SCARBEE
The newest sample library from Scarbee is Scarbee Imperial Drums, or S.I.D. ($399), a 12 GB collection of drum samples on three DVDs for the HALion 2 format. Nearly 30,000 individual samples were recorded in 24-bit, 88 kHz audio and downsampled to 44.1 kHz for release. The entire library focuses on a single DW drum set with Paiste cymbals, along with additional snares and a second DW kick drum, providing a sampled kit with an unprecedented level of detail, according to its developer.
For realism and versatility, each drum was recorded from several mic positions, with and without bleed. A single S.I.D. kit features over 420 kick-drum samples in 75 Velocity layers and over 3,000 samples dedicated to one 14-inch hi-hat. You can access more than 2,200 samples of a single snare drum in over 130 Velocity layers by using a combination of one key and the mod wheel, preventing the usual repetition of a single hit that betrays sampled drum parts. S.I.D. also supplies streamlined kits for users with modest computer resources. Scarbee/EastWest (distributor); tel. (800) 969-9449 or (718) 932-6328; e-mail info@soundsonline.com; Web www.scarbee.com.
SONIC IMPLANTS
If your music could use some African percussion, Sonic Implants has a sample disc for you: Atsiã: West African Dancing Drums ($229.95). Atsiã, named for one of the oldest dance styles in West Africa, contains over 400 MB of sampled instruments traditional to Ghana's Ewe tribe. The collection provides handmade drums with names like apentema and sogo, as well as the more familiar talking drums, log drums, and surdu. Also included are bells and shakers such as axatse and toke bells. Most of the instruments have never been available in a sample library before.
In addition to individual hits, Atsiã features loops of individual instruments in 4/4 and 6/8 time. All sounds were multisampled in stereo with up to four Velocity levels for each type of hit. Atsiã is available in GigaSampler, Kontakt, and SoundFont formats. Sonic Network/Sonic Implants; tel. (888) 769-3788 or (617) 718-0202; e-mail info@sonicimplants.com; Web www.sonicimplants.com.
SONY PICTURES DIGITAL
As part of its Loops for Acid series, Sony is shipping Numina II ($59.95), produced by ambient recording artist Jesse Sola. Numina II combines atmospheric textures, electro-acoustic percussion, synth arpeggios, and other cinematic timbres in a collection of loops and audio events designed to enhance film, video, and audio recording projects.
Sounds are divided into four folders of Acidized WAV files labeled Ambience, Drones & Themes, Percussion, and SFX & One-Shots. Most are clearly the products of skillful synth programming, effective processing, and clever sound design. Some sounds are simple, others complex, and all are quite fresh, with varying degrees of tension ranging from tranquil to near panic-stricken. Sony Pictures Digital; tel. (800) 577-6642 or (608) 204-7680; Web http://mediasoftware.sonypictures.com.
DISCOVERY FIRM
Discovery Firm has released The Legend of China: The New Edition ($55), a revised version of its acclaimed sample library. The original came on two audio discs (see our October 2000 review, online at www.emusician.com); the new set is on one audio CD with 339 recordings and one CD-ROM with 387 Acidized WAV and REX2 files, all recorded in China. In addition to multisampled percussion, strings, and wind instruments playing musical phrases and individual notes, the collection provides vocal phrases and words and various sound effects such as Tibetan prayers and subway ambience.
In each Acidized WAV folder are two folders labeled Loops and One-Shot Phases & Samples. Additional WAV files are archived in a zipped Bonus Tracks file. Instruments range from yang qin to bian zhong; vocal samples are courtesy of Peking Opera performers. Discovery Firm; e-mail overseas@discoveryfirm.com; Web www.discoverysound.com.