Back In Time Records has released Ethnotronics, a Windows VST Instrument ws-engine powered sample instrument library featuring an Acoustic, Electric and Electronic World Instruments Sample Library plus Percussion Collection. It is available in 3 versions:

• Ethnotronics: 1.2 Gb, €79
• Ethnotronics Pro: 2.5 Gb, €129
• Ethnotronics Pro XL: 4.9 Gb, €198

The ws-engine sampleplayer (WS1/2) is compatible with all ws-engine VSTs like TSW, Wusikstation and ManyOne. It also includes three skins created by Bryan Cypher.

Ethnotronics provides ethnic acoustic instruments (up to chromatically sampled multi-samples) and also electronic instrument emulations as well as synth pads especially designed for layer purposes with acoustic instruments for a modern ethnic instruments sound tool. Although Ethnotronics can be used as regular sampled instrument player the 4 layers plus the wavesequencer offer a wide range of layer instruments, useful for all musical styles, not only for folk music. World music, film sound, pop, trance, traditional, crossover styles – that's what Ethnotronics is made for. A 50-page "Ethnic Instruments Guide" eBook (PDF) with instrument information and pictures is included.

Ethnotronics instrument description:

Acoustic instrument multi-samples, in-depth (length, mapping), several tone colors. Dynamics and performance variations, various playing positions, overblow effects (wind instruments). Separate instrument details: flageolet, slides, noise, tongue techniques (wind instruments), hit position (percussions) and special sound effects (rooms, hits, strums, plucks) and pure attack noise section (blow, pluck, etc.). Electrified string instrument multi-samples (w/Pickup System). Physical Modeling and synthetic (analog, FM) instrument multi-samples Various Percussion instruments and hit variations (dynamics, position). SynthPad and SynthLayer multi-samples for acoustic/electronic instrument mix purposes.

Ethnotronics content (1.2 Gb):

This Ethnotronics version covers as many different instruments as possible; nearly all of them are done in chromatical, semitones or any other close interval steps to provide authentic timbres. In many cases there are several dynamic, timbre and performance styles available.

Library:

Fado Guitar, Flamenco Guitar, Nylon Strings Guitar, Steel Strings Guitar, Dobro, Banjo, Psaltry, Harp, Panflute, Soprano to Bass Recorder, Dual Recorder, Primitive Trumpet, Bagpipe (Solo and Ensemble), Alphorn, Indian Flute, Bamboo Flute, Penny Whistle Saz, Dulcimer, Zither, Oud, Mandolin, Tremolo Mandolin, Buzouki, Austrian and Musette Accordion, Ney, Wind Chimes, Flute, Tibet Metal Bowls, Quena, Didgeridoo, Okarina, Oriental Orchestra, 12-String Acoustic Guitar, Koto, Bells, Tuned Percussion, Bali Gongpad Sets, Church Bell, Spoons, Metal Hits, Wood Hits, Stone Hits, Bansoori, Bandoneon, Bar Chimes, Kalimba, Asia and Romania Violins, Shanai, Egg Percussion, Thai Bell, Pedal Steel, Handclaps, Glass Hits, Shaker, Gong, Darbuka, Handdrums, Bamboo Windspiel, Metal Drum, Steel Drum, Xylophone, Rainmaker, Gamelan Bells, Bluesharp Friction Instruments, Metallophone, Temple Blocks, Energy Chimes, Assorted Percussion, Wood Sticks, Electric Buzouki, SynthSitar, ElectroKoto, E-Plucked, Instrument Models, FM Acoustics, Ring Modulator Bells, Electronic Percussion FX. Additionals: SynthPad, SynthLayer. Details: Blow, Pluck, Bow, Stick, Breath. Analog and Digital Synth Pads especially designed for Layer purposes with Acoustic Instruments.

Ethnotronics Pro content (2.5 Gb):

The Pro version includes the complete content of Ethnotronics, plus: 5 different Didgeridoos, E-Bouzuki, Accordion Basque, Harp France, Bansoori, Folk Clarinet, Cymbalom, Oriental Reed, Esraj, Kazoo, several Mouthharps, Santurian, Shakuhachi, Shanai, Stage E-Harp, Bar Chimes Kit, Dumbek, Gongs, Tibetian Bowls, Windspiel, Unscaled Bells, Bottle Blow, Electronic Bells, SynthEthnics, a huge Cymbals and Percussion Collection, Percussives, Tibet Temple Bells, Anklung, more Saz and Saz Chords and more of the Alphorn.

Ethnotronics Pro XL content (4.9 Gb):

The same as Ethnotronics Pro, plus many extra in-depth instruments multisamples with a huge number of instrument details, performance and style variations. Instrument chords, phrases, slides and tone effects, some of the very bizarre. Percussion details like flams, rolls, dynamic variations, slap positions: Woodwinds, Accordion, Dulcimer, Panflute, 2 Acoustic Guitars w/Pickup System (classic/nylon strings, Ovation-type/steel strings), Glasses, Foot Taps, Bells, Metal and Wood Hits.

Upgrades from Ethnotronics to Ethnotronics Pro and Ethnotronics Pro XL possible. TSW Pro customers are entitled to a 20% discount on all above mentioned prices.

Ethnotronics and Ethnotronics Pro are available now. Ethnotronics Pro XL is expected to be released on July 6, 2007.