Does this kind of thing really exist? I've been using sample libraries and synths for the last three or four years to produce electronic dance music, typically in the style of more popular artists like The Crystal Method, Prodigy, Chemical Brothers, Fatboy Slim, and BT. However I have found that most libraries touting to be suitable for electronic music are typically either WAY too experimental, or too limited/cliched (basic 808/909 loops anyone?). There's no middle ground that I've seen - like just a set of 128 presets covering thick leads, basses that fit in a mix, hybridized synthetic/acoustic drums, that kind of thing. No industrial blips & squawks, no 8-bit crap, no reused 808/909 sounds, no ridiculously atonal pads... you know?
Some VSTs have presets of this nature. NI is hit or miss but generally has really usable sounds; Rob Papen's stuff (Albino, Blue) nails it most of the time. Synth1 also has some fantastic banks. But most synths don't, unfortunately. As far as drums go, we've got all these great big, ultra-realistic libraries but they tend to sound too modern and rock-oriented. Breakbeat/big beat calls for 'dead'-ish drums which are nearly impossible to find in my experience. eLab/equipped music is the only company really after that sound and even they have a somewhat distinctive color that doesn't always work.
It strikes me as odd that while the artists I listed are pretty popular and successful, especially for electronic musicians, we tend to see products oriented towards people producing FAR more niche music than that.
"Mainstream" EDM library
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- KVRAF
- 4707 posts since 16 Mar, 2004 from Columbia, MD
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- KVRian
- 553 posts since 24 Feb, 2005 from Prana
Fatboy Slim & BT have released sample CDs. BT's is called Breakz from the Nu Skool (SOS gave it 4/5). Have you tried them?
A few other Google results for "big beat sample cd":
http://www.tekniks.co.uk/genre-big-beat.html
http://www.loopmasters.com/10Expand.asp ... Code=MS_02
(5/5 is SOS)
Then there's the DIY approach. Dogsonacid.com has lots of info, including dnb pro interviews, about breakbeat making techniques like layering acoustic & synthetic drums. Furthermore, Old Computer Music issues have Chemical Bros & Prodigy tutorials.
A few other Google results for "big beat sample cd":
http://www.tekniks.co.uk/genre-big-beat.html
http://www.loopmasters.com/10Expand.asp ... Code=MS_02
(5/5 is SOS)
Then there's the DIY approach. Dogsonacid.com has lots of info, including dnb pro interviews, about breakbeat making techniques like layering acoustic & synthetic drums. Furthermore, Old Computer Music issues have Chemical Bros & Prodigy tutorials.
“Somebody said to me, ‘But the Beatles were antimaterialistic.’ That’s a huge myth. John and I literally used to sit down and say, ‘Now, let’s write a swimming pool.’ ”
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 4707 posts since 16 Mar, 2004 from Columbia, MD
I haven't checked out those CDs yet; BT's CD however has been out of production and is really hard to find. I've also read that sometimes the material is too obviously BTs.
However some of those tekniks ones look good. I'll check 'em out and see how they are. Thanks for the links.
However some of those tekniks ones look good. I'll check 'em out and see how they are. Thanks for the links.
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