Hey fam, what’s good!
Back with another Big Fish Friday for ya…and I got some more sound design goodies.
If you remember I did a review a while ago on a library called Cinematic Sound Design
Now I’m back with the follow up to that library, it’s called Darkness.
Let’s check it out
So what is the Darkness library all about?
It’s another library dedicated to cinematic and media focused sound design, fx, loops, and impacts.
It’s part of their KLI series, so you get a custom Kontakt interface ready to tweak and effect the sounds.
In addition to the Kontakt version you still get all the normal loop versions as well.
This library was made with all “real” or acoustic sounds, no synths, so every sound, effect, and impact you hear is built up from acoustic sample sources.
Quick Specs
- content: 2.8GB
- format: Kontakt 4 or higher, rex, apple, wav, acid
- price: $69.95
How does it sound?
A lot of times when it comes to sound design and cinematic fx, there is a lot of synthesis involved. Which I dig.
But there is always something to be said for real acoustic soundsources, I always feel they provide such an awesome texture in the context of a track.
These sounds really have a gritty, scratchy, in your face element to them.
Everything is recorded well and I really, really dig the sound fx menus.
There is some awesome stuff in there from risers, to impacts, to evolving textures and soundscapes.
Being able to play the sliced loops and alter each slice, or the whole loop with various fx allows you to get really creative, really quickly.
Of course you still get the raw samples that you can load into your favorite sampler or daw and mangle yourself.
So what’s the bottom line?
I like this library, because it allows you to get your hands on some really top-notch sound design tools and fx, without having to break the 100 dollar mark.
I think that’s cool, and allow these types of sounds and textures to get into the hands of producers and musicians at all different levels in the industry.
I give Darkness 4.5 out of 5 subs, they did a really good job capturing and showcasing the acoustic samples sources in a way that is pretty inspiring.
I love the texture and contrast this library brings to the various synths and synthetic sounds on the market. This really allows them to provide just the right texture you may be looking for…or didn’t know you were looking for, until you heard it.
It has a sort of “metallic” sound to it overall, not so much in a shiny, shimmery sort of way, but more of that raw, cold, metal scraping metal type of way.
I dig it, I particularly love the sound fx section, I could live there….and that portion will probably get the most use from me.
I love it so much, I’d like to see them to a part 3, dedicated to sound fx menus just like that…
Either way…it’s a great product worth checking out if you like to throw some more organic sound design elements into your work
Anyway, go on over and take a listen: http://www.bigfishaudio.com/detail.html?513821
Also, download some free samples here: Free Samples from Darkness
leave a comment below and let me know what you think
!!!!
Perfect for some dark / industrial stuff I am doing.
And the price is right.
I really dig the way you dive under the hood with your sessions … gives a great look at what’s really goin’ on.
Peace,
Al
@Al, Good news fam, that’s exactly why I do it man, hope you enjoy it!
@saintjoe,
I do indeed.
Copped it right after the above exchange. Not disappointed. Some tasty stuff here perfect for some of my work. And great value for the money.
After I installed it I went over it again following your video. Great way to get acquainted.
Thanks again!
Peace,
Al
@Al, Word man, glad you dig it!
u can never go wrong with these sounds..thanx homes
@sky, no doubt fam, thanks for the feedback
SJ: Another “Bigfish Friday” Yes!! Yes!!. It appears that Bigfish has accomplished what was intended. The sounds are vibrant & strong. Thanks for giving us a peep into this one.
@Baddboy2000, yes indeed fam!
Bought this over the weekend. Any idea how to reverse an individual slice within a loop? PDF says drag up. No dice. It’d be nice to know and really useful.
@Ben, make sure you’re on the reverse tab, then you can do it
I was looking for that, but I’m not seeing that tab in Kontakt 5. I’ll have to check again tonIght.
@Ben, the tab is in the library’s interface not directly in kontakt. So look inside the interface you should see it.
SJ – just wanted to say many thanks for reviewing Darkness, as well as the other products of mine (Detroit Soul, Vintage R&B, etc) that you have reviewed in the past. I always dig your videos, and you do a real nice job of demonstrating and explaining the products that you cover. Thanks, man –
Steve
@Steve Sechi, no doubt man, thanks for making some dope products! Keep it up man! You make some great AND diverse products…what you got coming up 🙂
Thanks, SJ – much appreciated. 🙂
My first sampled horns project is in the works now – gonna do a retro Funk & Soul type of thing, with multi-sampled solo instruments and some different types of sections. No loops on this one – just sampled instruments.
I’ve also got a cinematic sound design/cinematic drums VI cooking – lots of big multi-sampled drums, taikos, metals, and world percussion, plus a bunch of loop-based construction kits and some heavy sound design elements. And just in case that doesn’t keep me busy enough for the next couple of months, I have a big Funk & Soul project that I just started writing some material for. hahaha
Thanks again for covering my stuff, SJ – what you do here is very cool, and I check in often to see what you’re reviewing next.
@Steve Sechi, yo, I can’t wait for that man. I’m more into instruments than loops and people are always asking me where is some good brass solo and section libraries. Are they contact format? You know if you need someone to test em out…ahem LOL…
keep in touch man, it’s always great to connect with the folks that make these products!
@saintjoe, I have a couple of formats in mind – trying to keep one of ’em secret for now so someone else doesn’t beat me to the punch. 🙂 But yes, a Kontakt version is also planned – either as a solo instrument or as part of a larger project.
Re: you testing some of this stuff – I was thinking the same thing. 🙂 And also wondering if you do any Kontakt programming…
my email is ssechi@gmail.com – hit me when you have a minute and let’s talk.
thanks again – Steve
@Steve Sechi, no doubt fam, email sent, chat soon!
Thanks SJ, I must get this library as I’m expecting a horror based project. Thanks a lot.
Cool man, it’s a nice one