Soundiron is one of the most respected sample library companies in the business right now, especially when it comes to VST instruments and sample libraries integrated with Kontakt. They have conjured up some of the best products on the market with their ability to hyper-sample instruments and bring out the best nuances of each.

Tablas 2.0 is a deeply multi-sampled library with a massive selection of live performance phrases, all of which have been recorded by the great Sameer Gupta – tabla master and jazz percussionist.

There are plenty of excellent customizable features that come with Tablas, which allow you to play with the sounds with your hands and also customize and warp the loops. Whether you are producing soundtracks, classical Indian music, or electronic music, this is an excellent library!

Let’s dig in a bit more and find out just what Tablas 2.0 has to offer users!

Key Features

• Multi-sampled percussion library with a wide selection of dynamic performance phrases
• Over 1,350 loops running from 70 BPM to 165 BPM
• 3.53 GB installed
• 20 custom sound-designed ambient presets and FX
• Flexible, easy-to-use multi-layer controls
• Full FX rack with convolution reverb

Audio Examples

The Main NKI

The Main NKI is the starting point in the Tablas interface. It is the perfect place to begin experimenting with all of the integrated sounds. Plus, the interface is very clean and easy to navigate, which is a huge plus. 

You can begin by tapping out some rhythms in the “All Drums” category and you will instantly notice how dynamic and realistic the samples are. Beyond the “All Drums” category, there are several other categories that you can mess around with as well, including “All Bayan”, “All Tablas”, “Ghen”, “Ka”, “Ne”, and so on.

The cool thing is that there are a ton of different tones and articulations categorized by the different sounds you are using. Let’s say you are using the Ka sound, for example. You can mess around with pitches stretched across the entirety of the keyboard. Essentially, it allows you to get a bit more musical with your playing.

Creating percussion-style melodies is very easy with Tablas 2.0, which we love!

The Advanced Tab

The advanced tab allows you to dig a bit deeper into the different grooves. For percussive libraries, having a feature like this is extremely powerful. Here you can adjust the LFO, the filter, and create arpeggiated grooves with incredible dynamics. With all of these different features, you can create an interesting interplay between the different rhythms. 

The library also comes packed with a variety of 20 sound design ambiances, pads, and drones to mess around with too. These can be loaded up in layers so that you can play these atop your percussion rhythms. The layers can be adjusted as well to create dynamic relationships between the two.

The sub-synth layer will allow you to add some various noises, such as white noise, pink noise, brown noise, etc.

The Rhythmic GUI (Loop Banks)

The GUI is lined up nicely, especially for those who want the ability to go in and adjust loops to their liking without having to hop through a series of channels or tabs to do so. You can play with different loops, load in loops of your choosing or preview them with ease, and more.

Once you are in the loop banks section of the GUI, you can adjust the volume, panning, compression, EQ, distortion, limiting, and time-based sends. The pencil icon will give you the ability to draw in pitch and panning to really get in-depth with your stereo field. Plus, you can create your own melodies without having to worry about creating rhythms as well.

Next to your regular effects, you have some more unique effects, including the Lo-Fi section. The Lo-Fi section is awesome for providing your loops with a bit more grit. Having these onboard effects helps you to work entirely within Kontakt, which can save you a bit of computing power as an alternative to stacking plugins.

The reverb and delay sound great as well! You can even take some of these sounds and play them in reverse, which is pretty sweet, especially if you’re into making psychedelic music!

In terms of chopping and rearranging, you can use the Rhythmic GUI to determine the slice order. You can set it to playback to front or random. Of course, depending on the loop you are using, this particular effect may not present you with a desirable sound, though having the option to do this is very helpful.

The green keys on the Rhythmic GUI allow you to start the loop from different spots within the loop too, which helps a ton with arranging. You have the option to truly make each loop your own.

Of course, as with many percussion VSTs, Tablas allows you to play the loops in half-time or double-time. 

In terms of customization, the Rhythmic GUI is an absolute winner!

Video Walkthrough

Bottom Line

Sameer Gupta and the team at Soundiron have truly put together a fantastic product. Tablas are easily some of the most distinct types of percussion out there. They have been used in Indian music for hundreds of years and now find themselves in a wide range of genres, from electronic music to film music and beyond.

Tablas covers just about every classical tabla articulation that you could think of, as well as a variety of modern variants, which can be used in more creative or experimental settings. 

Of course, it can take someone years to master the tablas and with all of their intricate nuances, they can be fairly difficult to record. Soundiron Tablas 2.0 takes that time and mastery out of the equation, giving you a realistic-sounding instrument at your fingertips.

If you have been in search of a virtual instrument to bring the sound of tablas to your production, look no further than this one!

