Authentic Flutes, Xtreme FX and a Browser-Based SysEx Librarian

Fancy yourself as a bit of a James Galway? Or maybe you’re looking for FX sounds for a movie score? We have just the thing for you this week, as well as a cool browser-based SysEx Librarian.

VWinds Flutes from AcousticSamples

For the last couple of years, AcousticSamples have been focusing their incredible sampling and modelling skills on their V Series of orchestral libraries for the UVI platform. First, we had VHorns. VWinds came next and VWinds Flutes represents the last in that particular section of the orchestra.

Using their incredibly clever blend of sampling and modelling, AcousticSamples have achieved remarkable results. With a hard focus on realism and playability, they manage to deliver supremely authentic libraries that don’t eat up CPU or precious drive space.

AcousticSamples claim that VFlutes is their most advanced library yet. But all of this complexity is beautifully and brilliantly disguised behind a simple interface. Whilst not diminishing the depth of control, the interface allows you to start playing right away. And with MPE and breath/wind controller support, the achievable detail is stunning.

Instrument and microphone placement are all fully configurable. Their proprietary Harmonic Alignment Technology uses clever modelling to accurately simulate articulations, just like a real player. VWinds Flutes comes with nine different flute instruments. C, Bass, Alto and Contrabass plus two piccolos.

There is even an overblow feature which allows players to access played harmonics when you push things to the limits. The library comes with a stack of great presets but literally everything is user configurable.

I have been a huge fan of AcousticSamples for many years and with each release, they find new ways of literally blowing my socks off, pun intended! VWinds Flutes is currently on offer at €149 until April 30th 2024. After that, it’s €199. Be sure to check out the rest of the range too!

VWinds Flutes is supported by UVI’s free UVI Workstation and their mega-synth, Falcon.

XtremeFX II from UVI

Continuing the UVI theme this week is Xtreme FX II. Coming direct from UVI themselves, Xtreme FX II, as the name suggests, is an update to Xtreme FX! Nothing much gets past me, eh? So what’s changed?

Quite simply, everything! Xtreme FX II now has a really great interface. Flat design with superb graphics, the front end has a clean look with everything you need to hand. There’s even a really useful XY pad that allows you to morph between a wealth of settings, such as pitch or space.

Sounds are categorised into main categories and then further subcategories to help you find the right sound effect. But don’t think that this is just a collection of presets. Xtreme FX II gives you a whole suite of tools to fine tune the samples to suit your project. You can even add your own samples to the collection!

There is 12GB of content in here so the detail and quality is up to UVI’s already impeccable standards. And this library, like all of their content, works with the free UVI Workstation or the incredibly powerful Falcon.

Xtreme FX II is available for the next few days for €99, rising to €149 after April 8th 2024. Version 1 owners can upgrade for €49. UVI Sonicpass subscribers will find it in their library right now.

F0F7 – LASER Mammoth SysEx Librarian

In 2024, the concept of SysEx librarians might be lost on some. We live in an age where most hardware synths come with a companion plugin, editor or app. But back in the day, we didn’t have such luxuries. Voice and patch editors and librarians can be traced back as far as the mid-1980s.

Yamaha’s CX5M home computer had dedicated programs to edit and manage the contents of your DX7 or RX11. Come the 90s, and the surge in home computer adoption, more and more applications appeared to allow you control over your hardware.

Some manufacturers had their own applications. Other, third-party developers came up with huge, sprawling catch-all applications that gave you control over a multitude of hardware synths.

Back To The Future

These days we have some very cool apps and programs that cater to one or more of our now-vintage synths. F0F7’s LASER Mammoth is one such application that stands out from the crowd because it works right in your browser!

With an ever-increasing list of supported devices, it offers a consistent and logical interface with which to send SysEx patch data between your computer and synths. Reorder, delete, rename and share your sounds.

You can create your own custom banks, save them and export them to your synth. Or you can import and rearrange patches the way you want them. Simply grant your browser access to your MIDI devices and you can drag and drop sounds to your heart’s content.

Each synth will have its own custom layout, but the design is consistent across all supported devices. Create your profile for free and benefit from the basic features right away. However, for a mere €7.90 a year, you can access the Pro version with expanded functionality.

Supported synths include vintage classics such as the Access Virus, Yamaha DX7, Ensoniq SQ-1, Roland JD800 and KORG DW800. It also caters for modern synths such as the Sequential Prophet 5 Rev.4, Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave, Intellijel Plonk and even the Strymon Timeline pedal!

F0F7 Laser Mammoth has been around for a few years now, but it seems not many people know about it. I hope this mention gives it a popularity boost

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