Spectrasonics Symphony of Voices - A Four CD-ROM Set of Amazing Vocal Samples in AKAI Format
What is Spectrasonics Symphony of Voices and why you need it
If you are a composer, producer, or musician who is looking for a comprehensive collection of voices for your projects, you might have heard of Spectrasonics Symphony of Voices. This is a massive four CD-ROM set that contains a variety of multisamples, phrases, and effects from some of the world's most prestigious singers. It is a product of Spectrasonics, a leading developer of software instruments and sound libraries.
Spectrasonics.Symphony.Of.Voices.AKAI.5.cds.rar
In this article, we will explore what Spectrasonics Symphony of Voices is, how it was created, what it offers, how to download and use it, and how to convert its AKAI files to WAV files. By the end of this article, you will have a clear idea of whether this product is suitable for your needs and how to get started with it.
A brief history of Spectrasonics and its founder Eric Persing
Spectrasonics was founded in 1994 by Eric Persing, a renowned sound designer, producer, and musician. Persing started his career as a keyboardist and programmer for various artists, such as Michael Jackson, Madonna, Quincy Jones, Phil Collins, and many more. He also worked as the chief sound designer for Roland Corporation for over a decade, creating some of the most iconic sounds for their synthesizers and samplers.
Persing's passion for sound led him to create his own company, Spectrasonics, with the vision of producing innovative and high-quality software instruments and sound libraries. Some of his most popular products include Atmosphere, Trilogy, Stylus RMX, Omnisphere, Trilian, Keyscape, and Bob Moog Tribute Library. He has also collaborated with other sound designers and musicians, such as Hans Zimmer, BT, Diego Stocco, Scott Tibbs, John Lehmkuhl, and many more.
Persing's work has been widely acclaimed by critics and users alike, earning him numerous awards and recognitions. He has also been influential in shaping the sound of modern music genres, such as film scoring, ambient, electronic, pop, rock, hip hop, R&B, new age, and more.
The features and benefits of Symphony of Voices
One of Persing's most ambitious projects is Symphony of Voices, which he produced in 1998. This is a collection of voices that covers a wide range of styles and genres, from classical to pop. It features over 10 GB of samples from some of the world's best singers, such as London Chorale (an 80-voice choir), Classical Soloists (operatic tenor and soprano), English Boys Choir (a 32-voice choir), Gregorian Mens Choir (a 16-voice choir), Lush Pop Stacks (multitracked male and female vocals), and more.
The samples are recorded in high quality with multiple dynamics, articulations, expressions, effects, chords, phrases, chants, and more. They are also presented without heavy vibrato or pitch correction, making them more natural and versatile for different musical contexts. The samples can be used as they are or manipulated with filters, envelopes, modulation, and other parameters to create new and original sounds. The samples can also be layered, mixed, and matched to create rich and complex vocal textures and harmonies.
The benefits of using Symphony of Voices are many. You can add depth, emotion, and realism to your compositions with the human voice, which is one of the most expressive and powerful instruments. You can also explore different musical cultures and traditions with the diverse and authentic vocal styles. You can also save time and money by having access to a large and ready-to-use library of voices, without having to hire or record singers yourself.
The four CD-ROM set and its contents
Symphony of Voices comes in a four CD-ROM set that contains over 10 GB of samples. The first CD-ROM contains the London Chorale, which is an 80-voice choir that sings in English, Latin, Italian, German, French, and Spanish. The choir performs various dynamics, articulations, expressions, effects, chords, phrases, and more. The second CD-ROM contains the Classical Soloists, which are an operatic tenor and soprano that sing in Italian, German, French, and Latin. The soloists perform various dynamics, articulations, expressions, effects, phrases, arias, and more. The third CD-ROM contains the English Boys Choir, which is a 32-voice choir that sings in English and Latin. The choir performs various dynamics, articulations, expressions, effects, chords, phrases, chants, and more. The fourth CD-ROM contains the Gregorian Mens Choir and the Lush Pop Stacks. The Gregorian Mens Choir is a 16-voice choir that sings in Latin. The choir performs various dynamics, articulations, expressions, effects, chords, phrases, chants, and more. The Lush Pop Stacks are multitracked male and female vocals that sing in English. The vocals perform various dynamics, articulations, expressions, effects, chords, phrases, and more.
The following table summarizes the contents of each CD-ROM:
CD-ROM Contents ------ -------- 1 London Chorale 2 Classical Soloists 3 English Boys Choir 4 Gregorian Mens Choir and Lush Pop Stacks The compatibility and format of the samples
The samples in Symphony of Voices are compatible with most software samplers and synthesizers that support the AKAI format. AKAI is a proprietary format developed by AKAI Professional for their hardware samplers and synthesizers. AKAI files contain multisamples that are mapped to different keys and velocities on a keyboard. They also contain information about the loop points, envelopes, filters, modulation, and other parameters of the samples.
Some of the software samplers and synthesizers that can read AKAI files are Kontakt, HALion, EXS24, MachFive, NN-XT, Emulator X, and more. However, some of these software may require additional steps or tools to convert or import AKAI files into their native formats.
