The main instrument panel features the Tremolo modelling control section, as well as lowpass and hipass filters, with envelopes for amplitude and filter modulation
THE PERFORMANCE PANEL
perf.webp
The Performance panel allows the user to completely tailor the response of Vibraphone; apply different velocity curves to suit various controller keyboards; Humanise controls introduce subtle performance variations to incoming MIDI data, and various preferences allow further customisation.
THE EFFECTS PANEL
fx.webp
The Effects panel features Kontakts ‘SSL’ style parametric EQ, delay, saturation, a transient shaper and Soniccouture’s custom convolution reverb selection – including conventional rooms and halls as well as abstract effects and textures.
SAMPLING THE VIBRAPHONE
vibe1.webp
The resonator tubes of the vibraphone
vibe2.webp
The recording setup in the Wood Room at Real World Studios.
mic-view.webp
Charlotte playing the samples
RW2.webp
The control room at Real World
desk2.webp
Desk setup – mic labels visible
RW1.webp
Paul White has clearly visited Real World to do a Studio SOS.
desk1.webp
Gratuitous desk shot.
SONICCOUTURE TRUE TREMOLO MODELLING
Horizontal Fans only Vertical Fans only Both Fans Together: modelled tremolo
Instruments that use global modulation (the Hammond C3/leslie is a similar example) are difficult to sample & model realistically, because if you record a single note with the tremolo active, it will be out of sync with all subsequent notes you record.
Previous attempts to sample the vibraphone usually recorded the instrument with the motor/tremolo switched off, then faked the effect using filters and LFO.
Soniccouture Vibraphone takes a completely new approach – by sampling the entire instrument twice. Once with the fans closed, once with them fully open, both times completely static – the motor switched off. Once we have the full vibraphone sound sampled in both states – fans closed and fans open – we can then simply crossfade between them in Kontakt using a simple sinusoidal LFO. This gives not only the authentic sound, but also full control over the speed of the tremolo, another essential element of the instrument.
Requires KONTAKT 5 or KONTAKT 5 PLAYER version 5.5 or later