The post SOUNDIRON Tablas 2.0 Review appeared first on How To Make Electronic Music.

We’re fans of old-school style setups, which is one of the reasons we’ve decided to review this heavily-praised bad boy.

With an awesome analog synth and a powerful sequencer, this is where the heart of your compositions will lie. The vast range of sounds available really makes this stand out from the crowd; we’ll get into that soon enough, though.

First, let’s quickly sum up what what like and don’t like about this box.

Pros:

• Easily portable; takes 6 AA batteries, and is a great size for musicians on the move.
• Perfect for those with small budgets, but still want pro analog synth.
• Velocity-sensitive implementation means greater versatility and options of sounds.
• Record separate melody lines for each of 3 oscillator

Cons:

• The sequencers one-measure lines restrict your capabilities.
• The sound from the built-in speaker isn’t the highest quality.
• Reviewers state that 16-steps in a sequencer aren’t quite enough.
• The keys are critiqued for being too small.

About the Korg Volca Bass

This analog bass machine is known around the world for being a classic-sounding EDM groove box and is part of the 3-machine “Volca” series. The 12dB low-pass design that’s implemented on this model formerly appeared on Korg’s classic synth models, such as the 700S or 800DV. This machine is a true grasp back to Korg’s roots, and it truly has an identity of its own.

With an oscillator that goes from thick and low, to howling high-frequency pitch and a cool slide-function, this little beast is perfect for techno-heads, and acid-house lovers across the globe.

The praise keeps coming, ever since the day it was released, and it is still standing the test of time now.

Sonic State has a thorough demo that’ll give you that taste we can tell you’re dying for.

What You Get in the Box

Along with the Korg Volca Bass Unit itself, you will also receive…

• 6 AA batteries so you can get started straight away
• You will also get a complete manual, containing everything you need to get going.

Unfortunately, with any of the Volca range, you will have to pay an extra $12 for the AC Adapter, unless you already have a 9V adapter lying around, which many people do!

Specifications

 Let’s get into the specs! There are a lot for us to look at for this one!

Keyboard

• Multi touch Keyboard / step key

Synthesizer

• Analog synthesis
• Structure: 3VCO, 1VCF, 1VCA, 1LFO, 1EG
• Saw & square VCO Waves.
• Cutoff, Peak, and EG Int VCF options.
• VCF type: Low Pass Filter, 12 db/oct – The same filter that defined the popular 700S.
• VCA: EG on/of, Sustain on/off
• LFO: Rate, Int, Target (Amp, Pitch, Cutoff), Wave (Triangle, Square)
• EG: Attack, Decay/Release, Sustain

Sequencer

• 3 parts, 16 steps, 8 recording patterns.

Connectors

• Headphones (3.5mm stereo mini jack)
• Sync In (3.5mm monaural mini jack, Maximum input level: 20V)
• Sync Out (3.5mm monaural mini jack, Maximum Output level: 5V)
• MIDI IN

Power

• 10 hour battery life.
• 6 AA batteries included.

Other

• 193 × 115 × 46 mm / 7.61 x 4.54 x 1.82 inches (W x D x H)
• 370g weight, excluding batteries.

Features

Jampacked with adjustable parameters and things to mess around with, the Volca Bass is certainly not scarce of impressive features.

1. Throwing it back with the 700S’s LP filter

With a full-bodied filter, Korg has really outdone themselves by using this low-pass 12dB filter; taking them back to the glory days of synth machines. This makes the sounds from the machine resonate and ring out in a way completely characteristic of old school bass synth. Open up that filter by turning the Cutoff knob up to get uninhibited, bright sounds.

Alternatively, roll that dial the other way, closing the filter, and achieve fat, fuzzy notes. A look over to the left to crank the Peak knob will give you a clean peak, at first. Keep going and listen for that thick distortion, so iconic of acid house.

2. Oscillating Madness

Another special feature of the Korg Volca Bass is the 3 oscillators, and the fact you can record different melody lines for all 3 at the same time. I am very much a fan of this; it means you can have fat bass lines playing at the same time as squealing melodies.

I think this is unique of a bass synth, for this price. Instead of using them in a 2+1 form, to create the melody and bass, you can set them to 0, +3 and +7 to produce a chord!

Detune the oscillators to create an impressive unison chorus. Use these accordingly, to always vary your vibe on stage, or in the studio.

3. Simplicity is Everything

What makes this truly great for novice musicians, is the simple structure of the machine. Singular VCF, VCA, LFO and EG ensures the fabrication of personalized tunes, without giving you a headache trying to work out the difference between 100 different knobs.

