"The Crow Hill Company creates POCKET STRINGS as no-barrier-to-entry-styled string library plug-in produced without compromise… with added ‘synthy spice’
EDINBURGH, UK: having recently rebranded itself with an aesthetic that truly realises company co-founder and composer Christian Henson’s heartfelt dream of encouraging people to make music and help them on their journey, regardless of whatever point they were at and wherever their journey began, The Crow Hill Company continues its journeying into ‘Season Two’ as a producer of resources and tools to protect, inspire, support, and provide opportunities for music-makers the world over, believing that music is, and should remain, a wholly human experience, one that is by far one of the most powerful forms of expression, escape, comfort, and remembrance, of which its newly-created POCKET STRINGS — styled as a definitive string library plug-in that opens the doors to collaboration between anyone anywhere, creatively combining live cinematic orchestral recordings with some rarefied vintage synth classics made to measure for added body, depth, and character — readily represents the cornerstone of this ethos, as of July 10…
“A string library that’s accessible to all without compromise — a distillation of the last 25, nearly 30, years that I’ve been working as a media composer, which means that I write music for film, TV, and computer games, giving you the very basic necessities to write pro-end string arrangements. Whether that be adding to productions, songs, collaborating with others, or, indeed, creating professional film scores — whether that be to demo for an orchestra to play, or, indeed, to go to broadcast, there’s been no compromises here. But accessibility is the key — not just with the price point, but with usability.” So says Christian Henson himself, perfectly positioned — as The Crow Hill Company’s original founder, forging forward by building upon his extensive experience gained from founding Spitfire Audio to originally offer a palette of sounds he had created for his own use as a professional composer to his film world colleagues by invitation only, though the rest, as they say, is history — to proudly introduce POCKET STRINGS as a never-tried-before strings library plug-in that aims to bring broadcast-grade string possibilities to everyone.
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 announces update to significant SPITFIRE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA release recorded at AIR, adding three stunning-sounding soloists
LONDON, UK: Spitfire Audio is proud to announce availability of an update to its significant SPITFIRE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA release — relatively recently relaunched with reviewed content and an updated UI (User Interface) in a single more user-friendly package that became last year’s bestseller as a set of flagship virtual instruments featuring full SYMPHONIC STRINGS, SYMPHONIC BRASS, and SYMPHONIC WOODWINDS sections (including solo instruments, plus harp, piano, and all core elements of percussion needed to complete the band), beautifully performed by top-tier musicians who have featured on some of the top film scores of the last decade, duly captured in Lyndhurst Hall’s hallowed acoustic at London’s legendary AIR Studios as some of the leading sounds and sample libraries creator’s best, most classic recordings, readily realised as a definitive selection of blockbuster sounds that have already made their musical mark in hundreds of AAA film, game, and TV score productions by the world’s top composers and music- makers — with the welcomed addition of SOLO STRINGS, featuring three stunning-sounding soloists, as of February 6…
"Here, I used the 5-pin MIDI out of the M-Audio Keystation 61 Mk3 to control the Sequential Prophet Rev2, and used the Keystation's USB MIDI out to control a number of plug-ins at the same time. What you're hearing here is a single MIDI line that's being split to multiple instruments that get layered on top of each other. I'm really happy with the final result.
This song was inspired by exploring the Walrus Qi Etherealizer, which is adding granular, reverb, and delay to the Prophet Rev2. Once I had the basic idea on the Rev2, I realized that I could use the Keystation's USB MIDI out to control software instruments at the same time. Mostly what you're hearing are a collection of Spitfire plug-ins (piano, strings, mandolin) being stacked on top of the Rev2, using the same live MIDI data that I'm sending to the Rev2. It's a neat effect.
"In this video, I invite you to immerse yourself in a soothing soundscape woven with the delicate tones of the piano, blended seamlessly with the rich textures of the Novation Peak and the rhythmic vibes from the Novation Circuit Rhythm. 🎹✨ 🌟 What to Expect: A serene journey through soft electronic melodies that evoke tranquility and introspection. An exploration of dynamic sounds created with the Novation Peak, known for its powerful synthesis capabilities. Inspiring beats and loops crafted from the Novation Circuit Rhythm, perfect for enhancing the mood and depth of this composition. Whether you're looking for the perfect background music for study, relaxation, or inspiration, this piece will transport you to a world of calm and creativity. Don't forget to turn up the volume and feel the magic! 📥 Stay Connected: If you enjoyed the music, please like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more content like this. I love sharing my musical journey with you, and your support means the world! 🎶 Gear Used: Piano: Spitfire Audio Synth: Novation Peak Drum Machine: Novation Circuit Rhythm Thank you for watching, and let the music flow! 🖤✨"
Update: moving this post up once as new videos have been added. Bookmark this post for updates.
