Published 27/6/08
The next best thing to a six-string?
Achieving realistic-sounding acoustic guitar parts using MIDI and synthesis has always been tricky. Accurately simulating the action of six strings being played in quick succession (as happens when a guitarist strums) is technically difficult, and getting software to recreate the interaction between the strings is very complex indeed. But Applied Acoustics Systems (AAS), the Canadian synthesis specialists behind the Lounge Lizard electric piano plug-in, may have taken one step closer to a solution, with the release of their latest virtual instrument, Strum Acoustic GS1.
As its name suggests, Strum Acoustic models the acoustic guitar, shipping with what the designers call an “impressive collection” of nylon- and steel-stringed models. It uses the latest physical-modelling technologies from AAS, including a voicing module that “automatically voices chords played on the keyboard as a guitar player would on the fretboard”. This means it should be great for non-guitarists who want realistic-sounding acoustic guitar without straying from their keys.
In fact the virtual instrument comes pre-assigned with a keyboard layout that allows you to play the desired chord with your left hand (between E2 and A4 on a standard keyboard), and trigger specific strumming strokes using the right hand. These include basic actions such as downstroke and upstroke (on C5 and D5 respectively), and more complex motions including ‘palm-muted upstroke’ and ‘muffed downstroke’ (on D#5 and F#5 respectively).
Also featured in GS1 are MIDI strumming loops, which will be useful for adding tight rhythm guitar parts from software, and an auto-strum function. There’s also a four-band EQ section with sweepable mid-range filter as well as multi-effects and reverb processors. Strum Acoustic GS1 is available now, costing $229, which was £115 at the time of writing. It runs as a stand-alone instrument or inside VST, Audio Units or RTAS hosts.
www.applied-acoustics.com
Achieving realistic-sounding acoustic guitar parts using MIDI and synthesis has always been tricky. Accurately simulating the action of six strings being played in quick succession (as happens when a guitarist strums) is technically difficult, and getting software to recreate the interaction between the strings is very complex indeed. But Applied Acoustics Systems (AAS), the Canadian synthesis specialists behind the Lounge Lizard electric piano plug-in, may have taken one step closer to a solution, with the release of their latest virtual instrument, Strum Acoustic GS1.
As its name suggests, Strum Acoustic models the acoustic guitar, shipping with what the designers call an “impressive collection” of nylon- and steel-stringed models. It uses the latest physical-modelling technologies from AAS, including a voicing module that “automatically voices chords played on the keyboard as a guitar player would on the fretboard”. This means it should be great for non-guitarists who want realistic-sounding acoustic guitar without straying from their keys.
In fact the virtual instrument comes pre-assigned with a keyboard layout that allows you to play the desired chord with your left hand (between E2 and A4 on a standard keyboard), and trigger specific strumming strokes using the right hand. These include basic actions such as downstroke and upstroke (on C5 and D5 respectively), and more complex motions including ‘palm-muted upstroke’ and ‘muffed downstroke’ (on D#5 and F#5 respectively).
Also featured in GS1 are MIDI strumming loops, which will be useful for adding tight rhythm guitar parts from software, and an auto-strum function. There’s also a four-band EQ section with sweepable mid-range filter as well as multi-effects and reverb processors. Strum Acoustic GS1 is available now, costing $229, which was £115 at the time of writing. It runs as a stand-alone instrument or inside VST, Audio Units or RTAS hosts.
www.applied-acoustics.com
