Review: Loopmasters Atjazz Deep & Analogue, sample library by Martin Iveson

Atjazz is one of the monikers of producer, DJ, prolific remixer (over 140 remixes worldwide), and record label founder Martin Iveson, who actually started out as a video game composer at Core Design (of Tomb Raider fame).

Martin is the latest producer in the line-up of the Loopmasters Artist Series.

With Atjazz Deep & Analogue he shares a sample collection featuring recordings from over 10 analogue synthesizers.

In the booklet Martin writes:

“In order to make this artist pack for Loopmasters I had to think long and hard about how create the pack in a way that I would be able to generate many sounds as I would for one of my own songs.

Not working “in the box’ using new methods of music production ‘Plugins, VSTi’s etc…’ meant that a lot of hard core recording was in store for me. Recording over 10 analogue machines each of a different age meant that I could give out a good varied selection of usable analogue sounds taken from the actual synths & machines. I for one am an avid sampler of my own sounds and love to get into editing and would love to see more people getting back into the art of sampling.”

The library includes over 250 loops in Wav and REX formats:

• Bass Loops, 19 deep basslines made with synths like the Waldorf XT, Nord Modular, Korg Monopoly, and more.
• Classic Breaks, Martin’s takes on 8 classic breaks. Includes single element loops for easy mixing (47 loops in total).
• Drum Loops, 23 beats plus various single element loops, a total of 150 loops. 117, 120, and 124 bpm. Includes 3 beats (16 loops) from the Kawai R100.
• Synth Loops, 43 loops from various synths and samples instruments including the Fender Rhodes, Yahama DX21, ARP Odyssey, Teisco 110F, and many more.

Also included are over 140 single sounds and some 60 sampler patches in various formats (EXS24, HALion, Kontakt, NN-XT, Redrum, and Sfz). Available categories here are bass, drum, lead sounds, and pads.

These single shot sounds and sampler instruments compliment the loops well, as quite a few are the same or similar sounds to those used in the loops. Useful for creating variations. The single shot sample folder also has some Rhodes chords and sound fx, these are not mapped to sampler instruments.

So what do I think?

Using some of the instruments which determine the “Atjazz” sound (Rhodes Mk II, Teisco, SH09, Monopoly) Martin has managed to bring this sample library to the level you would hope for. If you are familiar with music of Atjazz you’ll find the vibe of Atjazz Deep & Analogue is spot on.

The melodic loops are soulful and inspiring, featuring a good mixture of sounds like bass, stabs, chords, lead melodies, etc. The lovely Rhodes samples are a highlight for me. The drums and breaks have this amazing funky, mellow feel to them – great for house and downtempo music genres. The loops are just 4 bars, but still there is plenty of room for cutting things up in your favorite sampler (REX is also included).

Although I don’t care for the sampler patches — which layer single sounds across the keyboard or simply group sounds (hihats, kick, snares), the included single shot sounds are not filler content. This section contains some quality samples, including ones that are not used in any of the loops. The pads and layers folder has some fantastic samples of Juno pads and lush deep chords. Great value.

Atjazz Deep & Analogue shows Martin’s love for music, and I feel privileged that he has shared some of his sounds in this library. I only have one small gripe, this library leaves me wanting more!

More information: Loopmasters / Atjazz Deep & Analogue

Hey there, I'm Ronnie and I run Rekkerd.org. I'm a bedroom music producer and guitar player, and I love chicken vindaloo & all things glitch.