In Session Audio Shimmer Shake Strike $140

In Session Audio introduce us to another pattern-based playback engine this month in the shape of Shimmer Shake Strike. This new library for Kontakt utilises multiple single-shot samples of a wide range of hand-held percussion instruments and combines them with an inventive three-part sequencing system. ISA’s ultimate aim was to allow you to create rhythms that are both usable and realistic, which has meant recording as many iterations of the performance process as possible. For example, each shaker can draw from 130 samples across 13 articulation types. The nicely spacious interface falls into three main areas. The Main screen provides an overview of the three percussion parts, and an indication of the key mapping, while the Pattern window is where most of the magic happens. Each of the instruments gets its own pattern sequencer lane, allowing the selection of one of seven articulation points (including two flavours of inter-step rolls) per step. In use, the system is very quick, making it very easy to create realistic-sounding percussion parts – and if you need to delve deeper, there are many pattern tweaking options under the hood, and plenty of sonic adjustments available in the Mixer section. Patterns are triggered by MIDI notes and playback in sync with your DAW project tempo. If you require instant gratification, the library comes with 84 Snapshots (with 8 patterns each), though In Session Audio are currently including a free expansion pack that ups this to 184 (and with double the number of tambourines and shakers). Shimmer Shake Strike comes highly recommended, and should fit into just about any production style or genre. Bruce Aisher www.insessionaudio.com VERDICT 8.9