Progress Update (NEWS about the Strawberry sample line)

[Gregjazz]

Many of you are probably wondering why there hasn't been any news at Orange Tree Samples for around a month. We're currently working on several projects simultaneously, so things are taking a little longer than anticipated--but we can assure you that the wait will be worth what's coming in a few weeks! Here's a run-down of what we're working on at Orange Tree Samples...

First of all, there's the rhythm electric guitar sample library. What's left to be done is to create the presets, write the manual, and compose the demo songs. We're really excited about this release--it pushes the limits of KONTAKT and the realism of sampled instruments. But we'll let you be the judge of that when it's released in a few weeks. Oh, and the reason for this delay is also because the release is dependent on a few other updates related to the product line.

Then there's the update for CoreBass Pear. We're completely re-writing the scripting to reduce the CPU/RAM usage and adding a few more features while we're at it. The playability is a lot better, and the velocity response is sounding great!

We're also working on a utility that will be extremely useful for ALL users of KONTAKT. It can be used in conjunction with Orange Tree Samples products, or applied to other sample libraries as well. The utility will be very affordable, and will undoubtedly become a staple of your workflow.

Finally, another sample library that's on the horizon is a collection of Native American Flutes. We combined multiple velocity layers and round-robin with performance-modeled scripting to create a product that has a magical realism to it. Here's an audio sneak peek so you can hear what I mean: http://www.orangetreesamples.com/audio/naflute.mp3

This is played live through a two-octave MIDI keyboard, and uses only a fraction of the articulations we sampled.

We really appreciate your patience, and check back soon!

[Gregjazz]

The KONTAKT utility is nearly complete, I just have to make some demonstration videos and prepare the release material. I can't wait for you all to try it out!

I'm also gearing up to do tutorial/demonstration videos for Strawberry Electric Guitar, by the way. I've promised tutorial videos for a long time, so it's about time.

[rockbottom]

how about letting us download the midi files of the demo tapes?

aren't they the best documentation to the way the libs can be used?

imagine: seeing the minute details of each single midi event while hearing how it sounds in that particular context; wouldn't it be nice?

[Gregjazz]

I was going to create a tutorial video showing that--how to create a guitar track from scratch.

I didn't think the MIDI demos would end up public, so I made a lot of my own keyswitches and things like that, so the MIDI would probably be confusing. Otherwise I would have tried to make the MIDI data make more sense.

The KONTAKT Utility is complete, and is coming with some cool, new samples, too! I want to release it with some demonstration videos, so I'll be recording videos today. I feel like I have a speech impediment, recording so many takes. I guess that's what you get when you work 12 hour days in the studio, huh?

[Gregjazz]

So now that one project is complete (MIND CONTROL), I wanted to give you an explanation of what's going on guitar-wise.

The Strawberry Electric Guitar line of sample libraries is going to be re-branded as well as feature a few simple scripting updates. The non-extended Strawberry Electric Guitar will be discontinued in favor of the extended version and combined with the upcoming rhythm guitar, resulting in a single "Evolution Electric Guitar - Strawberry" library.

The reason for this simplification besides the confusion in the difference between the extended and non-extended sample library's relationship is to make room for the acoustic and electric guitars I have planned.

So that's essentially why the rhythm electric guitar hasn't already been released, but I'm focusing on finalizing the updates and changes, so it shouldn't be too much longer.