What Loop Format Should I Buy?
If you buy the wrong format, just contact us (above right) and we will happily give you new download links. If you are purchasing discs, then please confirm that you are purchasing the correct format. Again, contact us if you are not sure.
There are several different loop formats and many different programs (and versions of those programs). Some programs support multiple formats. Some people work on multiple platforms and programs. If you don't see your program here, then click on the "Contact" button above.
WAVs work in virtually everything (at the original tempo), it's just a matter of if and how a program reads the "tempo tags" we've placed in the files.
All of our stereo WAV files have been "Acidized." This is a format that allows tempo matching in programs that support the format. Programs that don't support Acidization just read them as normal WAV files, as if there were no time compression-expansion (TCE) tags in them. ("Acid" is a registered trademark of Sony Corporation.)
So here are some basic recommendations.
Ableton Live: 24-bit WAV. Live creates its own time-compression/expansion tags when you drag and drop the loops.
Acid and other Sony/Sonic Foundry Programs: 24-Bit Wavs
Adobe Audition: 16- or 24-Bit WAVs. According to this article in Keyboard Magazine, AA does interpret Acid format for tempo changes.
Cakewalk Products: Unless you are already recording in 24-bit, we recommend 16-bit WAV. (The default is 16-bit, so you would know if you would know if you are using 24-bit.) Most new Cakewalk products read the TCE tags in Acid files, called "Groove Clips" in Cakewalk materials.
Cubase, Nuendo: Cubase supports Acidized WAV files as well as REX files (Earlier version ony REX). We recommend the WAVs because there are less technical glitches. We recommend WAV format for Cubase LE and SE.
Digital Performer: For many people the preferred format for DP is REX files. However, in recent years DP has added Acid file support and supposedly Apple Loops. We recommend the WAV or Apple Loops as because REX files sometimes present technical glitches.
Fruity Loops: 16-bit WAV, unless you are already using 24-bit.
GarageBand: Apple Loops. Apple Loops are AIF audio files with the TCE tags we've put in them.
Logic: Unless you are an advanced, multi-platform user we recommend the Apple Loops. Experienced user might consider REX files if they are already using them on other platforms as you know the advantages and disadvantages.
Mixcraft: 24-Bit WAVs.
Propellerheads Programs: REX. Propellerheads is the creator and licensor of the REX format in the first place. So this is an easy one!
Pro Tools: WAV format for use with Elastic Audio function. Some users prefer REV files.
Reaper: 16- or 24-Bit WAV files, depending on your sound card.
Riffworks: Riffworks was originally marketed by Line 6. You can purchase some of our content as Instant Drummers directly from the Sonoma Wireworks. However, you can use all of DOD REX files directly in Riffworks. Just choose REX format as you put any DOD volume in your shopping cart. Click here for instructions on how to use them from Sonoma Wireworks.
Stylus RMX: REX Format.
DIGITAL AUDIO WORKSTATIONS: (Roland, Yamaha, etc.): Unless you know your DAW supports 24-bit, then we recommend the 16-bit WAV. Pretty much any DAW made in recent years will read 16-bit WAV files.