Exquis v2.1 Update Now Optimised for Ableton Live

🇬🇧 Exquis - Ableton Live 12 Suite Remote Script
video upload by Intuitive Instruments

0:00 - Intro and installation
1:13 - Note Mode
1:36 - Settings (1)
2:13 - Settings (2) and favorite presets
2:34 - Devices and Tracks
3:17 - Session Mode
5:00 - Outro

🇬🇧 Exquis - Tutorials


Press release follows:

Exquis: expressive, MPE, intuitive, affordable, now optimised for Ableton Live

[Superbooth25] Intuitive Instruments, the French company behind the award‑winning Exquis ex‑pressive MPE keyboard, unveils a triple update that turns its flagship instrument into the ultimate, lightweight and compact creative hub for Ableton Live users

Unlike pad‑centric grid controllers optimised for finger‑drumming and loop triggering, Exquis responds like a real acoustic instrument: its 61 soft silicone keys, each with independent five‑dimension MPE control, provide the nuanced touch and emotional depth needed for flowing melodies and harmonically rich chords.

Exquis Remote‑Control Script for Ableton Live

The brand‑new Python‑based Remote Script integrates Exquis seamlessly into Live’s native controller family, delivering Launchpad‑style Session control and an instrument‑grade expressive touch—courtesy of its MPE twist—that makes playing melodies and chords feel effortlessly natural:

• Session view – create, launch and delete clips or scenes without touching the mouse.

• Track mastery – arm, select, mute and solo any track, and get immediate access to volume, pan and aux sends

• Expressive performance – chords, melodies and drum racks flow through all 61 soft silicone keys with independant and
polyphonic 5 dimensions controls.

• Hands‑on transport & harmony – set Live’s tempo, root note and scale directly from Exquis.

• Per‑track note layouts – recall any of the keyboard’s eight onboard layouts (or your own customs) automatically when you change tracks — instantly reconfiguring Exquis into a specific instrument for every track, be it a bass, a percussive grid, or a soaring solo lead.

• One‑touch Favourites – call up Live racks or plugin presets in a heartbeat via Exquis’ exclusive favourites system.

• Device & mix control – tweak any parameter on any device and any track with using four push encoders and ten action buttons.

The script installs like any official Ableton controller template and requires Live 12.

Firmware v2.1 — Poly‑Hold Sustain & Developer Mode

In keeping with Intuitive Instruments’ drive for constant refinement, firmware v2.1 delivers two
headline additions:

• Poly‑Hold Sustain – let chords ring out indefinitely while the onboard arpeggiator conti‑ nues to evolve.

• Developer Mode – an open MIDI API that exposes every hardware element—keys, en‑ coders, action buttons, RGB LEDs and even onboard memory—so developers can remap behaviours, write custom DAW scripts or integrate Exquis into bespoke performance setups.

The update also packs an array of stability improvements for an even smoother playing expe‑rience.

Exquis App v2 — New factory preset list and 1 500 Curated Presets

The companion software for macOS/Windows receives new factory preset list featuring hand‑picked, layout‑optimised patches for Surge XT, Vital and Decent Samplerand a vast sound‑library expansion bringing 1 250 new sounds tuned for Surge XT, Vital, Decent Sampler, Baby Audio Atom, Beatsurfing Random, Dawesome Abyss, Zyklus, Audiomodern Soun‑ dbox and Newfangled Audio Pendulate — now 1 500 presets in total.

Superbooth 2025 and Embodme.

Intuitive Instruments will attend the Superbooth 2025: booth O134, in the mezzanine of the main hall, side to Expressivee and Embodme.

Native Instruments Introduces Crosstalk Modular

video upload by Native Instruments

"Crosstalk Modular combines modular samples with the unique layering and processing options of the Crosstalk engine. It was developed exclusively for NI by 10 Phantom Rooms who captured the sounds by wiring tons of modules from boutique gear builders. These samples were then transformed into an innovative instrument with features you won’t find anywhere else, like real-time morphing and creative sound pumping (aka crosstalking) for all four individual sound layers. Dive into a blend of vintage and modern processing powers and create sounds you’ve never heard before!

Discover Crosstalk Modular: https://www.native-instruments.com/pr...

