• Software
  • Brio Latin Percussion Ensemble | Indiginus (p.5)
2014/09/15 16:39:23
bitflipper
First look: had a go with the ensemble instrument first, which is all one-shots. It's logically laid out with pictures to show which instruments are being activated and color-coded keys, one key for each instrument and articulation. If this is how you normally use percussion libraries (like I do) you'll be up and running in 30 seconds. Djembe, bongos, congas and timbales are tunable.
 
Next I pulled up the sequencer. The array of blue lights that dominate the display might seem daunting at first glance, but then you'll realize it's just a step sequencer. If you've used any step sequencer, including SONAR's, you'll have no problem. Click a blue light to turn an instrument on, click it again to turn it off. Like SONAR's step sequencer you can program in real time or step-record, can choose sequence lengths of between 1 and 32 steps, and specify swing. The sliders along the bottom are volume controls.
 
You also get a proper mixer view, where you can pan each instrument, select the microphone, and apply delay and/or reverb to each instrument independently. There is also a compressor, but it doesn't appear to have any controls and applies to the full mix. The green lights at top are microphone enable buttons.
 
There are 24 sequences already programmed in, so you can have some fun with it straight out of the box. There's a well-written user guide, but you won't need it right away. Although I did learn from reading what "FL" stands for (flam). Probably would have figured that one out eventually.
 
Strange thing...in two of the low conga samples you can hear a voice. Because of the round-robins you'll need to hit F3 more than once to hear it. No one would ever notice it in a mix, though. One says "slower". The other I can't make out. It might be "these are not the droids you're looking for".
 
 
 
2014/09/15 20:24:50
Jeff M.
bitflipper
Who can't use more cowbells?
 


Hey Bit - Didn't you get SR Peart Kit with the 5 cowbells a while back?
 
2014/09/15 22:13:48
cclarry
"I'm just like you guys...I put my pant on one leg at time...only 
 difference is...after I put my pants on I make Gold Records!"

Bruce Dickenson.



2014/09/15 22:13:48
cclarry
Duplicate
2014/09/15 22:24:11
bitflipper
Jeff M.
bitflipper
Who can't use more cowbells?

Hey Bit - Didn't you get SR Peart Kit with the 5 cowbells a while back?

 
I thought about it, but didn't. I can't even afford a real cowbell.
2014/09/16 10:00:04
ltb
Here's another feature that I really find useful.
In Brio you when you load a pattern & hear only 1 or several instruments in the pattern you like but don't want use them all you can select/ deselect.
You can then save those as user patterns (e.g. shaker only)

You can easily build entire master groove pattern all in one window then save each as individual patterns then KS them separately in a song.
Then save all those patterns to a sub folder to keep as backup with that song or use for other projects.
Very handy, makes for quick mockups.


2014/09/16 10:38:38
Glyn Barnes
Can you drag patterns into a midi track? I would be surprised if you could but it would be a nice feature.
2014/09/16 11:13:38
ltb
I don't think that's possible.
You can record/ play midi with the Ensemble.
2014/09/16 20:18:21
bitflipper
That would be nice, but not possible from within Kontakt. 
 
You can, however, adapt your existing MIDI tracks to the Ensemble instrument if you don't want to use the sequencer.
 
My only (minor) complaint so far is that every preset sounds like Santana rolling around in a cement mixer. I know, that frenzied cacophony is part of what makes it "Latin". But unless I'm specifically going for a carnival atmosphere, it's unlikely I'll ever find a use for the presets.
 
It would be cool if there were some more general-purpose, simpler presets like generic shaker, conga and tambourine patterns.
 
Because you can load and save your own patterns (they're small text files - .nka - stored in the Data folder where Brio is installed), it should be easy to establish an online repository to share with others. 
2014/09/17 08:35:47
dcumpian
yorolpal
Cuba is very good...but limited.  Which was it's intention.


 OlPal, can you 'splain that a little? It's on my wishlist, but if it is too narrow in scope, I'll pass on it for something better.
 
Thanks,
Dan
 
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