Before the era of software synthesizers midi-files were the Big Thing and together with the General Midi specification it became - uh - huge. Suddenly you could give a song on your friend and the sounds would sound pretty much the same. As everyone knows - although that the General Midi specification was a good idea - all sound cards and even external sound modules sounded pretty much rubbish. Even by the standard of that time. Damn it, even by the standards of today, built-in General Midi Sounds in sound cards sounds horrible. So for many users the word midi became synonymous with low quality.

Although not a new idea, midi files are seeing a renaissance, specifically when added together with sample libraries. Many developers of sample libraries are today not only selling their loops and sounds, but also the original files that were made to create the material. The idea is actually quite useful and is executed in a brilliant way in Trance Cosmos Elements Volume 3. So when 5Pin Media not only release a library with focus on midi files, but it's the third in a series - it's hard not to get interested.
Prog Tech Synths is a collection of mainly midi files, but also some samples. The basic structure is built around ten construction kits.

BY THE NUMBERS

MIDI
Bass sequences: 34
Lead sequences: 33
Pad sequences: 15
Synth/Chord sequences: 35
Groove templates: 22

SAMPLES ONE-SHOT
Effects: 3
Kick drum: 3

SAMPLES LOOP
Kick loop: 3
Kickless loops: 3

SAMPLES MULTISAMPLES
Bass: 10
Pads: 5
Synth: 13

Just after a quick look it's clear that this isn't a large library. Compared with the multigigabyte libraries with thousands of files offered today, Prog Tech Synths is surprisingly small. All in all there are 117 midi files in the package, six loops, six one shot-sounds and 28 multisampled instruments.

MIDI SEQUENCES
Let's dive right in and see what kind of material we find among the midi files. Firstly the midi files are divided into two categories: Elements and Kits. Kits contains ten construction kits compiled with material that works well together, such as leads, basslines and chords. Each midi file is clearly marked with information about its key.
The sequences are definitely into the progressive and tech house genres and can easiest be described as 'quite simple'. There are no complex uplifting house piano-ish chords, no chord changes that make you feel 'wow - what the hell was that?'. The sequences are quite simple and stays clear on target for the genre. For the sake of clarity, simple here does not equal bad nor minimal, but just simple. For example, while I liked the lead sequences, I was a bit disappointed in seeing there were no attempts in even trying to take them to a more melodic direction.
There are also 22 midi groove templates - with grooves taken from the mighty XBase09 drum machine. Absolutely a cool and useful bonus!

SAMPLES
There are also 28 multi-sampled patches included in formats for Kontakt, Live 8 Sampler, EXS24, SFZ, Reason and Halion. For each patch there are 16 samples (12 for the bass sounds) and the length of each sample is between one and almost three seconds long. The sounds are okay, but not much more than that. I would describe them as general bread and butter electronic sounds - which is a bit surprising since the sound of modern progressive and tech house are a bit more edgy - at least from what's on my playlist.
Apart from the multisamples, the remaining loops and samples are pretty much pointless. The three kicks are standard material and the kick loops are using the same one-shot kicks. Four on the floor. Bonus or not - there is nothing new or inspiring here.

CONCLUSION
I have two major criticisms for this library. First of all it's way too small. Secondly, offering midi-files without audio files is a missed opportunity. When browsing through the available files you don't load each file after another - you usually scan through them by previewing them - which on the Mac (and as well on the PC if my memory serves me right) plays everything with a piano sound. As Myloops have shown with their Trance Cosmos series - the natural way of working is by listening to audio - when you found something you like, then you go for the midi and take it from there. Not the other way around.
The midi material is of good quality. My personal favorites quickly became the midi groove templates - but as I said earlier - I found this library much too small and could have been carried out much better. While 15 quid (the British kind) is not a whole lot of money, I feel it's overpriced.

5Pin Media Prog Tech Synths
Web: www.loopmasters.com
Price: 15 british pounds.
Good: Material is good. Nice bonus with quantize templates.
Bad: No loops previewing the midi. The included audio files are quite daft.

Review copy: thanks to Loopmasters for NFR.

IF YOU LIKED THIS YOU'LL LIKE:
Superb trance loops with midi - MyLoops Trance Cosmos 3
Book on house music - Sample Magic The Secret of House Music Production