Having the ability to customize sounds is paramount in a machine of this sort; it gives you a massive sense of achievement and great enjoyment.

4. Step Sequencer of the much-loved Electribe

We all love when stuff is easy, right? Easy is just what the sequencer is. Utilize the 16-step keys, whilst visually keeping track of the timing to compose with ease.

Also, add or remove parts on the fly! There is also a handy mute option to single out or silence parts. Obviously, you can use the 3 VCOs and panel keyboard during real-time recording.

For this machine, we have 8 internal saves available for your own composition. I’m not a fan of so little, but it’s hard to knock for the price.

5. Short Loop-like effect with Active Step!

Just as all the other components of the Volca Bass, the Active Step function couldn’t be easier. Active Step allows you to skip steps of your compositions, creating, as Korg put it, “unexpectedly irregular rhythms”. Too right!

If you feel like you’re looking to nail those crazy dynamic bass lines; this allows you do so, with a true sound, without even half as much effort.

6. Get sticky with the Slide Function

The slide function is a jumpy, sticky kind of sound. Perfect for EDM, and each step can have the function added, creating unique, acid-like bursts! This probably wouldn’t be considered a main feature but really cool, nonetheless.

7. What else?

• The multiple connector ports allow you to really get stuck in.
• A MIDI IN connector allows you to connect a keyboard, which is handy for controlling the level of the VCOs, since you can’t do that with solely the machine.
• Another thing that is equally as handy with a keyboard is the velocity implementation, which can be super fun to play around with.
• The Sync In/Out ports are designed for connecting up to other models, to create a full composition, with all parts.
• All Volcas are compatible, as well with the Monotribe. It doesn’t really come as a surprise that there’s an iPhone app, “SyncKontrol”, that you can use to wirelessly control some parameters like Tap Tempo.

Sounds

We’ve talked briefly about the quality of the sound from the built-in speaker not being that great. One owner said that “trying it out in the store with that puny little speaker really makes it look and feel like a 90’s era LCD plastic video game toy”.

Most reviewers who use PAs, or external speakers, do nothing but praise the sound quality of the Volca Bass, though.  So bottom line, if you’re going to use this unit, hook it up to and external speaker for quality analog sound.

We’ve also mentioned the power of the oscillators. For each VCO, you have the option of sawtooth or square. Slightly detune each VCO, bring in some LFO sweeps of the filter Cutoff, and feel the power behind the sound as it resonates in your ears… amazing.

One thing we did notice, is that, for whatever reason, the octave actually affects the maximum rate of the LFO, so maybe check both parameters before stressing about a faulty device. There is also no level control for the VCOs unless you’re connected via a keyboard, through the MIDI in port.

I’m not a fan of the fact that your dial movements won’t be saved in any of the 8 pattern save slots on the device; it’s purely notes that are saved. However, this is pretty manageable for live performers, and as I said earlier, the Volca Bass is, all in all, great for live musicians.

In Use

Fantastic for those on the move, quite like me, Korg have proven their worth to the busking bass-blasters. The sequencer allows you to edit your compositions in an improvisational way, instead of spending valuable time sitting and editing post-composition. Adding and removing steps honestly couldn’t be easier, which, again, resonates well with buskers, and live musicians.

It honestly is made for live music. Since you can’t save the fluctuations in knob movement in your patterns, the only time you’re going to get those sounds is live, in an organic way.

Tony Horgan from Stuff.tv shows you exactly what’s possible with the Korg Volca Bass.

What We Like

So, what’s to like? Well, pretty much the whole thing. I was surprised how flexible the oscillators are, especially how you can use them separately; I thought you’d have to pay a hundred, or more, extra to get that kind of function, and no one wants it to come to that!

I definitely can’t complain about the price of this thing, at $159.99, and it’s really hard to ask for more when it already has so much without even breaking the $200 mark.

I love moving around, and I love music. The Korg Volca range are almost a few inches from being pocket-sized, and so lightweight! You won’t be lugging this box around; you’ll hardly notice you’re carrying it.

What I Didn’t Like

This is the hard part… I’m not quite sure that 16 steps are enough to create those dynamic riffs, and when you realize you can’t add anymore, it’s just a bit disappointing.

I also think it could benefit from more than 8 pattern save slots so that you can remember your best parts. However, it is possible, with the right adapters, to record from the Volca Bass.

The rest of the negative points are rather minute; the fact the AC adapter isn’t included, the keypads being pretty small, and the speaker isn’t that great, which could be a pain if you are on a budget.

Is It Worth It?

For the price, yes, a thousand times yes; it’s a super machine that really gets the job done. It works great as a mono synth, and if plugged into a computer, the versatility of the box increases tenfold. Take it anywhere with you; you could even use it as a travel synth if you already have a large setup at home. It’s right up there with the best bass synths out there, for the same price.

