New Package Delivers 2.5 Gigs of New Sounds and 1.5 Gigs of Old Greats
FRANKFURT, GERMANY, APRIL 9, 2009 — EASTWEST, the industry leader in soundware development and distribution, proudly announced a power-packed upgrade for the popular Quantum Leap SD2 virtual instrument software with SD2 PRO Upgrade, which made its European debut at Musikmesse 2009.
“Building on the fantastic response to the SD2, we have created an exciting upgrade package that features a generous combination of new percussion sounds and a collection of the ’best of sounds’ from the SD1 package,� states Quantum Leap producer Nick Phoenix. “We are sure the combination of new additions and time-tested sounds will inspire every composer to reach for new persuasive percussion passages to enhance every style of music.�
The power-packed upgrade delivers a full 2.5 gigs of percussive sounds featuring an imaginative variety of strike and brush solos and ensemble recordings. The sound of three giant Chinese Lion Drums, played by six percussionists in sync, will certainly make the emperors of old sit up and pay attention – move over taiko! The Middle Earth Ensemble features eight percussionists playing various bass and battle drums combined with floor and small toms to make the most reluctant elf and orc rush to battle. Two large Persian Battle Drums played in sync bridge the gap between Middle East and West, while Trailer Toms feature eight sets of huge tom ensembles that inspire heart-pounding rhythms.
New solo instruments include the mridangam, a two-headed Indian drum capable of dozens of tones like tablas, but with a different harmonic structure, played by a lifetime mridangam master. Following in the tradition of the popular brushed percussion from SD2, 10 new sampled drums played with a variety of brushed techniques enhance this sonic pallet. The rare Indian stringed percussion instrument, the Khamak, offers a truly wild sound, while the Daf, a Persian hand drum, offers beautiful high-pitched drum sounds. We take a tour of China through the samples of beautiful sounding Chinese toms in sets of four, various new Chinese gongs and cymbals played with many techniques, and Chinese blocks.
For the maximum customization without sound degradation, SD2 delivers MIDI performances created with Roland V-Drums and Zendrum percussion controllers. This allows the user to change anything, with absolutely no effect to sound quality. MIDI performances are pre-mixed, panned and produced for quick use.
All recordings were made with vintage Neumann microphones in the famous EASTWEST STUDIO 1, providing that unmistakable Hollywood soundstage vibe and a sound far beyond any other commercial percussion library. Superior reverb impulses are included, recorded by Prof. Keith O. Johnson and Nick Phoenix.
The SD2 PRO Upgrade retails for €149.00.
About EASTWEST
Since 1988, EASTWEST (soundsonline-europe.com) has been dedicated to perpetual innovation and uncompromising quality, setting the industry standard as the #1 producer and distributor of sample CDs and virtual (software) instruments. With over 30 years’ experience in the audio industry, founder and producer Doug Rogers has the expertise in music production to understand the creative tools professional musicians need. The recipient of numerous gold and platinum records including Recording Engineer of the Year, and over 50 international awards, Rogers is featured in The Art of Digital Music: 56 Visionary Artists and Insiders by David Battino and Kelli Richards.
QUANTUM LEAP is a wholly owned division of EASTWEST. Quantum Leap Virtual Instruments are mostly produced by multiple award-winning producer and composer Nick Phoenix. Some of the larger productions, such as Symphonic Orchestra, Symphonic Choirs and EastWest/Quantum Leap Pianos are co-produced by Doug Rogers and Nick Phoenix.