The audio demos and reviews of the product
If you want to hear how Symphony of Voices sounds like before you download it, you can listen to some audio demos on the Spectrasonics website. These demos showcase some of the samples from each CD-ROM in different musical genres and styles. You can also read some reviews from users and critics who have used Symphony of Voices on various websites . These reviews give you an idea of the strengths and weaknesses of the product, as well as some tips and suggestions on how to use it effectively.
How to download and use Spectrasonics Symphony of Voices
If you are interested in downloading and using Spectrasonics Symphony of Voices, you will need to follow some steps and meet some requirements. Here are the details:
The requirements and specifications for the software
Before you download and use Symphony of Voices, you will need to make sure that your computer and software are compatible with the product. Here are the minimum requirements and specifications for the software:
Operating system: Windows XP or higher, Mac OS X 10.4 or higher
Processor: Pentium III 1 GHz or higher, PowerPC G4 1 GHz or higher
Memory: 512 MB RAM or higher
Disk space: 10 GB or higher
Sound card: 16-bit or higher
Software sampler or synthesizer that supports AKAI format
You will also need a CD-ROM drive to read the discs, or a virtual drive software to mount the disc images. You will also need a reliable internet connection to download the product and register it online.
The steps to download and install the product
To download and install Symphony of Voices, you will need to follow these steps:
Visit the Spectrasonics website and create an account or log in if you already have one.
Go to the Symphony of Voices product page and click on the "Download" button.
Choose your preferred download method: direct download or torrent download. Direct download is faster but requires more bandwidth, while torrent download is slower but more stable.
Download the four disc images (ISO files) that contain the samples. Each disc image is about 2.5 GB in size.
Once the download is complete, verify the integrity of the files by checking their checksums or hashes. You can use a tool like MD5 Checker or HashCalc to do this.
If the files are intact, mount them on your virtual drive software or burn them on blank CD-ROMs.
Launch your software sampler or synthesizer and load the samples from the discs or disc images. You may need to convert or import the AKAI files into your software's native format first.
Register your product online by entering your serial number and email address on the Spectrasonics website.
Enjoy using Symphony of Voices for your musical projects!
The tips and tricks to get the most out of the samples
To get the most out of Symphony of Voices, you will need to know some tips and tricks that can help you create amazing vocal sounds. Here are some of them:
Experiment with different combinations of samples from different CD-ROMs. You can create interesting contrasts and blends by mixing different vocal styles and genres.
Use filters, envelopes, modulation, and other parameters to shape and customize the samples. You can create dynamic and expressive sounds by adjusting these parameters over time.
Use effects, such as reverb, delay, chorus, flanger, distortion, and more to enhance and transform the samples. You can create spacious and atmospheric sounds by adding reverb and delay, or gritty and edgy sounds by adding distortion and flanger.
Use layering, mixing, and matching to create rich and complex vocal textures and harmonies. You can create thick and lush sounds by layering multiple samples with similar or different pitches, or create intricate and intricate sounds by mixing and matching samples with different pitches, dynamics, articulations, expressions, effects, chords, phrases, chants, and more.
How to convert AKAI files to WAV files
If you want to use Symphony of Voices with other software or hardware that does not support AKAI format, you may need to convert its AKAI files to WAV files. WAV is a common audio format that is compatible with most audio applications and devices. In this section, we will explain why you may want to convert AKAI files to WAV files, how to do it, and what to watch out for.
The advantages and disadvantages of AKAI and WAV formats
AKAI and WAV formats have their own advantages and disadvantages when it comes to storing and playing audio samples. Here are some of them:
FormatAdvantagesDisadvantages
AKAI- Contains multisamples that are mapped to different keys and velocities on a keyboard- Contains information about loop points, envelopes, filters, modulation, and other parameters of the samples- Allows for more control and manipulation of the samples- Saves disk space by using compression- Requires compatible software or hardware to read and play the files- May lose some quality due to compression- May not support some features or functions of newer software or hardware
WAV- Compatible with most audio applications and devices- Preserves the original quality of the samples- Supports various bit depths and sample rates- Contains only single samples that are not mapped to keys or velocities- Does not contain information about loop points, envelopes, filters, modulation, and other parameters of the samples- Requires more disk space by using no or little compression
As you can see, AKAI and WAV formats have different pros and cons depending on your needs and preferences. You may want to convert AKAI files to WAV files if you want to use them with other software or hardware that does not support AKAI format, or if you want to have more flexibility and compatibility with your audio samples. However, you may also want to keep the AKAI files if you want to preserve the original features and parameters of the samples, or if you want to save disk space.
The tools and methods to convert AKAI files to WAV files
To convert AKAI files to WAV files, you will need some tools and methods that can perform this task. There are various options available, such as software applications, online services, command-line utilities, and more. Here are some of them:
Software applications: These are programs that you can install on your computer and use to convert AKAI files to WAV files. Some examples are CDXtract, Extreme Sample Converter, Translator, Chicken Systems Translator, Awave Studio, and more. These programs usually have a graphical user interface (GUI) that allows you to select the input and output files, adjust the settings, and start the conversion process. Some of them also have other features, such as editing, processing, playing, and organizing the samples.
