Back with another soundhound, today we checking out some orchestra samples.

This is the first pack I’ve reviewed from Diginoiz, but I’m not new to them, they are a spinn-off label of fatloud, run by one of the producers for fatloud.

So though this is the first official Diginoiz review, this isn’t the first time we’ve heard form this producer.

I decided to check out Urban Avenue…..

So what is Urban Avenue?

It’s basically a collection of diverse orchestra loops geared specifically towards raw/urban music.

Not just strings, it includes horns, flutes, strings, etc…

all are played in various keys, tempos, and melodies..

very useful in urban music production.

These aren’t construction kits ( you know I like that!)

It’s just a big’ole folder of urban styled orchestra riffs and loops.

Quick Specs

• content: 100 24 bit loops
• format: wav, acid, aiff, apple, rex2, refill
• price: $30

How do they sound?

The first thing I noticed about these loops is that most of them have a dark, street vibe to them.

This is in line with the title as well as the description on the website.

What you may not realize from the title, is that it’s a pretty diverse collection, not just strings.  There’s horns, xylophones, flutes, and I even thought I heard some piano in there.

Basically it covers various instruments you would find in an orchestra, and gives you a urban slant to it.

The production itself is on point, and it doesn’t get repetitive. That is one thing I’ve always like about Fatloud, and I’m glad to see they continued it in the Diginoiz label.

Where most companies will give you thousands of loops that sound pretty identical, this collection gives you 100 very diverse loops, the styles, the sounds, the processing, everything about them keeps it diverse and thus fresh to use in your music.

Some stuff is slow and melodic, others are big and powerful, while some yet remain small and simple.

Overall you can really tell they take their time to make the most unique collections possible, by giving you as many styles of playing and production they can in one collection.

What’s the bottom line?

The bottom line is that I expect to see great things from the Diginoiz brand, since it is from the same production house as fatloud.

This is a nice, small collection of urban orchestra loops that don’t have the cliche orchestra loop sound.

Not just strings, but including various instruments gives you a well rounded collection, and since all they do is urban/pop music, it has the styles you’d like to incorporate into your music.

Sure if you want realistic orchestra loops, that sound like an orchestral arrangement, there are other options.

But if you want some unique riffs and loops, with a dark and edgy sound, then this is something to consider.

I give it a 4 out of 5 subs, I liked it, it’s useful, so much so that I wish there were more than 100 loops

But I do see the work put into each loop, so, I’ll give them a pass.

Definitely check them out over at fatloud, and don’t forget about the summer sale going on

let me know what ya think, leave a comment below

You all know I’ve been using Maschine for a while, and one question I get quite a bit is how to lay out a song using scenes.

It’s a little different than traditional song mode in a beat machine…

where you just put a pattern in a list and tell it how many times to loop.

But once you understand it…

you’ll be making songs very quickly.

Here are some things to remember about scenes, patterns, and tracks in Maschine:

• a scene is pretty much a “snapshot” that holds the state of the current pattern for each group
• There are 8 groups, each can have 64 different patterns
• Each scene can only hold up to 8 patterns, 1 for each group
• Each pattern in a group can hold 16 tracks or “sounds”
• a scene will play as long as the longest pattern in the scene, smaller patterns will repeat to match the lenght of the longest pattern
• patterns are linked across scenes, if you change a pattern in one scene, it changes in others, it’s best to use different patterns to make changes
• renaming the scenes can help you keep track and have a nice overview of your song

I hope this helps you out, if you have any questions feel free to ask as usual. Maschine is very powerful and capable of full productions, sometimes it just takes a little help to understand the best workflow for doing so.

This is by no means the only way to use Maschine, I’ve just found that this way works for a lot of folks used to building songs with patterns, and working on sections.

With all the scenes and patterns it’s definitely very flexible for live use and performance, but that’s not something I do so I wouldn’t be the best person to show you how to set that up lol.

Got strings?

Native Instruments does, and they’ve put some vintage mojo on them as well…for when you’re feeling a little nostalgic?

But…are they any good? Or is it just another cheesy attempt at a usable pop string section?

let’s see

What are Session Strings?

