Artist Multitrack Studio Profiles

[mlyon]

Anyway, on that front we are releasing artist multitracks for download next month.

I didn't want to derail the GB thread from whence this comes (unlike some ), but I've been waiting for you to say that for about two years, now, Squids! Ever since the original Studio Profiles GB, in fact.

This, for me, is really great news. Can you disclose which artists you'll be releasing and when (at least in a relative sense)? Also, it sounds like you're going to sell the kits separately. When will the kits be available? I'm a big fan of mixing loops and hits.

I'll probably sit out the current GB, as I have T-Racks and CSR and am more interested in waiting for the artist rather than the theme Profiles sets. That said, I hope the GB scores as have all others.

Cheers,
Mark

[Squids]

The three themed titles are available now: http://www.esoundz.com/details.php?ProductID=2039

http://www.esoundz.com/details.php?ProductID=2033

http://www.esoundz.com/details.php?ProductID=2032

The drum kits for those will be available soon as well. They match nicely! These are slightly lighter versions for download than the disc versions which will be coming later. Downloads need to stay not too much larger than a gigabyte in size and multi-channel kits with multiple velocities can take up quite a lot especially in extended I-Map. Oh, one cool thing though is that our new Kontakt scripts have an I-Map mode and then a GM map mode from the same kit. That will be a feature of the artist kits as well!

So... how bout them artist multitracks? Ahhhhhhhh, finally. A lot of work. At this point we've released 5 out of the 8 initial artist's stereo packs and the last 3 of the 8 are being released next week. Jerry, Nick and John. The multitrack sessions will be released in batches with different amounts coming from each drummer in smaller amounts of loops per set to keep costs and sizes down. Although the better deal is the full disc version for everything. Drum Masters Gold Edition. That was supposed to be shipping (as you may have seen in the ad we're running) but we added BFD support and that is taking us longer. What we MAY do though is put it on pre-order and let people have the downloads as they happen FIRST and then still get the disc/box version when it is ready in a month or so... maybe throw in extra loops you wouldn't get otherwise perhaps. We'll think about it. Sometimes those things thrill people and sometimes frustrate them so it's a tough call. Although anyone who has been waiting as long as you have (such as the people in the first Studio ProFiles SE GB) will probably love this idea of getting the better deal for all of it (granted still talking $500 for the Gold Edition that has all of it) and yet not having to wait for all of it and getting it as it comes out with extras... otherwise we're looking at the same $100-149 per download pack and that adds up to twice the amount if you get them ala carte... although if you want just select drummers then that could be ideal for some people.

Which drummer's grooves are you most interested in since you bring it up? Curious.

[mlyon]

Hey Dave,

Silly thing is, I haven't seen the ad (guess it wasn't in SoS? That's about all I subscribe to, anymore). In any event, the Gold set sounds like it might be what I'm interested in. It includes the Kontakt kits, correct?

In any event, the ones I'm most interested in are Jerry M, Danny G and John B. I really liked the feel/groove of those loops. A really nice mix of styles for me. Others in the SP group buy were very good, but those are ones I immediately bring to mind. Jerry's (for me) were some of the most interesting, but I really dig Danny and John. YMMV.

Is there a difference in number of loops for the Gold edition vs. buying individual sets? Sound like the answers is "no," but just checking.

Cheers,
Mark

[Caleb]

Sorry - just realised that I wanted to talk more about the Studio Profiles content and was putting it in the group buy thread - but this thread might be more appropriate.

Squids - I'm not affionado of drummers, or drum kits, drum techniques (just pretty much add most "drum" terms and you've got the idea).

I tend to like drum programming mainly if I'm doing something weird rhythmically - not necessarily sounding like a real drummer in other words.

But when it comes to putting in a good drum track (which is meant to be a real drummer) I'm a total dickhead at programming my own. I could invest alot of time in learning how to program really good drum tracks - I already have some good drum sample sets from you guys back in that ultimate drum group buy - or whatever it was called.

But I find I have less time and less time and less time and less time as I go on, and I'd rather spend that time on my songwriting than in my drum programming. More often than not sketches of tracks get disgarded not because I didn't like the idea but because I hated the execution. I'm wondering if these multi-track REX2 libraries could be a step in the right direction.

I actually know a drummer (guess you could say he's my brother-in-law of sorts) and I'm sure he would drum for me on occasion if I asked, but I'm not sure trying to get a setup to record drums properly is worth the time, effort or the money to be honest.

So where does that leave me? I guess it leaves me considering my options.

Talk to me dude - what's cooking?

