The Magazine
January 2009
JANUARY 2009: THE WORLD OF SAMPLE LIBRARIES
Sample libraries and virtual instruments make it possible to collect entire symphony orchestras, jazz bands, world-music ensembles, and any other instrument you can think of, and put them into your computer for use in your songs. Pretty cool stuff... but there's a little bit of learning to do before you dive in. In this issue of Recording, we help you do just that.
You'll find articles on the passing of great sample-library technologies (Giga) and the birth of new ones (PLAY), in-depth reviews of astoundingly powerful virtual instruments from big-band jazz to soundtrack symphony, and an in-depth look at a sample recording session for a major library maker, with hints on how to get your own recordings library-ready.
All this plus a slate of really cool reviews, our monthly columns, Readers' Tapes with Marty Peters (now online), and much more. Dive into the world of sample libraries without fear, and learn lots more besides, in the January Recording!
A-Designs HAMMER
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Reviewed by
Justin Peacock
A-Designs HAMMER |
Reviewed by
Justin Peacock
A rack eq that's equal parts science and magic.
A rack eq that's equal parts science and magic.
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Frontier Design AlphaTrack
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Reviewed by
Darwin Grosse
Frontier Design AlphaTrack |
Reviewed by
Darwin Grosse
Wouldn’t it be nice to have a smart control surface with moving-fader automation in your laptop bag? Now you can.
Wouldn’t it be nice to have a smart control surface with moving-fader automation in your laptop bag? Now you can.
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EASTWEST Quantum Leap StormDrum 2 and Quantum Leap Pianos
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Reviewed by
Devon Brent and Gary Eskow
EASTWEST Quantum Leap StormDrum 2 and Quantum Leap Pianos |
Reviewed by
Devon Brent and Gary Eskow
The new PLAY engine makes its debut in a pair of stunning sound libraries.
The new PLAY engine makes its debut in a pair of stunning sound libraries.
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Sonic Reality Ocean Way Drums
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Reviewed by
Nick Casares
Sonic Reality Ocean Way Drums |
Reviewed by
Nick Casares
We’ve discussed the technology and shown you the recording sessions: now it’s time to review the results.
We’ve discussed the technology and shown you the recording sessions: now it’s time to review the results.
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Reviewed and Revisited: BIAS Peak Pro XT 6
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Reviewed by
Darwin Grosse
Reviewed and Revisited: BIAS Peak Pro XT 6 |
Reviewed by
Darwin Grosse
This popular Mac editing/mastering/burning software gains interface clarity, new features, and a powerful set of optional add-ons.
This popular Mac editing/mastering/burning software gains interface clarity, new features, and a powerful set of optional add-ons.
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Fable Sounds Broadway Big Band
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Reviewed by
Gary Eskow
Fable Sounds Broadway Big Band |
Reviewed by
Gary Eskow
The feel and power of a jazz and theater orchestra, with impressive results.
The feel and power of a jazz and theater orchestra, with impressive results.
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Project SAM Symphobia
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Reviewed by
Kevin Fletcher Tweedy
Project SAM Symphobia |
Reviewed by
Kevin Fletcher Tweedy
A new high-end orchestral sample library with stunning sounds and a powerful performance software layer.
A new high-end orchestral sample library with stunning sounds and a powerful performance software layer.
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Redmatica Compendium
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Reviewed by
Darwin Grosse
Redmatica Compendium |
Reviewed by
Darwin Grosse
Three tools that will have you cleaning up your samples and building your own virtual instruments in no time.
Three tools that will have you cleaning up your samples and building your own virtual instruments in no time.
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2008 AES Convention Report
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Written by
Mike Metlay
2008 AES Convention Report |
Written by
Mike Metlay
A quick look at some of the cool gear that we saw in San Francisco...
A quick look at some of the cool gear that we saw in San Francisco...
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Sonic Reality Drum Sampling Sessions
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Written by
Mark Hornsby
Sonic Reality Drum Sampling Sessions |
Written by
Mark Hornsby
Drum sampling sessions with a difference—recreating classic sounds for the Studio ProFiles series.
Drum sampling sessions with a difference—recreating classic sounds for the Studio ProFiles series.
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Getting Ready To PLAY
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Written by
Devon Brent and Gary Eskow
Getting Ready To PLAY |
Written by
Devon Brent and Gary Eskow
EASTWEST has made much of its new playback engine, PLAY... Here’s what you need to know before diving in.
EASTWEST has made much of its new playback engine, PLAY... Here’s what you need to know before diving in.
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Recording's Bass Column
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Written by
Dave Martin
Recording's Bass Column |
Written by
Dave Martin
More famous bass tracks! This time we head for Muscle Shoals and the recording of “I’ll Take You There.”
More famous bass tracks! This time we head for Muscle Shoals and the recording of “I’ll Take You There.”
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The Death Of Giga
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Written by
Devon Brent
The Death Of Giga |
Written by
Devon Brent
GigaStudio is history—a lot of sample library users have been orphaned, but all is not lost...
GigaStudio is history—a lot of sample library users have been orphaned, but all is not lost...
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Recording's Vocal Column
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Written by
Michael Nickolas
Recording's Vocal Column |
Written by
Michael Nickolas
Recording children’s vocals is challenging but rewarding. Here are some tips to help get you started.
Recording children’s vocals is challenging but rewarding. Here are some tips to help get you started.
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Fade Out
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Written by
Alex Hawley with Tom Hawley
Fade Out |
Written by
Alex Hawley with Tom Hawley
The TAXI Road Rally: A Young Songwriter’s-Eye View.
The TAXI Road Rally: A Young Songwriter’s-Eye View.
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