00:00 - Introduction
02:06 - Snapshots
06:31 - Interface Overview
06:45 - Source Sounds
10:09 - Randomization
10:34 - ABC Variations
10:56 - Mod Wheel Macro Control
11:45 - Crosstalk
14:08 - Drift & Cluster
14:54 - FM Page
16:10 - Monark Filters
17:02 - Send & Insert Effects
18:16 - Conclusion"

Void & Vista: FRAMES

video upload by VOID & VISTA

Press release follows:

LONDON, UK: VOID & VISTA is proud to announce availability of FRAMES as its latest bold virtual instrument for contemporary music creation — crafted for Native Instruments’ KONTAKT platform, pairing characterful, expressive, and unique sampling with powerful sound design features and an inspiring interface rendering it ideal for media composers, production music writers, and (obviously) sound designers, as well as also expanding the toolbox of artists and producers across multiple genres thanks to its variety of emotive sounds and textures — as of April 23…

Being built around 40 sound sources made from capturing unique, unrepeatable sonic moments, FRAMES readily represents a bespoke collection of specially curated samples created using prepared instruments, resonated sound objects, and aleatoric performances using experimental techniques. These are all recorded at 96kHz using specialist microphones to capture sound beyond the range of human hearing, ready to pitch down and explore.

Such sound sources are split into five categories: INSTRUMENTS — traditional instruments captured using extended techniques and aleatoric performances; OBJECTS — uniquely prepared objects and instruments played in experimental ways; EFFECTED — heavily effected, processed sounds, and resonated objects; TEXTURES — tonal, textural, and found sounds that are perfect for blending; and WAVES — sampled synth waveforms taken from an analogue hardware collection.

Above and beyond that, the new ZONE SHIFT feature vastly expands the timbres of each sound source, enabling immediate dynamic exploration of the movement and detail found within them. Thanks to shifting samples from different registers, sounds can shift from slow and muted to frantic and urgent with each key press.

But better still, those 40 sound sources can be layered, sculpted, and effected using the deep two-layer sound design engine, featuring multimode FILTERS; two MOTION LFOs (Low Frequency Oscillators) — LFO 1 and LFO 2; six envelopes; LOFI effects; an ENSEMBLE page for blending additional voices; parallel CHARACTER insert effects; and dedicated SPACE send effects. And all of this sound design power is available from an inspiring and intuitive interface, designed to keep users focused on making music.

Music-making or otherwise, users ultimately benefit from FRAMES coming complete with a colossal collection of preset snapshots organised logically for ease of use, with pre-assigned mod wheel modulation mappings for jaw-dropping sound manipulation.

FRAMES is initially available to purchase at a 20%-discounted price until June 4, 2025 — rising thereafter to its regular price of £129.00 GBP — as a KONTAKT PLAYER-compatible/NKS (NATIVE KONTROL STANDARD®)-ready AAX-, AU-, and VST-formatted virtual instrument plug-in featuring 16 GB of samples that works with all major DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations) running on macOS 12 or above — natively compatible with Apple Silicon — and Windows 10/11 directly from the dedicated product webpage here: https://www.voidandvista.com/products/frames

To function, FRAMES needs Native Instruments KONTAKT 7.10 or higher via the Native Access 2 administration tool for music creation software available from here: https://www.native-instruments.com/en/specials/native-access-2/

Meris Mercury X Demo, All Reverb Structures With Mutable Rings

video upload by Alec Sea

"No talking, just pretty sounds! Demo of all eight reverb structures in the Meris Mercury X. I'm noodling on Mutable Rings with Native Instruments Kontrol S61 mk III using the Oxi One as a MIDI-to-CV converter. I think it sounds absolutely gorgeous!

00:00 Intro
00:12 Ultraplate
02:20 Cathedra
04:08 Spring
05:07 78 Room
07:22 78 Plate
09:04 78 Hall
11:17 Prism
14:12 Gravity"

Korg Wavestate - "Enigmatica" (Enigma Tribute) (40 Performances)

video upload by LFOstore

"This soundset is a trubite to Enigma - a music project that unleashed a sonic revolution. Blending Gregorian chants, hypnotic grooves, and seductive whispers, his debut album became an instant classic, selling millions and shaping the sound of ambient, new age and cinematic music. Tracks like 'Sadness,' 'Principles of Lust,' and 'Beyond the Invisible' transported listeners to a world of mystery, spirituality, and sensuality—forever changing the landscape of electronic music.

