EdgeSounds Native Russian Volume 2

There can be few corners of the globe whose native music remains unexplored by a sample library, but (having missed Volume 1!) this is the first I’ve tried that’s devoted to traditional Russian folk. Although this library is neatly sorted into eight folders, containing 4.3GB of mono and stereo 24-bit/96kHz instruments, I can’t say I got off to a great start: on loading the first triangular-bodied Bass Balalaika it proved to be an instrument whose every note exhibited different buzzes and extraneous noises during its decay. Thankfully, though, the recording quality is higher in the rest of the collection, and an early highlight is the 370MB Domra (a member of the lute family, sounding rather like a muted harp) featuring nine velocity layers, plus smaller versions showcasing harmonics, pizzicato, tremolo and staccato playing. Other string Instruments include the mandolin-like Baglama, standard-sized Balalaikas, Gitara, the dulcimer-like Gusli, and Skripka (fiddle). I loved the delicacy of the harp-like Balira, and wiry hammered dulcimer-like Tsymbaly, but was mildly surprised by the inclusion of a Sitar.