At first glance, LUX may look like your average string library. It captures a symphonic string section — 18 first violins, 16 second violins, 14 violas, 12 celli and 10 basses — from a selection of mic positions, and includes a comprehensive set of playing articulations. However, there’s a little more to it than that, and in fact, Sonuscore say that it’s their most ambitious project to date.
Where the library differs from its competitors, is the company’s newly developed SAT, or Seamless Articulation Transitioning technology. The system allows users to control the transition between articulations with their playing, with a softer touch resulting in gradual fades and harder playing triggering more immediate switches. It’s also possible to blend seamlessly between two or more articulations with the mod wheel. As a result, LUX promises to deliver a fluid, expressive playing experience that closely replicates conducting a real string section.
Adaptive legato patches help to deliver the most realistic-sounding results possible, and a Natural String Change feature takes things a step further by detecting when the next played note would fall on a different string and adjusting the transition between samples to deliver lifelike results. The library also offers dedicated Key Switch sets aimed at different genres or styles of scoring, providing users with a tailored selection of articulations designed to suit the task at hand. As for the sound itself, LUX includes a choice of Close, Decca Tree and Far mic signals, as well as including a set of 22 ‘bleed’ signals captured from microphones placed in the spaces that would be occupied by the orchestra’s brass, woodwind and percussion sections.
Key Features
- 70-Piece Symphonic String Ensemble: Recorded on a Hollywood-scale scoring stage for unmatched depth and realism.
- 48 Microphones / Four Positions: Includes exclusive Bleed Mic signals for true orchestral resonance.
- Seamless Articulation Transitioning (SAT): Change articulations mid-note for the most natural performance.
- Morphing Articulations: Morph between articulations fluidly for lifelike performance.
- Composer-Crafted Ensembles: Instant inspiration with pre-designed voicings for cinematic sketching.
- Natural String Change Legato: Captures the authentic flow and nuance of real string players.
- Comprehensive Articulations & Techniques: From lyrical legato to swarm textures and pendulum glissandi.
- Engineered by Peter Fuchs: Award-winning film mixer using top-tier DPA, Neumann and Schoeps microphones.
“From the beginning, we set out to build something unlike anything we’ve ever made. LUX gives composers not just an orchestral string ensemble, but a living, breathing instrument that inspires ambition in every note.” - Tilman Sillescu, Co-Founder and Creative Director, Sonuscore
Compatibility
LUX runs in Native Instruments’ Kontakt or Kontakt Player versions 7.10.9 or higher, which are supported on PCs running Windows 10 or above, and Macs running macOS 13 and higher. VST3, AU and AAX plug-in versions are available, along with a standalone application.
Pricing & Availability
LUX is available now, priced at €499.