To contrast a lot of the larger string/orchestral libraries, Session Strings is supposed to be a good collection of string sections that fit well within the modern music production environment.

I’ve seen quite a few string libraries, most are aimed at film and orchestration uses, with every single section of the string and multiple articulations, many of which require some form of classical/orchestral training or a crash course in string theory.

Which isn’t bad, because I like those libraries too, but sometimes you just want a good string ensemble that has minimal things to tweak, and you can just add it to your track.

The expressive features are there and easy to access, they even put in a collection that they called “m town” which is supposed to capture the feel and sound of vintage 70s strings from the disco/pop/funk/rnb music.

All that sounds good, but what really matters is if these strings are useful or not.

Quick Specs

• content: 48 nki files, 10 standard and 10 mtown performance, 14 standard and 14 mtown individual patches
• format: kontakt 4 or the free kontakt player
• price: $119

How do they sound?

They sound pretty good, nice and full and usable, which is most important.

Sometimes you don’t want a library full of solo strings, sometimes you just need a good sounding section to lay as the padding for a track, to fill it out.

The recordings are done well, and in comparison to many string libraries, they aren’t drowned in reverb that is printed into the sample itself.

These have more of a “studio” sound to me, instead of a stage or concert hall sound, more like the sound of a bunch of string players in the studio, instead of on stage.

Of course you can use the included reverb to tweak or add your own.

The MTown presets are pretty cool, if you sample alot, you’ll enjoy the sound of the strings as it pretty much captures that string sound we always look for on records.

Overall, the sound is good and usable, comparable to many more advanced libraries.

Of course you don’t get every single type of articulation as you would with a full level string library, but you get the ones that are most useful when playing a string section.

So what’s the bottom line?

It’s no secret I’m a fan of the new line of Kore and Kontakt instruments form NI. It allows folks to build up quite a customized and quality library without the investment of full products and software.

The fact that you can play any of these instruments in their free players is awesome, plus, if you want to upgrade, they work in the full versions.

I really like the sound of the Session Strings, and find myself going back to these over a lot of the larger libraries just for how immediate they are and how I can just pull up a sound, tweak, and have what I need.

The animator is pretty cool, could be useful, but I would have liked to see it more user editable. If they add another tab beside the fx tab, where you could pull up the step/graph editor, and tweak each included groove that would be awesome.

This would give you a mini string section sequencer inside the interface….maybe in an update?

Overall, it’s a useful library, with a good sound that will fit many situations.  Some of the falls/scoops can be a bit cheesy at times but hey, alot of the music we were inspired by from the past was pretty cheesy lol, it’s sorta like salt…it’s good in moderation, just don’t over do it!

I give this library a 4 out of 5 subs, I really liked it, but wish the animator was editable as it’s a great feature of the library but can get pretty old pretty quick with the two knobs used to tweak it.

If you want some good strings, and even some vintage sounding tones, definitely read up on it and check it out.

It’s a great alternative to spending hundreds on string libraries that may not have the tone, or ease of use you need for adding a simple string section to modern tracks.

Go on over and check it out: native instruments session strings

let me know what ya think!

It’s friday, Big Fish Friday….

Let’s get into it!

Today I’m taking a look at something that will excite those that tend to venture out into video game, media, film, trailer, and other forms of epic style music.

Sometimes you just need BIG DRUMS….

Thankfully Cinesamples felt the same way, so they decided to create Drums of War!

What is Drums of War?

Exactly what is sounds like, a library dedicated to HUGE, epic, booming drum/percussion.

It is a small, laser focused collection dedicated entirely to cinematic drum sound.

It’s not a “general use” drum library, it is a sample library made for very specific reasons.

If you’re the type that like to use big drums for battle scenes, chase scenes, monster steps, alien warship invasions, or the terrible twos of a toddler then it’s worth a look.

Quick Specs

• Content: 14 dedicated drum patches in 48k/24 bit or 96k/24 bit
• Format: kontakt and exs
• Price: $99 (48k/24 bit) and $129 (48k/24 bit)

How does it sound?

That’s the whole reason to look into a library like this, for the sound.

I really like the tone of the preset patches, they definitely deliver on the “huge” drum sound.

