, and R&B, as well as to drum 'n' bass.
In addition to heaps of head-nodding grooves, AMG has included the sounds of upright bass, Fender Rhodes, saxophone, and effects loops, all in the REX file format. The format's flexibility in terms of different LFOs and filtering parameters makes the feel and sound of these excellent loops easily shapable. Also, by imposing user-groove feels or using Reason's sequencer feel enhancements like shuffle quantization, you can get these REX loops to form-fit your music in a manner rarely seen with traditional sample CDs.
My only complaint is that producers N-Jay stopped at 210 MB. Rest assured, however, that AMG has some good stuff on the way, including the launch of www.reasonrefills.com and the REX2 (stereo REX files) rerelease of Phil Gould on Drums, produced by none other than the talented ex-Level 42 drummer Phil Gould. I can't imagine other sample-CD companies waiting too long to jump on both the REX2 and the ReFill format. It sure makes our loopy lives a bit easier.
Overall Rating (out of 5): 4.5
AMG/EastWest (distributor);
tel. (800) 833-8339 or (310) 271-6969;
Web www.amguk.co.uk and www.soundsonline.com
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