Now, OttO K. Schwarz, a renowned sound designer, award-winning film composer and co-founder of LFO Store, pays homage to Cretu’s genius with 'Enigmatica', a 40-preset cinematic soundset for the Korg Wavestate. OttO is no stranger to evocative soundscapes. As a sound designer, he has collaborated with industry-leading synthesizer brands like Modal Electronics, Access Music (Virus TI), Native Instruments, etc. His deep expertise in electronic music production ensures that 'Enigmatica' isn’t just a preset pack—it’s a meticulously crafted journey into the heart of Enigma’s signature sound.

FEATURES
✔ 40 Professionally Designed Presets – pads, leads, basses, sequences, and iconic Enigma-style drums and atmospheres.
✔ The Sample Bank of 1Gb+ with high-quality multisamples (external samplebank should be stored in the settings).
✔ 5 Midi files - used in the video demo. In the midi files, each track is indicated by the name of the preset used, for ease of use in the DAW.
✔ Instructions - with detailed step-by-step actions to load samplebank and presets into your synthesizer.

RESULTS
As a result, you will get instant Enigma vibe - perfect for cinematic scoring, new age and ambient music. This soundset is a gem for Korg Wavestate users, Enigma fans craving that iconic 90s mystique; film & game composers needing haunting, spiritual, and cinematic textures; and electronic music producers crafting downtempo, chillout, or ambient tracks.

Step into the shadows of mystery. Let the journey begin!

Soundset is available here - https://ottolfo.sellfy.store/wavestate/"

Introducing Scene: Nightshade | Native Instruments

video upload by Native Instruments

"Meet Nightshade, part of the Scene series – a collection of lightweight, cinematic tools crafted for media composers. Featuring over 100 horror-inspired presets, Nightshade blends eerie synths, droning strings, and haunting choir textures to summon unsettling soundscapes. From ghostly whispers to deep, cinematic swells, it’s perfect for effortless scoring of fear, tension, and suspense."

The sounds of Scene: Nightshade | Native Instruments

video upload by Native Instruments

"Join product specialist Matt Lara as he dives into the eerie world of Scene: Nightshade. Explore how this compact cinematic instrument blends haunting choirs, droning strings, and spectral synths into one intuitive XY pad interface."

Press release follows:

Berlin, April 17, 2025 – Native Instruments today released Scene: Nightshade, a powerful virtual instrument designed to create immersive horror and moody soundtracks, and the latest addition to their Scene series. Nightshade delivers a sinister fusion of deep strings, haunting vocal pads, eerie plucks, and ominous synth textures, wrapped in a streamlined interface for effortless sound exploration. At the heart of Nightshade is an XY pad, enabling composers to morph between 16 ghostly sound layers, creating evolving soundscapes instantly.

Designed to evoke the full spectrum of cinematic horror, Nightshade vividly conjures feelings from creeping tension to overwhelming dread with unsettling plucks and shimmering overtones. Nightshade empowers artists to design truly chilling soundscapes that will captivate audiences.

Key Features:

· Sinister Palette: Haunting synths, droning strings, and eerie plucks crafted for cinematic horror soundtracks.

· XY Pad Control: Quickly morph between 16 hybrid sound sources for dynamic sound manipulation.

· Scales and Modes: Easily stay in key with a wide selection of scales and modes.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Korg multi/poly CS-80 Style Brass

video upload by Alec Sea

"Noodling on a CS-80 inspired preset I made for the Korg multi/poly. Using my new Native Instruments Kontrol S61 mk III with poly aftertouch. The bass drone and the brass sound are from the multi/poly, percussion is from the wavestate and UAFX Golden in 224 Hall mode provides the reverb. The multi/poly has a pretty good reverb, but this sound needs a Lexicon-style reverb. I used Arturia's CS-80 V as a reference, since I sadly don't have access to a real CS-80!"

CRATE CUTS The GOAT Expansion

video upload by Woody Piano Shack

"Right now, NI have a great offer, 5 expansions for 55.
So here is demo of NATIVE INSTRUMENTS legendary CRATE CUTS, a very highly regarded expansion for MASCHINE and other samplers. Perfect for old-school hip-hop, chill, lo-fi boom-bap.

