Strings CollectionGo beyond traditional string samples! String Contours is a new approach to contextual sampling. Both in terms of tempo and expression. Smoothly elevate the sound of your tracks and stop tweaking CC data – let the performance be programmable, and you focus on the music itself!
What is a contour?
A contour is a recorded performance with a fixed length and dynamic shape. For example, a one-bar crescendo build-up that leads to a one-bar diminuendo with a bow change in the middle.
String Contours allow you to play back a performance and seamlessly change notes without starting a new performance. You always stay within the dynamic shape and phrasing of the original performance. This results in realistic and harmonic vibrato and a dynamic flow without any Midi CC programming, allowing you to achieve high-quality results with a minimalist approach to composing, thanks to the expressiveness of the recordings themselves.
Different recordings with different tempos.
Since the performance of a musical phrase is highly dependent on context, especially in length and tempo, we wanted to bring this contextuality into the world of virtual instruments.
Each contour was recorded at different speeds (3 different tempos) and shapes (4 different dynamic shapes) to maintain the contextuality of the live performance in all sections, as well as consistency across the entire collection. Kontakt automatically selects the correct sample pool based on the sequencer tempo and adjusts smoothly when the tempo changes. Time stretching is kept to an absolute minimum, so it is barely audible. A lot of time was spent finding the right tempo value that needed to be recorded to achieve the best results. The exception are the Normale Espressivo patches, which were only recorded at 140 tempo, but they are still synced to the DAW tempo.
Adaptation
In String Contours, you can change the notes of your performance to match the contour of the selected shape. The script will intelligently add releases and contextually recorded attacks between notes based on where and how the bow changes, resulting in smooth transitions across the recorded shapes.
All recordings were made with a consistent performance style within the instrument’s range and between sections, so when combined, you achieve a sense of unified performance intent and phrasing across all lines of your arrangement.
Transparent and natural recording
The recordings were made with selected musicians who best matched the required aesthetics in tone and vibrato, using special microphone sets, combined in 3 different positions, and a fully prepared mixer signal. The hall is medium in size, which allows for a cinematic sound, but at the same time retaining as much detail as possible.
Since this library does not use dynamic layers and circle repeats, you always get the sound of a real live recording without the usual overlaid ensemble pad. Play a three-part chord on a solo cello, and it will sound as if three cellos are playing together.
Instruments:
- Violin section
- Viola section
- Cello section
- Double bass section
- Solo violin
- Solo cello