KVR Audio

zircon · Post by **zircon** » Fri Jun 01, 2012 6:31 pm

I'm VERY excited to say that our popular Shreddage/Shreddage X and Shreddage Bass: Picked Edition are now available in the highly-flexible, open SFZ format! So not only do you not need Kontakt, you will actually be able to use FREE samplers such as the excellent, cross-platform, 32/64bit LinuxSampler. To celebrate, we have launched an ALL-NEW website for our Shreddage family of libraries:

www.shreddage.com

Here you will find overviews and tech specs of our guitar & bass libraries, along with official audio demos, video tutorials, walkthroughs and user-submitted demos. We decided to create a new site for these instruments because of their incredible popularity, and wanted to give them their own spotlight in addition to their place on our main website.

Features of Shreddage:
* Incredibly realistic, direct-in electric guitar ideal for rock/metal rhythm playing
* Includes almost all content from both Shreddage + Shreddage X
* 8x round robins with up and down strokes (auto-alternating, or selected by keyswitch)
* True double-tracked sound
* Fast and normal palm mutes for even more realistic fast riffs
* Powerchords, half-powerchord mutes, open notes, aggressive picking
* Tremolo, vibrato, pinch squeals, and harmonics
* Full chokes, scrapes, slides, squeaks and fret noise (releases)
* Tuning down to a brutal Ab
* Simulated hammer-on/pull-off legato playing
* Usable in any sampler that supports SFZ

Peavey ReValver HPse:
Much like the Kontakt version of Shreddage, the SFZ version comes with the excellent ReValver HPse plugin by Peavey. This custom amp sim is ideal for both clean and hi-gain sounds, and we've provided a bank of Shreddage presets to get you started right out of the box. If you want more presets, amps, cabs and pedals, you get a fantastic discounted upgrade to Revalver MK III.V or HP! Check out this video to see how true double-tracking and tone crafting works:

Features of Shreddage Bass: Picked Edition
* Thick, easy-to-mix bass sound for any genre
* Drop Bb tuning
* 8x round robins, 3x dynamic layers
* Open and muted notes
* Sustained and staccato notes
* Upstroke and downstroke-only modes
* TRUE hammer-on and pull-off legato playing!
* Usable in any sampler that supports SFZ

Audio Demos:

Can't live without 'em!

http://www.impactsoundworks.com/audio/demos/BLEED_4.mp3
http://www.impactsoundworks.com/audio/d ... ldozer.mp3
http://www.impactsoundworks.com/audio/d ... ontage.mp3
http://www.impactsoundworks.com/audio/d ... erical.mp3
http://www.impactsoundworks.com/audio/d ... _Riffs.mp3
http://www.impactsoundworks.com/audio/d ... secode.mp3
http://www.impactsoundworks.com/audio/d ... ertion.mp3
http://www.impactsoundworks.com/audio/d ... e_Fury.mp3

Differences between SFZ and Kontakt:
If you don't own Shreddage yet and are deciding which version to buy, the comparison is fairly simple. Shreddage SFZ has most content from the Kontakt versions but does not have a scripted UI or true recorded legato (due to limitations of the SFZ format). Also, since there is not wide support for the modwheel in SFZ, we use keyswitches instead, which some may find less convenient. So, if you DO have Kontakt, you may consider that version to be the better option. However, the SFZ version has all other articulations, double-tracking, and the full range of round robins, so if you DON'T have Kontakt you are still getting the vast majority of both libraries! Shreddage Bass is the same deal, though it DOES actually have all content and legato scripting... just not the fancy UI of the Kontakt version.

Price / Availability:
Both libraries are available NOW for only $49 - CHEAPER than the Kontakt versions and usable by literally anyone that has a DAW!

Check out http://www.shreddage.com/ to read, watch, listen and purchase!

pljones · Post by **pljones** » Sat Jun 02, 2012 12:28 pm

It's pretty simple to use a CC to select and fade between samples in SFZ, really - keys witching shouldn't be necessary. However, I've not looked at what you've done, so don't know if there's some specific issue.

That said, it's fantastic you're doing this!

Baard · Post by **Baard** » Sat Jun 02, 2012 6:45 pm

pljones wrote:It's pretty simple to use a CC to select and fade between samples in SFZ, really - keys witching shouldn't be necessary. However, I've not looked at what you've done, so don't know if there's some specific issue.

That said, it's fantastic you're doing this!