The post Korg Volca Bass Review appeared first on How To Make Electronic Music.

Released in 2008, this drum machine, as Alesis correctly put, is “consistently among the top-selling drum machines in the world.” It’s small, lightweight, and has phenomenal reviews from customers. Using audio from studio musicians as opposed to being programmed really hits home with true classic-style lovers.Sound like you?

If you aren’t already familiar with the Alesis SR18, the guys over at American Musical Supply whipped up this speedy video run-down.

History, Producer Intro

In the year of 1980, Alesis was founded and left it’s mark in the world of music technology. With low cost and high value, their products allowed beginner musicians to dive into the production of their very own compositions, with a fraction of the cost of their competitors. In fact, the world’s first professional 16-bit effects processor under $1000, the Midiverb, came from Alesis.

Later, the company moved onto producing studio quality drum machines, including the SR16; the predecessor of the SR18. The SR16 dominated the market for a solid 20 years, allowing newbies with a bedroom “studio” to drop pro, organic sounding beats with not much experience needed.

Feel like checking out the full company story? Find it here.

Product Description, Specs, etc.

So, how does the SR18 compare to the classic SR16? Honestly, not that much changed; if it ain’t broke, right? Either way, let’s quickly run through the specifications and features.

What could they possibly change to improve an already beautifully simplistic box like the SR16? Well, for starters, a few additions have been implemented. For example, the screen comes with an LCD backlight, which can be a lifesaver for when the stage lights go down, and you can’t see what you’re doing.

Something I am very much a fan of is the optional use of 6 AA batteries to power the machine, making it an obvious choice for on-the-go musicians. Don’t worry; you can still use the provided wall adapter, too!

Another shift in physical design is also present. On the SR18, Alesis use what was the volume dial, as a data wheel to cycle through a catalog of preset patterns, and more. It has 100 preset patterns, and 100 save slots for you to fill up with your musical creations, double that of the SR16. You can even use Pattern Play Mode to trigger patterns straight from the pads.

Also, the volume wheel is now much smaller, and in a rather awkward position on the back of the box, meaning a tilt of the device is needed to adjust the volume. Also new to the SR18 is the tap tempo function, meaning you can make beats the way you want when you want.

At the loss of another MIDI port, there is now a 1/4″ instrument input jack, allowing you to jam along to your saved custom-written patterns. This nicely complements the 2 new instrument layers; percussion & bass. Obviously, the drums layer is also present. With over 500 drum and percussion sounds, and 50 bass sounds, Alesis are making the most of the SR18’s doubled polyphony capability and huge 32 megabytes of internal memory. The percussion sounds are very alike to those of the drums but do provide a change, either way.

I can feel you waiting in anticipation, thinking: “tell me about the bass!” It’s time to do just that. Rather than being a bank of sounds, like percussion and drums, the bass “kit” is comprised of 50 synth pitches, with a three-octave range, spread across the 12 velocity-sensitive pads. With the help of the mute/solo function, you can pick and choose what you hear by holding down the button in accordance. This is super handy when trying to single out that one noise when you’re unsure what it is.

One of the main additions to the SR18 is the real time Alesis effects, consisting of EQs + compression, which have to been categorized together under one device, and a reverb, which has, mostly, pretty obvious, in-your-face effects. Apart from the heavier reverb presets, there are a few more discreet options that are a bit more useable if you will. The effects, overall, are rather tokenistic; with low-customizability and not a giant amount of presets to choose from.

We’ve talked plenty about how it sounds, but if you haven’t heard for yourself, it’s time to check out a demo of the SR18 in action.  Here’s a couple of videos of the the sounds and operations.

What We Like

There’s plenty to be positive about when it comes to this powerful little drum machine. Then again, you’re not overwhelmed with features to be picky about.

Alesis are always striving for musical greatness, without the horrifying price tag. It’s a superb, robust machine, that does what it says on the tin, and it does it well. With the addition of the effects talked about above, the SR18 was a chance for Alesis to compile everything that their customers wanted from the SR16 into a new, improved machine.

With the inclusion of battery compatibility, this isn’t just for home-recorders any more; time to take to the streets, the subway, or wherever you so, please.

Essentially, this box sets a new bar for everything apart from the cash damage, making it a sensible decision for all, and to say that it’s still up there with the best, nearly a decade later, says a lot.

What We Didn’t Like

As I’ve said, with such a simplistic aim, there isn’t much to criticize at all. Scrolling through reviews on Amazon, eBay, and Youtube, a lot of people are slightly frustrated with the placement of the volume knob. This isn’t a dire issue, but it’s something customers are talking about.