But what I really like is the simple eq/dynamic controls on the front panel that allow you to customize your sounds quickly.

If something isn’t “big” enough for you, it’s easy to tweak it to get exactly what you want.

I also like that it doesn’t really have that “orchestral percussion” feel that seems to come with most “cinematic” percussion libraries.

The fact that I’m free to use my own reverbs and such, and that the initial tone and quality of the drums are so up front is a plus.

I’m sure this has a lot to do with my personal preference, as I love these types of sounds, epic, and emotional.

So what is the bottom line?

The bottom line for me personally is, I find it hard to find any faults in the library.

Reason being, it’s very specific in it’s scope as well as it’s target user base.

Looking at it in light of it’s intention, I say it lives up to it’s purpose quite easily.

I give this a 5 out of 5 subs, I just really like how simple, straight forward, and great sounding this library is.

You don’t have to dig through thousands of patches to find what you need, and no matter how much you use it, this sound will never become “old” , it could quite literally be the main “big drum” library you use any time you need that sound.

Checkout the demos, (drums of war at  big fish audio) and see what else is coming out of Cinesamples, if this library is any indication, then you owe it to yourself to see what else they have in their product line.

let me know what ya think!

Time to checkout some more samples, for those that like to mix the live jazzy sound with hip hop and downtempo funk.

Today I’m doing a review of Doodlebug’s Jazzy Hip Hop Theory, a jazzy hip hop library released by Loopmasters.

Some of the new school folks may not know who Digable Planets are…let’s just say, they ARE jazzy hip hop!

Doodlebug is a member from this very group.

So let’s check this joint out!

So what is Doodlebug’s Jazzy Hip Hop Theory?

It’s that real jazzy hip hop, played by the very same live musicians that have been playing with Doodlebug throughout his career from Digable Planets to his own solo stuff.

If you got a real appetite for that classic, jazz influenced hip hop, boom bap, back pack, funk-rap sound…

then this may be your thing.

You get real live drum loops, electric and upright bass, as well as some saxy flute lovin.

You also get some nice guitar riffs as well as a few vocals/phrases to play with

Quick Specs

• Content: 622Mb, 580 samples
• Format: rex, wav, kontakt, exs, refill, ableton live pack, nnxt, rmx, apple loops
• Price: $37.16

So how does it sound?

Authentic…

It really does have that live, jazzy feel to it.

The drums got that loose groove many love to chop or find off of records and loop.

The electric bass if funky while that upright bass has that laid back groove that reminds you of those classic 90′s tracks.

The flutes and saxes are played well, so authentic you can even hear some of the breathing! lol…

They even included some of those classic sounding vocals, well recorded so you could definitely use them in your tracks.

The quality is great, and the variety/style of the production is on point, feels like you’ve gained access to old 2 inch tapes of Digable Planets sessions.

So what’s the bottom line?

I really enjoyed this library, though I did have one major fault with it.

For it to be dedicated to jazzy hip hop, there was an obvious absence of ep/rhodes sounds….

which to me are pretty much synonymous with jazzy hip hop

I give this library a 4 out of 5 subs, no doubt, the addition of some live played rhodes/ep sounds would have made it that much stronger and complete.

That said, there’s really nothing to dislike about the content that’s there, it leaves you wanting more, and hoping for a volume 2

If there is a volume 2, I definitely hope they capture some of those jazzy chops from their live keyboard musicians

Overall it’s a nice authentic library, and captures that live sound perfectly…I know a few people that will pretty much fall in love with this one instantly.

The price is reasonable as well, making it an all around useful product.

You can check it out over at Loopmasters website: doodlebug jazzy hip hop

let me know what you think, leave a comment below.

If you’re like me, you absolutely LOVE electric piano sounds.

The sound itself is so versatile, from smooth, to rough, to silky, to jagged…the search for the perfect EP is never-ending.

Unless of course you have one of the classics (I’d love to own an actual vintage rhodes)

But when it comes to sample libraries and software instruments, there are many choices in this…and it really comes down to tastes.

Today I’m checking out Scarbee Vintage Keys, a Kontakt instrument available from Native Instruments.

So what is Scarbee Vintage Keys?