Online services: These are websites that offer online conversion of AKAI files to WAV files. Some examples are Convertio, Online-Convert, Zamzar, FileZigZag, and more. These websites usually have a simple interface that allows you to upload the input files, choose the output format, and download the converted files. Some of them also have other options, such as changing the bit depth, sample rate, channels, and more.
Command-line utilities: These are programs that you can run from the command line or terminal of your computer and use to convert AKAI files to WAV files. Some examples are Akai2wav, Akaizer, Akaiutil, Akaiproj2wav, and more. These programs usually have a text-based interface that requires you to type commands and arguments to specify the input and output files, adjust the settings, and start the conversion process. Some of them also have other functions, such as extracting, splitting, joining, and renaming the samples.
The choice of tool or method depends on your personal preference, skill level, and availability. You may want to use software applications if you want a user-friendly and feature-rich option, online services if you want a quick and convenient option, or command-line utilities if you want a flexible and powerful option.
The best practices and precautions to avoid errors and data loss
To avoid errors and data loss when converting AKAI files to WAV files, you will need to follow some best practices and precautions. Here are some of them:
Backup your original files: Before you start converting your AKAI files to WAV files, make sure you have a backup copy of your original files in case something goes wrong during the conversion process. You can use an external hard drive, a cloud storage service, or another device to store your backup files.
Check your file names: Make sure your file names are valid and do not contain any illegal characters or symbols that may cause problems during the conversion process. You can use a tool like Bulk Rename Utility or Rename Master to rename your files in bulk if needed.
Choose the right settings: Make sure you choose the right settings for your output format, such as bit depth, sample rate, channels, and more. You can use a tool like MediaInfo or Spek to check the properties of your input and output files if needed.
Verify your converted files: After you finish converting your AKAI files to WAV files, make sure you verify that your converted files are intact and playable. You can use a tool like MD5 Checker or HashCalc to check the checksums or hashes of your input and output files to make sure they are identical, or use a tool like Audacity or VLC to play your output files and listen for any errors or glitches.
Conclusion and FAQs
In conclusion, Spectrasonics Symphony of Voices is a remarkable product that offers a comprehensive collection of voices for your musical projects. It is a product of Spectrasonics, a leading developer of software instruments and sound libraries, and its founder Eric Persing, a renowned sound designer, producer, and musician. It features over 10 GB of samples from some of the world's best singers, such as London Chorale, Classical Soloists, English Boys Choir, Gregorian Mens Choir, and Lush Pop Stacks. It is compatible with most software samplers and synthesizers that support the AKAI format, which is a proprietary format developed by AKAI Professional for their hardware samplers and synthesizers. However, you can also convert its AKAI files to WAV files, which is a common audio format that is compatible with most audio applications and devices.
If you want to download and use Spectrasonics Symphony of Voices, you will need to visit the Spectrasonics website and create an account or log in if you already have one. Then, you will need to download the four disc images that contain the samples and verify their integrity. Next, you will need to mount them on your virtual drive software or burn them on blank CD-ROMs. After that, you will need to launch your software sampler or synthesizer and load the samples from the discs or disc images. You may need to convert or import the AKAI files into your software's native format first. Finally, you will need to register your product online by entering your serial number and email address on the Spectrasonics website.
To get the most out of Symphony of Voices, you will need to know some tips and tricks that can help you create amazing vocal sounds. You can experiment with different combinations of samples from different CD-ROMs, use filters, envelopes, modulation, and other parameters to shape and customize the samples, use effects to enhance and transform the samples, and use layering, mixing, and matching to create rich and complex vocal textures and harmonies.
We hope this article has given you a clear overview of what Spectrasonics Symphony of Voices is, how it was created, what it offers, how to download and use it, and how to convert its AKAI files to WAV files. If you have any questions or comments about this product or this article, please feel free to contact us or leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you!
Here are some FAQs that may help you further:
Q: How much does Spectrasonics Symphony of Voices cost?
A: Spectrasonics Symphony of Voices costs $299 USD on the Spectrasonics website. However, you may find it cheaper or more expensive on other websites or stores.
Q: How long does it take to download Spectrasonics Symphony of Voices?
A: The download time depends on your internet speed and the download method you choose. Direct download is faster but requires more bandwidth, while torrent download is slower but more stable. The total size of the four disc images is about 10 GB, so it may take several hours or days to complete the download.
Q: How can I get updates or support for Spectrasonics Symphony of Voices?
A: You can get updates or support for Spectrasonics Symphony of Voices by visiting the Spectrasonics website and logging in with your account. You can also contact them by email, phone, or social media.
Q: What are some other products similar to Spectrasonics Symphony of Voices?
A: Some other products similar to Spectrasonics Symphony of Voices are EastWest Quantum Leap Symphonic Choirs, Best Service Ethno World 6 Voices, Zero-G Vocaloid, and Native Instruments Kontakt Factory Library.
Q: Can I use Spectrasonics Symphony of Voices for commercial purposes?
A: Yes, you can use Spectrasonics Symphony of Voices for co