Orange Tree Samples has announced the release of a new Evolution series virtual instrument that gives you the sound of a folk-style open back banjo, which has a mellower tone compared to the stereotypical plucky sound of a resonator banjo.

Clawhammer Banjo focuses on the distinctive clawhammer playing approach, a technique that incorporates the backs of your fingernails to strum strings as well as using your thumb to pluck the drone string among others. The Kontakt Player-powered instrument includes a fingerstyle articulation to use for banjo rolls and other non-clawhammer playing as well.

The instrument is based on our Evolution engine, which provides you with built-in strumming patterns, a customizable articulation mapping system, and a collection of effects. The library includes factory presets for a variety of ready-to-use banjo tones.

Evolution Clawhammer Banjo was developed in collaboration with Rosewood Recording Company in Utah. Guy Randle, the owner and recording engineer at Rosewood Recording Company, incorporated analog audio equipment to emphasize desirable tonal qualities of the banjo. Evolution Clawhammer Banjo includes both the as-recorded signal as well as an enhanced signal.

Evolution Clawhammer Banjo features

  • Over 11,000 samples, totaling 6.48 GB (compressed to 2.89 GB using the lossless NCW audio format) of 24-bit samples.
  • All the articulations needed for authentic clawhammer playing: specialized clawhammer sustains, fully muted notes, muted nail strums, fingerstyle sustains, plus harmonics and performance effects like brushes across the head of the banjo, slaps on the banjo head, clawhammer thumb hits, and more.
  • Legato articulations such as hammer ons, pull offs, and slides.
  • Built-in effects as well as a variety of factory presets for ready-to-use banjo tones.
  • Pattern editor and chord voicing system for authentic clawhammer strumming.

Evolution Clawhammer Banjo is available to purchase for the introduction price of $139 USD until September 17th, 2024. The regular price is $179 USD.

More information: Orange Tree Samples