THE SIX BEST: 90S TOOLS

New software and hardware for old skool sounds

E-mu in software from £free

E-mu were one company that had the hardware sound module market sewn up in the 90s. Sadly they just seem to make headphones now, but there are several ways to get the E-mu sound in software including the E-mu Systems Proteus VX sample player, Luxonix Ravity Windows ROMpler and Digital Sound Factory E-mu Proteus Pack, and all pretty cheap (or free) options too! digitalsoundfactory.com, sonic-cat.com

Korg Collection Triton $249 8/10 cm281

The Korg Triton is packed full of 90s sounds going back to Trinity range and this software ROMpler is neat, easy to use and sounds incredible. “If you need a one-plugin-fits-all solution for a huge variety of genres, and feel like taking a trip back a couple of decades to that crazy time, then Triton has all you need.” korg.com

UNDRGRND SOUNDS They Call It Acid

£34.95

Of course, there are loads of other sample options but this one especially caught our eye. Described as a “trippy, euphoric and mind-altering collection of loops and samples” this collection has plenty of original beats, basslines and loops to help produce a variety of 90s genres, not ‘just’ acid house, although you will find an entire folder dedicated to the sound of the 303. You could also use our cover samples this month too, of course… undrgrndsounds.com

Roland Cloud £18.95/month 8/10 /10 cm280

Korg’s Triton gives you a sound-packed nd-packed softsynth, but how about every ery Roland synth from that period and earlier? arlier? The company’s Cloud has everything hing from 808s and 909s through to more ‘modern’ digital JVs and XVs. We said: “£18.95 a month (with the option to keep ep one instrument for every year you u subscribe) might seem a small price to pay for such impressive portions of Roland d nostalgia.” rolandcloud.com

eBay various £various

We said we’d give you modern equivalents, but when you can pick up an original Korg Prophecy for £200, a Roland JV-1080 for £150 and an E-mu sampler for £300, why would you not? Well, for the very simple reason that you can do it all in software, that’s why! Now wipe those rose-tinted spectacles clean… ebay.co.uk

Loopmasters Loopcloud £free to £17.99 9/10 cm275

Loopcloud gives you access to Loopmasters’ massive sample collection and allows you to search by, and home in on, all those 90s collections, should you wish. It even matches samples together by pitch and tempo and there is full-on editing, recording and even instruments, making this more like a DAW with each update. “Loopcloud continues to innovate,” we concluded. loopcloud.com