Neocymatics has announced Hybrid Strings, a virtual string instrument library for Native Instrument Kontakt.
After a long period of detailed research, development and fine-tuning Neocymatics is proud to announce the release of Hybrid Strings, a Kontakt Library that will bring a new perspective to VST Strings.
The purpose of Hybrid Strings is to serve as a Solo String Library but also as a Section one. Our aim was to achieve the highest playability and expressiveness possible in real time, with no compromise in quality or diversity.
Demonstration of Neocymatics’ Hybrid Strings library for Kontakt 5: Lord of the Rings.
Hybrid Strings features
Crystal-clear Audio Quality, Ultra Dry Sound with full control over Room/Air.
Dynamic Amplitude Sound Shaping, controlled through Breath Controller/Expression Pedal or any Midi CC of your choice.
True Legato Performance – Realistic Trills.
Bow-Change simulation.
Real-time portamento/glissando with variable Finger-String contact and full control over portamento time.
Fully controlled real-time Vibrato with variety of techniques/intensity.
Fully controlled String Resonances/Harmonics for every note.
Formant-correct realistic Pitch-Bend action.
Real-time control over Attack Dynamics for both monophonic and polyphonic playing.
Increased playability with only 3 articulations to cover the full range of playing techniques (staccato, spiccato, legato, pizzicato, tremolo, portamento, polyphonic playing) in only 1 patch per instrument.
FX Processor tweaked for every instrument respectively, with assignable controllers for real-time sound morphing.
30 custom Impulse Responses that will truly transform your sound, ranging from Short Spaces and Early Reflections to Huge Halls and Concert Stages, all recorded at 96 kHz.
Individual Note Microtuning with 200 cents range, including 22 ready presets of Byzantine Sounds, Middle Eastern Scales, Arabic Maqams and Miscellaneous Tunings (Pythagorean, Just Intonation etc) – Ability to transpose every Tuning to any Base Note. All Tunings use precision of 2 decimal numbers.
The Hybrid Strings library for Kontakt 5 (requires full version) is available to purchase for the introductory price of 249 EUR until August 1st, 2012.
Vienna Symphonic Library has announced the release of two new collections for the Vienna Special Editions, its entry-level orchestra packages.
The Vienna Special Editions offer a large-scale orchestra and more at your fingertips, in resource-saving, affordable packages. They are available in four BUNDLES, six COLLECTIONS and 14 individual instrument SECTIONS (Strings, Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion & More, Keyboards & Guitars) that may be purchased separately.
New Vienna Special Edition libraries
Special Edition Vol 3 (“Appassionata & Muted Strings”) – Apart from the lush and cinematic Appassionata Strings with a wide variety of playing techniques in normal and muted variations, the Special Edition Volume 3 focuses on “con sordino“ (muted) recordings of the Solo Strings and Chamber Strings. Additionally, you’ll find an alternative Harp to the one included in the Special Edition Volume 1. All instruments include Vienna Symphonic Library’s famed Legato Performances – real note transitions, smoothly and authentically performed by the algorithms of the Vienna Instruments software player.
Special Edition Vol 4 (“Special Winds & Choir”) features 15 woodwind and brass instruments that are not included in the Special Edition Volumes 1–3, such as the “Fanfare Trumpets” (a powerful ensemble of 6 trumpets), bass flute and contrabass clarinet. What’s more, the most important articulations of our Vienna Choir are included, covering the full range of the human voice with soprano, alto, tenor and bass ensembles. Add another dimension and a very human touch to your music, especially to your orchestral scores!
The new Special Edition collections are available to purchase at the introductory price of 325 EUR (Vol 3) and 245 EUR through June 15, 2012.
Alex Wallbank has announced the release of Cinematic Strings 2.0, a string instruments sound library for Native Instruments Kontakt.
Cinematic Strings 2.0 is a completely redesigned and updated version of the original library. Whilst retaining the warm luscious tones produced in the world class Verbrugghen Hall of the Sydney Conservatorium, the new version features a sleek new interface and even smoother legato.
Because Cinematic Strings was created to meet the needs of working composers in today’s film, television and video game industries, our focus has been to maximise both efficiency and authenticity. With this in mind it provides a realistic mockup tool, and an inspiring instrument – which will save you from all the hassle and wasted time spent tweaking parameters, modifying CC data, or applying drastic EQ and reverb effects to emulate the sound you’re after.
Cinematic Strings 2.0 features
Brand New Interface – Thanks to the cutting edge GUI, Cinematic Strings is incredibly easy to use. Loading and unloading articulations, assigning keyswitches, adjusting the microphone balance using the new mixer, and controlling a built-in reverb are all just a click or two away.
