I checked 'em out. The problem I have with the virtual plug-ins, is that if you're going to make music, it becomes technical/false and not of your own creation. Sure, the sound variety is amazing. A sound byte here and there is no problem, but I noticed they have everything. Drums, any instrument, orchestras. Maybe if you're doing sound scoring...OK. I just never got into the computer thing fully for that reason. Drum machines are bad enough. Now you hit a button and you can be Mario Lanza backed by the Boston Pops for chrissake. But..it's not really YOU.

I use my own environmental sounds, and would encourage anybody else who wants to use sound effects in their recordings to do the same. There are portable small units out there, many of them battery powered. Grab a mic, go outside and record it yourself. Home sounds, streets, animals, cars, trafffic....it's all there for the asking...and it's all good. Then ...later, loop, EQ, tweak it whatever...fine, but at least it's from your own sound library. But this shopping for sounds...I dunno. I'll pass. Anything on my stuff is coming from me...and not some cyber fig- newton of electronic origin.

Got a great rainstorm if you're interested. Recorded it live using a Rode NT3 (great little Aussie mic...and cheap). You can feel it.

For the real deal, Check out Justin Bennett (he's online) or Janet Cardiff (her walking tour/tapes are unreal). I've got 'em....lemme know.

gene