EarthMoments adds an exciting new addition Ethnic Violin Bundle to its ultra special World String Series that explores the many string instruments of the world.
A must-have library, the Ethnic Violin Bundle is a warm collection of 335 ethnic violin loops played by exceptional musicians.
The bundle includes a range of samples from the Klezmer origins in Eastern Europe, journeys through to other ethnic East European style influences, and moves across the ocean to Jewish community wedding celebrations in USA. The Klezmer style of playing is easily identified by its characteristic expressive melodies that impersonate the human voice.
Optimised with the closest attention to detail, the Ethnic Violin Bundle samples have been recorded using tube Pre-Amps and Mics on 96kHz.
World String Series – Ethnic Violin features
335 Ethnic Violin Loops.
24bit 44.1khz audio quality.
Tempos from 80BPM to 174BPM.
666MB content.
World String Series – Ethnic Violin is available to purchase for £19.95 GBP.
Violinist, arranger and orchestrator Pete Whitfield has recently released his third strings sample library with Loopmasters, Realstrings Vol. 2: Cinematic Loops.
The library features authentic strings samples recorded in Pete’s studio, where he also records real strings for major labels, TV companies and radio/media companies.
Pete writes:
I’ve taken, for inspiration, the music of artists like Hybrid, Cinematic Orchestra and Bjork and the media scores that capture a similar feel.
There are 126 loops (mostly 4 bars) at tempos from 110 – 140; they each offer a distinctive character as individual loops, but they are also organised into 12 construction kits.
This is the 1st time I’ve tried this and the feedback from writers and producers is already very positive, so the next pack will do a similar thing but slower tempos and darker moods.
The 126 loops are available in 24 bit/44.1kHz wav format, as well as Rex2 loops (an Apple Loops version is available separately).
Divided up into 12 sequence kit folders the loops include chords, melodic lines, held notes, figures, etc. that work well together. Basically like construction kits.
The folders and files are well structured, indicating key, tempo, and type of sound.
Besides audio loops you will also find various scores for violin and cello as MIDI sequences, as well as in Sibelius format and printed scores in Acrobat PDF. Pete’s passion for his work shows.
Having these sequences is really useful as you can make modifications to the phrases and use your own sample library or virtual instrument. In the example below I used Tone2′s ElectraX synthesizer to play a phrase from sequence 3.
Realstrings Vol. 2 continues in the same vein as the previous two string sample packs by Pete Whitfield on the Organic Loops label. This is a collection of outstanding orchestral strings loops. Dynamic, emotional, dramatic, and real. The themes are inspiring and useful in many music genres like hip hop, chill, house, film and game soundtracks, etc.
The construction kit approach works well and having a collection of MIDI sequences is a big bonus.
“I love my work!” it says on Pete’s website. His sample libraries are a reflection of this statement. If you are in need for some high quality strings loops you can’t go wrong with the Realstrings sample packs.
Vir2 Instruments has announced Violence, a multidimensional and innovative virtual instrument focusing on extremely unusual textures, manglings, distortions, and perspectives on the solo violin.
Created for both musical use and sound design, Violence features an unprecedented deconstruction of a solo violin recorded from numerous angles: bowed, scraped, hit, plucked, played with mallets, chopsticks, guitar picks, and wet fingers. Then the sound design was repitched, layered, and post-processed through an array of unusual tools to produce sounds unlike any found in other virtual instruments. More than eighty unique patches were designed, each with a custom set of scripted knobs and controls all conveniently organized into four categories of sounds: Drum Kits, Melodic, Pads and Sound Effects, and Tempo-Synced.
Violence features
82 instruments subdivided into four major category folders: Drum Kits, Melodic, Pads and SFX, Tempo Synced.
Powered by Kontakt 4 Player; a variety of custom-designed controls for each of its 82 instruments is available.
Depending on the instrument loaded, appropriate knobs for tweaking the instrument appear in the interface, such as: Quantization, Envelope controls (attack and release), Stereo spread, Lopass and hipass filters, Layer blend controls, Effects (reverb, delay, drive, flanger, vibrato, rotator, wobble, and others), Autopan control, Repeater.
Violence for PC and Mac (Kontakt 4 Player; VST/AU/RTAS/Standalone) will be available to purchase on 26 July, 2010, priced at $99.95 USD.
Native Instruments has announced the release Session Strings, a versatile virtual string ensemble for KONTAKT 4 and the free KONTAKT PLAYER.
Brought to life through the advanced functionality of the KONTAKT platform, SESSION STRINGS provides charismatic, highly expressive acoustic string sounds for pop, soul, R&B, disco, house and other contemporary music styles.
SESSION STRINGS recreates a string ensemble comprising four violins, three violas, two celli and two double basses, captured and produced in one of Germany’s most renowned recording studios by sampling expert Thomas Koritke’s new sound design house e-instruments. All recordings were taken from exclusive instruments from the 18th and 19th century, played by top musicians from some of the finest European orchestras, resulting in outstanding tone and articulations on the highest level of musical virtuosity.
By fully utilizing the advanced features of the KONTAKT platform, SESSION STRINGS puts the full expressive arsenal of a world-class string ensemble at the fingertips of the user. The individual instrument groups are mapped conveniently across the keyboard, with intelligent legato and glissando based on dedicated samples. Easily controllable falls, swoops and crescendo variations allow producers to create soulful and dynamic string licks with ease.
The authenticity and creative value of SESSION STRINGS is further enhanced through the unique and highly versatile “Animator”. This powerful function can be engaged seamlessly during play to transform incoming notes into virtuous staccato, spiccato and pizzicato chords and arpeggios, with the timing and groove easily adjustable by the user, and while maintaining natural legato articulation at the same time. An integrated studio-grade convolution reverb also provides a variety of completely realistic room ambiences.
SESSION STRINGS also provides a full set of optional “Motown versions” for all included sounds, utilizing a special sonic treatment that authentically recreates the distinctive and highly sought-after vintage string sound of the legendary soul recordings from the 60s and 70s.
Session Strings features
Includes 48 Instruments: 10 Standard Performance + 10 Motown Performance (combining articulations such as Sustain, Falls, Scoops, Staccato, etc); 14 Standard Individual + 14 Motown Individual (single articulations per patch).
1,65 GB (equals 2,3 GB of uncompressed samples).
Powered by KONTAKT 4 PLAYER / KONTAKT 4 (4.0.5)
Session Strings is available to purchase as a download for $119 USD / 99 EUR.
Few weeks ago I visited a luthier looking for instruments parts, I had an idea in mind for an instrument I wanted to build. My curiosity was to hear the sound of violin, viola and cello strings amplified through the body of a double bass. I came up with a quadruple-neck experimental "something" that I thought to call Experibass.
To play it I used cello and double bass bows, a little device I built with fishing line and hose clamps, a paintbrush, a fork, spoons, a kick drum pedal and a drum stick. I hope you'll like it!
Thanks to luthier John Wu for providing me the parts, even though I warned him that I was probably going to create a "monster" : )
Tron Audio – A selection of Andrew’s most recent musical releases, full quality 24bit, 48kHz sample packs, Ableton Live production tutorial videos, remix packs and more.
Wax Trax Bass – Tom Shear shares a sound he made on a Waldorf Microwave XTk. 24-bit, 44.1k mono WAV files.
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