Hi again pljones. You probably remember me from the OSDrumkit thread. I wrote the sfz's for Shreddage. What you say is true, and I really wanted to implement that functionality. Yet during the initial testing, the locc and hicc opcodes didn't behave as well as keyswitches, so we went with the latter.

This could possibly be an issue with a specific player, I really don't remember right now. I could probably revisit this in the future if a lot of people asks for it, and Zircon wants me to.

kingtubby · Post by **kingtubby** » Sat Jun 02, 2012 6:53 pm

zircon wrote:...open SFZ format! So not only do you not need Kontakt, you will actually be able to use FREE samplers such as the excellent, cross-platform, 32/64bit LinuxSampler...

and vemberaudio shortcircuit of course...

Baard · Post by **Baard** » Sat Jun 02, 2012 7:06 pm

kingtubby wrote:
zircon wrote:...open SFZ format! So not only do you not need Kontakt, you will actually be able to use FREE samplers such as the excellent, cross-platform, 32/64bit LinuxSampler...
and vemberaudio shortcircuit of course...

AFAIK Shortcircuit doesnt support Round Robins, so I am afraid it wont work properly there. (I would be very happy to proven wrong in this) Given the size of Shreddage in MB, and the features needed, Linuxsampler is really the best free alternative, being able to stream from disk.

kingtubby · Post by **kingtubby** » Sat Jun 02, 2012 7:41 pm

Baard wrote:
kingtubby wrote:
zircon wrote:...open SFZ format! So not only do you not need Kontakt, you will actually be able to use FREE samplers such as the excellent, cross-platform, 32/64bit LinuxSampler...
and vemberaudio shortcircuit of course...
AFAIK Shortcircuit doesnt support Round Robins, so I am afraid it wont work properly there. (I would be very happy to proven wrong in this)

ah, ok...I formally retract my previous statement - shortcircuit is still cool though...

pljones · Post by **pljones** » Sat Jun 02, 2012 7:56 pm

Baard wrote:Yet during the initial testing, the locc and hicc opcodes didn't behave as well as keyswitches, so we went with the latter.

Fair enough - a lot does depend on how easy something is to use in practice. I have to admit using CCs for articulation selection on drum hits hasn't been that successful for me, in use...

Baard · Post by **Baard** » Sat Jun 02, 2012 8:11 pm

kingtubby wrote:ah, ok...I formally retract my previous statement - shortcircuit is still cool though...

Yeah, its too bad, it would be ideal for the task in every other way. And I also agree.. Shortcircuit is an amazing piece of software.

Baard · Post by **Baard** » Sat Jun 02, 2012 8:19 pm

pljones wrote:
Baard wrote:Yet during the initial testing, the locc and hicc opcodes didn't behave as well as keyswitches, so we went with the latter.
Fair enough - a lot does depend on how easy something is to use in practice. I have to admit using CCs for articulation selection on drum hits hasn't been that successful for me, in use...

If I remember correctly, it did work, but not all the time. This could be due the rather huge and relatively complex sfz that this project resulted in. I'll give it another try with some less complicated material later on. Thanks for chiming in anyways, I always appreciate your input on things sfz. (And your sfz page at drealm.info. Again.. Thanks!:))

audiojunkie · Post by **audiojunkie** » Sun Jun 03, 2012 3:21 am

zircon wrote:I'm VERY excited to say that our popular Shreddage and Shreddage X libraries will soon be released in the highly-flexible, open SFZ format! So not only do you not need Kontakt, you will actually be able to use FREE samplers such as the excellent, cross-platform, 32/64bit LinuxSampler.

Features:
* Incredibly realistic, direct-in electric guitar ideal for rock/metal rhythm playing
* Includes almost all content from both Shreddage + Shreddage X
* 8x round robins with up and down strokes (auto-alternating, or selected by keyswitch)
* True double-tracked sound
* Fast and normal palm mutes for even more realistic fast riffs
* Powerchords, half-powerchord mutes, open notes, aggressive picking
* Tremolo, vibrato, pinch squeals, and harmonics
* Full chokes, scrapes, slides, squeaks and fret noise (releases)
* Tuning down to a brutal Ab
* Simulated hammer-on/pull-off legato playing
* Usable in any sampler that supports SFZ

