Publisher: Sample Logic
Website: samplelogic
Format: KONTAKT 6+
System requirements: Mac OS (64-bit only) X 10.11, i5, 4 GB RAM \ Windows (32/64-bit) 7, 8, 10, Intel Core i5 or equivalent CPU, 4 GB RAM \ 13 GB free disk space
Quality: 24 bit 44.1 kHz stereo
Description: Sample Logic has just released the second version of the stunning XOSPHERE 2. They have teamed up with sound design companies Black Octopus, Audio Modern, SampleTraxx and Loopmasters to create an instrument that uses their proprietary morphing algorithm to blend amazing soundscapes and pulsating atmosphere. While the basic interface structure is the same as Morphestra 2, the sound sources are very different: Morphestra relies on distorted orchestral samples, while XOSPHERE creates an unusual sound design that is not easy to categorize.
4 Cores: The main interface display has four sound sources or cores and an XY morph pad that intersect with each other. The sounds seem to blend so seamlessly that the result is not just a blending of four different sounds, but an intersection of four parts of the same sound that are emphasized or diminished at will.
Browser: Contains 13 GB of new samples and 2000 instruments. Sounds can be searched using a browsing matrix using keywords and search metadata. You can mark your favorites and filter your search results as desired. You can also retain modulation selections and effects when changing only the source. Each source can be mapped to a key range or transposed if desired. In fact, many sounds work well independently of each other.
Effects: a chain of six possible effects for each source. Some effects have automation with a built-in step sequencer. There is also a selection of effect chain presets to choose from. In this window you can also choose where the sample will be played. XOSPHERES can create pulsating fluidity, bottomless waves, and ethereal drones that appear to breathe. A must-have tool for composers with a sense of sound design.
Mix Display: Allows you to control the LFO and filtering for each source, and there is a drop-down menu with options such as: Mellow, B. Boost, Thin, Thick, etc. A quick way to change one of the sources without much hassle.
Display Master: Offers global effects that match the selections available for individual sources. Again, you can chain up to six processes, and there’s also a preset menu for effect chains.
Randomizer: In the top right corner there is a “Random” button and a menu that provides intelligent randomization through selective filtering. This is a powerful way to generate unique sounds that can range from obnoxious to sublime. But the ability to filter can be used to narrow the range of choices in a way that paradoxically controls the process. It might even be better to add a percentage or degree of randomization to further improve the process.
Problems with KONTAKT?
If the library\tools doesn’t load\work correctly, place the Presets – Xosphere 2 folder in
Installation version of KONTAKT:
Kontakt 5: user/documents/Native Instruments/Kontakt 5
Kontakt 6: user/documents/Native Instruments/Kontakt
Portable version of KONTAKT:
…/UserData\Kontakt\Presets – Xosphere 2 (option: \Kontakt 6 NO INSTALL\cf)