Use the player controls to skip around.
Playlist:
1.SynthfestUK 24: Knobula - Synth Modules and Toy Pianos
At SynthfestUK 2024, we met up again with Jason, who gaves us the updates in the world of Knobula. On display was the new 'dark mode' Poly Cinematic module, for more monochrome rigs ;-]
2. SynthFestUK 24: PWM - More Mantis News
At the show we made a beeline for the PWM stand, where Paul gave us the latest Mantis news.
And yes, it's out there in the world now!
3. SynthfestUK 24: Roland Unveils the Juno-D Series with Zen-Core Sound
We caught up with Andrew and Ludwig who showed us around the new updated Juno-D series: Juno-D6, D7, and D8. They have the same keyboard action as the Fantom-O series and a new colour screen, making it easier for performers to navigate on stage. And they can be powered by a USB-C mobile battery, perfect for buskers ;-)
Running Roland's Zen-Core sound engine, they also incorporates features like a 64-step sequencer and a phrase pad for live sample triggering.
Prices range approximately from £949 to £1199.
"Joshua Domfeh performing his piece 'Sunday Morning' using the new Spitfire String Quintet collection for Nord Sample Library. All sounds are available for free download at nordkeyboards.com.
About Spitfire String Quintet
We are happy to announce our special collaboration with Spitfire Audio and their acclaimed String Quintet library! The Spitfire String Quintet is a world class collection full of character and detail covering all essential articulations. With its unique authentic and intimate sound, the Spitfire String Quintet adds a new palette of high-end samples to the Nord Sample Library. Available for free download at nordkeyboards.com. #spitfirestrings #nordsamplelibrary #iseenord"
"Check out Joshua Domfeh showcasing the brand new Spitfire String Quintet collection for Nord Sample Library. All sounds are available for free download at nordkeyboards.com.
Introducing Spitfire String Quintet We are happy to announce our special collaboration with Spitfire Audio and their acclaimed String Quintet library! The Spitfire String Quintet is a world class collection full of character and detail covering all essential articulations. With its unique authentic and intimate sound, the Spitfire String Quintet adds a new palette of high-end samples to the Nord Sample Library. Available for free download at nordkeyboards.com. #spitfirestrings #nordsamplelibrary #iseenord
The Spitfire String Quintet is compatible with Nord Stage 4/3, Nord Electro 6, Nord Piano 5/4, Nord Grand 2/1 and Nord Wave 2.
Make sure to update to the latest OS version before transferring the sounds to your instrument.
Performance by Joshua Domfeh Audio Engineer: Vilma Colling Video production: Jonas Embring Executive Producer: David Sjöqvist Location: RMV Studios, Stockholm, Sweden Gear: Nord Grand 2"
"A live ambient soundscape using the Novation Peak Synthesiser, DIY Noisebox, Spitfire Audio's Albion Neo, Analog Radio, Alchemy Synthesiser and Emergence Audio's Cello Textures. The Noisebox is amplified with three piezoelectric sensors and then sent through an ambient reverb. The Analog Radio is from 1975. The Radio is sent through a passive switcher, with mute and volume controls, the signal is then sent through delays. The Novation Peak plays a custom lead synth patch. Alchemy is playing a custom complex evolving drone patch with the volume controlled from the Arturia Keylab MIDI keyboard, which is also used to play the Peak and the Albion Neo string section by switching midi channels. Cello Textures provides a morphing low drone. All the sounds are sent through instances of Eventide Blackhole reverb."
"A live ambient improvisation using a homemade Noisebox (soundbox), Novation Peak Synthesiser, Analog Radio, Alchemy Synthesiser and Spitfire Audio's Albion Neo Strings. The Noisebox is amplified with three piezoelectric sensors and then sent through an ambient reverb. The Analog Radio is from 1975 and has a manual tuning knob. The Radio is sent through a passive switcher, with mute and volume controls, the signal is then sent through delays. The Novation Peak plays a custom lead synth patch. Alchemy is playing a custom complex evolving drone patch with the volume controlled from the Arturia Keylab MIDI keyboard, which is also used to play the Peak and the Albion Neo string section by switching midi channels. All the sounds are sent through instances of Eventide Blackhole reverb. Footage is from around where I live in Ireland."
