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Home : Products : ILIO : Skippy's Noizbox : Reviews
 
Skippy's Noizbox


 

Keyboard Review


A good loop library will have tons of vibe, tight grooves and individual hits and patterns separated out construction kit-style. Skippy's Noizbox goes beyond what you'd expect from a great library by providing an ear-bending mix of sound design, intricately woven beats, and a complete construction kit for each loop. Those who spring for the CD-Rom version get even more, including Groove Menu (programs consisting of all the loops beat-matched at specific tempos), programs organised by categories such as kick, snare, etc., and Groove Control programs in which every last crack, smack and sound effect for each loop is mapped out across the keyboard.

A data CD-Rom (included) contains MIDI files that can be used to play these programs, allowing you to sped up and slow down the loops without affecting the pitch. What's more, you can change the feel of the loops by quantizing the MIDI tracks, replace kicks and snares with your own samples, and create hybrid groove by combining elements from different patterns.

Tempos range from 73 to 145 bpm, with more than half the loops over 120bpm. In most cases there may be only one loop at a given tempo, but every loop is presented in three ways: full mix (with synths and other pitched sounds), a groove only mix, and a breakdown. And remember, using Groove Control programs and a sequencer, you can combine elements from one loop with elements from another.

Noizbox moves from slick sounding hip-hop and synth inspired patterns that recall early '90s stylings in the vein of Fine Young Cannibals, to modern house, trance, and more Euro-tinged grooves complete with flickering effects that bounce between (and seemingly around) the speakers. On the whole these loops are incredibly hi-fi, so if you're into gritty styles such as dub or trip-hop you'll need to apply our own dirt. Second listener Greg Rule agreed, suggesting that "if you have the time/energy, you can pull the layers apart and dunk them in whatever lo-fi effect you desire."

Regardless of your sonic preference, Noizbox presents an outstanding arsenal of sounds and grooves that die-hard loopmeisters could use to cook up new loops for years and never get bored.
— John Krogh

 

From the day they opened their doors in 1994, ILIO has been committed to producing useful, timeless and inspiring sample libraries for musicians. Tapping years of experience in sound design and electronic composition, their knowledge of the quality demands of today's music scene is the driving force behind every title they release.
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