MULTI-FORMAT

Latest Sample CDs This library claims to bring you 'probably the most inspiring and weird sample collection ever produced', and is arranged into four sections: Ambiences, Bits, Beats, and Musical Loops. The WAV files can be dragged into most sequencers without the need for a sampler, and it's easy enough to loop the rhythmic examples. Ambiences is a great section for instant gratification, as it contains some really nice evolving samples, each of which lasts around 30 seconds. There's everything from lush angelic choirs to creepy backgrounds — I was immediately tempted to fire up my sampler and start composing a score for an imaginary film.

The Bits section contains a number of short samples that could be useful in the construction of wild bass lines or for adding effects to film soundtracks. Titles such as Loud Feedback and Electronic Monster probably give you the general picture here, and there is some interesting use of filtering in some of the bass samples. The Beats section is divided into five subsections of Slow (below 100bpm), Faster (101-120bpm), Quick (120bpm and over), Strange, and Funny. All of the drum samples appear to have been treated to some degree. The beats in the first three sections have a clean sound, and would probably work well layered with programmed drums to give a more realistic feel to your rhythmic parts. The drum samples in the Strange and Funny sections, on the other hand, are clearly electronic in origin, and it would be worth dipping into these sections if you're interested in the more ambient side of music making. I suffered a bit of a sense of humour failure when I reached the Funny section, which is at the bleepy end of strange and might be considered the least inspirational of the samples contained on the CD-ROM, unless you are inclined towards minimalist electronic music, in which case some of the samples could be highly appropriate.

The last section of the CD-ROM offers a number of rhythmic loops with both descriptive titles and tempo indication. Firing up my copy of Propellerhead Software Rebirth and running it against some of the samples on offer immediately created interesting textures that grooved along very nicely indeed.