Native Instruments unveils Cremona Quartet Ensemble at NAMM 2025 - String Ensemble Virtual Instrument

Native Instruments today announced the Cremona Quartet Ensemble virtual instrument for Kontakt Player at NAMM.

Here's what they say:

Cremona Quartet Ensemble unites four of the world's most precious string instruments, delivering their sound with stunning authenticity. Whether for film scoring or music production, Cremona Quartet Ensemble provides an essential tool for building and sketching compositions with speed, precision, and unmatched authenticity.

Cremona Quartet Ensemble features four iconic string instruments from the 17th and 18th centuries, crafted by the most celebrated luthiers of all time: Stradivari, Guarneri, and Amati. These instruments have been preserved and maintained with the highest standards of care by the Museo del Violino in Cremona, Italy. Recorded in the renowned Auditorium Giovanni Arvedi, acclaimed for its exceptional acoustics, each instrument's unique characteristics have been carefully captured by a sophisticated 32-microphone setup. Meticulous phase-aligned stereo samples deliver every nuance and quirk of these historic treasures straight to your keyboard.

Historic Instruments Recorded

• Stradivari Violin "Vesuvius" — The leader of the Cremona Quartet was built in 1727 by Antonio Stradivari, towards the end of the master craftsman's golden period.
• Guarneri Violin "Prince Doria" — The second violin in the quartet was crafted in 1734 by Guarneri del Gesù, considered by many to be the finest luthier in the world.
• Amati Viola "Stauffer" — The oldest instrument in the quartet, this viola was built in 1614 by Gerolamo Amati, the son of pioneering luthier Andrea Amati, who is widely regarded as the inventor of the violin as we know it.
• Stradivari Cello "Stauffer" — Built in 1700 and listed as an Italian national treasure, this cello completes the quartet with deep, velvety tones, and adds weight to the overall sound of the ensemble.

Cremona Quartet Ensemble brings all four of these historic instruments together in one place, making it simple to craft stunning orchestral arrangements with ease and speed. The new Auto Divisi feature seamlessly distributes parts across the ensemble, while real vibrato samples for sustain and marcato articulations infuse each instrument with vivid individuality and character.

Key Features

• Historic Instruments — Iconic string instruments from the golden age of Italian luthiery, recorded in detail.
• World-class String Sound — Captured in Cremona's Auditorium Giovanni Arvedi, renowned for its acoustics and specifically crafted to amplify the authentic soul of string instruments.
• 32-Microphone Setup — Extensive mic placements capture every tonal nuance and resonance for a realistic experience.
• Effortless Ensemble Creation — Quick and intuitive tools for composing and arranging, ideal for both rapid sketching and detailed productions.
• Auto Divisi and Articulation Controls — Offers intuitive toggles and controls to quickly build customized, dynamic string sections.

Pricing

• Cremona Quartet Solo $399.
• Cremona Quartet Ensemble $399.
• Cremona Quartet $499.
• Upgrades from $99.