2007 Winter Namm Show: Sonic Reality have introduced the new Ocean Way Drums sample library. The brainchild of acclaimed engineer/producer and studio owner Allen Sides, OWD utilized the world’s most extensive collection of vintage microphones to record drums in Ocean Way’s renowned Studio B, designed by recording legend Bill Putnam.
Sides’ partners in the project are engineer/producer and label executive Steven Miller, and Dave Kerzner, CEO of Sonic Reality. The new OWD library utilizes Sonic Reality’s exclusive I-Map, which they say is the highest standard of drum mapping to date, far exceeding the expressive capabilities of the common GM map. OWD incorporates legendary studio acoustics and expert engineering with the highly expressive MIDI-controlled I-Map programming in sample formats such as Native Instruments Kontakt 2, all in one unprecedented collection.
Sides and Miller recorded full drum kits with the finest kick drums, snares, toms, hi hats and cymbals, utilizing a unique multi-microphone recording technique that captures the sound of each instrument with optimum sonic impact and spatial depth. An enormous variety of sounds are instantly available via preset mixes made by these top engineers, giving users not only the raw drum sounds but a range of sounds that are album quality and ready for professional mixes. Additionally, a virtually unlimited sonic palate is available by experimenting with the various stereo sub mixes, control of the pitch, tone and effect processing.
The sampling sessions of Ocean Way Drums utilized a custom console built by the studio’s original designer Bill Putman. This console in Ocean Way’s Studio B delivers astonishing clarity with a slew rate exceeding 200 volts per microsecond running on 28 volt rails, and is considered to be the fastest console on the planet. The historic Studio B has hosted sessions with Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Green Day, Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton and Radiohead, among countless other ground-breaking artists. It is the home of one of the best sounding live rooms and some of the most sought after vintage gear in the world. Also employed in the sampling session were highly customized classic outboard gear by Neve, API, UREI, and Fairchild along with rare hand-selected vintage tube microphones and special drum kits that have been recorded by top artists on albums at Ocean Way over the years.
Sonic Reality’s I-MAP is a proprietary MIDI note mapping/drum kit layout scheme that facilitates improved live performance of drum kits via MIDI keyboard input. I-MAP places drums in their most flexible and intuitive positions, allowing each of the fingers on both hands independent and coordinated control over the loaded kit. Sonic Reality say that, with very little practice, it is possible to lay down complete drum tracks in a single take that have an entirely realistic sound and rhythm.
Additionally, special maps have also been made for control with high-end drum pads such as the Roland V-Drums. Many of the performance articulations from I-Map were designed to be triggered with maximum dynamics and alternate randomization for incredible realism and expression when played from top of the line drum pad controllers. Finally, access to the individual mic channel samples is also available for direct drum replacement in DAWs such as ProTools, Nuendo, Logic and more.
Pricing and Availability:
- TBA