I like the idea of mixing kits in with loops so that I can add that touch if I feel it's necessary. But I also like the freedom of REX now that I have LiveSlice with REX2 import for tomfoolery and REX2 import in XT2 for playback and tempo changing.
I like what I'm hearing about the "multi-track" loops although I have to admit I'm not 100% sure I understand the power and how easy it will be to get at that power - but it certainly sounds impressive. I'm guessing if I've spent anytime trying to record and mix real performances I'd have a better grasp of the power.

I don't really want to spend $1000 if you know what I mean although I understand that there is an inherent value in what I'm looking for that I need to respect. I need (at least initially) to cover the most ground possible for the smallest outlay (what a surprise?! )

But knowing what you know - what would that solution be in your opinion?

I always ramble along and then ask a completely open-ended and (possibly) difficult to answer question don't I?

I suppose it's just a case of "Welcome back Caleb" really.

Regards
Caleb

[Squids]

If your focus is on songwriting then I wouldn't go for multi-track grooves as much as I would go for stereo grooves. So, there are THOUSANDS of stereo grooves in Rex, Apple Loops and Wave right now for download on www.esoundz.com Go for it! You don't have to wait for a group buy to pick up sounds.

The other thing that is useful for songwriting are midi played drum kits. We have and will continue to have a lot of those as well. Stereo or multi-track on drums. The multitrack thing with drums is really more for songwriters who want to engineer and produce their music with that added sonic flexibility. It's not always necessary though. All depends on someone's style of music creation. I wouldn't say you need it. Go for the stereo stuff. But that's up to you! You CAN go try these multitrack loops for FREE if you go to http://www.esoundz.com/freesoundz.php So, the best is always to find out for yourself. That said, I still think based on what you said that you're better off investing in stereo loops and drum kits.

Good luck! By the way, there are a lot of stereo grooves available from famous artists on www.studioprofiles.com and the purchase there is through esoundz on the back end. We're releasing three new titles today or Monday.

[Caleb]

Good luck! By the way, there are a lot of stereo grooves available from famous artists on www.studioprofiles.com and the purchase there is through esoundz on the back end. We're releasing three new titles today or Monday.

Ah - because they were studio profiles, I assumed that the products were all multi-track as well, but it occurs to me how stupid that assumption is considering I'm downloading it. Multi-track files would be HUGE for downloading.

It also occurred to me that instead of agonising over this in the most painful way, maybe I should just buy one of the downloadables and see if I like it. Of course that decision is the easy part - then I look at the selection of artists and wonder which I should get.

Maybe if I find one that I "connect" with then I can look at getting the full enchilada.

- OK - about 30 minutes later and the one that I really liked the look/sound of was Jerry Marotta. Unfortunately, it looks like the only thing you've got of him at the moment is some mini-profile for Combinator.

Reading who he's worked with and even listening to that small demo I thought - this is the guy I would love to have working on the percussion for my tracks. (Not that I wouldn't love any of them working on my tracks of course)

So I'm obviously hopelessly stupid and should just buy a few RAW packs instead.

Regards
Caleb

[soulata]

If your focus is on songwriting then I wouldn't go for multi-track grooves as much as I would go for stereo grooves.

Hmmm.... you're probably right. (Still waiting for Drumcore he he )

The multitrack thing with drums is really more for songwriters who want to engineer and produce their music with that added sonic flexibility. It's not always necessary though. All depends on someone's style of music creation. I wouldn't say you need it. Go for the stereo stuff. But that's up to you! You CAN go try these multitrack loops for FREE if you go to http://www.esoundz.com/freesoundz.php

I just made a song using Ringo beat from the free section. Of course it's going to be replaced (I can't be arsed to program fills and such) but totally worth the effort of downloading them.

My take on it is - if you make a few songs using bought loops they've paid for themselves (even if you replace them later). If you use them in the final mix you're even with just one song done.

k

[Caleb]

I just made a song using Ringo beat from the free section. Of course it's going to be replaced (I can't be arsed to program fills and such) but totally worth the effort of downloading them.

My take on it is - if you make a few songs using bought loops they've paid for themselves (even if you replace them later). If you use them in the final mix you're even with just one song done.

k

You know you're making a good point that I'm not really considering - that it can just be an aid to composition. I could recreate a similar groove using midi and a soundset of my choice eventually that could even more specifically match my needs if I really needed to.

I guess the thing that got me interested in Studio Profiles was that it was a bit like hiring that drummer and getting a consistent and (of course) professional feel.

I could program a midi drum track all day and not sound even close to some of these guys.

