Orange Tree Samples has released Evolution Clawhammer Banjo, an impressively detailed Kontakt instrument (compatible with the free Kontakt Player 6.7.0 upwards).
For a limited time, you can pick up Evolution Clawhammer Banjo for the special introductory price of $139 (usually $179). The intro offer ends on September 17th.
The banjo has a distinct sound, whether played in the clawhammer or fingerpicked style made famous by Earl Scruggs.
Thanks to Gray Cat Music’s Decent Sampler instrument, Uncle John’s Banjo, we heard how we could lean the charming sound of a banjo towards light or dark emotions.
Evolution Clawhammer Banjo is a different kettle of fish; the library is over 6GB with legato samples, slides, hammer-ons, and a complete set of articulations. The library has over 11,000 24-bit NCW format samples in total.
While it focuses on the clawhammer playing style, it offers some fingerstyle articulation for versatility.
Articulations have three dynamics and up to four round robins, which add a nice human element to the playing, making the banjo sound more natural.
The sampled banjo is a folk-style open-back banjo with a relatively mellow tone. Evolution Clawhammer Banjo utilizes the Orange Tree Samples Evolution engine and comes with a range of strumming patterns and effects, as well as the many articulations mentioned above.
Instruments that use key-triggering for patterns and articulations can sometimes sound janky in transitions, no matter how pristine your performance.
It’s especially important in an instrument like this one that typically features a lot of short notes and intricate patterns because there’s nowhere to hide.
But when they work well, they are a joy to play, and Orange Tree Samples has done a great job putting everything together seamlessly here.
It comes with a collection of varied presets that sound great and are ready to go. One of my favourites so far is Tin Can; it’s airy and atmospheric without drowning out any sharp articulations if you want to play fast.
The Prairie Life preset is gorgeous for more melodic, rather than rhythmic, playing.
The Evolution engine provides a pattern editor and chord voicing system to customize the sound and performance to your taste.
It’s a lovely instrument; Orange Tree Samples has a few videos running through all the presets with some great playing. Check them out, and if you like what you hear, act fast while the offer lasts.
Check out the deal: Evolution Clawhammer Banjo (Introductory price $139 until September 17th – free Kontakt Player 6.7.0 upwards required)
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