EastWest Quantum Leap Ra

Kompakt user interface is by far the most retarded UI in the universe. For some strange reason Eastwest thinks that the best/fastest/most comfortable way to change sounds is to dive into 5-fold tiny menus. For those unfamiliar with kompakt-based products, there are no "next/previous patch" buttons. Every time you have to change a sound, you have to access the main sound selection menu -> open a region menu -> open a category menu -> open a instrument menu -> open a style menu -> and only then open the actual patch. Yes, every darned time! Using kompakt instruments is always a major PITA, that's why I never bought a single instrument from them before. And it doesn't matter how well sound controls are laid out, it just gets too much in the way of creativity, it normally takes me about 3-4 sound changes for me to run out of temper.

The only good thing about RA, is that the program has only a few sounds, so you're very unlikely to make many sound changes and get all psyched up. Read below about that.

Ok, the first time I read advertisement, I was impressed with the fact that it has 14 or so gigabytes of sounds, and some (all actually that I read) misinformative reviews claim it's the most comprehensive ethnic instrument collection ever.

Well, I have to say they can't be further from the truth.

Here's the list of RA instruments (I don't list percussion sounds, since those sounds are of little interest to most people nowadays anyway because of countless dedicated drums/percussion libraries which cover those much better) So, these are the RA instruments (sorry for misspellings, those names are tough):

Africa: Ewe, Gankokwe, Kora, Ngoni. (4)

America: 1890 wburn guitar, dobro, mandolin, ukelele, banjo, american jaw harp (6).

Europe: gadulka, handanger, hurdy-gurdy, alpenhorn, bag pipe, bass recorder, highland pipes, ir low whistle, laundedas, uilean pipes. (10)

Far East: erhu, viet jawharp, koto, shamisen, rag dung, dizi, shakunachi (7)

India: bar violin, esraj, sarangi, sitar tambura, bansuri (6)

Middle East: me (two versions), yali tambur, oud santur, duduk (3 versions), ney flute, zourna. (6).

Total: 35 instruments. Yes, 35 instruments in a 14 Gb library.

That's an inexcusably small number. However, don't be discouraged, there are few things that kind of make up for that.

First of all, the sound quality is flawless.
Second of all: most of these instruments offer many playing variations - riffs, vibrato and other variations that simulate playing styles specific to each instrument, that you can manipulate to make your melody sound as if it was played by an actual player playing an actual instrument. I think that's invaluable, and kind of explains why there are so many instruments: eastwest preferred to give a full attention to details on few instruments that gives you a possibility to make a realistic recording and not give you a bunch of other basic sounds that would only allow you to sound like... well... someone who plays winds on the keyboard.

So, I give it 11+ for the sound quality and all the instrument extras, and big thumbs down for miniscule selection of instruments.

Well, I think if you really need EXACTLY THOSE sounds, you won't be disappointed, but if you're looking for a "sound box" with many different sounds you'll be severely disappointed. This program will add too little to your sound palette, so you most likely will find yourself craving for other ethnic libraries... take that into account before parting with half a grand for this one.