The latest addition to The Crow Hill Company’s ever-expanding line-up sees them collaborate with composer Steve Mazzaro and cellist Tina Guo. Named Tina Guo Storm Cello, the new library kits users out with a set of raw performances as well as signals taken from Tina’s custom pedalboard, resulting in a sonic palette that ranges from traditional-sounding cello to heavily processed experimental techniques.
The library consists of 19 Core Orchestral techniques devised and performed by Tina on her electric cello, along with a set of 23 Experimental Textures that include a nine-layer Sound Design Mixer function created by Steve Mazzaro. Users are able to blend seamlessly between the original and processed signals using a Form control, while a Signal knob makes it possible to mix between DI’d and miked feeds. There’s a Timbre control that governs the perceived dynamics of the selected technique — some techniques are also tempo-sync’able and are equipped with a Speed parameter — while a Space control allows patches to be routed through a built-in reverb effect.
It’s not just reverb that’s on offer, though: switching the instrument to its dedicated Effects Panel view reveals a comprehensive set of onboard effects and processors. Along with the Space section, which houses a tweakable reverb that also boasts a ‘freeze’ function, users are greeted by Tone, Delay, Grains, Shape, Gate Stepper and Master modules. Tone, Delay and Shape do exactly as you might expect, throwing an EQ and filters into the mix along with Attack and Release envelope controls, while Grains houses a built-in granular synth engine equipped with Mix, Size, Random and Amount dials. Gate Stepper then provides sequencer-style gating/muting, making it possible to create rhythmic patterns and pulses, and finally, Master offers a mixture of compression, limiting and stereo width processing.
SOS Feature
Tina Guo is best known to most as a longtime collaborator of Hans Zimmer, working with the iconic composer both in the studio and on stage. You can find out more about her renowned playing and recording techniques in our Dune: Hans Zimmer & Friends feature from the April 2024 issue.
Compatibility
Tina Guo Storm Cello 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
Tina Guo Storm Cello is available now, and is currently (10 February 2025) priced at £129, reduced from its full cost of £179. Prices include VAT.