WELCOME TO PIANO CLUB
New members-only video every week and instant access to the archives.

• Music theory and playing techniques
• Song breakdowns & piano arrangements
• Synth and keyboard tips and tricks
• Topics requested by members

Join the club here:
/ woodypianoshack


Lesson packs also available for one-time purchase on Patreon.

MORE WOODY PIANO SHACK
https://woodypianoshack.com"

Bad Gear - The END of Maschine+ ???

video upload by AudioPilz

"Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world’s most-hated audio tools. Presumably I’m not the only one who made a handful of Native Instruments “backup copies” a core part of his personality back in the zero years so it goes without saying that my mid-forties self is yearning for an overpriced yet tangible take on these plugins for the sole purpose of reminding me of a time when all it needed was sleep deprivation and a PC from Aldi.

However, all we got was Maschine+. This 2020 standalone version of NIs software MPC ripoff ecosystem offers DAWless access to a small selection of these now-iconic plugins, it boasts the processing power of the aforementioned Aldi PC and will disappoint you with more broken promises when it comes to major updates than the GTA franchise.

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
01:12 Overview Maschine+
01:21 How Standalone is Maschine+?
01:50 Current Update Situation ( April 2025 )
02:18 Included Instruments, VST Integration (or lack thereof)
03:10 Workflow, USB Midi
03:46 Ribbon Controller
03:59 NO TOUCHSCREENS!!! (and UI Concept)
04:22 Internal Structure, Hierarchy
05:08 Sampling , Sample Chopping , Autosampling
05:23 What else? (Pricing, CPU Consumption, Workflow Hacks,...)
05:53 Hate Screen
06:22 Jam 1 ( Techno )
06:49 Jam 2 ( Electro )
08:25 Finale ( Dubstep / Brostep )
08:53 Verdict"

S2400 Kit Creator web application preview.

video upload by Isla Instruments

"The application allows you to drag and drop audio samples in various formats—including WAV, AIFF, SND, MP3, and others—directly into your web browser. It automatically converts them into the native WAV format required by the S2400, with the correct bit depth and sample rate.

Once your samples are imported, you can adjust basic parameters such as gain, pitch, loop points, and pad color. When you’re satisfied, you can download the completed kit to your SD card and load it directly into the S2400.

This is for ALL S2400 users and is DSP card agnostic.

We’re aiming to release this to our beta team by the end of the week for final testing. It will then be available for all users, free of charge, at www.islainstruments.com

enjoy!"

Sequentix Cirklon 2, Minimoog, Prophet 12, SX-240, Nord Drum 2 IDM electronic track

video upload by MIDERA

"I've been trying to see what sequencers to keep. Obviously the Spectralis stays, but I kept running into roadblocks with the Cirklon so it was something I needed to write a track with. I did the same with the Squarp Pyramid, but I got stuck working through it. I'm starting to get the hang of the Cirklon though. Although it does often take a few extra button presses to do things I think should be easy, I've figured out other ways to do what I want too. I'll try again with the Pyramid, but most likely that one will be going away.

Sequentix Cirklon 2 - sequencing
Moog Minimoog - bass
DSI Prophet 12 - bell/synth tone
Kawai SX-240 - pads
Clavia Nord Drum 2 - drums
Native Instruments Raum for reverb"

Blank Canvas to Complete Piano Composition with Midicake ARP

video upload by midicake

"Discover how to create beautiful piano compositions from scratch - even without years of music theory training! In this comprehensive tutorial, I walk you through using Midicake ARP (a powerful parametric sequencer) to control multiple piano tracks in Ableton.

This 30-minute masterclass covers:
Setting up Midicake ARP with Ableton and Kontakt piano instruments
Creating complementary pads, chords, and melodies across 4 piano tracks
Deep dive into the revolutionary Chord Progression and Chord Inversion features in the new V8 firmware
Practical demonstration of parametric sequencing for intuitive music creation

Whether you're new to Midicake ARP or an experienced user looking to explore the V8 update, this tutorial shows how parametric sequencing can transform your piano composition workflow. Watch as a complete piano piece comes together before your eyes!

Gear used:
Midicake ARP (V8 firmware)
Ableton Live
Native Instruments Kontakt Piano Instruments"

Kontrol S-Series MK3 Arp mode | Native Instruments

video upload by Native Instruments

"Kontrol S-Series keyboards now come with Arp on board, opening up a load of new possibilities for shaping your note sequences.

