Garritan has announced the release of World Instruments, a collection of over 350 expressive and exotic instruments from around the world. Garritan World Instruments transforms any computer into a soundscape of the world, with rare ethnic instruments that add flair and color to any piece of music.

World Instruments is powered by the ARIA Player and is now available as a direct download for $149.99.

World Instruments Partial List:

• Africa: Kora, Ngoni, Domu, Begena, Mijwiz 1, Mijwiz 2, Arghul, Ewe drum collection (Kpanlogos, Kagan, Sogo), Udu drums, Doun Doun drums, Talking drums, Djembe, Mbira, Log drums, Bougarabou, Fontomfrom, Balafon, Gyil, Ipo, Kalimba, Mbira, Tama, Bolon bass, and many other African instruments.
• China: Erhu (vibrato control), Guzheng harps, Pipa, Yuequin, Bawu, Di-Zi, Guanzi, Hulusi, Sheng, Suona, Xiao, Bo, Darangu Lion Drum, Bianzhong, Temple bells & blocks, Chinese gongs & cymbals, and various other Chinese instruments.
• India: Sitar, Sarangi, Tambura, Electric Sitar. Small Zheng, Yuequin, Bansuris, Pungi Snake Charmer, Shenai, Indian Whistle, Harmonium, Tablas, Dafli, Damroo, Chimtas, Dhol, Manjeera, Mridangam, Naal ,Pakhawaj, Tamte, Tasha, Tavil, and many other Indian instruments.
• Japan: Complete Taiko Drum collection, Koto, Shakuhachi, Hichiriki, Sanshin, Shamisen, Knotweed Flute, , Okedo, Tebyoshi, Tsuzumi and other Japanese instruments.
• Other Asian Regions: Jogi Baja, Piri, Gopichand, Dan Tranh, Dan Ty Ba, Thai Mouth OrganTangku Drum, Madal, Luo & Thai Gongs, Gedul, and more.
• Europe: Celtic & Wire Strung Harps, Mandolins, Zitter, Collection of Recorders, Irish and other whistles, Double flutes, Overtone Flutes, Sideblown flutes, folk flutes, Chanters and Bagpipes, Bodran, Hang drum, Jews harps, accordions, Alphorn and many other European instruments.
• Middle East: Oud, Santoor, Duduk, Maqrunah, Naqqāra, Bendir, Daff, Dumbek, Darabuka, Kuddum, Riqq, Tumbak, Zarb, Zills and other Middle Eastern instruments.
• North America: Fiddle (vibrato control), Banjo, Dulcimer, Zither, Washtub Bass, Native Flute, Fife, Bottle Blows, Slide Whistle, Powwow drum, Buffalo drum, Cherokee drum, Pueblo drum, Log drum, Washboard bass, Harmonicas and more.
• Latin America: South American & Veracruz Harps, Guitarron, Quena, Tarka, Panpipes, Ocarinas, Steel Drums, Bandoneon, Berimbau, Bombo, Rain Stick, an extensive Latin Percussion collection, and more.
• Oceania & Australia: Complete Gamelon collections, Didgeridoo, Sulings, Rebab, Ukeleles, Hawaiian Nose Flute, Conch shell, Bullroarer, Ipu, Hawaiian percussion and more.

Features:

• Comprehensive World Instrument Collection: With over 350 individually sampled ethnic instruments, Garritan World Instruments offers more individually sampled instruments than any other ethnic sample library. Create various sections and groupings - Oriental orchestras, Ewe ensembles, Taiko ensembles, drumming circles, or many groupings and ensembles of your choosing.
• ARIA Advanced Instrument Player - Designed for Compatibility: World Instruments includes the advanced ARIA engine. This highly-optimized sample player features efficient performance, fast loading and low CPU demand. World Instruments supports Mac (OS 10.5 and higher) and Windows (XP and higher). It runs as a standalone, a plug-in (VST, Audio Units, RTAS), with supported notation programs. and is compatible with 32-bit and 64-bit systems.
• Ensemble & Group Presets: Access various ensembles and groupings, from traditional Chinese orchestras, Gamelan ensembles, Taiko groups, drumming circles to eclectic Bollywood bands, folk bands, or create any group of your choosing. The Ensemble Manager makes it easy to load pre-configured and user-created templates.
• Intuitive Controls: The Garritan World Instruments Library is designed with playability and expressive control in mind. It features controls for dynamics, vibrato, keyswitched bends and tremolos, rolls, arpeggios, airflow noises, legato, auto-variability, auto-portamento, trills and more that make these samples realistic and expressive. Many of the controls in Garritan World Instruments are streamlined and standardized so that users can quickly become familiar with the library.
• World Tunings: Garritan World Instruments offers full support for Scala files, a standard format that allows instruments to play in various temperaments and scales. World Instruments includes many instrument and region-specific tunings, and users can also add their own.

Pricing & Availability

World Instruments Download Version is available now for $149.95. The DVD Version is coming soon.

As it is powered by the ARIA Advanced Instrument Player, it is available for Mac OS X and Windows in standalone and VST, Audio Units and RTAS instrument plug-in formats and is compatible with 32-bit and 64-bit systems.