"A discussion with Arp Instruments Dave Fredericks on the song Stinger from the 'Red' Arp demo record. This conversation between David Frederick and his father David Frederick Sr. (Dave Fredericks) discusses the origins of this song, recording the iconic song on the Arp "Red" demo record, and using the Arp 2600, Arp Odyssey, and Arp Pro Soloist in the performance. A great conversation on this song, Arp history, synthesizers, and more!
Interview note & correction: "East Meets West" was recollected to being in 5/4 time signature when in fact, it was in 4/4. At the time of recording this interview, East Meets West was recorded 56 years ago!"
"My dad who was one of the original founders of Arp Synthesizer, VP of Global Sales and Marketing, and visionary behind such Arp synths as the Odyssey, Pro Soloist, String Ensemble, Omni, Explorer, Axxe, and Little Brother, wrote this song back in the late sixties around the time I was born. He initially released it on his first album "Mr. Talent - Dave Fredericks" where he played the organ and my uncle Bruce played the drums.
My dad reintroduced Stinger on Arp's "The ARP Family of Synthesizers" record (the red record), using the Eminent Organ, Arp Pro Soloist, Arp Odyssey, and Arp 2600 with Cleve Posar on Drums.
One day I decided for fun and nostalgia to quickly whip up a new 21st-century arrangement of my dad's song and I thought I would share.
Hope you dig it! David
TRACK NOTES David Frederick - Keyboards - Arp 2600, Hammond B3, Steinberg Horns, Steinway Grand Piano, Roland Jupiter 8 (pads), Spitfire Audio Drums, and Kontakt Percussion.
Recorded: Direct into Steinberg Cuebase, processed and mastered with Waves Abby Road Mastering Chain."
NOVATION INTRODUCES FLkey 49 AND FLkey 61 TO THE AWARD-WINNING FLkey RANGE
HIGH WYCOMBE, U.K. - June 8, 2023 – Novation proudly announces the latest additions to their FLkey range: the FLkey 49 and FLkey 61. These new models are specifically designed to provide an enriched, hands-on music production experience for FL Studio users.
Building on the success of the award-winning FLkey Mini and FLkey 37, these new models offer a larger key count and additional features, thus catering to the ever-growing demands of the FL Studio user community. Developed in collaboration with Image-Line, creators of FL Studio, the FLkey 49 and FLkey 61 provide seamless integration, enabling users to stay in the groove without switching back to the computer.
"We're proud to present the FLkey 49 and FLkey 61," said Sam Counihan, Senior Product Manager, Novation. "These extensions to our FLkey line provide FL Studio musicians with a broader canvas for their creativity, enhancing their musical journey."
FLkey 49 and FLkey 61 allow for a hands-on music production experience, with controls for FL Studio's Sequencer, Channel Rack, and Mixer. The controllers include Scale and Chord modes for creative play, along with Sequencer Mode for programming beats fast. The controllers also include essential buttons for easy access to transport, score log, undo, redo, quantise, and metronome triggering. Presets can be browsed in Image-Line plugins directly from the controllers. Additionally, the controllers come bundled with a range of software from AAS, Spitfire Audio, XLN Audio, and Klevgrand, as well as a 6-month trial of FL Studio Producer Edition.
Key Features of FLkey 49 and 61:
• Seamless Integration with FL Studio. Produce music easily with essential controls at your fingertips.
• Mixer and Channel Rack control. Adjust volume and pan with eight knobs, nine faders, and nine
fader buttons.
• Step sequencer. Take control of FL Studio’s step sequencer and program drums easily.
• Pattern Pad mode. Select and edit patterns directly from the pads.
• Channel Rack playability. Play directly into the Channel Rack from FLkey 49 and FLkey 61’s pads.
• Scale mode. Choose your scale and always hit the right note.
• Instrument control. Trigger FPC and SliceX with the pads for more expressive beats and melodies.
• Plug-in control. Tweak Image-Line plugins and record natural-sounding automation with eight knobs
and nine faders.
• Creative Chord Modes. Three chord modes–Fixed, User and Scale–unlock rapid song building and
performance. Play custom chords and chords in different scales with just one finger.
• Preset browsing. Find your favourite presets from Image-Line plugins directly from FLkey 49 and
FLkey 61.
• Custom Modes. Assign custom controls to the pads and knobs on FLkey 49 and FLkey 61 to tailor
your music production workflow.
