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All Reviews by troggg


By troggg
On 31st January 2003
Version: 1.0

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Rob Papen Albino

Albino has proven itself to be a real winner, most of all because it is truly INSPIRING. I say that because as I audition sounds, I can immediately hear songs that could be composed around those sounds, and, vice versa, when I have a song that needs a certain sound to make it really come alive, it doesn't seem that hard to find a sound that fits the bill in Albino. The sounds also seem pretty easy to modify. If there is a better set of presets anywhere, I'd be shocked.

The other really great thing about the Rob Papen/Linplug collaboration is that they couldn't be more committed to customer service or to improving the product by actually soliciting user feedback - and then implementing it! Very refreshing.

Let me explain the "3" I gave the user interface. If you just look at Albino on your screen, it is very attractive. However, what I really think is a mistake is the red-on-black character displays, particularly in the Matrix. Nothing could be harder to read, and this scheme has already been deservedly slammed in this forum for its appearance in Sample Tank. I believe the authors are attempting to be "true" to simulating the actual appearance of an Albino, which is a genetically-deficient, chalky white person with red eyes. OK, that's cute, that's original, but how about a GUI I can read without getting glasses? The method of auditioning presets is also awkward; however, LinPlug knows about this, admits it, and is working on making it a lot better in the next (imminent) release (which also adds a hundred presets for free!).

A lot of Albino's sounds have a compelling, alluring rubberiness that recalls the pluck of a DX7, but it's more configurable and more likeable. I also own FM7. I like the way it sounds by itself, but it doesn't seem to find its way into my tracks like Albino. The pads are also very lush. No electric pianos or organs, and not that much "realisitic stuff." But I bought this to fulfill my synth needs, and it's doing a great job of that.
 
    
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