Synthesists wanted - recordings for atmos/scoring library.

[zircon]

Hi all,

I am getting ready to begin development on a sample library in KONTAKT format. This will be my first foray into this field, and I'm very excited about it. My background as an electronic musician only extend about two years back, but I have been a traditional musician for most of my life, and I also have a great love for programming and computers, so this type of thing is right up my alley. I've written a lot of music for video games in the last year or two, and I've spent a lot of time analyzing video game, film, and TV music, as well as the various sample libraries that exist today. I've observed that 'atmospheric' sounds are regularly used, but that there are few libraries oriented towards this type of usable, flexible sound.

So, I've decided to take a shot at creating a library with this theme in mind. I know that it won't be the first of its kind - Distorted Reality 1 & 2 come to mind as things in a similar vein to what I'm trying to do - but I believe that I can create some high-quality content and offer it at an extremely affordable price. However, I feel that I really need to get comments, suggestions, criticism, and thoughts on this project. From my experience here, I know that the community of KVR is a friendly, helpful one. Please let me know what you think, and don't hold back!

I know that this will be a tough endeavor, but I hope that when all is said and done, this will work out for everyone

Thanks in advance!

[Hewitt Huntwork]

Zirc,

Good luck to you on this! My suggestion would be to keep the patches usable. Stay away from loops and rhythms and chords. Read Devon B's reviews of Amosphere, Ultrafocus, and Morphology at Traxxmusic. Also, XBruce wrote one of Vapor there. I think they get to the heart of what makes for usable instruments and what doesn't.

Have fun!

[zircon]

I'll definitely check those reviews out - where can I find them?

Also, I absolutely agree with you on the issue of usability. The patches will be as small as possible for quick loading, and I aim to include ways for the user to have more control over the sound with the modwheel or possible velocity, depending on the sound in question. I am wondering though, concerning the loops - is it possible to have Kontakt adapt a loops tempo to the host's tempo? I know Intakt can do that.

[Hewitt Huntwork]

http://www.traxmusic.org/morphology.shtml

http://www.traxmusic.org/ultrafocus.shtml

http://www.traxmusic.org/vapor.shtml

http://www.traxmusic.org/atmos-tril.shtml

I was mistaken about the author of the Atmosphere review. It was Rudi Cazeaux. Enjoy!

[zircon]

I checked those out - very helpful, thanks again.

I've been moving right along.. working hard on getting patches done, even though it's going pretty slow, and I'm still trying to determine the best way to map pads as well as the best format for the percussive stuff.. among other things. I'll post a demo as soon as I have a solid amount of content ready.

[zircon]

Here is an update - a demo of three pad patches (no processing or automation). So far, these are the only ones I have done in that category. One lead patch is done as well, though I'm not sure if there's a point in including lead patches. Two fx ones, as well as about 8 percussive loops. Slow progress, but I'm really excited about this, and I'll keep working hard on it.

http://www.zirconstudios.com/Pads-Demo.mp3

[moosethree]

hope you cover a variety of moods...check how twisted textures organized their samples according to moods and themes....and don't forget the soft and melodic pads as well as the spacey, brooding stuff..and there may be features in Kontakt 2 that should not be overlooked (Script Processor etc)

[tee boy]

Yeah, I think the emphasis really has to be on usability. So many sample CD's are rammed full of interesting sounds that you know you'll never even consider using. I'd also consider how dense you make the ambient sounds - build them up too much and they'll never fit into a mix (cough, Twisted Textures ). At the same time, they have to be interesting - something you couldnt just knock up with you're favorite VA.

Probably stating the obvious here, but not to worry. Good luck, please post us a few preiew samples when you get close to release!

PS. I suppose you already have, but i'd check out thoroughly the works thats already out there. Ofcourse the big ones are DR1 and 2, Twisted Textures and some of the Zero- G stuff. DR2 is probably the best as a sample library, but i find the sound design in TT to be more inspiring. Some mind blowing stuff on that CD!

[zircon]

Thanks for the advice. I don't have DR2, but I've heard the demos, and I believe I can find a good mix between interesting sounds and flexibe/usable ones.

I'd also like to call the attention of any synthesists here. Since at the rate I'm going it's probably going to take me years to create all the content I'd like to have, I'm thinking it might be a good idea to include some material from other people as well. If anyone has original, unused recordings that they think could fit in this library (or even any patches that they think they could record, provided they are not presets), please post here or contact me via PM. If you do have a usable recording/patch, or multiple ones, I would love to include it in this library, and compensate you as well.

Or.. feel free to post if you think this is a really, really bad idea and there is some alternative. That would be helpful too.

[tee boy]

I know your dilema, Iv been building some personal sample libraries now for over two years! It seems that there is no problem creating the volume, but keeping it all up to right standard is so difficult. I tend to keep only about 10% of the stuff i make (ambient stuff anyway).

I guess its just a case of getting your head down. I like to work in phases - I have a couple of weeks researching, then a couple recording source material, then a month or so working on the computer etc. This way you keep it fresh and dont get stuck in ruts.

[zircon]

Well.. creating patches is tough enough, but a lot of the time consumption comes from the editing, processing, and (ugh) the looping. Nothing more excrutiating then setting loop points for a massive, drawn out pad sound with tons of samples.

Anyway, there are two people who have offered some material thus far, but I'd love to hear from anyone else.