Arpeggio is a chord played one note at a time, in a sequence, rather than all notes simultaneously. And arpeggiator (or Arp) is a feature that automates this process.

To get set up using the Arp feature, update the Hardware Connection service in Native Access. Then go here, to download the new firmware for your keyboard ni.de/kontrol-update/

Learn more about Arp mode here: https://www.native-instruments.com/ni...

Kontrol S-Series MK3 is in stores now.

Learn more and order yours: https://www.native-instruments.com/en...

Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
00:48 - Arp mode
04:32 - Tempo
05:02 - Scale mode w/ Arp
06:19 - Recording Arp to DAW
07:26 - Dual MIDI support
08:00 - Key zones controlling DAW & external synth
08:48 - Outro"

HWJ Weekend Challenge - DOOM-inspired (WIP)

video upload by SynthAddict

"Loosely inspired by the legendary game's soundtrack.
I had a few ideas I didn't have time to implement so it's a WIP.

cool idea, but Quake would have provided better sonic inspiration since NIN did tracks for that one :-)"

Native Instruments Maschine+.

Unravel | Minimoog, Spectralis 2, Prophet 10, Prophet 12, Nord Drum 2 electronic music

video upload by MIDERA

"Got 5 hours of sleep last night. Had something frustrating happen (possible loss of $$$), not the worst thing in the world of course, just frustrating. After this track, I'll go back and see what else I can do with the Cirklon.

Moog Minimoog = bass
Sequential Prophet 12 = Main melody line
Sequential Prophet 10 = background chime sound
Radikal Technologies Spectralis 2 = sequencing and lead later in the track
Clavia Nord Drum 2 = drums
Native Instruments Raum = reverb"

Native Instruments Maschine 3.1 Update Released

Details from the press release:

Berlin, March 18, 2025 – Native Instruments today announced the release of Maschine 3.1, a free update to the latest software version of the iconic groove-box platform for beat-making and sampling. Maschine 3.1 delivers the highly anticipated and community requested user chords feature, alongside fullscreen mode in the standalone app.

Custom User Chords

Maschine 3.1 introduces user chords, enabling users to create, save, and share their own banks of chord progressions. Custom chords make it easy to explore new harmonic structures and design progressions tailored to different genres.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Yamaha TX816 w/ Beetle PR-7 Programmer SN 001023

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this VEMIA listing

Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.

VEMIA is Peter Forrest's auction house. He is the author of The A-Z of Analogue Synthesizer Books.

Yamaha TX-816 FM Rack Synthesizer (8 DX-7s in a rack) with Beetle PR-7 Programmer The Yamaha TX816 is a monster of DX and FM digital synthesis. It is a unique system in that it is a rack unit that could take up to eight TF1 modules. A TF1 module is basically a DX7 condensed down to a single circuit board with almost no front panel controls. Definitely designed for use with external hardware and software controllers, the TX816 allows you to easily carry around up to eight DX7s! Software such as MOTU Unisyn, Emagic SounDiver, or even another DX7 can be used to program the sounds in each module via MIDI. This unit contains eight TF1 modules. A TF1 module is basically a DX7 condensed down to a single circuit board. Each TF1 module consists of a 16-voice, 6-operator digital FM synth engine. So this complete TX816 with all eight TF1 modules offers up to 128 voices and 48 operators! Each TF1 also features an independent audio out (XLR) and MIDI I/O for a total of eight audio outputs and MIDI I/O's. It also has one global MIDI in/out port with 8-part multitimbrality, but no common stereo or mix output. The TX816 is fully compatible with all other DX synthesizers including Native Instruments FM7 software-based plug-in. You can use the TX816 like it's eight seperate DX7s or mix and pan each module together to layer your sounds into one monstrous DX powerhouse!

CLICK FOR MORE »

The lies ahead | Moog Minimoog, Spectralis 2, Prophet 12, Prophet 10, Nord Drum 2 electronic

video upload by MIDERA

"I spent a part of the day rearranging my room... as I often do when I have the time. And when I was rearranging I realized just how little sense anything would make. I finally just set it up to explore 'How does the Spectralis fare compared to the Cirklon with sequencing.' And - well, I still think I prefer the Spectralis. I just write stuff faster. That doesn't mean this track sounds better than my last one (Crashing down) [posted here], but it was just a little more organic for me to write and quicker. It's hard to explain, although I suppose it's easy to explain when I think about the 14 years I've spent with the Spectralis. Of course, it's not perfect, it doesn't easily assign MSB/LSB for program changes (you can use cc's but it's a little awkward) and it can't do polyphonic step sequencing (which is actually awkward to do on the Cirklon).