Multiple people have also claimed that by squashing so many options into the menu, it’s often easy to get lost in an array of presets. Customers advise that you check the manual before diving in head first. Some pro-players are also upset that 100 pattern save capabilities just aren’t enough for what they want to achieve.

Apart from this, the only reviews below 4 stars, out of 5, are the ones that were broken in the mail, which happens with any company.  If this were to happen, it’s very simple to send the product back and have it replaced.  Definitely an inconvenience but not something I would consider a deal breaker.

The Verdict…

All in all, I feel the Alesis SR18 suits an array of needs for a huge market of musicians and could be perfect for a beginner to take them to new heights of musicianship. It’s also great for acoustic players to throw themselves into the drum machine world, and discover a new way of laying down beats, with much more versatility than an acoustic kit.

The post Alesis SR18 Drum Machine Review appeared first on How To Make Electronic Music.

Sample Magic is one of the world’s leading sample vendors with a huge assortment of quality sample libraries for electronic music producers.

While ago, they released “Deep & Bass House” which is a comprehensive collection of loops, fx and drum hits for Deep House and Garage producers.

What’s included in the pack?

Drum Loops folder contains 40 deep big-room style drum loops at the tempo of 124bpm. In addition to the full drum loop, each loop is stripped into stems (top loop, percussion, hi-hats, etc) so in total there are 198 drum loops. The stems are handy as you can easily mix different loops together which makes it possible to create tons of different drum sequence variations.

There’s also extra 40 top loops (separate from the drum loops folder) to mix with a kick for an instant house beat.

Bass loops folder consists of 61 deep and dark key-labeled basslines. Also, MIDI versions of the grooves are included so you can import them into your DAW and use your favorite synth plugins and samples to play them back.

The Music Loops folder holds 51 song starters. There’s full, mixed version of the musical phrases and then there are stripped stems (bass, pads, arp, lead, etc) so in total there are 194 musical loops. These are an awesome kickstart for building your own musical ideas upon to. MIDI versions included.

Synth & Key loops folder has 59 chords, riffs, pianos, synths etc all in a flavor of deep house & garage. MIDI’s included.

Vocal loops section holds 20 heavily processed vocal phrases (key labeled as well).

There’s also a nice amount of one shot drums to build your own grooves from the ground to top or to mix with the loops. There’s 86 kicks (key labeled), 74 claps & snares, 50 percussion sounds, 70 hi-hats and 5 drum kits for Ableton, EXS24, Kontakt, Maschine 2 and NN-XT.

The FX folder holds 24 sound effects such as whooshes, sweeps, takeoffs etc.

So this thing is PACKED with material!

But how does the content sound like?

Looking at the production quality first – it’s top-notch. Clearly, this sample pack has been produced with some good gear and know-how in Deep House and Garage genres. Each sound and loop sounds polished and up to modern EDM standards. They are ready-to-go as-is to rock your track.

Personally, when I’m looking for a new sample pack, I usually check out the drums (loops and one-shots) first to measure the quality and trust me – Deep & Bass House IS quality. Everyone shot drum and top loop fits like a glove into this type of music. You’ll get a lot of that classic TR-909 sound, but with enough of ingenious production twists to still keep it fresh and interesting.

What about the musical material?

The Music Loops is one of my favorite sections of this sample pack. If you’re looking for a way to get to the vibe of Deep House/Garage style, this section is a goldmine. These are called ‘song starters’ and they will definitely get your creative juices flowing and give you a solid collection of ideas to build your own musical ideas upon to. And they are not cheesy at all!

I also liked the vibe of the Synth Loops very much. Those funky, filtered chords, plucks and stabs will immediately get you into the right state of house production mind.

And not forgetting the Bass Loops: these type of basses are very characteristic for Deep House and Garage. There’s lot of FM basses and filter wobbles and they offer a really good foundation for the rhythmic and low end sections of your house track.

As always with Sample Magic’s sample packs, diversity is also one of the strengths of Deep & Bass House. Even though it is aimed for a specific genre, the sample material holds a wide range of variation inside the genre. Very good!

Verdict

Deep And Bass House is a must have for any nu school Deep House and Garage producer out there looking for that UK sound. Use these in your music and you’ll get that House vibe going on instantly!

Check the video below for some sound examples:

Check here more Sample Magic products!

The post Review: Deep & Bass House By Sample Magic appeared first on How To Make Electronic Music.

While ago, ModeAudio released Beat Voltage which is a collection of 247 drum samples sampled from analog drum machines (and other hardware).

Here’s my review of the package.

