String Formations is a collection of long string textures and gestural effects that can expand the capabilities of traditional string libraries and bring a sense of nuance and humanity to your compositions.
Comprised of a small chamber ensemble of three violins, violas, and cellos, this dynamic group is perfect for voicing on a smaller scale or doubling up and combining with a larger ensemble instrument to add movement to more traditionally static string libraries.
Recorded in the large room of Nave Studio 1, String Formations features three mic angles to help blend with the other instruments. The close mic provides excellent dry sound, while the near and far mics give a better representation of the room.
The library expands on the innovative programming we introduced with Smart Trills in Petrichor with our Chordal Textures patch. When Smart Mode is enabled on these articulations, chord plays automatically trigger specific interval relationships, creating a textural tapestry in your composition.
We’ve also provided 16 atmospheric layers created by processing the original raw samples. These can be used in conjunction with the main set of articulations or in our Layer Blends engine to expand the library’s sonic capabilities.
CHORD TEXTURES
This set of seven articulations uses a sophisticated performance engine that analyzes the notes currently being held and intelligently plays samples that move between the different held notes, adding a unique way to play chords to the String Textures library.
When Smart Mode is enabled, you can play freely without worrying about selecting specific scales or modes. However, there are options for isolating individual intervals, which can sometimes lead to inspiring chordal solutions when improvising with the library.
Each articulation’s settings panel also has the ability to increase the density of multiple possible intervals played simultaneously. Not only does this provide greater control over the library’s timbre, it also adds another dimension to the instrument’s dynamics on the fly.
ENSEMBLE
Three players in each of the violin, viola, and cello sections make up the ensemble for this library. This dynamic ensemble can be easily scaled to suit any piece. Playing chords with both hands creates a more symphonic texture, while single notes and chord textures at a lower density create a more intimate ensemble sound.
Unlike other string libraries where each instrument section was recorded separately, the players in the string formations were recorded together in a room, creating a more cohesive ensemble sound.
UNISON TEXTURES
The string formations are based on 16 unison articulations that support the chord textures. They range from evolving long ones to more unusual pitch bends (drifts), repeating pizzicatos (drops) and splashes. As shown in the step-by-step tutorial, they can be used individually as part of compositions or creatively combined to expand the sonic possibilities of the library.
LAYER BlENDS
Continuing with Zen: Meditations and Trails, the Blends layer in String Formations lets you mix specific raw articulations and processed ambience layers from the layers menu. With 27 sounds in total and over 17,500 possible combinations, there’s a wide range of sonic possibilities that can then be expanded with global effects like envelopes, filtering, lo-fi effects, delay, and reverb.
Prefer presets? The Fracture Sounds team has curated 28 snapshots of some of our favorite sounds. Or simply hit the central shuffle button to quickly shuffle any open sounds.
CHORD TEXTURES AND ARTICULATIONS
Flutter
Erratic trills between notes, or short tremolos on individual notes.
Air Flutter
Erratic trills between notes, played over soft, flautando-like sustains.
Flutter
Random trills between notes, played on a bed of soft sustins, with occasional transitions between sul tasto and sul pont.
Alternations
Slow slurred legatos between each note at randomized intervals.
Intense Alternations
Slow slurred legatos between each note at randomized timings more frequently than the articulation of the previous alternations.
Slide
Slowly alternate notes randomly, using the portamento slide.
Intense Slide
Slowly alternate notes randomly, using the portamento slide more frequently than the previous slide articulation.
Sporadic Harmonics
Players occasionally play short harmonics randomly.
UNISON ARTICULATIONS
Airy Sustains
A soft flautando resembling a slight movement.
Flow Sustains
Each player moves smoothly and independently from sul tasto to sul pont.
Flows
Soft ‘sul tasto’, where individual players ‘come out for air’ (sometimes increasing their dynamics and vibrato in short bursts).
Blooms
All players merge in dynamics and vibrato at random times.