Music Tech Review: S:amplify Patchworx
Loopmasters recently started the Patchworx series for preset packs created by named producers and artists for popular synths. This month's offering is the snappily titled Drum and Bass and Dubstep - NI Massive Presets, created by S:amplify.
The pack includes a range of bass, lead, pads, general synth and FX patches for Native Instruments’ Massive synth. Although lead bass noises seem to be the main focus here, they also span both the bass and lead preset categories.
MIDI files are also included as a demonstration of each preset, but we found that we preferred to interact with each patch ourselves via a MIDI controller as we flicked through them.
There are some strong sounds in the collection and extremely varied styles, all, generally, with a cutting edge to them. The macro controls have been utilised well, offering large sonic changes with little effort, so you’ll get plenty of mileage out of them. The other advantage of this is the ability to create easy call-and-answer sounds from one instance of Massive and automation of the macro dials.
The other styles of presets are equally interesting to use but small in number. One thing we did feel wasn’t covered was sub-bass, of which we found only one preset for.
Overall, this provides a lot of mid and high bass sounds that you can use as they are or as starting points for your own manipulation.
MTM VERDICT: 8/10
Plenty of dirty bass sounds to use straightaway or as starting points for your own creations.
