Stylus RMX 1.0.5 review

Since Spectrasonics first announced Stylus RMX earlier this year, groove junkies across the globe have been hopping excitedly from foot to foot in anticipation of what promised to be arguably the ultimate sample-based virtual instrument.

This latest incarnation expands the plug-in's use, potential and flexibility in leaps and bounds.

A prime beneficiary of this expansion has been the Core Library - now containing a mighty 7.6GB of samples. With over 2500 grooves, 3000 kit elements and 10,000 single shots, there's a whole lot of drums here. Existing Groove Control libraries and REX files can also be converted for use in RMX, so the reorganised drop-down folder structure for browsing files is very welcome. The new Favourites folder option is also a real timesaver for gathering sounds.

RMX is now eight-part multi-timbral and can feed multiple outputs. Each part can contain dozens of samples, so layering rich rhythms is fast and done with drag and drop ease. Loops always audition at host tempo and RMX prides itself on its intelligent triggering (immediate, next 16th or next beat mode) to play each MIDI file in the right place at the right time.

The interface has also undergone major changes. Where Stylus Classic had one edit page, RMX has four: Edit, Chaos, FX and Mixer. Incredibly deep editing can be done right down to a per-slice level, but there is also an Easy button for basic functions.

The Chaos page is a new ace up RMX's sleeve. This improvises loops by rearranging the slices in a musically intelligent way, with sliders and dials controlling the probability and amount of change.

The FX section is also new and has 24 different types,which can be used either as inserts or through the Mixer's four Aux sends. There is also the new Power Filter section, with three independent sync-able LFOs.

More acoustic drum loops and greater stylistic diversity would have been nice but this should not detract from the fact that Stylus RMX is already a very powerful, top-quality instrument and the rewards for the adventurous user are immense.

Needs: PowerPC G3 500MHz + 640MB RAM + OS X 10.2.6 + 8GB hard disk space + DVD drive for installation + Audio Unit + RTAS or VST host