ONE-SHOTS
Sep 1, 2003 12:00 PM, By Dave Hill Jr.
Native Instruments Vokator
VIRTUAL INSTRUMENT
It would be entirely too straightforward for Native Instruments to replicate something so kitsch as an analog vocoder. Case in point: NI's new Vokator chews up your mama's old vocoder and spits out the pieces. Working as either a plug-in (VST 2.0, DXi and RTAS) or stand-alone, Vokator is the sophomore release in NI's Spektral series of audio effects and sound-shaping software. Anyone familiar with NI will not be surprised by Vokator's ability to act as a dual-oscillator synth or granular sampler, as well as a traditional vocoder. I tested Vokator with Emagic Logic Audio 5.5 (VST), Cakewalk Sonar 2.2 (DXi), Ableton Live 2.0 (as a VST effect) and stand-alone, all with inspiring results. Installation was quick and obvious, but learning the ins and outs of Vokator was not. The complexity of this unusual sound sculptor begs for step-by-step tutorials (none included). Still, after loading several of Vokator's factory presets and experimenting with a few of Vokator's effects — such as Foam, Time Sponge and Jello Mold — and tinkering with various filter and modulation possibilities, I must congratulate NI for yet another deep and original instrument. Or is it an effect? NI's ingenious Morph section allows you to gradually “interpolate” (transition from) the different settings in both oscillators, LFO, chorus, mix and envelope settings with a single slider. You can “morph” between five separate user-configurable “snapshot” settings to create some otherworldly sonic migrations. Imagine slowly applying the LFO, chorus and mix settings from your favorite pad to a drum loop or vice versa. Now, add Vokator's 12-step chord sequencer, and watch Vokator sing.
Product Summary
NATIVE INSTRUMENTS
VOKATOR > $299
At a glance: Modernized vocoder effect plug-in, synth and sample player.
Contact: tel. (866) 556-6487; e-mail info@native-instruments.de; Web www.native-instruments.com
PrimeSounds Methods of Mayhem II
SAMPLE CD
Diabolically distorted, heavily compressed, artfully agitated and just plain disrespectful, Methods of Mayhem II: Damage Control is a two-CD (one audio, one WAV/REX files) collection of crushing rhythms, crackling one-shots and festering feedback experimentation for the hardcore-only crowd. Loops are divvied up into logical sections with tempos and key directives in a two-page fold-out with DVD-style packaging. Diving into Mayhem, I found Drumbs and Hypercussion's fat-filtered and heavily processed grooves to be delightfully obnoxious, if at times a little too randomly programmed. Each drum loop also includes its corresponding one-shots in a separate file for easy fill and beat recombining. The Four String Fury (bass) and Grind Zone (guitar) loops will surely rattle the teeth of your bass and guitar-playing buddies. The ball-busting riffs here are rooted in metal, punk and industrial yet could still thrive in an aggressive electronica or techno track. Bonus bits, squeals and noise called Bass FX, Fret FX, Ear Candy, Feedscapes and Sub Zero are just too harsh for anyone who bought P-Diddy or J-Lo's last record. Seriously, though, this sequel to Methods of Mayhem offers up dark and chaotic instrumental moods that would move Trent Reznor to tears. Here's to hoping it's going to be a trilogy.
Product Summary
PRIMESOUNDS (DIST. BY BIG FISH AUDIO)
METHODS OF MAYHEM II > $99.95
At a glance: Audio, WAV and REX loop and sample library.
Contact: tel. (800) 717-3474; e-mail info@bigfishaudio.com; Web www.bigfishaudio.com
AMG Pukka Masala
REASON REFILL
Despite what you're thinking, Pandit Dinesh's Pukka Masala is not some spicy curried onion and chickpea dish. Rather, it's a tasty Propellerhead Reason ReFill CD packed with 300 MB full of Dinesh's ethno-savvy yet dance-music-friendly multitracked drum orchestrations. PM boasts a wide collection of India-born tabla selections nestled between conga, bongo, djembe, sarod, madal and other obscure hand-drum and percussion performances. Most of PM's grooves are aching to be laced into a funky house or percussive techno track rather than a traditional ethnic piece. For instance, filtering tablas with the lowpass filter on the Dr.Rex can quickly produce some perky synth stabs and reso-squelches. All of the loops in the single REX folder are named according to Dinesh's inspiration: “Battery,” “Sawan” and “N Indian Festival” standout as exceptionally well-played groups of drumming. Although PM's grooves are all in REX 2.0 format, there are eight NN19 instrument patches, which include a sitar glissando, a droning saranghi lick and a few of Dinesh's own chanting vocals. Perhaps PM was put together in a hurry, because there is little documentation and a few loop files are over the 92-slice limit, so they will not load in Dr.Rex. Still, I'm a sucker for tabla.
Product Summary
AMG
PUKKA MASALA > £60 (APPROX. $100)
At a glance: ReFill for Propellerhead Reason (all versions).
Contact: tel. 44-125-271-7333; e-mail matt@amguk.demon.co.uk; Web www.amguk.co.uk or www.reasonrefills.com
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