Included Software:
• FL Studio Producer Edition – 6 Month Trial
• XLN Audio Addictive Keys
• AAS Session bundle
• Spitfire Audio Expressive Strings
• Klevgrand DAW Cassette
• Klevgrand Roverb
Warranty:
Novation provides a three-year warranty, ensuring repair or replacement due to a manufacturing fault, offering reliability wherever you are in the world.
Pricing and Availability:
FLkey 49: $229.99 FLkey 61: $279.99
FLkey 49 and FLkey 61 are now available for pre-order at all leading musical instrument retailers and can also be ordered directly from our online store at store.focusrite.com.
"@ChristianHensonMusic visited 'death beat' producer, composer, and sound designer @SnakesofRussia in his Pasadena studio where they talk all things sound processing, plug-ins and more!"
"It felt really good to write a whole track for the first time in ages - hence the name of the song! Quite a few layers to this one! Here's what's going on:
POLYBRUTE (1)
The core of the song - starts off with a Moby-esque (I think!) sequence and chord progression around which the rest of the song builds. Initially very soft and fizzy, the mod wheel opens up the filter, moves the oscillators from a triangle wave to a saw wave and changes the Steiner Filter from high-pass to low-pass, giving the sound a bit more heft. One thing I really like about this patch is the way the voices interact - when the sequence is playing on its own, there's no obvious voice stealing and the sequence flows nicely. As the chord progression starts, the sequence starts stealing voices from itself which makes the sequence a little punchier. No extra effects on this track.
POLYBRUTE (2) + PIANO
The lead for the song, this track uses a very soft pluck on the Polybrute (one of my favourite patches!), and at the same time feeds the MIDI into the Spitfire Audio Originals Cinematic Soft Piano. The result is a wonderfully textured sound that is . There's another track that combines the soft pluck and piano again, but with an ostinato that carries on through most of the track. No extra effects on this track.
MOOG SUBSEQUENT 37
Bass, of course. But not just any bass! This one uses some extra effects - Soundtoys Devil-Loc compresses and crunch-ifies the track in an awesome way when combined with some held reverb from the Ventris Dual Reverb (recorded separately) - holding a note makes the bass cut through in with a gritty texture, and releasing the note immediately brings in the slightly distorted, contrasting reverb trails. Love it!"
"Just a demo track thrown together with NATIVE INSTRUMENTS MASCHINE 2 software groovebox DAW. Sounds from PRISMATIC BLISS expansion pack, KONTAKT and MASSIVE. Using KOMPLETE KONTROL S61. Piano sound is SPITFIRE AUDIO LABS FIREWOOD PIANO layered with pad."
"Process of making a cinematic orchestral soundtrack version of ENJOY THE SILENCE by DEPECHE MODE using SPITFIRE AUDIO ORIGINALS CINEMATIC SOFT PIANO and SPITFIRE AUDIO ORIGINALS CINEMATIC FROZEN STRINGS sample libraries in ABLETON LIVE."
Push is a hardware instrument that seamlessly integrates with Live to give you a hands-on and expressive music-making experience. With Suite, you can unlock the full potential of Push with the fully-featured version of Live.
Want to better understand the difference between Suite and Intro? Here's a breakdown:
Unlimited Tracks - Intro is limited to 16 tracks per session. With unlimited tracks, Suite can handle your biggest projects with ease.
More Instruments and Effects - Suite offers endless inspiration for your sound design with devices such as Wavetable, Hybrid Reverb, Echo, and Drum Buss.
More Packs - Explore the deep content library included in Suite's Packs:
Inspired by Nature contains six playful instruments and effects that use natural and physical processes as their inspiration. Curated Collections captures the musical threads that tie together evolving styles and scenes. Spitfire Audio instrument packs capture the intimate sound of orchestral chamber instruments. And more - explore over 70 GB of professional sounds—from multisampled pianos and acoustic instruments to vintage drum machines and classic synths—ready to use in your productions. Easily connect with external gear - Suite includes built-in devices to easily send and receive MIDI to and from your external devices. Need to connect your modular gear? Suite's CV Tools pack has you covered.
A full feature comparison can be found at ableton.com/live/compare-editions
Live 11 software included in this purchase will be available to download from your Ableton.com account after registering your Push serial number."
For the other 45 plugins, including SOFT PIANO, GLASS PIANO, STRINGS, CHOIR, GUITAR; DRUMS, PERCUSSION and stunning cinematic pads and orchestral instruments check out this earlier video where we play all 45 of them!
SPITFIRE AUDIO LABS Free Plugins - Demo of them ALL! [posted here]
Before you let me know, I made the video right before they released the new VINTAGE DRUMS, but fear not, we'll cover it in the next catchup."
