EXS 24 Logic Sampler Users Group

> I'm interested in getting any feedback y'all have on some of the more
> recent sample library offerings. I'm particularly interested in the
> crop of jazz and big band stuff that came out last year, including
> Garritan's Big Band library, First Call Horns and the update to Kick
> a** Brass. Also the ancient/ethnic offerings RA from East West, and
> Origins, the brand new one from Ilio (which may be too new for anyone
> to have yet). I've listened to a bunch of demos ranging from lousy to
> impressive, but demos can be deceiving as they are frequently put
> together around the instruments themselves. Real-world experiences
> integrating these sounds into your pieces are at least as valuable.
>
> Sean McCoy
> Oregon Sound Recording

Sean,

I'm really pleased with Garritan's JaBB samples, although they do  
take some time to get your head around -and I'm still working on  
that. If your looking for user examples, check out the Garritan forum  
in the demos section, there's a good variety of styles to give you a  
reference point. Remember however, that it was only December when  
people began getting their hands on copies, and people (especially  
those new to Garritan; like myself) are still trying to used to how  
his stuff is structured.

On initial play in, things may not sound as good as you expect, but  
they improve as you massage them with cc data. I've been finding it  
too troublesome to draw it in on my sequencer so I went out and got a  
little midi data controller this weekend; makes it much easier.

I'm having the toughest time with the alto samples, but some really  
nice clarinet (and bass clarinet), bari sax, some of the trumpets,  
flugel. One of the 2 doublebass choices is Chuck Isreals' bass (best  
known for his work with Bill Evans). I studied with Chuck and have  
played that bass on half a dozen occasions and they did a great job  
of caputuring in both pizz and arco. The jazz kit is the most  
authentic sample I've played around with in my, admittedly limited,  
experience.

I'm not in the position to go out and spend big coin, but for the  
money, I don't think you can go wrong.

Anyways, hope that helps


Regards,
     Shane

Shane Fawkes
Director of Music
Walnut Grove Sec. School
Langley, B.C.
Canada

sfawkes@...