Spitfire Audio Solo Strings - Virtual Instrument (Download)

Available for download, Solo Strings from Spitfire Audio is a performance-oriented virtual instrument based on 3891 samples of solo violin, viola, and cello articulations. The virtual instrument draws on the sampled material as you play on your keyboard, recreating your playing in the sound of the solo string instrument of your choice. Sampled by violinist Andrew Haveron, violist Bruce White, and cellist Caroline Dale, this volume is designed for use in orchestral scores that call for solos by the concertmaster, or by the principal of one of the string sections. The most essential string articulations within the orchestra context are covered, including long notes, pizzicato, spiccato, staccato, and harmonic longs & shorts. There is also a legato patch which responds intelligently to the articulation with which you play on the keyboard, giving you portamento, finger legato, or bow-change legato transitions depending on the velocity of your keystroke.

The sounds are available in a choice of close, tree, and ambient mic perspectives which can be combined and blended for effectful shifts in focus and depth. For further sound customization there are sliders that modulate vibrato intensity and dynamics, giving you tools to add expressivity to your virtual performance. A multi patch gives you the option of playing all three instruments at once for quick ensemble recordings. This means that instead of recording each instrument separately, you simply play your polyphonic score on your keyboard and the virtual instrument assigns a part to each of the three instruments to create instant string-trio sound. The library is sampled with multiple slightly varying versions of each sound, known as round robins. Each time you hit a certain key a random round robin plays back, giving your virtual performance a lifelike feel. Solo Strings blends seamlessly with other Spitfire libraries, including Albion, the British Modular Library range, and some of the Signature range. The full sonic agreement between libraries enables you to combine orchestral sections and instruments, and have them sound as if they were being played together in the same room.