COLUMN: Best Service has announced a new massive virtual instrument sample library containing over 200 classic and modern music instruments. Claimed to be the “biggest and most extensive synthesizer sound collection of all time,” it truly appears to be a step-up from past efforts like “Nostalgia” and similar projects, and has a huge sample set based on 5,500 multi-samples and 100,000 samples (36GB on multiple DVDs).

The new sample based instrument uses a new streaming player which is partially based on the very capable Yellow Tools Independence engine, and is called ENGINE. I don’t own the full version, but I have used the free version that Yellow Tools made available a couple of years back and was very impressed. Much like other modern engines like the UVI system, the Yellow Tools engine allows for both playback and layering of sounds, but also controls for tweaking of “instruments” (or, “patches” if you prefer).

According to Best Service, “the development and the sampling of this library was 10 Years in the making.” TITAN offers multi-samples of the best sounds from 200 classic Analog Synthesizers and Modular Systems including the biggest and most famous Digital Synths and Workstations of the 80s and 90s but also the newest virtual instruments and current synths all in one massive plugin.

This, according to the company, means 40 years of synth history and sound variety, the biggest sound and style collection ever. “We put a great emphasis on preserving the unique sound character of each instrument. That's why the instruments were partially sampled with their original effects and filters because they can hardly be reproduced in the virtual domain. All instruments were sampled and looped perfectly and inserted into the best service ENGINE.”

ENGINE was developed by Best Service in cooperation with yellow tools. ENGINE is based on the high-end sampler Independence Pro and offers all performance features of a contemporary sample engine. For the first time ever in a Sample Player, ENGINE offers the possibility of importing external audio files for creating your own layers within TITAN.

From the Best Service Web site (specifications):

Top Features:
– superfast Sound Loading – average access and loading of a new sound with all its parameters and effects in less than a second!
– direct stepping through the Soundpool
– Analog Modelling for realistic reproduction of analog synth sounds.
– Solo-Mode, Legato-Mode, Glide and Samplestart Shifting.
– a vast array of parameters, giving unprecedented sound diversity
– QuickEdit Page: an inspiring interface with instant access to all important parameters
– ProEdit Page: offers every possible parameter, an FX-Rack with 46 effects, convolution reverb (including 400 impulse responses) and more…
– infinite polyphony
– flexible MIDI routing
– excellent Arpeggiator incl. Midifile-Player
– Step Sequencer

Library:
– 36 GB sample sound library
– 5500 unique multisamples
– 100,000 samples
– hundreds of additional live recordings

Instruments:
– 2327 Synth Sounds divided into 35 subgroups (Lead-Synths, Bells, Sequences, 5th, 7th, Filter, Accordion, Atmospheric, Basic Waves, Brutal, China & Asia, Chords, Dance, Detuned, Digital, DX & FM, Dramatic, Dreaming, Effects, Harp, Electronica, Gliding, Kraftwerk-Style, Melody, Metallic, Allround, Organic, Phasing, Power, Ringmodulation, Space & Cosmos, Synthpop, Techno, Unisono, Wavetable)
– 1200 Pads & Atmospheres (divided into 38 subgroups)
– 778 Basses (divided into 39 subgroups)
– 250 Synth-Brass & Real Brass Sounds
– 100 Guitars
– 200 Organs (divided into 11 subgroups)
– 161 Choirs & Voices
– 227 Pianos
– hundreds of effect-sounds
– Bonus-Bank: 170 original vintage string synths from over 20 different original instruments

System requirements:

Mac OS:
– Mac OS 10.4, 10.5 or higher
– PowerMac G4 or Intel Mac 1GHz
– Min. 512MB Ram
– Min. 35GB harddisk space
– DVD drive
– Internet connection for product activation required
Recommended: G5 or Intel Mac 1.8GHz, 1GB Ram
Interfaces: Standalone, AU, VST, RTAS

Windows:
– Windows XP or Windows Vista
– Min. Pentium/Athlon XP 1.4GHz
– Min. 512MB Ram
– 35GB hard disk space
– DVD drive
– Internet connection for product activation required
Recommended: Pentium/Athlon XP 3.0GHz, 1GB Ram
Interfaces: Standalone, VST, RTAS.

MORE INFORMATION:
http://www.bestservice.de/detail.asp/en/best_service/titan_200_synthesizers_in_one .