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Spectrasonics Stylus RMX

Any of you guys use this product? It seems like it could work well for this type of music.

I'm nowhere near where I want to be with my music, but it seems like any tool I can get that will help me should be welcomed with open arms; however, there is that bit about making it too easy (what some would call cheating). I don't suppose it matters, but for some reason I have this mental cramp when I think of using something like this or any type of REX loops, etc. Is it just me? Should I slap myself back in reality because I could probably use all the help I can get.

What is your opinion of this and of Stylus RMX in particular?

I have the same problem. I feel like a cheater when I use software like this or loops or presets or whatever. Then I get the feeling the production is not entirely mine. I'd rather make n00b music that's entirely mine, than make ok music that uses loads of presets, loop samples and spectrasonics stuff.

I know what you guys mean, but you dont have to use the entire same sample. Just tweak or mash it up a bit. That's what I do, I use Spectrasonics Atmosphere it contains some amazing pads but mostly synths. Dunno if there is a demmo avaible but if so, try it out and find out '

Well, I consider Atmosphere to be in a completely different category. I am definitely getting that. It's the Stylus RMX that has me in this dilemna with it's drum loops.

I'm having internal conflict with the idea of using other's made drum loops vs. my own.

Here is a video presentation of Stylus RMX:
http://trio.harmony-central.com/ram...s-Stylus-RMX.rm

This discussion would pertain to any other acidized/REX loops out there. However, Stylus RMX does seem to give the user more flexibility in creating customized sounding loops.

So, the question is, is it cheating or not? Or, does it really matter?

quote:

Originally posted by David Adams Well, I consider Atmosphere to be in a completely different category. I am definitely getting that. It's the Stylus RMX that has me in this dilemna with it's drum loops. I'm having internal conflict with the idea of using other's made drum loops vs. my own. Here is a video presentation of Stylus RMX: http://trio.harmony-central.com/ram...s-Stylus-RMX.rm This discussion would pertain to any other acidized/REX loops out there. However, Stylus RMX does seem to give the user more flexibility in creating customized sounding loops. So, the question is, is it cheating or not? Or, does it really matter?

Everybody uses loops. It doesn't really matter if they're only the spice instead of the whole meal.

imo this kind of software is for songwriters that want to do an own demo to send the label, if they get signed, then a real producer makes the real song.
I think it's a little cheating depending on how you use it, and to add drums is one of the most fun parts to make your mix personal

I would say: buy a dozen of different sample cd's. You can mash up every loop so you can create new ones (for example make 3 loops 1) and you dont have to spend so much money as you have to spend on stylus

I want full control over my percussions, every hit is one that i have drawn... if i mash up a loop, i usually take one hit of something, a snare or something...
But thats me, i hate loops I like to do it all myself
It's not as fun to listen to a track of mine, and knowing that i havent made that drumpart, it's just the same to take a melodyloop, and call it my own..

You don't have to use the loops in Stylus, you can just program your own drums. It has thousands of kicks, snares, hats etc, plus great FX and automation. It comes standard with 7.4 gigs of samples. It's an awesome program. Plus you can add your own rex files to it too. I've been using it since it was released and I don't need to use anything else for drums and percussion.

quote:

Originally posted by jahnlay You don't have to use the loops in Stylus, you can just program your own drums. It has thousands of kicks, snares, hats etc, plus great FX and automation. It comes standard with 7.4 gigs of samples. It's an awesome program. Plus you can add your own rex files to it too. I've been using it since it was released and I don't need to use anything else for drums and percussion.

Oh, perhaps I misunderstood what it was then. I watched that demo of it and it seemed like it was a loop machine on steroids. I didn't know you could program your own drums. I currently use Battery 2 and program the drums with MIDI. Would it be the same way with Stylus or is it built into the program itself in some intuitive fashion? If its the same, I don't think I would have a need for it as Battery 2 has some great samples.

The same, but then when you've programmed your stuff you can get RMX to start improvising the pattern you've created with it's chaos designer. Like having a real drummer playing with you.

I used to think using loops was cheating as well..but i usually use only 1 loop sample in a track im working on. I bought a few different sample CDs..and most of them don't apply to trance..but i take simple percussion sounds and make my own loop percussion out of it. But if everything is loops..like the kick..claps and so forth..thats damn right cheating =/

RMX has millions of 1 shot'ers that are amazing....but the meat is in programing your own patterns with all those sounds....If your going to use the standard loops thats fine, but I suggest you get down and dirty and start messing with them. Honestly this program is really powerfull if you take advantage of it.

I completely understand what you feel like. But from my experience it is essential to get beyond that point. You do not have to take a stylus loop and play it as your single rythmic element for 32 bars. That could be called cheating. But stuff like stylus is a wonderfull tool for adding additional loops and flavors. I usually have my main drums in midi with separated tracks for every drum, playing through battery. Then I have a trackfolder containing two or three tracks called "backing loops". These loops are not very dominant in the mix, just go to the background and thats where you can use all your rex loops or stylus rmx (african beats, weird bongos etc.) If you us an 8-bar scheme in you tracks you could use the chaos-designer in rmx do find a cool variaton of the loop at the end of each 8th bar. You could also assign distortion or delay to some of the slices, like off-beat. Well, I guess that should not be cheating otherwise anything apart from inventing you own musical genre could be considered as cheating.

Btw.: I always have to struggle with the same psychological problem when it comes to richness and complexity of the main melody and motifs. I usually start playing stuff on the piano and as i am a pioano-player i always make full use of both hands. that ends up in something that is way too complicated to get into a trance-track. but everytime i record something simple i have this feeling that it is cheating or "not real composing". that's why i hung a sign over my screen saying "keep it simple!" to allways make me remember...

Thanks everyone! I understand now. I just didn't want to rely too much on one thing. I can see it as a great tool to the arsenal now. Now, I have to ponder if I want that or Atmosphere first

quote:

Originally posted by David Adams Thanks everyone! I understand now. I just didn't want to rely too much on one thing. I can see it as a great tool to the arsenal now. Now, I have to ponder if I want that or Atmosphere first

I have Atmosphere and RMX. Both are great! If you want to fatten up your percussion then get RMX first because the chaos page will really help. However, if you think you need some more fat sounds to bring your track alive then go with Atmosphere first. I bought both on the same day, I also bought Trilogy. Trilogy is realy cool too!

quote:

Originally posted by Mr.Mystery Everybody uses loops.

Lots of people don't/won't use loops...

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