About the gear

As a percussionist Joby is always on the look out for new sounds, be it the latest innovation, traditional instrument or found sound. Over the years Joby has built up a vast collection of instruments from around the world and enjoys close relationships with a variety of instrument makers and manufactures.

Play

  • marimba, vibraphone and temple blocks by Adams
  • cajons by De Gregorio
  • tambourines, triangles and wood blocks by Grover
  • bonogs, congas, timbales and bells by Meinl
  • skins and roto toms by Remo
  • cymbals, crotales and tam tams by Sabian

Electronics

Using

Tour


Sample Library - Spitfire Percussion

During the Spring of 2010 Joby was invited by composers Christian Henson, Paul Thomson and the English Session Orchestra to record a sample library of orchestral percussion instruments.

Recorded in Air Studio’s Lyndhurst Hall, Spitfire Percussion marks the launch of the company’s commercial range and is now on sale to the public as a 25GB download in Kontakt 4 and Kontakt Player 4 format. The samples are performed by the talented percussionist Joby Burgess, founder of experimental outfit Powerplant and a member of the fabulously entertaining Ensemble Bash contemporary‑classical‑afro‑jazz percussion quartet.

If you were scoring a cinematic sequence on the scale of Gladiator’s opening battle scene, you’d be glad to have Spitfire’s timpani at your disposal. Their big, commanding sound matches Russell Crowe’s larger‑than‑life screen presence, and, by comparison, makes some other sampled timpani seem like the musical equivalent of Kenneth Williams.

Though not quite ready to lay down my life in support of a magazine review, I have to say that Spitfire Percussion’s marimba is to die for. The combination of opulent hall acoustic, a fine, mellow instrument, medium‑soft beaters and the sensitive touch of the player has produced a beautiful, sweet and musically incisive patch.

The sound quality is inspirational, and the assured performances and sensible musical choices guarantee a smooth ride. Spitfire Percussion is a treasure trove of great‑sounding instruments that will add quality, realism and a touch of class to your arrangements.

Dave Stewart, Sound on Sound, February 2011

Spitfire's esteemed client user-base includes David Arnold, Anne Dudley, Murray Gold, John Powell, Harry Gregson-Williams and Hans Zimmer.