Review: Dystopian Guitars by Pulse-Setter Sounds

Dystopian Guitars is the latest release from the exciting Pulse-Setter Sounds team. It’s a wide ranging hybrid guitar library that covers a multitude of ground, from basic clean acoustics to heavily mangled guitar chaos. Always with a cinematic and inventive edge, it excels both as a workhorse library and an inspirational starter.

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Review: Dystopian Guitars by Pulse-Setter Sounds

Main Interface

Pulse-Setter Sounds first got my attention with their crazy and brilliant Epic Babies library which I grabbed early on when it was a freebie. Since then they have expanded their products rapidly, encompassing unique sample libraries and powerful soundsets. Always on the edgier, aggressive side of cinematic scoring tools, Dystopian Guitars is no different, though it does have it’s lighter moments. The library takes all things guitar based, mixes in a bunch of great outboard gear and wraps it up in a very creative Kontakt interface. There are six main categories: Solo Instruments, Pulses, Shimmers, Pads & Ambiences, Ensembles, and Tools & FX.

Dystopian Guitars sells for $199.00 from Pulse-Setter Sounds

Thoughts

The title of this library does it a disservice, as it is far broader than the dark, apocalyptic feel I was expecting. It also has a very decent amount of light, acoustic multi-samples, including ukulele and a Spanish nylon guitar. That’s not to say it does not do heavy hybrid sounds very well, but it is arguably better appreciated as a really good all-round guitar library.

FX Page

I really enjoyed how the more sound designed patches never got too synthy and retained an organic texture that comes from the fact that all the sources are real instruments. The six clearly categorised groups gives the library incredible scope to cover plenty of contemporary scoring styles, from sci-fi to nature documentaries and trailer music to light drama. There is plenty in here that you won’t find elsewhere at quite this depth, such as the excellent Shimmers, Ensembles and Pulse Designer. With that in mind, it is as adept at being an inspiration starter as it is as a workhorse or problem solver library.

Sequencer Page

Whilst the GUI does feel a bit cramped it is very powerful and allows for a good deal of customisation of the vast number of included patches. I would love to see the ability to create your own custom Ensembles and ideally a larger sized interface. The price feels about right – high enough to reflect the quality and size, but not out of reach; very good at the intro pricing, and no doubt in future sales. Pulse-Setter Sounds Dystopian Guitars is a flexible, deep and complex product, just remember that within that dark world a slice of utopia lurks also.

Facts

Dystopian Guitars: Kontakt Library 21.32 GB (16 GB compressed)

Full version of Kontakt required

33 Natural Solo Instruments
86 Unnatural Solo Instruments
39 Shimmers
334 Loops
110 Ensembles
101 Pads
30 Tools and FX Instruments
68 Bonus Sequences

Pulse Designer and Pulse Performer
Quad note sequencer and arpeggiator
Gate and FX sequencer

Dystopian Guitars sells for $199.00 from Pulse-Setter Sounds

Demos of Dystopian Guitars by Pulse-Setter Sounds

Videos of Dystopian Guitars by Pulse-Setter Sounds

Contributor Sam Burt reviews Dystopian Guitars by Pulse-Setter Sounds
“Dystopian Guitars is the latest release from the exciting Pulse-Setter Sounds team. It’s a wide ranging hybrid guitar library that covers a multitude of ground, from basic clean acoustics to heavily mangled guitar chaos. Always with a cinematic and inventive edge, it excels both as a workhorse library and an inspiration starter.”