Orange Tree Slide Lap Steel Impressions?

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Since the black Friday/cyber Monday sales are ongoing, I took another look at Orange Tree Samples's offerings and revisited the Slide Lap Steel guitar. In short, I am considering it, but as always, first I would like to have a few impressions from those who use the sample library.
Is it very versatile/applicable in different genres? In which contexts is it best used, and how easy would it be to blend in a piano/bass/drums setting? Can it substitute for a usual electric guitar and provide a lead melodic line or a rhythmic riff without sounding odd in a non country/blues/western setting? Can I shape the sound naturally as I would with regular electric guitar libraries? (Distorted, flanger/chorus/creamy)

The sound of the guitar itself seems comparable to that of a pedal steel guitar (I suppose that they are related given the names), which I hear on records such as Dark Side of the Moon and those recorded by Steely Dan. I am pretty fond of the Steely Dan sound, so I imagine that the instrument could be pretty useful.

Normally one cannot bend a guitar string downwards without first bending upwards, but is this restriction lifted on lap steel and pedal steel guitars?

Anyway, I would appreciate any honest thoughts on the product.

Thank you very much.

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Bump.

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I like it and use it. I would say that it would take some detailed "orchestrating" to get the full effect of what you are looking for. You can play it live semi-convincingly but the power lies in automating with it.

Of course it could be used in a variety of settings from country to island to backwoods hillbilly to Robert Randolf and The Family Band type of stuff.

Jon

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How about something like this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Al5Vdvyj36Q

And the slide guitar from this:

https://youtu.be/PRLFAqYAZ_o?t=66

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I really don't see why not. I can't say it would be exact...but then again you will not actually be playing a slide guitar. Personally I think you could get similar results. Did you listen to the demo?

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I have it, like it, use it and have no reservations about recommending it.

However, IMO the similar Slide Acoustic product is more versatile because Lap Steel's baked-in tone is distinctive and may not always be what you want. With a little effort I can make Slide Acoustic sound nearly identical to it.

ATM you can grab 'em both for $129.

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Hm... I already purchased the Lap Steel guitar, but I noticed that the other one has more articulations. I don't want to fall into buyer's remorse (I cannot get both) but oh well. I think that both are nice products and I am fine.

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Post this on the Orange Tree forum on this site, and Greg from Orange Tree will reply. He is a very approachable (and knowledgeable) chap.

Basjoe

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I have not used that one. But a couple of observations: I wouldn't except it to be so much a pedal steel sound-wise. Lap Steel is basically a modified guitar on yer lap, while a pedal steel is... kind of a mutant. The tone of the pedal steel is sweeter; often, and this is borne out by this video, the lap steel is bright and even raspy. That said, you may find it useful outside of the convention, with a rolled-off hi end (and maybe a volume pedal). Pedal Steel is tuned in ways that provide certain bends inside a chord (some strings are affected, some stationary; typical is the root on top stays while you bend into the 3rd and/or 5th.) via the pedal (and knee levers) and is a more complicated axe really.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DC2-BL916zc

I recommend looking at how-to videos on lap steel as opposed to approaching it abstractly.

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That's the slide acoustic. Hmmm everyone is pushing me towards the acoustic but I prefer the sound of the lap steel. I guess the problem with both is that they're not really equipped for arpeggios or strumming.

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For lap steel you don't want "strumming", per say... more designed for arpeggios/chords/bends over smallish (3) finger picked chord voicings.

BTW, the Slide Acoustic is pretty cool because with a little convolution you can turn it into a serviceable dobro! :) Plus it sounds good on it's own (nicely sampled, deep full sound, special slaps, mutes, chugs, etc). I'll try to post an example of the hackadobro in a bit...

What the hell... all of OTS' stuff is fantastic... :tu:

Ahhh... lap steel...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b40cp7jDAuQ
You need to limit that rez, bro.

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I like the lap steel - the acoustic slide wasn't out when I bought it. I want it to sound like an electric guitar played with a slide - and you can do this with a "compressor" preset - and play it through an amp sim. It sounds great and with a little programming, it can sound like the real thing.
I used it in a song, and a lot of people thought it was a real electric slide ;-)
John Braner
http://johnbraner.bandcamp.com
http://www.soundclick.com/johnbraner
and all the major streaming/download sites.

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I do think that with enough programming I can make the lap steel shine. Can I use it for arpeggios, or is it pretty much only for slide transitions?

(I am restraining myself from purchasing something else, as I have another 15% off due to unused orange slices from the lap steel purchase and another free product from a while ago.)

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All your MIDI notes will be like playing an actual "note" - and the "slide" articulations come from pitch bends. So you'd play arpeggios normally.


Why not email OT and ask for the manual - it talks you through how things work...
John Braner
http://johnbraner.bandcamp.com
http://www.soundclick.com/johnbraner
and all the major streaming/download sites.

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