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Coming up EASTWEST major releases from 2005 thru 2006 including
EWQLSO Gold Pro XP - One of the finest and highly articulated orchestra libraries to be found anywhere. The only product we've used that was better was the Platinum edition which realistically requires its own computer for use!
Symphonic Choirs - Men, Women and Boys ensembles, the finest orchestral voices to be found. Comes with a new midi application that allows programming of words and phrases. The series is similar to the EWQLSO Platinum set using the same hall, personnel and 3 microphones to mix.
Colussus - billed as a General MIDI module, Colussus is 32 gigabytes of sample data played through the Kompakt sample player. It is vastly more than a GM player, though one of it's catagories indeed is configured for it. However, the accent is on useful, all around samples that feature a portion of prior EASTWEST's greatest hits and even more new material by Nick Phoenix.
Ra - 14 gigabytes of music from all over the world in many playing techniques and smart layering. Ra does an excellent job of covering the whole planet, including European and North American instruments.
http://www.soundsonline.com/
FM and Multi-Synthesis
We all know FM synthesis is difficult...right? You may change your mind from this group of excellent synths.
The Big Tick Rhino 2 experience - the making of a monster synthesizer that is capable of nearly any sounds you require
http://bigtick.pastnotecut.org/
Blue 1.1 - another stunner with patches from Rob Papen and a strong interface that works the darker shades of FM and digital
http://www.robpapen.com/synths/blue/
Octopus - http://linplug.com/Products/Octopus/octopus.htm - New, massive in size and capability, this LinPlug and Maxx Claster collaboration is a one page wonder
Ableton LIVE 5, we all know Ableton Live 5 is a great performance based, sample controlled engine, but how is their MIDI and VST instrument hosting? Is this the sequencer that some might find all they need, or the ultimate addition to all-in-one studios with audio recording capabilities, or for that matter, traditional sequencers like Sonar, Cubase or Logic. Ableton has aimed high, including a new, add-on FM based synth. Is the praise worthy?
http://www.ableton.com/
Sonar Producer 4.1 has been released and matured. We'll tell you what to look for and why we think it's completely ready for prime time. Sonar aims big and is 5:1 audio ready, but what's in it for traditional stereo users? With 5.0 already out we'll review what you get in both versions and what's right for you.
http://www.cakewalk.com
All-in-One studios; a look at the state of the studio in a box featuring reviews on:
Image Line, FruityLoops 6 Studio; with their new FM/RS/analog hybrid synth, Sytrus, improved interface, new look and tons of tutorials. Synapse Orion Platinum 6.3, most likely the easiest to get used to from the start, or if you migrate from linear sequencers like Sonar or Digital Perfomer, audio recording, ReWire host and client, VSTi and many recording based effects make use of audio capacity beyond Orion's all-in-one cousins. Highly Recognised and frequently used, Reason 3.0 keeps improving, this time with the Combinator, a kind of audio macro that allows you to build setups of multiple synths and effects as a sound, similar to a macro in other types of programs and Mastering Effects. We'll try and help you find the sequencer that fits your needs and budget.
ImageLine, Fruityloops 6 is out and wants to control your studio and bloody well can.
http://www.e-officedirect.com/FLStudio/English/frames.html
Synapse Audio, Orion Platinum 6.2
http://www.synapse-audio.com/
Propellerheads, Reason 3 and ReCycle 2.1 with Reason Adapted
http://www.propellerheads.se/
Cakewalk Sonar version 4 and 5 - huge changes by one of PC based master sequencer developers
http://www.cakewalk.com
How do they stack up, if at all? There will be discussions considering what an all-in-one studio is and which one works best for the type of creator you are. We promise you will learn about music simply by reading how people think in terms of putting their work together and the habits supported within various sequencers.
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