First of all, the pack doesn’t contain any loops – it’s all one-shots and you get plenty of drum sample material to build your own drum kits and grooves.

But lets have a look at the content more closely – what exactly does the Beat Voltage hold inside?

65 kicks (40 clean & 25 saturated), 24 claps, 50 snares (29 clean & 21 saturated), 32 percussions, 34 toms, 50 hihats (open & closed) and 15 crashes.

How does the drum samples sound like?

In short: raw and analogue, but at the same time, kind of warm… I think it’s that analogue warmth doing it’s thing there!

The clean kicks hit hard in the 50Hz area and they are deep. The saturated kicks offer (naturally) a more squared tone thanks to the analogue-style distortion.

The snare samples are short and snappy and majority of them contains a pitched tonal element. Of course, this requires a bit of extra work when you produce beats as you (most likely) need to use tuning to make them sit with the rest of your musical material. But it’s ok and personally, I think the snares fits to the theme of this sample pack really well.

The percussion folder contains a set of claves, rims (clean and saturated), shakers and reversed cymbals. All good to go with the kicks and snares.

And claps and hihats accompanies the rest of the material really well.

In my opinion, Beat Voltage is a ‘niche’ sample pack – it covers a very specific range of musical style. It offers that certain sonic quality, which is RAW electronic sound.

I can see these kind of drums to be used in the Left Field, Electro, Minimal Electro or Downtempo type of music. And also maybe in a Deep House music as well – especially those clean kicks.

All in all, Beat Voltage is a nice sample pack for anyone looking for that special, raw and saturated, analogue machine drum sound!

The price tag for Beat Voltage is $22.76 and it’s available in several formats (FL Studio included). Check ModeAudio’s website for more detailed info.

Check the video below for some sound examples and example beat I made with the samples:

The post Review: Beat Voltage By ModeAudio appeared first on How To Make Electronic Music.

Xclusive-Audio is a sound design company who produces original drum samples, loops & preset banks for the use in music production, film, television, and multimedia projects. While ago, they also released a VST plugin called “New Era 808 And Bass Module” and I’ve been testing the Deluxe package of it.

So what it is actually?

It’s a sample player module with a HUGE library of urban style drum kit presets and drum sounds. Like the name of the product indicates, the library includes tons of booming 808 kicks with a different style: there’s short, clean kicks, distorted kicks, and kicks with a very long tail. Also, sub basses and a lot of other types of kicks, snares, claps, hi-hats, percussion sounds, and vocal chant samples are included.

The plugin itself is really easy to use. There are two user interfaces. First one is for those 808 kicks and basses with the possibility to control their volume, pan, glide, and distortion. This is the interface you use for playing the 808’s and basses in different pitches.

The second interface is for playing the drum kits, percussion sounds, and vocal samples. It’s a drum pad style interface with 8 pads where each sample is mapped to its own note across the keyboard. In this interface, you can control the volume and stereo panning of each sound individually. There’s also a master output controllers for volume and pitch, release time of the samples and amount of reverb.

Even though the plugin itself is very basic in features (i.e you can’t import your own samples into it), it serves it’s purpose well. Plus its light on CPU. Also, the Standard Package includes all the drum sample content (24-bit WAVs) from the plugin, which is over 400 one-shot sounds and the Deluxe Package includes all the 808 and bass samples (plus the WAV content for the drum kit and original vocal samples) which are over 900 samples. So you can import the sounds into your favorite sampler if you feel like it.

How does the content sound? Is this a usable plugin?

I think the content sounds great. And there’s tons of it. In my opinion, the real power of the whole package actually lies on the quality (and amount) of samples. The samples are already processed (even with some analog gear) so they are production ready with plenty of punch and character. Also, each of the included drum kit preset contains a ready set of urban drum samples which are good to go as is so all you have to do is to load a kit preset and you’re ready to start making a beat. Ease of use and quality, that’s the name of the game in the New Era 808 And Bass Module.

Check below for some audio examples:

And some more:

Here are some details:

• New Era 808 & Bass Module Plugin by Xclusive-Audio
• 32 & 64-Bit Plugin
• VST & Audio Units Format
• Standard Package: $89 / Deluxe Package: $119

The post Review: Xclusive-Audio New Era 808 & Bass Module appeared first on How To Make Electronic Music.

Cinematique Instruments is a manufacturer of rare and unique instrument sound libraries. Even though their instrument repertory has a slight focus on film music, they are perfectly suitable for all musical genres. It’s all about how you use them.

For a while now, I’ve been playing with one of their Kontakt instruments called Shruti Box (No longer available).

What is Shruti Box?