From what I can gather about this series in the future, it will be possible to get a drummer like Jerry Marotta (sorry - but he's somehow stolen me for the moment), and I can get all sorts of multi-track sessions with him that I can probably adjust here and there slightly without making the thing sound disjointed and then also have a sample set of the kits he used in case I really do feel the need to program my own - or try to add a hit here and there not already in the session.

The fact that the "loops" are multi-track means that I have a bit more flexibility to move things around before they sound stoopid not to mention the obvious advantage of actually mixing/treating the kit the way I'd like.

The only problem I can see is that the kit offered separately seems to be only in BFD2 format. I don't own BFD2 and don't really have any intention of owning it, so that's where I start to become unstuck in this little fantasy of mine.

But I'm with you on the loops. I didn't used to understand them - but now I'm beginning to appreciate that loops in REX or similar formats (whether stereo or multi-track) offer some real advantages that someone like me would be stupid to turn his nose up at.

Regards
Caleb

[Caleb]

You know what might be nice as a starter for me? RAW Universal Groove Kit.

I won't spend too much time talking about it in this thread which is really about a different product series, but I think this might be a better first step. And as always with eSoundz, my membership ensures that I pay a better price.

So Squids - again trying not to derail this thread too much, but does this sound like a reasonable choice based on what I've been talking about so far?

I'm not closing myself off to a Studio Profiles purchase in the future if that's where I end up of course. It still sounds intriguing to me.

Regards
Caleb

[soulata]

You know what might be nice as a starter for me? RAW Universal Groove Kit.

I won't spend too much time talking about it in this thread which is really about a different product series, but I think this might be a better first step. And as always with eSoundz, my membership ensures that I pay a better price.

erm, I'll continue your off-topic comment with a question:

I got one free set in the Amplitube GB, I chose Motown or Vintage Soul thing, is Universal Groove edition just more sets together in one package or is it something different?

Cheers

k

[mlyon]

Hey Dave,

Is there a difference in number of loops for the Gold edition vs. buying individual sets? Sound like the answers is "no," but just checking.

Cheers,
Mark

Just to bring it back on topic.

[Squids]

Hey Dave,

Is there a difference in number of loops for the Gold edition vs. buying individual sets? Sound like the answers is "no," but just checking.

Cheers,
Mark

Just to bring it back on topic.

Yes. The Gold Edition is more about the kits than the grooves (and there's both Kontakt and BFD material). You get a selection of grooves from each artist (like you do in DrumCore but in stereo AND multi-track in 5 of the 8 drummer's case) and then these are like "Drummer Packs" with even more sounds that are for download now.

There's also MORE being created as we go from those artists so it isn't a static thing. It's an on-going living thing. That's also why it takes us so long so we're finally releasing all 8 drummer's stereo grooves and then multi-tracks to follow... then this completed Drum Masters Gold Edition will be released with the kits and probably a downloadable stereo kit-only version too coming for less.

[mlyon]

Thanks. It's a bit confusing to me, but I think I get it. It sounds like the Gold may be the way to go for me, with maybe an added pack or two for those artists I'm really into. Decisions, decisions. I still have that free Studio Profiles pack from the GB coming, I believe, so that may affect things (or just make Gold a no-brainer by adding in an extra individual pack).

Very cool that you guys are bringing the multi-tracks to the marketplace.

Cheers,
Mark

[Squids]

Thanks. It's a bit confusing to me, but I think I get it. It sounds like the Gold may be the way to go for me, with maybe an added pack or two for those artists I'm really into. Decisions, decisions. I still have that free Studio Profiles pack from the GB coming, I believe, so that may affect things (or just make Gold a no-brainer by adding in an extra individual pack).

Very cool that you guys are bringing the multi-tracks to the marketplace.

Cheers,
Mark

Look at it like this. The Gold Edition gives you the DRUM KITS plus some of the multi-tracks. Then, as we go there will be more and more and more multi-tracks released. We have a lot so the bulk of them will be available on line. At some point we may do some kind of platinum bundle with everything but... not for a while and that's still not certain. It's more along the lines of the way DrumCore is where you have one "variety mega bundle" with 8 artists and then you can expand it with more from each of those drummers... except that the expansions will grow with some of them, so it isn't fixed to one expansion title necessarily.

Anyway, Drum Masters Gold has most of what you'd need and you can cherry pick more from the particular drummers you want more from. You had it right. Not that confusing.

[gmontano]

How soon for the BFD2 support? Will this only be the Gold edition?

Is there a webpage explaining the gold edition? I can't seem to find it on the studio profiles site.

Thanks!