Review: Future Wave by Zero-G

Future Wave feels like it was made with the working composer in mind allowing you to create authentic 80s music very quickly.

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Review: Future Wave by Zero-G

As any working composer will tell you, time is the constant enemy. In particular, when we are asked to write in styles we aren’t as fluent in, time saving tools are our best friend. The retro sound of the 80s, though not an overly common sound to hear today, is absolutely something that does come up every once in while. As it would take years to delve into the synth and arranging knowledge required to produce great sounding 80s hit tracks, Future Wave by Zero-G is a welcome time saving tool that allows us to easily create music in that style.

Future Wave normally sells for $49.95 from Zero-G 

Thoughts

I was excited to download this library and dig in because Impact Designer by Zero-G is one of my favourite instruments of all time and is my go to for boomers and impact sounds. Because of this, I had high hopes and knew whatever else Zero-G came up with was sure to be of similarly high quality. I was not disappointed! Future Wave is a collection of loops and one shots designed to capture the sound of retro 80s video games, songs, and scores with artists such as John Carpenter and Vangelis in mind. Instead of on playable synths and instruments, the library focuses on loops and acts as a sort of construction kit allowing composers and producers access to this kind of sound without much effort.

An impressive feature of the library is the sheer number of formats you are given. While most libraries will give you either Kontakt instruments or Wav files, Zero-G has gone ahead and given us every format we could could possibly want. This includes Acidized Wav files, AIFF Apple Loops, EXS24 Instruments, HALion Instruments, Kontakt Instruments, Live Instruments, and NN-XT Instruments. Though each user will most likely stick to one or two of these, it’s nice to have the option and flexibility.

Most of the sounds revolve around loops. These include wonderfully authentic sounding drum loops and fills, bass lines, guitar grooves, and synth patterns. With all these tools, a user can easily build a track from the ground up in this 80s style, or can infuse an existing track with some retro goodness by sprinkling some of these sounds into their track. The loops are tempo synced, meaning that if you bring in an apple loop for example into your sequencer, it will snap to your tempo and slip effortlessly into your track.

In addition to all the tempo synced loops, they also provide a collection of one shots. This is where having the sampler formats comes in handy. For the drums for instance you can load up a series of snare hits and program your own rhythms with Kontakt as opposed to tediously dragging Wav files around. Though the drum one shots are all available, I found myself thinking that it would have been nice if some curated Kontakt drum kits were included. Though because all the Wavs are provided, this wouldn’t take long to do yourself. In addition to drums, the bass, guitar, and synth samples are given new life when sustained notes are now laid across the keyboard allowing you to perform your own music with the provided sounds and stray away from the use of the pre-composed loops.

The quality and scope of the loops is really quite impressive. They really seem to have worked hard to capture the sound of this era. In some of the loops I was pleased to find that wonderful reverby 80’s snare sound that instantly put a smile on my face.

The quality and scope of the loops is really quite impressive. They really seem to have worked hard to capture the sound of this era. In some of the loops I was pleased to find that wonderful reverby 80’s snare sound that instantly put a smile on my face. The drum loops in particular featuring the iconic pitchy tom fills made me feel like I was listening to an 80s hit. As authentic as they sound, all the loops are 100% original from Zero-G.

This library feels like it was made with the working composer in mind. If your goal is to take a deep dive into synthesis and really learn about the arrangements and sound of 80s music, then this library isn’t for you. If on the other hand, you’re a working composer who is no stranger to tight deadlines and short turnaround times, this library may well turn out to be a lifesaver down the road as having it in your tool box will ensure you can quickly please your client with authentic sounding and beautifully produced 80’s music delivered on whatever insane deadline they may throw your way!

Facts

Future Wave by Zero-G is a large collection of 476 samples focusing on the nostalgic and retro sound of the 80’s. The library, which weighs in at 1.89 GB, features loops and one shots of drums, basses, guitars, and synths all with the sound of composers like Vangelis and John Carpenter in mind. The sounds have been provided in a smattering of formats so it can be used in the way in which you prefer. The formats are Acidized Wav files, AIFF Apple Loops, EXS24 Instruments, HALion Instruments, Kontakt Instruments, Live Instruments, and NN-XT Instruments.

Future Wave normally sells for $49.95 from  Zero-G 

Demos of Future Wave by Zero-G

Videos of Future Wave by Zero-G