Spitfire Audio has announced the release of Hg2O, a new sample library for Native Instruments Kontakt.
Hg2O is a set of samples performed by Paul Clarvis of a metallic atonal acoustic musical instrument consisting of a stainless steel resonator bowl or pan with a cylindrical neck and bronze rods of different lengths and diameters around the rim of the bowl. The resonator may contain a small amount of water giving the waterphone a vibrant ethereal sound that has appeared in countless movie soundtracks, record albums, and live performances.
Recorded by Jake Jackson at Lyndhurst Hall – Air Studios, one of the finest scoring stages in the world, through a huge array of priceless vintage microphones via Neve “monserrat” pre-amps to a Studer 2″ tape machine and then into digital at 96k via the best Prism AD converters.
They’ve sampled deeply both bowed or drummed with movements to affect the water inside. This creates the resonant characteristics of the bowl and rods in combination with the movement of the water. The sound of the waterphone is often used to evoke mystery and suspense.
The Hg2O library is available to purchase for the introductory price of £33 GBP (RRP £44) for the next 10 days. Requires Kontakt full version.
More information: Spitfire Audio / Hg2O
