Summary - Audio quality is good. There is no noticeable noise or recording artefacts, there is some effecting of sounds here and there, often where this is done there are wet and dry versions provided, and tending to be of the "dripping in reverb variety".

Beatnik's Drum & Bass is a very solid and good value for money package. It would be ideal for anyone new to sampling or new to drum & bass production. Beginners, or anyone who needs to produce a track quickly will love the construction kits, either the full versions or just the drum loop ones, these can be remixed, rearranged and deconstructed to your hearts content. These can then be further expanded by use of the extra sounds supplied if so required.

The inclusion of the (gm compatible) midi files as well as the extra CD of .wav files is a big plus, if you can make use of them of course, if you can't then the collection will appeal to you rather less. If you can though the transition from sample CD to finished track via your sampler and computer couldn't be made much easier, plus you have a whole range of flexibility at your fingertips.

There are really two downsides to the collection - firstly because of the very comprehensive nature of the construction kits there aren't a whole lot of them, just seven of the full versions and twenty three of the loops only ones. What is there is done extremely well, but the nature of the beast in this form of presentation is the sacrifice in variety. Secondly is the nature of the sounds themselves, a little predictable and safe throughout, not much in the form of inspiration, some of the drum loops are rather more grabbing but overall a little flat.

These are minor points really, not least because it's an excellent value for money package, had it been a full price release I would still have been looking to score the release highly, but at a mid range price it scores the maximum value points. Likewise the sounds, if your a beginner or expanding from a limited setup then this may well be exactly what you want. More experienced users might find the collection rather more limiting though.

Overall - Value for money 10/10 - Usability 10/10 - Documentation 10/10 - Sonic Quality 8/10. Excellent starter kit for d&b fans - 8/10