Having a vast array of effects and noises available is a real imperative for anyone working in the field of audio post-production and soundtracks. WAVE ALCHEMY offers us this new chapter of its line of libraries designed for Sound Design, which promises to cover a wide and accurate assortment of this type of sounds. Let's find out in this test.
SFX COLLECTION 03 is a title developed by the English house WAVE ALCHEMY, operating in the market since 2008.
The company was founded by sound designers Dan Byers and Steve Heath, and hosts in its catalog various titles of Loops and Samples Library and effects.
The library, specifically, consists of 555 samples format WAV, with sampling depth 24 bit/44.1 KHz.
It is compatible with all the main ones DAW and the main ones Sampler Players. The library takes up more than 1.3 GB of content and is available in digital download on the manufacturer's website, at the price of 39,95 pounds (I leave the exact change to you).
For those interested only in some of the contents of the title, it is also possible to select only one or more categories of effects, obviously at a proportionally lower amount.
KIND OF THE LIBRARY
SFX COLLECTION 03 is an effects library intended for use in the sound design and in audio post - production.
The title is characterized by an editorial slant that combines traditional and experimental features at the same time: it is possible to find both noises and effects of all sorts and of various origins, and tools of purely avant-garde extraction.
The contents are conveniently arranged in the different categories in which the samples are distributed, as we will discover in the next paragraph.
CONTENT OVERVIEW
The library, as mentioned in the presentation, consists of 555 samples, divided into the following departments:
IMPACTS. 87 sounds
CYMBAL FX. 93 sounds / effects
UPLIFTERS & RISERS. 80 sounds
DOWNSHIFTERS & FALLS. 72 sounds
TRANSITIONS. 76 sounds
NOISE TOOLS. 62 sounds
PERCUSSIVE FX. 56 effects
melodic. 29 effects
There is then an additional folder called INFO & DOCUMENTATION which contains useful news about the developer and the title.
TECHNICAL AND AESTHETIC ANALYSIS OF THE CONTENTS
SFX COLLECTION 03 offers us a generously sized sample of sounds and effects. Generally speaking, the sound quality of the samples is homogeneously more than decent in all 8 categories in which they are divided, but the categories dedicated to effects deserve a particular mention for the high fidelity and definition of the sound: CYMBAL FX, PERCUSSIVE FX and MELODIC.
Let's look at each section individually.
1) IMPACTS. Collisions, impacts, explosions and drones perfect for Sub channels. The sounds really produce a very punchy effect, even without pushing them further via compressors. Stylistically, they are particularly suitable for Game Audio and to characterize impacts between asteroids and star wars in science fiction films.
2) CYMBAL FX. Original and creative sounds of different types of crash effects obtained through granular modulation. The timbre of the various samples has always different shades and is embellished with a remarkable spatiality and definition. Very interesting category.
3) UPLIFTERS & RISERS. Effective effects and ever-changing sound textures to create engaging soundscapes full of emotional tension.
4) DOWNSHIFTERS & FALLS. Epic sounds dedicated to the construction of complex tonal transitions and noises processed in a truly creative way. The “darker” counterpart of UPLIFTERS & RISERS.
5) TRANSITIONS. Samples of articulated Doppler FX and creative special effects to appropriately sound the transition phases, both scenic and compositional.
6) NOISE TOOLS. Real synthesis engines dedicated to the electronic reworking of environmental noises and Found Sounds.
7) PERCUSSIVE FX. A casket of percussive Loops covering a wide range of electronic genres including Glitch, Ambient, Industrial, Minimal, etc. It certainly deserves special mention.
8) melodic. Tonal sound effects, pads, soundscapes, arpeggios, harmonic modulations and atmospheric sequences. What can I say ... almost a library in the library! A really nice surprise that you don't expect to find in an effects library. Compliments.
To compose the Audio Demo that accompanies the review, I used elements from all categories. It is very fun, as well as professionally performing, to work with these sounds. Judge the result for yourself, but I believe you will agree.
RECOMMENDED USES AND DESTINATIONS
The title was created primarily for use in post - production and audio editing.
Due to its stylistic versatility and completeness, especially in the effects sector, it is perfectly suited for use (traditional or more experimental) in sound reinforcement areas of Fiction, Film, Tv, Spot and in the audio implementation engines Video Games.
They will therefore be able to profitably use it primarily sound designers, foley artists, fx engineers and noise makers, but also composers and musicians who intend to enrich their compositions with an electronic and experimental touch.
PROJECTED IMPACT
ADVANTAGES
- Complementarity of contents between tradition and experimentation
- Absolutely convincing FX sub-funds
- Stylistic audacity which in my opinion is rewarded
DEFECTS
- Absence of strictly environmental effects
- Price maybe a little high
- Nothing else to report
SFX COLLECTION 03 is a library that is worth experimenting, you will see that in addition to meeting the priority professional needs, it will also make the hours spent in the studio pleasant.
USEFUL INFORMATION
Producer: Wave Alchemy
Distributor: Online
Title: Sfx Collection 03
Price: 39.95 + VAT £
Peter Fraccavento