Here’s a quote from Cinematique Instruments website: the Shruti Box is a traditional Indian instrument which works on a system of bellows. It is a keyless version of the harmonium, which was invented for the specific purpose of producing drone sounds. On the front it has 12 valves to control the pitch. The instrument is generally used to accompany other instruments in rehearsal sessions or concerts of classical Indian music. But the shruti box is enjoying a renaissance in the West amongst traditional and contemporary musicians who are using it for a range of different styles.

Cinematique Instruments has made a virtual version of the Shruti Box. They have sampled the individual notes from the original Shruti, including the noises which are produced by the bellow. The real Shruti Box has a range of 13 notes, but the virtual version has been expanded up to 3 full octaves. There’s also two kinds of pump actions which can be switched on separately to get a realistic Shruti sound, pump and crackle.

To shape the sound further, you’ll find an effects section which contains distortion, chorus, reverb and a rotary simulation effects plus a special sustain mode which will let the Shruti play as a continuous drone.

There’s also a LFO modulation section which makes it possible to create all kinds of evolving rhythmic textures. You can modulate different parameters such as EQ frequency, LO-FI and panning with four different waveform types with a variable speed. The LFO speed can either be “free” or synced to host. In free mode, there’s also a cool auto move function available which’ll change the LFO speed automatically. It’s great for those endlessly changing, ambient style pads.

Does Shruti Box work in electronic music?

In my opinion, yes. Even though it does fit great for film music, nothing stops you using it in EM as well. I think it suits well for those psychedelic pads in the background of your track. If used with taste, it can give a nice flavor of something different and bit of ethnic to your electronic music. That would be something you won’t hear in every EDM track out there.

Verdict: Shruti box is a nice Kontakt instrument if you want to expand your instrument library to something more ethnic and special. I think it sounds like accordion “in steroids” or something with all those extra effects and modulation possibilities. It’s fresh and psychedelic.

Details:

• Shruti Box (No longer Available) by Cinematique Instruments
• Kontakt 4.22 or later full version is required
• Price: 28 EUR (approximately 38 USD)

Watch the video below where I create something simple with the Shruti Box:

The post Review: Shruti Box By Cinematique Instruments appeared first on How To Make Electronic Music.

Inspired by L.A’s ‘Beat Scene’, ModeAudio released while ago a loops & sample pack titled Beat Scenics. It is aimed for such genres as Ambient, Downtempo, Hip Hop, and R&B.

What’s in it?

You’ll find a set of loops: drums, synth, instrument (such as keys and guitars), percussion and SFX loops. Included is also 30 single drum hits and 43 MIDI loops. The instrument, synth, and bass loops are key-labeled for your convenience and the MIDI loops contain the main drum, bass, synth and instrument sequences in MIDI file format so you can import them to your DAW, use your favorite sounds to play them back and edit them as you wish.

But how does it sound?

Phrases like smokey, jazzy chords and dusty, relaxed grooves describe the content of Beat Scenics quite well and what I liked most of it is – well – the whole package actually.

The included instrument loops are made with good taste. They sound elegant and groovy and I think they are an awesome source of musical inspiration and a solid foundation for building a laid back urban track or downtempo tune upon them. Smooth stuff.

Same goes to the drum and percussion loops. I especially liked those fine little percussive details many of the drum loops have been flavored with.

For creating your own drum sequences, the included single hit drum samples are excellent. Crispy and punchy. And even though I wish there was more of them, the quality compensates the quantity.

And I think I should also mention that the production quality of this whole sample package is ultra crispy and tight. Professionally produced material.

In my opinion, Beat Scenics is one of the coolest and smoothest sample packs in ModeAudio’s assortment!

FEATURES:

• Beat Scenics by ModeAudio
• Genre: Ambient, Downtempo, Hip Hop, R&B
• 18 Bass Loops, 36 Drum Loops (main grooves & fills), 19 Synth Loops, 16 Instrument Loops (keys, guitars, tuned percussion), 15 Percussion Loops, 16 SFX Loops, 43 MIDI Loops, 10 Kick Hits, 14 Snare Hits, 6 Hi-Hat Hits
• 416MB (unzipped)
• Price: $25.48

Check some sound examples from the video below:

The post Review: Beat Scenics By ModeAudio appeared first on How To Make Electronic Music.

ModeAudio is a sound design company delivering range of high quality sample packs and synth patches for music producers. As a drum sample fan, I was keen to check one of their sample packs titled “Klang – Found Percussion Hits” and here’s my review of it.

What Klang is?