Anyway - here it is. And listening a day after writing it, it’s too repetitive. I don’t like it. But I’ll share it anyway.

Spectralis 2: Sequencing and piano
Minimoog: Bass
Sequential Prophet 10: lead
DSI Prophet 12: Bells
Clavia Nord Drum 2: Drums
Native Instruments Raum: reverb"

Crashing down | Moog Minimoog, Sequentix Cirklon, Sequential Prophet 10, DSI Prophet 12, Nord Drum 2

video upload by MIDERA

"I was considering selling the Minimoog. Kept talking to friends about how I just didn't like it. I don't know why, I guess maybe it was like with the Prophet 10, where it's just a lot of money and it doesn't really seem to do anything that much better than what I already have. One of my friends said 'Well, have you tried sequencing it?' And no... I hadn't. I got the Minimoog when one of my cats died, then I rehomed my dog, and then my mom died. The whole next year (2024) I spent scanning photos in of my parent's. Only now have I started to get back into things. Well, I decided to try it out and wow, I really enjoyed it - the Minimoog sounds pretty amazing. So this is my first track with it sequenced.

I'm also working on trying to get more proficient with the Cirklon, and I've gotten a little hold on using it.

Parts:
Moog Minimoog: Bass
DSI Prophet 12: Bells
Sequential Prophet 10: Pads
Clavia Nord Drum 2: Drums
Sequentix Cirklon: Sequencing
Native Instruments Raum: Reverb"

Spitfire Audio - The Albions Orchestral Selects Walkthrough

video upload by Spitfire Audio

Press release follows.


Spitfire Audio crafts carefully curated collection of evocative ensemble patches from acclaimed ALBION range as THE ALBIONS ORCHESTRAL SELECTS

LONDON, UK: leading sounds and sample libraries creator Spitfire Audio is proud to announce availability of THE ALBIONS ORCHESTRAL SELECTS — shipping as a carefully curated collection of the most inspiring and evocative ensemble patches brought together from across its acclaimed ALBION range to offer a rich tapestry of hand-picked orchestral sounds that let the individual character of the orchestra shine, supplying composers with a wide range of expressive possibilities to bring any cinematic moment to life — as of March 6…

It is fair to say that THE ALBIONS ORCHESTRAL SELECTS is testament to the power, versatility, and, indeed, longevity of the ALBION range — after all, the original ALBION, which was effectively re-released by popular demand as ALBION LEGACY in 2023, kick-started a whole range of all-in- one composer tools for cinematic inspiration, its collection of orchestral ensembles featuring strings, brass, woodwind, and percussion, as well as loops, synths, and atmospheres, all creatively captured in the beautiful resonance of the hallowed (Lyndhurst) Hall at London’s legendary AIR Studios way back in 2011.

The exceptional collection that is THE ALBIONS ORCHESTRAL SELECTS duly draws from six distinct ALBION libraries — namely, ALBION COLOSSUS, a gargantuan, all-in-one toolkit that pushes contrast, dynamism and intensity to eleven, elevating scores to breathtaking new heights in a new blockbuster era; ALBION NEO, a modern cinematic collection centred around a chamber-sized orchestra with a super-intimate string section split by divisi across all articulations to offer anyone access to the incredible definition and expression of classic and progressive techniques, accompanied by an encyclopaedic range of progressive synths, loops, and textures; ALBION TUNDRA, taking a 100-piece orchestra playing never-before-sampled techniques at the very edge of silence to capture a characteristically Scandinavian sound; ALBION ONE, a renowned, industry-standard orchestral sample library that provides everything needed to make film music, comprising a 109-piece orchestra accompanied by a thunderous cinematic percussion section, plus warp-able loops designed by award-winning engineers and an enormous steam synthesiser; ALBION ICENI, an award- winning package boasting epic low-end brass and electrifying woodwinds, harmonised with a string ensemble encompassing an extensive range of cellos and basses alongside an extraordinary collection of thick, deep synth sounds and loops as an apocalyptic low-end orchestra; ALBION LOEGRIA, an expertly sampled chamber-sized orchestra, featuring strings, woods, brass, and cinematic drums alongside eclectic loops and an inspiring organic synth as the perfect starting point for independent films, period dramas, or more cerebral and intimate music; and last, but by no means least, the aforesaid ALBION LEGACY — as a carefully curated selection of sounds designed to blend seamlessly into any scoring project.

