Following the recent release of Circle Cynths’ debut product OBSO, Aphelion’s Orbit shares his thoughts on the Kontakt instrument born from obsolete tech.
OBSO
Circles Drum Samples has stepped into the world of Kontakt instruments with their latest release, OBSO. This new sound design venture launches under the Circle Cynths banner, bringing the same distinctive character that’s made their drum libraries stand out. True to form, their work remains a worthy addition to any producer’s toolkit.
First Impressions
OBSO delivers from the first note. The craftsmanship behind its vintage tones and textures is immediately apparent, offering a rich foundation you can mold into your own sonic creations and immersive soundscapes.
Its interface is deliberately minimal yet intuitive, designed to keep you in the creative flow. This is the kind of Kontakt instrument you instinctively reach for when you need inspiration to strike.
Controls
The controls are simple and straightforward. Choose your preset from the browser, play and edit. Attack, Release, EFX, Filter, MOD.
Presets
Several of OBSO’s presets sparked instant inspiration, with a few pushing me to dive deeper into its editing tools to see how far I could mold them into my own creations.
Standouts included Aerobhits, Afterskool, Be Kind Flute, Betabrass, Cyclone Bender, and Art of Noise—sounds so evocative they could have been the muse for Who’s Afraid of the Art of Noise?.
Tags and favorites
Tags and favorites are a cool way to narrow your search requirements.
Just click on a patch name and the categories appear. Favorite your patches to the left with the star.
Getting the most out of OBSO
To unlock OBSO’s full potential, it’s worth tapping into Kontakt 8’s advanced sound‑shaping tools. Features like the arpeggiator, chord builder, patterns, and phrases can elevate its presets, sparking new ideas and transforming them into fresh, inspiring creations.
arpeggiator, chord builder, patterns, and phrasesPros
- Presets.
- Sound.
Cons
- Circle editing knobs can at times be unresponsive.
- Cost.
Final Thoughts
After nearly two weeks with OBSO, I’ve grown to really appreciate this Kontakt library. While its sounds are clearly tailored for film, video games, and TV, they adapt effortlessly to genres like dance, techno, or dark trap with a bit of editing. It’s become a strong, go‑to addition to my sound palette.
OBSO for Kontakt and the free Kontakt Player is currently available at the introductory price of $69.69 USD. Check out the Circle Cynths website for more details.
