Keys, strings and other things
HALion 6 adds more than 25GB of new sample content in the shape of six scripted instruments.
Raven and Eagle sample classical Italian and German concert grand pianos respectively, the first with six velocity layers, the second 12. Both share the same interface – including controls for adjusting the Sustain Resonance, velocity curve, and release layer volume – and sound lovely. Raven is more obviously appropriate for pop and other contemporary styles, while Eagle suits jazz, classical and solo work.
Hot Brass is a brass and saxophone ensemble instrument geared up for punchy, energetic riffs and stabs. A decent array of matrix-assigned modulation sources and an arpeggiator make it more interesting than it looks.
Studio Strings delivers quick and easy ensemble and solo orchestral strings for modern productions of all kinds. It’s not about to replace your high-end string library in terms of flexibility and range of articulations, but it sounds great in its comfort zone.
On a more electronic tip, the Anima wavetable synth is covered in the main text, and SkyLab uses the Granular engine to come up with a huge library of gorgeous textures, soundscapes, ambiences and FX – it’s definitely our favourite of the bunch.