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Guitar/Bass | Keys, Synth, Samplers / DJ | Software | Recording / Live Sound | Drums & Perc

PRESS RELEASE

Get in the Groove with Spectrasonics

January 24, 2002

(Click for a close-up)

Sound developer Spectrasonics introduced the world's first Groove Control Virtual Instrument, called Stylus -Vinyl Groove Module.

Stylus is an innovative new type of software plug-in instrument that integrates a massive core library of thousands of groove elements, loops and samples, with a powerful user interface for creating original grooves. Stylus can be used as a native plug-in instrument in hosts like Logic, Digital Performer, Cubase VST, Nuendo and Pro-Tools...no sampler is necessary.

The nearly 3 gigabyte core library of Stylus features a wide range of groove creation elements including:

Over 700 new breakbeat remix loops with a cutting-edge vinyl attitude, from award-winning producer Eric Persing. The grooves cover a wide variety of remix genres including R&B, 2-step, Trip-Hop, Chemical, Epic House, Underground Hip-Hop, UK Garage, Downtempo Dub, Nu-skool, Acid Jazz, Trance, Funk, Alternative, Progressive, Rap, Abstract, Urban Neo-Soul, Big Beat, Slo-Jamz, Drum 'N Bass, and many others.

Original grooves can be created from scratch with instant access to thousands of edgy drum samples. In addition, the Groove Menus let you remix loops in real-time at every tempo from 50-180 BPM in both straight and swing feels. It's as simple as selecting a patch at the desired tempo and playing a connected keyboard -the loop tuning calculations are handled automatically inside the plug-in!

Over a thousand turntablist FX and DJ trick samples are included, as well as a section of hi-fi, live percussion loops-including congas, bongos, djembes, shakers, triangles, agogos and tambourines, all of which can be mixed into any groove separately.

Every loop on Stylus is presented in Spectrasonics widely acclaimed Groove Control activated versions-which provides independent control over the groove's pitch, tempo, feel and pattern ...without using any DSP. Since every groove can be mixed and matched at any tempo or feel, there are literally endless combination possibilities.

Groove Control is a powerful feature even with a conventional sampler, but Stylus takes it to a whole new level. Because of the powerful interface and synthesis engine of the plug-in, the user can tweak the mix or the tuning of individual snare hits, or filter out just the kick drums... all within the loop. This is made possible because the Stylus custom interface offers a special Zone editing feature that conventional samplers lack -each sample has it's own envelopes and filter settings, and selecting the samples to modify is as simple as playing the sample from the user's keyboard. New capabilities such as Groove randomization allow loops to "improvise" as they play. The possibilities for creative manipulation are extensive... but Stylus' power is balanced with an emphasis on easy of use and quick access for maximum inspiration.

Stylus features include: