Soundiron has announced the release of Circle Bells 2.0, a sample library recorded with a rare and unique instrument called “Blossom Bells” created by Pete Engelhart.
This hand-welded tuned percussion instrument features six steel conical bells that are tuned to different keys and spread out in a fan arrangement. Each bell has a deeply rich, warm and sonorous tone with a long sustain and crystalline clarity. We recorded them with soft mallets, hard picks and viola bow with both single-strikes/staccatos and rolls/sustains for each articulation.
Its distinctive sound evokes the feel of a steel Marimbaphone or Celeste when played with mallets and a glass armonica when bowed, yet its character and undulating resonance defies any direct comparison to any other instrument.
The new upgrade gives this classic tuned percussion favorite a complete upgrade and overhaul. Originally released in 2009 back at Tonehammer, this new 2.0 for Kontakt 5 now restores all of the sample content to the previously unavailable full depth, size and fidelity that was captured in the original recordings.
Now at over 5.5GB and 2893 samples, Circle Bells offers up to 10X round-robins and as many as 18 velocity layers per note, depending on the articulation. We’ve also added a big new selection of atmospheres, leads, pads, glitchified grooves and tonal sound-scapes, all crafted from the original raw acoustic source to provide beautiful sonic accompaniment and creative inspiration. We’ve programmed it into our popular modular layer-builder system giving you the power to load and customize any articulation instantly and blend it with another. We’ve also added a complete rack FX panel to further expand your creative options.
Circle Bells 2.0 is available to purchase for the introductory price of $39 USD through April 1st, 2014 (regular $59 USD). Requires the full retail version of Kontakt 5.1 or later. Existing owners of the original 1.0 can get the expansion for $5 USD through a special upgrade email.
More information: Soundiron / Circle Bells