helix

ES2 presets. Helix by 9 Soundware is a collection of presets for the ES2 synthesizer within Apple Logic Pro. With equal emphasis on the no-nonsense and the unfamiliar, the patches were designed in the spirit of music that defy timestamping and pigeonholing.

The 150 patches of Helix are divided into 4 categories, defined by tonal ("Tuned" or "Unpitched") and playback ("Loop" or "One-shot") characteristics. The categories "Tuned Loop" and "Unpitched One-shot" each comprise of 50 patches, while "Tuned One-shot" and "Unpitched Loop" each contain 25 patches.

"Tuned Loop" and "Unpitched One-shot" feature further subcategories "#Synthesizer" and "#Drum Kit", respectively. The "#Synthesizer" component (Synth Lead 01-10.pst, Synth Bass 01-10.pst, and Synth Pad 01-10.pst) adheres to the classic usage of synthesizers as pitched instruments, complemented by the "#Drum Kit" subcategory, which focuses on ES2's capabilities as a drum synthesizer with its renderings of drum kit components (Bass Drum 1-5.pst, Snare Drum 1-5.pst, Hi-hat 1-2.pst, Toms 1-5.pst, Crash Cymbal 1-2.pst, Ride Cymbal.pst, Side Stick 1-3.pst, and Hand Clap 1-2.pst). Other examples from Helix's wide-ranging palette of timbres include sample and hold LFO-driven noise (e.g., Conficker.pst), violent bursts (e.g., Wallop 1-2.pst), aggressive percussion (e.g., Slug 1-4.pst and Squawk 1-3.pst), and a plethora of cinematic voicings (e.g., Great Annihilator.pst, Ice Sheet.pst, Labored Breathing.pst, and Lull 1-2.pst).

The 2 MB download includes 150 .pst files.

Helix version 2 is available now for $29.99 at www.9soundware.com.