Painting vivid sonic landscapes to bring musical visions to life is even easier using THE ALBIONS ORCHESTRAL SELECTS’ inspiring and evocative ensemble patches... think Epic Strings, selections played by larger string ensembles including the full dynamic range of ALBION ONE’s strings and the soaring highs and powerful lows of ALBION ICENI and ALBION TUNDRA that range from delicate textures to thunderous power, providing everything needed to create truly unforgettable string passages; Intimate Strings, showcasing the nuanced detail of ALBION NEO and the emotive beauty of ALBION LOEGRIA, capturing intimacy with exceptional clarity and expression; Epic Brass, bringing together the enormous cinematic brass patches from ALBION ONE’s full brass range, the majesty of ALBION TUNDRA, and the colossal low-end of ALBION ICENI to provide the tools needed to create brass arrangements that resonate with power and emotion; Intimate Brass, a more intimate and nuanced approach to brass scoring, achieved through the focused intensity of ALBION NEO’s brass, with long and short staccatissimo articulations; Epic Woodwinds, harnessing the soaring melodies of ALBION ONE’s woodwinds, the haunting textures of ALBION TUNDRA, and the rich depths of ALBION ICENI to provide a wide range of woodwind colours and textures; Intimate Woodwinds, providing the warmth, intimacy, and nuance needed for delicate woodwind passages, courtesy of ALBION NEO; and Albion Percussion, unleashing the thunderous power of the DARWIN percussion ensemble from ALBION TUNDRA, the cinematic impact of ALBION ONE’s XXL percussion, ALBION LEGACY’s CYMBALS, and the nuanced detail of ALBION LOEGRIA’s FINE DRUMS LOOSE and FINE DRUMS TIGHT as a diverse collection providing a rhythmic foundation for any scoring project.

Paul Thomson — company co-founder, and an accomplished composer in his own right — remains enamoured with Spitfire Audio’s acclaimed ALBION range, resulting in THE ALBIONS ORCHESTRAL SELECTS, stating: “There are so many sounds in these collections that are instant cue-starters, giving you a film score sound for any genre right out of the box; for this selection, I’ve pulled out my favourite patches from the orchestral sections recorded in Lyndhurst Hall at AIR Studios, locking together beautifully but allowing a huge range of expression and style, so this is the perfect introduction to the ALBION series — my source of instant inspiration!”

Presented in Native Instruments’ KONTAKT 7 virtual instrument platform, the NKS (NATIVE KONTROL STANDARD®)-ready/AAX-, AU-, VST2-, and VST3-compatible, 26.3 GB download-sized THE ALBIONS ORCHESTRAL SELECTS library is available for MacOS 11, 12, or 13 (latest update) and Windows 10 or 11 (latest Service Pack) at a 20%-discounted, time-limited promo price of £119.00 GBP (inc. VAT)/$159.00 USD/€143.00 EUR (inc. VAT) until March 13, 2025 — rising thereafter to its regular price of £149.00 GBP (inc. VAT)/$199.00 USD/€179.00 EUR — from here: https://www.spitfireaudio.com/the-albions-orchestral-selects (Crossgrade pricing is available to existing owners of any library from the ALBION range.)

Anyone who does not already own KONTAKT 7 is invited to download KONTAKT 7 PLAYER for free; though SPITFIRE SYMPHONIC EXTRAS will work with both KONTAKT 8 variations, it does not need either.

Spitfire Audio’s namesake Spitfire Audio app allows anyone to buy now and download anytime, and is available for free from here: http://www.spitfireaudio.com/info/library-manager/

For more in-depth information, including some superb-sounding audio demos, please visit the dedicated THE ALBIONS ORCHESTRAL SELECTS webpage here: https://www.spitfireaudio.com/the-albions-orchestral-selects