Evolve Mutations 2 is a software instrument created by Heavyocity that runs inside of Kontakt (or Kontakt Free) from Native Instruments. It is the sequel to Evolve Mutations 1, and a complement to the much larger Heavyocity Evolve library. It contains percussion instruments, melodic instruments (pads, leads, sampled acoustic instruments, etc), and stingers/transitions. The software is installed directly downloading it from the Heavyocity website or the NI website. Authorization is completed using the NI Service Center. SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE This software is super easy to use. It includes a bunch of loops that are simple to use and even tempo synch with Kontakt/DAW. The trigger effects are a valuable upgrade from the predecessor, Evolve Mutations 1. The Kontakt GUI was also updated, and looks very impressive. My impression is that the rhythmic loops in EM2 are more interesting/complex (or less repetitive) than EM1. I hear a lot more editing in the loops like stutters and distortions on individual hits in the loops. This makes the loops less boring to me. The melodic instruments include some really good acoustic guitar samples that have been treated to have a cinematic flavor. There are also several acoustic piano instruments that have some nice effects applied. I really like how these instruments sit well in a mix with very little tweaking. The pads and synth sounds are a little weak in my opinion, and I actually like these type of instruments from the EM1 library better. There are some atonal pads that are pretty good for background ambience for movies, however they don't really go well with music that is in a particular key or has a melody because the pads are atonal. OVERALL OPINION Evolve Mutations 2 is a relatively small sample library of cinematic sounds. Although the original Heavyocity Evolve library is much larger (and more expensive), I think there are a lot of improvements in sound that the Heavyocity team developed since Evolve was released. EM2 is smaller, but has better sounds in my opinion. Unless you are a major film composer, EM2 has plenty of usable sounds to add a little cinematic flavor to you music.
Evolve Mutations is software instrument that runs inside of Kontakt (or Kontakt Free) from Native Instruments. All the sounds were sampled by the Heavyocity team and then used dumped into several Kontakt .nkx instruments. Mutations is the software 'younger brother' of the original Heavyocity Evolve library. Mutations contains brand new sounds from the original Evolve library, but it much smaller in comparison. Since the release of Mutations, Heavyocity and Ni have released Mutations 2 with even more unique sounds. Both of the Mutations libraries are relatively small in comparison to other cinematic libraries, but are great complements to the larger libraries nonetheless. The software is installed directly downloading it from the Heavyocity website or the NI website. Authorization is completed using the NI Service Center. SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE This library is really easy to use, however it lacks a few key features that Heavyocity has added to their other libraries (Mutations 2, Damage, Evolve update) like trigger effects. I've found that I don't use the trigger effects a lot, but they can some great special effects in specific situations. I suggest experimenting with layering different instruments by opening multiple instances of the software in Kontakt. The drum loops are perfect for layering, but the melodic instruments can sound really cool by layering one instrument with a sharp attack with a different instrument with a long sustain. This software is like 'instant car-chase' music. However, the typical criticism or downside of the software is that the CSI/Bourne Identity/cinematic sound can sound a little cliche. This software definitely captures the cinematic sound, but there is a fine line between sounding just like everybody else. OVERALL OPINION If you are looking to add some cinematic flavor to your music, Evolve Mutations is a great (inexpensive) way to achieve some decent results. The library is really easy to use. There are tons of great loops that are triggered by simply pressing a key on your keyboard. The one shot drum hits are great for adding some extra impact to your tracks. I really like the melodic instruments in Evolve Mutations. I thought these were much more usable than the original Evolve library. There are some great quasi-electric guitar sounds included where a sampled strat is turned into pad. The mod wheel can be used on many of the instruments to mix a rhythmic 'sample-and-hold' type effect in the background. This alone can add a lot of 'movement' to a boring pad, but can make a dense mix sound clutter if overdone.
