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EastWest The Dark Side Virtual Instrument Collection

40GB Virtual Instrument Collection on DVD - Mac/PC AAX Native, AU, VST, Standalone
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$199.00

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Compatible with:

Mac
Windows
Standalone
AAX
VST
AU
iLok Account Required

Software Compatibility

Most software is compatible with both Mac and Windows computers, but check to make sure.

If you're using Pro Tools, AAX plug-ins (or RTAS for older versions) are what you need. Most other Mac DAWs support AU plug-ins. VST is compatible with a number of Mac and Windows programs. Be sure you choose plug-ins that work with your DAW!

To learn more about software compatibility, check out our buying guide.

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EastWest The Dark Side Virtual Instrument Collection
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This article was Written By

Our Product Research Team

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40GB of Dark, Eerie Instruments!

After suggesting that a young indie band make their sound "darker" and "tougher," award-winning EastWest producer Doug Rogers realized there wasn't anything in the vast EastWest virtual instrument offering that did just that. So, Doug got together with acclaimed indie producer David Fridmann (The Flaming Lips, Sparklehorse, OK Go, Weezer, MGMT, and more). Together, the two brainstormed their vision of the ultimate "dark" virtual instrument that was loaded with a little bit of everything, but all dark - drums, percussion, basses, keyboards, strings, FX, guitars, and more. Meet their creation: The Dark Side.

If only you knew the power Of The Dark Side...

Call up The Dark Side, and you've got 40GB of dark and eerie instruments, all really easily organized so you can find what you want. You'll find the instruments you know and love, but morphed to their spookiest selves. Many instruments, in fact, were processed through five or six effects units to really give them serious flavor. If you're after the ultimate in mangled instruments, in the flavor of Radiohead, Muse, Nine Inch Nails, etc... The Dark Side is for you.

EastWest The Dark Side Virtual Instrument Plug-in Features:

  • 40GB virtual instrument plug-in
  • Features skillfully distorted, mangled, and effected instrument sounds for a dark, eerie sonic flavor
  • Includes drums, percussion, basses, guitars, ethnic, keyboard, strings, FX, and more
  • All sounds are easily organized in instrumental groups
  • Includes OPUS sample player
  • AAX Native, AU, VST, and Standalone compatible

Additional Media

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Tech Specs

  • Software Type: World instrument library
  • Platform: Mac, PC
  • Upgrade/Full: Full
  • Download/Boxed: Download
  • Bit Depth: 64-bit
  • Format: Standalone, AAX Native, VST, AU
  • Authorization Type: iLok Account
  • Hardware Requirements - Mac: 2.7GHz Intel Core i5 or higher, 8GB RAM minimum
  • Hardware Requirements - PC: 2.7GHz Intel Core i5 or higher, 8GB RAM minimum
  • OS Requirements - Mac: macOS 10.13 or later, EastWest OPUS
  • OS Requirements - PC: Windows 10 or later, EastWest OPUS
  • Manufacturer Part Number: EW-198D

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 4.5/5

Versatile

The Dark Side has all the sounds needed to produce dark, eerie music. A must have for composers of dark rock music.
Rated 1/5

Way, WAY overpriced for what you get, AVOID

I had looked at EastWest products about five years ago, when I first started thinking about creating more "cinematic" compostions. About two months ago I started purchasing various soundbanks from some newer companies. I needed some haunting vocals, so I purchased EW's "Voices of Passion" from Sweetwater and was pretty happy with it.

Today I decided to purchase "The Dark Side" from Sweetwater because I wanted some darker, distorted tones for my repetoire. To say I was disappointed was an understatement. Not sure when this particular soundbank was created, but it sounds EXTREMELY dated when compared to modern soundbanks... Many of the samples sound very "one-dimensional" and lack cajones for lack of better wording.

While EW certainly has many great higher-end products, I don't consider The Dark Side to be worth anything more than maybe $25. Companies like GhostHack offer much higher quality products for prices that won't break the bank.
Music background: Composer
Rated 1/5

Terrible

If I could give 0 stars, I would. It sounds good in the description, but it's not nearly as large of a library as you would think. There are lots of variations on the same sounds, and they aren't even all that good sounding. Also, license prohibits resale, so if you don't like it... you're stuck.

I will never buy another EastWest product again based on this experience.
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