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UVI Electric Toy Museum (SO)
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UVI Electric Toy Museum (SO) - Press Reviews |
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| Reviewed by: Music Tech Magazine
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| February 2009 |
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Since the 1990s, Ultimate Sound Bank has been well-known for creating audio for samplers. In early 2000 the company developed ‘Plugsound’ to deliver software and sounds in the same package, and this later led to the UVI Engine – a powerful sample playback engine that has since been licensed to companies such as Spectrasonics and MOTI.
The latest version can be found in the UVI Workstation, which works as a software instrument within a host DAW or as a standalone application. Despite being offered for free on the USB website, this is a sampler of the highest quality. It is, after all, the same engine that powers MACH5, and includes the same extensive high-quality effects as MOTU’s leading software. UVI Workstation also has a state-of-the-art real-time time-stretching algorithm along with loop-to-beat features. Like any other engine that transposes on-the-fly, it doesn’t handle complex material very well when pushed, but for single-note instruments it is second to none.
USB has recently released two new sound packs that run through this software sampler. It is worth noting that both require an iLok key for authorisation, which can be purchased from internet stores for around £20.
Ircam Solo Instruments
This 15GB library of beautiful, painstakingly recorded solo orchestral instruments played by world-class contemporary musicians is perfect for producers who need to add an air of authenticity to their compositions but don’t want to get into the heavy programming required with some of the larger orchestral libraries. To strike a balance between perfection and realism, not every not is played 100 per cent the same, which lends the collection a more live feel. Of interest are the many obscure playing techniques on offer, such as artificial harmonics, behind the bridge playing and tap-on-body effects. These sounds are an excellent resource – especially for horror film composers!
Electric Toy Museum
These days it seems that everyone wants increasing fidelity, with 32-bit, 192kHz monster synths bringing our computers to their knees. This collection of 97 vintage toy keyboards harks back to a more innocent time when the sound of an 8-bit electronic cat was cutting-edge! The instruments range from FM organs and GM drum kits with accompanying loops to bleepy FX and robot speech courtesy of the classic Speak and Spell. The makers should be commended for the dedication with which they have compiled this extensive collection. If you are after circuit-bent sound toys then look elsewhere, as these are the authentic original sounds recorded in the best conditions. This pack is perfect for those who wish to add some 8-bit grit to their productions, however, for general production the bleepy nature of the sounds may wear thin quite quickly!
Verdict: Ircam Solo Instruments A great alternative to some of the heavier orchestral collections. Rating: 8/10
Electronic Toy Museum A fun nostalgia trip for lovers of the 8-bit crunchy sound. Rating: 7/10 |
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| Reviewed by: Computer Music
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| March 2009 |
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UVI Workstation is a free ROMpler that can be used to playback USB’s entire range, as well as being a capable WAV and REX file player. Most of the libraries released for it thus far have been pretty traditional, including a version of the excellent PlugSound Pro library, but Electric Toy Musem takes the series in a slightly more unusual direction. The theme is toy keyboards and other children’s sound-making devices, all multi-sampled in the polished way you’d expect from a more conventional synth ROMpler library.
While some of the devices are quite obscure, there are some famous names in there, too, including the Speak & Spell, Stylophone and Casio SK-1. It’s hard to fault the attention to detail and quality, and, with over 1000 patches, there’s plenty for the lo-fi lover to get their teeth into. The only thing that isn’t cheap or particularly cheerful about this package is the price, which, at £176, is pretty hefty. If you don’t find the idea of spending that kind of money on a collection of toy samples absurd, you’ll almost certainly love Electric Toy Museum.
Rating: 8/10 |
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| Reviewed by: iDj Magazine
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| April 2009 |
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Electric Toy Museum is the latest offering from the people at UltimateSoundBank and I guarantee that ‘leftfield and crazy’ will be your first impression. A unique sample package, this contains 97 retro musical toys with every aspect of them recorded to give you more than 100 presets and 14,000 samples to choose from, all in glorious 24-bit/96kHz quality.
The character of these samples surely comes from their acoustic sound reproduced on the hideously cheap loudspeakers in the product of the day. The sounds have been recorded without losing the original sound, including the release samples and key clicks etc.
Organised into categories (Children, Developed, Drums & FX, Mini Sampler, Musical Toys, Organ Basic, Silly, Small, Speech & Style-o-phone), the samples are easy to preview and select, and once looped up really do produce some inspirational sounds to work with.
You’ll need an iLok key (retailing at about £29). UltimateSoundBank software uses the iLok system for authorisations. Once authorised for a given piece of software, you can use the iLok to authorise that software on any computer.
With a little imagination, this’ll suit any production. Whatever style, you should find some very useful samples from this collection of kids’ toys from the past. |
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