Now and then, we’re fortunate enough to have a Kontakt library come along that ticks every box; it’s free, incredible quality, and compatible with Kontakt Player- Sonixinema’s Delicate Strings is one such instrument.
Delicate Strings is part of the Sonixinema Origins series, a series of free instruments for Kontakt Player.
Delicate Strings gives us a small but powerful taste of Sonixinema’s premium String Shades library (currently available for £69 with a 30% discount).
Sonixinema recorded a fourteen-piece chamber string ensemble to create String Shades, and Delicate Strings gives the Undulating articulation of that world-class ensemble sound.
The Undulating articulation brings constant movement and plenty of simmering tension as the players weave in and out.
While we don’t get every articulation from String Shades, we do get the same interface and microphone positions.
Delicate Strings has five preset patches (Master and Prestes 1-4). Each preset offers a different character, covering various cinematic requirements: suspense, tension, reflection, etc.
The original performance from the chamber string ensemble is world-class, so, as you’d imagine, it sounds very convincing. The authenticity is also partly thanks to Sonixinema’s efforts to maintain a human feel in its orchestral libraries, and it’s quite beautiful here.
You can enhance the realism by adding some expression and dynamics automation as you perform.
Additionally, You can create custom patches using the built-in FX, EQ, and Envelope tabs.
The onboard effects include Reverb, Degrade, and Delay. The Reverb includes a decent list of spaces from Small Room to Canyon.
I really like the Degrade effect; it can completely transform the sound, but subtle use adds some gorgeous grit for a much edgier sound.
As much as I love this library’s human and traditional elements, it has a Gater function (featured on Preset 4) that makes it even better.
You can draw any velocity/volume curve and create swirling motion, sweeping movements, and intense risers. Moreover, you can adjust the note type from the Rhthym Tree, and with 16th notes and above, combined with some degradation, you get this synth-like buzzing tone in the lower range.
As a traditional string ensemble, Delicate Strings is perfect for intimate and emotive scoring. The Gater turns it into a modern instrument with no end of potential.
Tempest Audio’s Sona/Chroma is one of my favorite free instruments so far this year, and Delicate Strings has joined the list.
Download: Delicate Strings (FREE – Kontakt Player required)
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