WIN EastWest Play libraries worth £1350

Published in SOS March 2008
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Competition

EastWest are a formidable force in sample and software instrument development, with products ranging from hip-hop loops and Latin rhythm sound sets to electronica construction kits and orchestral libraries.

This year marks EastWest's 20th anniversary, having been founded by producer Doug Rogers in March 1988. Back then, EastWest embraced the computer-based musician at an early stage, launching their on-line sales and distribution division Sounds Online (www.soundsonline.com) in the mid '90s. In 2004, they purchased Quantum Leap, a production and sample library-creation enterprise that was founded by Nick Phoenix. Together, the pair continued to develop sample libraries and virtual instruments to suit all genres and formats.

In 2006, EastWest bought Cello studios (formerly the Western part of the United Western Recorders complex on Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood), and renamed it EastWest studios. The complex is now EastWest's US headquarters and, following a redesign of the 'non-technical' aspects of the facility, will be in constant use for EastWest productions.

Soon after the acquisition of Cello, the company announced their new range of sample-based instrument libraries, which are based on Play, their 'advanced sample engine'. Play offers support for 64-bit operating systems, therefore allowing the software to address more RAM than 32-bit systems and process audio with greater internal headroom. The engine can run on a network of machines, meaning that multiple computers can be used to host the samples and, as each instrument is built from the ground up, unique controls and effects are tailored to the particular application. This means that, whether you're playing a viola patch or an accordion preset, you know the software will be optimised to make the most of the sounds.

This month, we've teamed up with EastWest to bring a swathe of great prizes to two lucky winners. Up for grabs are all six titles currently in the Play range, two of which are reviewed in this month's issue of SOS . Fab Four is a collection of Beatles-inspired samples; Gypsy has a multitude of unusual classical instruments to choose from; Voices of Passion is a highly acclaimed vocal sample instrument; Storm Drum 2 comprises a wealth of acoustic drums and percussion; Ministry of Rock contains drums, bass and guitar sounds; and Pianos has a collection of some of the finest piano sounds. In short, winners won't lacking inspiration! The winner in first place will be able to choose four of the prizes from the list, while the remaining two prizes will be awarded to the person in second place.

If you would like to be in with a chance of winning these great prizes, simply fill out the entry form at the side of this page and submit your entry (your site registration address gets automatically appended to your submission entry, so make sure it is a correct postal address). Please make sure you answer all the questions and complete the tie-breaker. The closing date for entries is March 31st, 2008.

the small print

1. Only one entry per person is permitted.
2. Employees of SOS Publications Group, EastWest and their immediate families are ineligible for entry.
3. No cash alternative is available in lieu of the stated prize.
4. The competition organisers reserve the right to change the specification of the prize offered.
5. The judges' decision is final and legally binding, and no correspondence will be entered into.
6. No other correspondence is to be included with competition entries.
7. Please ensure that you give your DAYTIME telephone number on your entry form.
8. Prize winners must be prepared to make themselves available in the event that the competition organisers wish to make a personal presentation.