Up until recently, achieving believable virtual strings in the mix leant heavily on the skill of the user. We check out one tool promising realistic cellos for the composing engineer who needs hard-edged results without the learning curve.
Strings For The Brave
Some composers and recordists will remember a time when the words “string library” meant many things. Although earlier tools’ realism could be coaxed out in the right hands, these solutions often came with sample counts that always seemed to outweigh free drive space, and a system requirement that could see productions spreading out onto a dedicated separate system to take the strain from the DAW. Along with encyclopaedic manuals, and controls to rival the complexity of a nuclear submarine, their use could be an unforgiving experience for some.
Simplifying Strings
Things now look a lot more encouraging for the modern production in need of strings that deliver. This is in no small part to improvements in computing power that mean less input from the user and more realism from the instrument straight out of the box. Helped along by bigger RAM to hold phrases that are longer and greater in number, as well as the CPU to take on the mixing of multiple mics and/or captured or synthesised ambience, the modern VI is increasingly in great shape as a match for the real thing.
Cinesamples Apocalyptica
Taking on something of a niche is Apocalyptica from Cinesamples. As part of the company’s Artist Series, this library takes its moniker from the Finnish symphonic metal band of the same name. While this instrument’s purpose is to deliver the sometimes processed, hard-edge of the band’s trio of cellos, the instrument can also strike a convincing chord for anyone who needs the two things that composers want: simplicity and realism.
Watch in the video as we walk through Apocalyptica’s stunningly simple GUI to bring forth dazzling arpeggiated sequences with attitude. After investigating the Sequencer, we take a look at its articulations and keyswitching abilities, before getting to the crunch with its amp and cabinet sounds. We then show how this instrument can more than hold its own as a solo instrument in any genre…
Cinesamples On Apocalyptica:
Apocalyptica is a Cinematic and Post-Rock producer's dream library, bringing a completely unique and highly sought-after sound with tons of flair and grit that cuts through a mix and brings the heat that only Apocalyptica is capable of.
Cinesamples is proud to partner with the legendary Finnish Symphonic Metal band ‘Apocalyptica’ to bring you a beautifully intense collection of stunning Cellos. The Apocalyptica library brings all the percussive thump and soaring melodics the band is famous for, with unique Solo and Rhythm patches, Apocalyptica offers all you need from solo Cello legato to power chords, fast chugs and ear-bending Cello FX.
7 GB of original sample content (14 GB uncompressed WAV) included
Includes solo articulations and rhythm articulations.
Custom amp + cab snapshots included
Fully encoded for the FREE Kontakt Player 6.7.1+ and NKS compatible
In Summary
Taking on the two-headed monster of complex operation and/or lacklustre sounds, it must be said that Cinesamples Apocalyptica slays both conclusively. While its musical inspiration is far from generic, it has the universal chops to slot into productions spanning many genres thanks to its concise realism. Framed within the Kontakt Player that will be familiar to some and usable by all, Apocalyptica delivers not just for those dealing in symphonic metal but also for any production needing a simple trio of cellos with attitude and realism.
Photo by Umutcan Günüç on Unsplash