It’s a collection of 3 of the most sought after, popular, and best sounding electronic keyboards ever made.

The collection is made up of the “Wurly” A-200, Honer Clavinet, and the Rhodes Mark I

Each instrument is sampled in great detail, paired with a useful interface for quickly dialing in various fx, parameters and tweaks.

You can get it as a bundle or buy the single instrument/instruments that you prefer.

There isn’t a bunch of instruments in each collection, you get the best, basic sound of each instrument, along with various fx presets to change it up instantly.

Quick Specs

• Content: 5.9GB of 24bit samples
• Format: Kontakt 4/Kontakt player
• Price: $79 each or $169 for the complete bundle

How does it sound?

I am a fanatic for electric pianos and I am always looking for something as close to the real thing as possible.   I’m just saying, when I started playing these instruments, I instantly fell in love with the tone and feel of them.

Now I will say, I’m not a huge Clavinet fan, so I didn’t spend much time with it, but I AM a HUUUUUUUUUUUGE fan of the Mark I and A-200 instruments.

I really like the tone and quality of the instruments in their default settings, but the ability to quickly dial in different tweaks from the user interface is awesome.

Chorus, pan, wah, treble, reverb, bass, and many other simple fx are right there.

Distortion, amp, compression, etc…this makes it very quick to come up with the exact sound you want, right there in the interface.

Not to mention there are some pretty dope preset fx settings that will allow you to instantly dial up a specific sound or experimental tone

I really can’t say enough about the samples, holding a note allows you to hear the key all the way out to it’s natural decay, you also have knobs to tweak the sound of the original instrument keys/release samples…and it doesn’t sound “gimmicky” at all.

These instruments mix deep, intense, “perfectionist” style sampling with a very straight-forward and easy to use interface.

Once you hear it, you’ll know what I mean

So what’s the bottom line?

I’ve spent years looking for EP samples that captured the feel and sound I was used to hearing on records.

I’ve been through keyboard workstations, physically modeled instruments, and years/shelves worth of akai sample cds, kontakt instruments, soundfonts…whatever.

When I first installed and played the Mark I instrument in this collection, I finally felt like I had “found it”

I spend an hour or so just playing with the Mark I and A-200 instruments, I even played with the clavinet for a little while just tweaking parameters and listening.

When an instrument that I don’t have a particular love for (the clavi) still sounds amazing to me, then you know they did something right.

This was my first experience with any instrument from Scarbee…and I will say the reputation is well deserved.

I don’t quite know what he does in his process/programming to get such great sounding, dynamic, playable…and down right DOPE instruments, but I like it.

I give this collection without a doubt a 5 out of 5 subs, it’s focused on one thing and one thing only.

Providing the best “sampled” or “virtual” replica of these classic instruments to musicians everywhere.

I say they succeeded, and I will admit that the EP is probably my favorite instrument to use in my music.

I’m always checking out the EPs FIRST on any new workstation, sampler, or instrument I get.

I was excited to see what the physical modeling technology that has shown up in several instruments would do with the EP, and while they offer some good instruments in their own right, I feel like with the Scarbee Vintage Keys….there’s really no need for physical modeling.

That’s my opinion…and I stand on it 100%

Go on over and checkout the Vintage Keys collection at the Native Instruments site: Scarbee Vintage Keys

Not a lot to say on this one, some free drums from trauhmadrums.com and I like them

Peep this quick video and go download them, he’s cool peeps and didn’t know I was doin this video but I love to show love to the smaller developers and he has some create drums.

check it out

download at http://www.traumahdrums.com./

lemme know what you think.

I know I just posted a video of how to sequencing plugins in Live from Maschine standalone.

But this is a little different.

This if for those that want to use Maschine as a plugin within Live, yet not use Maschine’s sequencer.

This will let you record the midi data into Live’s sequencer while still using the pads/sampler of Maschine.

You would think this would be simple, just load the plugin and go, but it’s not…and many try to figure out how to do it in their DAW.

Anyway, this is a quick video showing how to set it up, so you have each Maschine group on a different track in Live.

If you prefer to do all your sequencing in Live, yet still want to use Maschine, this is a great way to do it.