Klang is a collection of 150 one shot percussion WAV samples. The sample pack consists entirely of recordings of found sounds and objects you can mostly find in your home, workplace or garage such as bike helmet, shoe sole, doorstopper, drinks can, paper bag, etc. The samples were recorded in ModeAudio’s own studio and they have used some of their very own handmade contact microphones to capture the sound.

Klang also contains a ready-to-use kit patches for your favourite samplers as well as channel strip presets and project files so that you can preview the sounds quickly and start making beats instantly.

What you can use Klang for?

You can use Klang for your drum tracks. You can use them as percussive sounds to spice up your main drum sections or you can build your entire drum track using these samples as they cover all the fundamentals in the frequency spectrum. You’ll find hits in low-, mid- and high frequency range so the spectrum is diverse enough.

How the sample content is organized?

The WAV samples are divided into three folders: low, mid and high so you can quickly locate the type of sample you are looking for.

Depending on the pack you selected (there’s actually 6 types to choose from, five of them customized for your favourite DAW), there’s folders for sampler patches, channel strips and project files so you can easily drag-and-drop them into your DAW and start working. The FL Studio version contains 8 DirectWave patches, 4 Mixer setting patches (for drum processing) and 4 FL Studio project files (.FLP).

What’s my opinion of the Klang?

Well, to put it shortly, Klang is a nice collection of percussion hits! The quality of the samples is top-notch – clean and crisp. And they’ll fit into any genre that has a rhythm going on and that require clean percussion style sounds. Personally, I’m fascinated by the idea of using “everyday objects” in music and Klang gives a great set of sounds for that. The samples are different enough, but not too weird to accompany all kinds of drum tracks.

Extra points to ModeAudio for creating a DAW tailored versions of Klang pack! And I was especially happy to see that there’s FL Studio version as well! The four different Mixer settings gives you a nice set of effect chains to tweak things a bit further and the ready made DirectWave patches gets you started making your beats really quick.

Like I mentioned earlier, I’m a big fan of drum samples and I’m definitely going to be using Klang in my own beats.

Details:

• Klang – Found Percussion Hits
• 150 Percussion Hit WAV Samples
• Available as WAV, Reason Refill, Ableton Live Pack, FL Studio Pack, Logic Pack, Native Instruments Pack
• Price: $29.59
• Available at ModeAudio.com

Check the video below for some sound examples:

The post Review: Klang By ModeAudio appeared first on How To Make Electronic Music.

Dj Santé is one of Berlin’s hottest up and coming DJs and producers and in this Ableton Live online course he uncovers the secrets behind making a classic house track, ‘Do You Wanna 808’ on Desolat. The course is titled “In the Studio with DJ Santé” and is provided by Producertech.

This series of tutorials were shot live in Santé’s studio and it consists of four modules: 1) Creating the Beats and Bass, 2) Improving the Mix, 3) Arranging the Track and 4) Final Touches and Mastering.

Included are also a selection of loops from Santé’s Groove Essentials Loopmasters sample pack, including drums, bass, tops, music and FX.

Length of the course is 80 minutes and it’s aimed for beginners and intermediate level producers.

So how’s the course?

In the first module, Santé starts from the basics. He show’s how to build a standard house drum groove from one shot drum samples using the Ableton’s drum rack and how to make the samples sound tight. On top of the drum groove, Santé lays down the bass line using a third party synth plug-in. That’s the first module in a nutshell.

Personally, I didn’t learn anything new from this module, but if you are new to making dance music (and Ableton Live), it should give you a solid idea how to create those groovy four-to-the-floor house beats with it.

The second module is all about mixing. Santé uses the Live’s stock plug-ins such as EQ Eight, compressor and multiband compressor to fix the frequencies and tweak the dynamics to make specific elements stand out in the groove.

For me, this section didn’t offer any new production tips either. But like I mentioned already, if you are new, you’ll learn a handful of basic tips on mixing for sure though I would have liked to see some of the plug-in parameter tweaks explained a bit more thoroughly.

After the mixing, Santé proceeds on arranging the track (module three). In my opinion, this was the most interesting and useful part of this course. Santé gives some very good reasons why a track that is aimed for clubs needs to have a certain structure. Also, you’ll get an idea of the different sections of a house track (intro, drop, etc.) and how a full dance music song can be made up from relatively simple elements and grooves.

In the final module (module four) Santé uses the Ableton Live mastering racks to give the track a facelift.

Verdict: this is quite decent Ableton Live house beat production course. And even though Santé doesn’t explain very thoroughly some of the specific plug-in tweaks he makes during the video (and there’s also some phasing problems in the recorded video audio from time to time), this course should give an idea for new Ableton Live users how to build a groovy house track. Plus, it’s always inspirational to see how other producers create their music.

For more info and trailer of the course, check out Music-Courses.com.

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