11th December 2015
realsamples has released the German Theorbo-Harpsichord sample library featuring an instrument that's been lost for ages. In contrast to a regular harpsichord, it features mostly gut strings, with an additional metal strung stop.
Even though it was popular among Johann Sebastian Bach and the likes, not a single instrument survived. After musicologists became aware of its existence, German instrument collector Andreas Beurmann had one rebuilt by luthier Ludwig Richter.
The instrument combines tones similar to lute or harp instruments with the airy, bell-like chime of a harpsichord. The library contains 6 different sounds and consists of nearly 4,000 samples.
For the recording, custom-made Wagner U47w tube microphones were employed, in conjunction with Crane Song Flamingo preamps and Universal Audio 2192 converters. The samples were originally recorded in 192 kHz/24-bits resolution.
Presets are available for all common sample formats including HALion, Kontakt (2 and higher), EXS24 and GigaStudio3.
Price: $119.95 from the realsamples website.
Sound demos:
Johann Sebastian Bach - Prael BWV 995 A - performed by Steffen Fahl
Johann Sebastian Bach - Allemande BWV 995 b - performed by Steffen Fahl
KVR Audio, Inc.
www.kvraudio.com