PragueSounds Solo Strings 2.0 - Lite version full patches tryout

[Lukas.]

Hi everyone,

I am happy to announce PragueSounds Solo Strings version 2.0 for Kontakt. We have rebuilt the entire original version 1 library, added legato, looped all sustain samples, added release trails and reprogrammed each patch while concentrating on every detail, improving even the non-legato mode.

The library combines grainy and lyrical sound and was intended to be perfectly suitable for a large number of music styles – from intimate classical music to more extensive parts for ensembles. The library is designed to be as complex and universal a creative tool as possible and it also blends very well with sounds from other sample libraries.

We have put the sounds into an intuitive GUI packed with a myriad of useful features. The basic principle – to make everything configurable – offers the possibility to assign every knob and setting to any CC via the MIDI Learn function. The instruments are stored in large multipatches, making all articulations easy to access and switch between, thus preventing the need for opening more recording tracks. You can choose whether you want to change articulations via keyswitches or via CC and configure them in any way you desire. You have the possibility to select many combinations of the dynamic response to velocity and/or volume. There are lot of features, the most significant of which include:

- Scripted adaptive legato, configurable portamento, round robin and sordino
- Controllable vibrato/non-vibrato for basic sustain patches
- Legato available also for short articulations for experimental sounds
- Full CC or keyswitch control over the majority of main features
- Scripted ensemble mode with up to 8 virtual players
- Optional fast accents in high velocities for basic sustain patches
- Legato mode optional release sample triggering after each note or after the last note of a sequence
- Easy access to any combination of dynamic layers (for example p or p/mf only, for soft passages)
- Release samples volume control
- Double/triple bow simulation
- ADSR release time control
- EQ with the possibility to store your own presets
- Selectable velocity curves with the possibility to draw your own curve
- Real-time help for each GUI element showing in Kontakt info pane
- Super fast download of the library thanks to CDN (Content Delivery Network)

Main sound features of the library:

- Looped, rebalanced, reconfigured sounds from version 1 with added release samples
- Two mic positions – medium and close – for every patch, while each position contains different sound recordings
- Far, ambient and very close mic position recordings for basic forte sustain patches and several other selected individual patches
- Many long articulations including basic sustain, basic smooth, lyrical, nv2vibrato, expressive, fast, tremolo
- Short articulations (spiccato, staccato, marcato, pizzicato) including loose and semi-long variations for violin
- Low tuned double-bass patches (besides a full battery of patches in standard tuning)

For more information, screenshots, the user guide and music demos, please visit
http://www.praguesounds.com
or check out the direct links to the demos below.

Sky Gazer
Unforgiven
Anxious City (featuring ensembles)
To Distant Times (featuring ensembles)
Welcome to Dark Heaven (featuring ensembles)
Retreat (featuring ensembles)
Restless Prelude

The introductory price of the full 2.0 version is $99 (regular $129). We also came up with a special time-limited offer – the clearance sale of the DVD boxed version 1, now called 'Solo Strings Lite' – for a very special intro price $39 including shipping. All buyers of the Lite version will receive a $20 discount on the full 2.0 version purchase at any time in the future.

As promised, all current owners of version 1 (both boxed and digital) will receive the version 2.0 for free and will receive an email with downloading instructions.

You can hear the Lite version (version 1) in the following track at times 1:41-2:16 and 2:55-3:11
https://soundcloud.com/ray-mcginnis/moo ... y-mcginnis

If you are interested in hearing audio demos created solely with the Lite/version 1, please send me a PM.

Video walkthrough coming soon.

Kind regards,
Lukas

[Musical Gym]

Thanks very much Lukas. I look forward to video walk-through.
Jim

[Lukas.]

You're welcome.

Some wondered how the library sounds blending with other instruments. Ahead of completing new detailed demos and a walkthrough, here is a quick sketch of violin and piano:
violin+piano test

This is a demo created with the Lite version only (currently $39):
Excerpt from Beethoven's Quartet No.6

[Lukas.]

A new major free update has been released. It significantly improves playability and sound of all patches and legato playing. Solo Strings owners are contacted automatically.

It changes the sound of the library so distinctively that we have decided to return to the introductory price $99 yet for some time.

Audio demonstration of the new update:
Excerpt from Mendelssohn's String Quartet No. 6


LITE version:
You can now try out two full patches:

1. Violin X-FADE p-mf-f MEDIUM Dynamic Max.nki (52.76 MB)
(use the modwheel to crossfade between dynamic layers)

2. Violin X-FADE NV-Vib CLOSE.nki (31.42 MB)
(use the modwheel to crossfade between non-vibrato/vibrato)

[Aryaroman]

In case these try-out samples "found their way" in a commercial track, are they royalty-free or just on try-out-license?

[Lukas.]

These are meant to be "try before buy", not royalty-free. Thanks for understanding. However if someone would greatly need some simplier single solo strings patch for free (for using in a commercial or other track), contact me and we can arrange something.

[Aryaroman]

These are meant to be "try before buy", not royalty-free. Thanks for understanding. However if someone would greatly need some simplier single solo strings patch for free (for using in a commercial or other track), contact me and we can arrange something.

That sir, is very kind of you to support poor composers!