Testimonials
Read what reviewers and top composers have to say about our products.
Top Reviews
MB Gordy Percussion – Boobams – Future Music
“In many respects this is a pretty simple instrument, but its usefulness has been expanded by providing ensemble options (where hits are layered, and triggered with variable timing between hits) and the extensive effects and processing options. These are nicely demonstrated with the provided snapshots that extend its range into more unusual distorted or reverberant territory.”
Bruce Aisher (Future Music 401)
Water Piano – Future Music
“This might just sound like a gimmick, but with a single control a pleasant-sounding piano is transformed into its more muted and odder alter-echo. The lower registers transform into something akin to a palm-muted piano, whilst higher keys continue to ring out in a more conventional way.”
“The real winner for me here is the Freeze parameter which adds an infinitely sustaining granular/reverb layer to the ‘straight’ samples. Even better is that it’s also controlled by the amp envelope and sustain pedal allowing you to create playable slabs of ‘frozen’ piano that cut off between each chord. More conventional reverb can be added, and further processing on top this takes place in the Console page.”
“Water Piano is fun and flexible but also high usable.”
Bruce Aisher (Future Music 401)
MB Gordy Percussion – Boobams – Sample Library Review
“I’m loving the instrument. It’s melodic percussion, but it really does kinda take it out somewhere real special with the console and the fx chains you can use; the snapshots are really great. And of course, this is the first time this instrument’s been recorded, and it is a secret weapon.”
Don Bodin (Sample Library Review)
Palette Orchestra Complete – Film Score Monthly
“I am knocked out by the Palette line. Even though the main library name implies use in the formative stages of a composition, make no mistake: Symphonic Sketchpad is entirely capable of delivering finished quality results. The full series lives up to its namesake, offering a bounty of colors that can be applied with broad strokes or with a fine touch no matter the canvas, and with truly exceptional results.”
Palette Orchestra Complete – Professionalcomposers.com
“I am totally blown away with how much content there is in Palette Orchestral Series. The sketchpad alone covers pretty much all you need to compose orchestral music, and with the added brush packs you really get all the colors you need… a full palette indeed!”
Palette Orchestra Complete – Sound on Sound
“I went into this review expecting a sketch and came out feeling I’d experienced something of a masterpiece. The four libraries are supremely well organised, perfectly integrated and intelligently presented, and the playing is of an exceptionally high standard. A work of art indeed. Congratulations to the musicians and production team. Whether you need an easy-to-use writing tool or want to expand your orchestral armoury with some high quality instruments, I can heartily recommend Palette Symphonic Sketchpad and its three companion titles.”
-Dave Stewart (Sound on Sound)
Emlyn in the Mix
“Is this the only tape emulation you’ll ever need? In my mind, yes… it’s light on the CPU, it’s got a beautiful GUI with graphics going so you can see what’s happening… it helps you to understand what this tape emulation is actually doing… this is a wonderful plug-in; well-developed, well-designed, fantastic to see… all of the effects on this plug-in sound really high class.”
Emlyn in the Mix
“I can make it sound like really high-end tape, beautiful sheen – or I could make it sound like a grungy old 7-inches-per-second ruined tape, or anywhere in between, and also get some really cool effects out of it… this is, I think, possibly, the best tape emulator I’ve heard that’s useful for more than just emulating tape.”
Kevin Manthei
Angry Birds Mystery Island, Marvel’s Spider-Man, Villainous, Neverwinter, Star Trek Online
“ISW creates some of the most inspiring & realistic guitar sample libraries. I had to write a bunch of really gritty, angry heavy metal & sports action rock cues. I used Shreddage 3 Serpent for leads and was blown away by its onboard processing, programming, and amazing live-sounding leads. I also created a signature sound based on the lead guitar in David Lynch’s Twin Peaks series, originally played on baritone guitar. [Serpent] built a convincing replica of that sound just using on-board FX. It was so fun and easy to do!”
Richard Jacques
Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, Mass Effect, Overwatch 2, James Bond 007: Blood Stone
“I’m a huge fan of the Ventus Winds series. They feature rare instruments deep-sampled to an incredibly high level of detail. It’s so liberating to have such a wide range of articulations & phrases that perfectly capture the nuances and performance style of these instruments… from beautiful to haunting, celebratory to sorrowful. Each is expertly recorded and the sound quality is superb, sitting in the mix with ease. If you want to add authentic world winds to your palette, then look no further.”
Lena Raine
Celeste, Chicory, Minecraft, Guild Wars 2, Deltarune
Instruments from ISW are a staple of my soundtrack work for games. Vocalisa has been a mainstay vocal aesthetic of nearly every game I’ve worked on including Celeste & Chicory: A Colorful Tale. Shreddage 3 has also given me the confidence to write some really fun guitar riffs & solos despite not being able to play a real one. I’ve started incorporating Tokyo Scoring Strings into the acoustic side of my scoring work, and can’t wait to try out more from ISW in the future!
Simon Franglen
Titanic, Skyfall, Spectre, Avatar, Avatar: The Way of Water
Impact Soundworks make detailed, emotive instruments. I’ve happily bought over two dozen of their libraries which should say everything. They get used every day.
Christopher Gordon
Ladies in Black, Mao’s Last Dancer, Salem’s Lot, Master and Commander
“Impact Soundworks’ range of guitars and fretted instruments sound amazing and are crafted and nuanced with expert detail. Intuitively set up to get straight to composing. And I have a real soft spot for the juicy, screaming Shreddage 3 Hydra!”
