The Crow Hill Company’s latest sample library has arrived, and aims to offer something a little different in the busy world of string libraries. Described as “a love letter to music makers”, Glass Strings captures a string quintet performing a total of 31 techniques, and is said to be capable of everything from intimate pop tracks to full-on Hollywood epics.
The company say that the musicians chosen to create the library were asked to throw out all preconceptions of how to approach sample library recording, and to stick to one simple rule: make every note sound different. The ensemble comprises violin, viola, cello and double bass (in a 2, 1, 1, 1 arrangement) with the violins, viola and cello tracked as a quartet and the bass recorded as an overdub. The techniques captured have been organised into three categories: self-explanatory Shorts and Longs, and Gestures, a set of more ‘decorative’ techniques.
One of the key features is the control section that gives the library its name. Using the Glass module, users are able to introduce some tonal control that goes beyond the scope of a traditional EQ, and governs the fundamental frequency of each note with the aim of tackling the ‘frequency peaking’ issues that can affect many orchestral libraries. An Amount parameter determines the width of the harmonic series, while a Mix knob provides a cut and boost function, and a Shape control defines the processor’s bandwidth. The section allows the library to cover a huge tonal range, and allows users to fine-tune the ‘density’ of the ensemble and ensure that parts fit perfectly into their mix.
A Bass section with Mix, Position and Distance parameters allows the double bass to be blended into the majority of the library’s core articulations (Long and Shorts), and there’s a built-in reverb equipped with Mix, Size and Pre-Delay controls. Three microphone positions are included: Close, Wide and Ambient, which helpfully retain their balance when switching between different articulations — the same is true of all front-panel controls.
Compatibility
Glass Strings is supported on PCs running Windows 10 and above, and Macs running macOS 11 or higher. VST, VST3, AU and AAX plug-in versions are available.
Pricing & Availability
Glass Strings is available now, and is currently (6 November 2024) priced at £149, reduced from its usual cost of £199. Prices include VAT.
