H.G. Fortune has announced the release of Scapes Wizard 2, a soundscape generator instrument for Windows.

ScapesWizard is a machine for soundscapes with very different control concept by triggering different samples assigned to keys via keyboard, or, using Lazy Sequencer to play the sets in sequence, or at random with varying intervals of step lengths. This is a completely reworked and largely enhanced version to its predecessor offering more dedicated and flexible control in general.

There are two different soundengines: Slow Motion Scapes (Main Slot 1&2), OneShots and Loops (FX, Natural, etc.) (Main Slot 3 & 4), Each slot has got a dedicated soundmodifier (color with resonance) plus pan, & delay with two sets of knobsettings for most controls. You got 2 x 24 samples (= 2 x 2 octaves) in direct access via keyboard and 2 sets to assign waves to keys with an optional pitch offset of +/- 12 semitones at each slot plus a further +/- 12 semitones per wave, slot and patch. So this makes 96 samples in straight access with a tuning range of max. +/- 2 octaves. Lazy Sequencer’s Ghost Mod will move (morph) between the two sets of knobsettings and this motion is visible on the GUI by respective knobs in motion. Furthermore nearly every knob has got a selectable modsource.

H.G. Fortune Scapes Wizard 2

H.G. Fortune Scapes Wizard 2

In fact with this machine it is quite important to assemble best matching waves for a project into the wave slots. You can trigger or gate i.e. switch samples with a dedicated tune setting via keyboard (with velocity to contol level) which is ideal for live interaction!

There is kind of keyboard split to trigger a sample of Slot 1 & 2 from C2 to B3 (left side) and Slot 3 & 4 from C4 to B5 (right side). So simply give a key a short push and the resp. sample will play until it’s changed by pushing another key in that resp. range; unless you select KeyMode Gate which allows to play a sample as long as a key is held down. Anyway you can play only one sample in each slot at a time. But those four samples played can give already quite a massive sound.

There is also an SF Slot Mode supporting sf2 files with stereo samples.

Scapes Wizard 2 Pro for Windows (VST) is available to purchase for the introductory price of 49 EUR until 31 October, 2011 (regular 79 EUR). A fully featured demo and a free mini version are also available.

H.G. Fortune is now also offering a collection of free SoundFonts and patches, created by users of H.G. Fortune plug-ins.

More information: H.G. Fortune / Scapes Wizard 2