ONE-SHOTS
Aug 1, 2003 12:00 PM, By Dave Hill Jr.
Bitshift Audio Phatfactory|001
VIRTUAL INSTRUMENT
Loop junkies may remember Bitshift Audio's Phatmatik VST REX-file player plug-in, which specialized in playing sliced-up Propellerhead ReCycle or WAV-file loops (similar to Reason's REX player). With Phatfactory|001, Bitshift changes gears by adding more than 400 MB of synthesizer-driven patterns and drum-loop sample content that can be tweaked using Phatfactory's space-age VST interface (which requires a VST-capable host). Unlike with most VST Instruments of this nature, you do not have to install the entire CD on your hard drive: Simply run the loop content from the CD or install the files that you are interested in. Unfortunately, Phatfactory only runs with the provided sample content, which is divided into two folders: Bitshift and Solida (created by programmer Scot Solida). Both groups feature drums and synths that sound edgy; analog; biting; energetic; and, to be fair, shrill and somewhat inconsistent in volume. I enjoyed the electro tonalities and punchy percussion sounds but found the most inspiration and creative power by working with Phatfactory|001's interface. Take the individual slice controls — with velocity-controlled filter, pitch and amplitude settings — or the “play in reverse'' slice assignments, and you have quite a toy. Add to that a master control section complete with delay, two LFOs, distortion and a clever mod matrix, and you have some supreme loop-shaping tools.
Product Summary
BITSHIFT AUDIO (DIST. BY BIG FISH AUDIO)
PHATFACTORY|001 >$150
At a glance: VSTi loop player with sample library.
Contact: tel. (800) 717-3474; e-mail info@bigfishaudio.com; Web www.bigfishaudio.com
Emagic Xtreme HipHop
SAMPLE COLLECTION
Hip-hop production has always been obscured by smoke and mirrors — a good deal more of the former than the latter. Casting light on these shadows, Emagic unveils its third and most comprehensive sample library to date, Xtreme HipHop, for EXS24 and EXSP24 samplers. Spearheaded by King Tech and DJ Revolution of San Francisco radio station KMEL's heavy-hitting The Wake Up Show, Xtreme HipHop is a supreme collection of kicks, snares, hi-hats and other percussive rolls and one-shots. And why wouldn't it be? Xtreme, in this case, means mainstream, comprising the efforts of top-shelf joint makers Dan the Automator, KutMasta Kurt, T-Bone, Kamal (The Roots), Pete Rock, QBert, Prince Paul, the Wu-Tang's RZA and others. All loops are provided as both 16- and 24-bit AIFF files, as well as REX2, so the loops and hits work in any sampler. Single hits are the backbone of this collection and are sorted according to attitude: Beefed Kicks; Big 'n Low Kicks; Dirty Snares; Kitchen Sink Snares; and, my favorite, Xtra Hot Kicks and Snares. My two biggest complaints about Xtreme HipHop are that the loops aren't preconfigured to loop within the EXS24 and that the given loop and sample titles make no mention of their creators. I want to know if I'm rockin' it like Pete Rock or gettin' down with RZA. Nevertheless, plenty of Automator's signature muffled drum tones and Pete Rock's crackling snares and hats are present.
Product Summary
EMAGIC
XTREME HIPHOP > $129
At a glance: Hip-hop one-shot and loop library for EXS24 and EXSP24 samplers.
Contact: tel. (530) 477-1053; e-mail info@emagicusa.com; Web www.emagic.de
Peace Love Productions Warped Space
SAMPLE CD
Although the name Peace Love Productions may conjure images of smoke and veggie-burrito-filled Volkswagen buses, make no mistake: Jason Donnelly (aka DJ Puzzle) and Bernard Turek come prepared to explore the deepest regions of symphonic moodscapes, delectable analog rumble and warbling drone and beat beds. For 25 bucks, Warped Space is a supreme bargain and a must-have for anyone looking to re-create a Boards of Canada, Dntel or Manitoba vibe. Each of the single CD's 282 samples comes prelooped and ready for insertion into your favorite WAV-playing sampler, Sonic Foundry Acid Pro or Ableton Live. Among my favorites are the 78 ambient pads and 30 ambient beds (called Ambient Space on the disc), whose patient filter sweeps and grainy quality soothe as they operate for several seconds apiece. The 80 included drum loops are also tastefully programmed musical journeys that would be equally at home in IDM, braindance, electro and industrial, as well as richer and more subtle forms of electronica. PLP hints that the sounds were made using Native Instruments Reaktor, Cycling '74 Pluggo and that classic Roland Juno-106, but by and large, the sounds materialized through some deft resampling. Thirty-seven accents and 15 melodies round out the collection, but they don't quite live up to my first listen to the ambiences. Maybe it's my warped head space.
Product Summary
PEACE LOVE PRODUCTIONS
WARPED SPACE > $25
At a glance: Acid-ready WAV sample and loop CD with emphasis on ambient music.
Contact: tel. (888) 251-2002; e-mail info@peaceloveproductions.com; Web www.peaceloveproductions.com
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