New Legato Engine – Real legato transitions were sampled for Cinematic Strings. The new legato engine is designed to be more authentic and efficient, allowing the transitions to be integrated seamlessly into your melodies. This is made possible by the advanced scripting system that adjusts the dynamics and timbre automatically while you play. The new engine compensates for your playing speed automatically, so that when you play fast, shorter more natural legato transitions are triggered.
New “Mix” Microphone Position – Cinematic Strings utilises three microphone positions – close, stage, and room. Mixing these three together will allow you to take advantage of the deep concert hall warmth captured in the recordings. Additionally, you can achieve a full sound while saving on computer resources by using the new “mix” microphone position.
Compatible with the free Kontakt 5 Player – Cinematic Strings 2.0 is now Kontakt Player 5 compatible, meaning it will work as a standalone product without the need to purchase any additional 3rd party software.
Other features and enhancements:
Controllable vibrato using a MIDI CC (user selectable).
4 dynamic layers for all articulations.
All common articulations sampled: Sustains (with and without vibrato), Tremolo, Trills (half and whole tone), Staccato, Pizzicato (with Bartok Snap).
Specialised ‘Runs’ mode for creating realistic fast string runs.
4 x Round Robin samples for all short notes – essential for realistic repeated notes.
Repacked using Native Instruments lossless compression algorithm to reduce per-sample footprint.
New staccatissimo samples – for when you need that extra bit of nimbleness!.
User-adjustable short note lengths.
Built-in algorithmic reverb, adjustable from main GUI page.
Intelligent controllable vibrato. The system doesn’t enable vibrato samples unless you move the controller – this saves resources if you’re not using this feature.
Selectable high and low playing positions – controlled via GUI control or velocity sensitive keyswitch.
Cinematic Strings 2.0 is available to purchase for $499 USD.
For Producers working in Downtempo, Dubstep, Hip Hop or Bass Electronica who are looking for real strings played by live musicians, scored and played with feel and emotion and with an edge like no other string samples ever before available – Live Dubstep Strings has arrived!
These Emotional, Serious and Grand String Parts have been created especially for this project and give producers worldwide a chance to sculpt new music using these superbly inspirational loops.
Live Dubstep Strings features
97 Full Ensemble String Loops.
28 Single String Loops.
12 FX String Loops.
137 Rex2 Files.
515MB content, 24-bit quality.
Live Dubstep Strings is available to purchase from Loopmasters for £19.95 GBP.
Loopmasters has launched a limited time promotion for Real Strings Vol. 1: Pads, a sample library by Organic Loops.
Real Strings from Organic Loops is the brand new samplepack of stellar quality loops by Pete Whitfield. These authentic samples were recorded in Pete’s studio where he records real strings for major labels, TV companies and radio/media companies as a highly sought after arranger.
Not only does this collection boast the most inspiring chordal progressions, it delivers full string loops with breath-taking, epic results that you couldn’t possibly recreate. Along with these massive resonating sounds, there are stripped-back versions giving you the option to mix and match for what is suitable for your production.
Real Strings Vol. 1 Pads is available to purchase for £9.95 GBP until February 9th, 2012.
Loomer has updated the String virtual synthesizer instrument for Windows, Mac, and Linux to version 1.3.7.
String’s authentic tone comes from its accurate emulation of the divide-down oscillator technology behind the lush ensemble synths of the 70s.
Changes in String v1.3.7
(Windows) Fixed incredibly rare crash which may occur when first opening the plug-in on certain 32-bit VST Windows hosts.
(Mac) Workaround for issue that causes the preset browser to become invisible in Digital Performer 7 when the String FX Audio Unit plug-in UI is resized. This workaround, which forces this host to correctly use the Cocoa UI, can be enabled by adding the following line to the String.xml configuration file:
Massively improved speed and responsiveness of all UI controls.
Improved CPU usage when tweaking parameters from a hardware controller.
For the Windows VST plug-in, when using a relative path for the presets folder, the path is now relative to the plug-in’s DLL file and not the host’s executable file.
Standalone versions now support multiple simultaneous hardware controllers.
Preset searches are now multi-threaded. Preset browser can now immediately respond to user interaction, even whilst searching a massive preset library, or when browsing a folder containing a large number of presets.
(Windows and Linux) Preset meta data (ie, author name, notes, tags) is now correctly displayed after loading an .FXP based preset or restoring a saved project.
Various minor compatibility fixes for certain hosts.
String is available to purchase for £50 GBP excl. VAT.
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