Peavey ReValver HPse:
Much like the Kontakt version of Shreddage, the SFZ version comes with the excellent ReValver HPse plugin by Peavey. This custom amp sim is ideal for both clean and hi-gain sounds, and we've provided a bank of Shreddage presets to get you started right out of the box. If you want more presets, amps, cabs and pedals, you get a fantastic discounted upgrade to Revalver MK III.V or HP! Check out this video to see how true double-tracking and tone crafting works:

Audio Demos:

Can't live without 'em!

http://www.impactsoundworks.com/audio/demos/BLEED_4.mp3
http://www.impactsoundworks.com/audio/d ... ontage.mp3
http://www.impactsoundworks.com/audio/d ... _Riffs.mp3
http://www.impactsoundworks.com/audio/d ... ertion.mp3
http://www.impactsoundworks.com/audio/d ... er_Cue.mp3
http://www.impactsoundworks.com/audio/d ... ldozer.mp3
http://www.impactsoundworks.com/audio/d ... e_Fury.mp3
http://www.impactsoundworks.com/audio/d ... s_Self.mp3

Differences between SFZ and Kontakt:
If you don't own Shreddage yet and are deciding which version to buy, the comparison is fairly simple. Shreddage SFZ has most content from the Kontakt versions but does not have a scripted UI or true recorded legato (due to limitations of the SFZ format). Also, since there is not wide support for the modwheel in SFZ, we use keyswitches instead, which some may find less convenient. So, if you DO have Kontakt, you may consider that version to be the better option. However, the SFZ version has all other articulations, double-tracking, and the full range of round robins, so if you DON'T have Kontakt you are still getting the vast majority of both libraries!

Price / Availability:
We'll be releasing Shreddage SFZ very soon for the ridiculous price of only $49. Again, this includes content from both Shreddage and Shreddage X, so this is CHEAPER than the Kontakt version!

Again we're really psyched to be making these popular libraries available to literally EVERYONE with a DAW, so please leave your comments, feedback and suggestions here!

Yay!!! This is AWESOME!!!!!! I KNOW my wait will have been worth it!!!

--Sean

audiojunkie · Post by **audiojunkie** » Sun Jun 03, 2012 3:22 am

pljones wrote:It's pretty simple to use a CC to select and fade between samples in SFZ, really - keys witching shouldn't be necessary. However, I've not looked at what you've done, so don't know if there's some specific issue.

That said, it's fantastic you're doing this!

I'm actually VERY happy for the keyswitching!

It will make it very easy to strum out real rhythm phrases straight from a sequencer.

--Sean

audiojunkie · Post by **audiojunkie** » Sun Jun 03, 2012 3:24 am

Baard wrote:
pljones wrote:It's pretty simple to use a CC to select and fade between samples in SFZ, really - keys witching shouldn't be necessary. However, I've not looked at what you've done, so don't know if there's some specific issue.

That said, it's fantastic you're doing this!
Hi again pljones. You probably remember me from the OSDrumkit thread. I wrote the sfz's for Shreddage. What you say is true, and I really wanted to implement that functionality. Yet during the initial testing, the locc and hicc opcodes didn't behave as well as keyswitches, so we went with the latter.

This could possibly be an issue with a specific player, I really don't remember right now. I could probably revisit this in the future if a lot of people asks for it, and Zircon wants me to.

I'm OK with that as long as you keep both options!!!

I can't wait to get my hands on this!!!! Is the Picked Bass coming next? I want to get that one too!

--Sean

herodotus · Post by **herodotus** » Sun Jun 03, 2012 3:31 am

pljones wrote:
That said, it's fantastic you're doing this!

Indeed.

The power of sfz is great, whatever its limitations.

It is good to see major developers using it more.

Baard · Post by **Baard** » Sun Jun 03, 2012 11:53 am

audiojunkie wrote:I'm OK with that as long as you keep both options!!! I can't wait to get my hands on this!!!! Is the Picked Bass coming next? I want to get that one too!

--Sean

Great! Hope you'll like it when the day comes!

Regarding the bass, Zircon will have to answer that, Im just a freelance scripter.

(But I am more than happy to answer questions about the .sfz code itself)

zircon · Post by **zircon** » Sun Jun 03, 2012 9:48 pm

Short answer: Yes, we'd love to port Shreddage Bass next. In some ways it is simpler than our guitar instruments because it has fewer articulations, though it is still every bit as detailed and awesome. I'd say that's the next project once we've released Shreddage SFZ.

Shreddage Electric Rhythm Guitar & Shreddage Bass: Now available in SFZ format!