Solo Strings
While SWAM Woodwinds utilise a hybrid combination of modelling and sampling techniques, SWAM Solo Strings' sound is generated by pure physical modelling with no samples involved at all — hence the instruments' miniscule data footprint. Apparently the modelling techniques arose from an in-depth study of Professor Julius O Smith's Digital Waveguide Synthesis (yet to make the Richard & Judy Book Club bestseller list), to which the makers added elements providing real-time control of bow speed, bow pressure, bow position, vibrato, portamento, etc.
SWAM Solo Strings comprises violin, viola, cello and double bass.
Despite the impressive credentials, I approached these instruments with a heavy heart. Solo strings are the bête noire of the sample user, and we've all winced at the thin, scrapy, synthetic efforts served up in most keyboard workstations. Fortunately, scrapy and synthetic are not on the menu here: these solo strings sound fat, rich-toned and realistic, and like the solo woodwinds, constitute some of the most playable instruments I've come across.
The SWAM Solo Strings package comprises violin, viola, cello and double bass. While the violin's default timbre works well in a classical context, I generally preferred the more open sound of the 'Venezia S1' preset; for pop styles, you can use the brightness control to introduce more bite, and for those occasions when your guitarist turns up to 11 (ie. all the time), increasing the bow pressure parameter produces a more emphatic furioso bowing which at its furthest extreme turns into a violently noisy, unpitched scratch — nice.
The Options page of SWAM Violin contains a large amount of advanced parameters for those who enjoy tweaking their instrument parameters!On a more subtle note, I enjoyed the viola's warm, lyrical low register. The cello is also very decent, and matches the higher strings' expressiveness and wide dynamic range. Being non-sample-based, these instruments maintain impressive tonal integrity across their entire compass. I was initially surprised that the double bass lacks the low C extension used by many orchestral players — the instrument bottoms out on a low E1 — but this can be adjusted in the Options page. Other than that, it's perfectly usable, and you can amuse young relatives by showing them the 'moving finger' which plonks out notes on the GUI instrument graphic when you play pizzicato walking bass lines.
In addition to straight arco bowing and a modest-sounding pizzicato, the solo strings have a somewhat weedy col legno option which lacks any real force. Also available are usable harmonics, adjustable-speed tremolos and a sordino button which darkens and softens the sound. Like the SWAM woodwinds, these instruments are essentially monophonic, but a polyphonic mode is available, with a nice 'hold' option for performing double-stopped country licks. Beyond these simple styles lies a vast world of advanced keyswitchable playing options, displaying a fanatical attention to detail which confirms that no stone was left unturned in the quest for ultimate realism.
Conclusion
Back in 2012 I enthused about hearing what the SWAM technology could do when applied to orchestral solo woodwinds. Now I've heard the results, I'm no less enthusiastic — these woodwinds are spot on, easily matching the quality, playability and versatility of the saxophones. What's more of a surprise is how Audio Modeling managed to create such convincing and expressive solo strings without using samples, and then cram each instrument into a download so tiny you could almost fit it on a floppy disk — I suspect sorcery must have been involved.
Technical wizardry aside, it's clear a great deal of musicality has been brought to bear on these collections, resulting in a set of instruments which feel alive when you play them. A little thought, co-ordination and basic keyboard skill is required, but once you get the hang of operating them, the SWAM solo instruments have the potential to add huge expressive power and realism to your MIDI arrangements.
Alternatives
Wallander Instruments and Synful both sell realistic-sounding orchestral collections based on modelling techniques. The former offers solo woodwinds, saxes and brass only, while Synful Orchestra comprises solo woodwinds (no saxes) and solo strings. Neither company sell individual instruments, but their collection prices compare favourably to those of the SWAM bundles.
Widening the field to traditional sample-based instruments and omitting multi-instrument collections, Vienna Symphonic Library's solo woodwinds are available as separate downloads, while Chris Hein, Orchestral Tools (Soloists Series) and Embertone all offer very creditable (though comparatively more expensive) solo string instruments.
Model Muddle
Beyond the fact that both companies are European, sell solo instruments and have excruciatingly misspelled names, Audio Modeling and Sample Modeling share a somewhat tangled history.
The story begins with the Stradivari Solo Violin, created by Giorgio Tommasini, Stefano Lucato and Gary Garritan. Incorporating Garritan's samples, Tommasini's revolutionary 'harmonic alignment' technology and other techniques developed by the two Italians, the instrument's lifelike performances wowed your trusty SOS reviewer back in August 2006. The same team went on to develop Gofriller Cello before Garritan abruptly and permanently discontinued both products.
Undeterred, Mr Tommasini joined forces with orchestral sampling pioneer Peter Siedlaczek, formed the Sample Modeling company and released a range of superbly realistic, Kontakt-powered solo brass and wind instruments spearheaded by (cue fanfare) The Trumpet. A set of solo saxophones entitled The Sax Brothers followed, created by the aforementioned Stefano Lucato in collaboration with Tommasini and Siedlaczek. Two years later, the company released the Ms Sax S soprano sax in the new proprietary SWAM sound engine format, developed by Lucato, Emanuele Parravicini and Luigi Felici.
Sadly, the spirit of European accord proved as fragile as in our Brexit-torn Parliament. After Lucato and Parravicini split off to form Audio Modeling in 2017, a dispute over rights arose between the two companies. Happily, this conflict has now been amicably resolved, with Sampling Modeling continuing to sell solo instruments (though not the saxes) while Audio Modeling develops its SWAM range. Though the legal shenanigans caused understandable concern among users, the two companies' current peaceful co-existence means that buyers of their older products will continue to be properly supported.
System Requirements
SWAM instruments' small footprint is a welcome relief from the vast multi-gigabyte sample databases of most orchestral collections — the largest (Saxophones) requires less than half a gigabyte of disk space, while the solo strings all use less than 10MB!
Though RAM usage is minimal, Audio Modeling warn that their instruments can be very CPU intensive, requiring a modern computer with at least a 1.6GHz Core 2 Duo CPU. They add, "Less powerful systems may also prove satisfactory, but may require larger buffer sizes, involving higher latencies. Using the freeze feature or bouncing the single MIDI tracks to audio provides a useful remedy." Good tip, and bouncing as you go also has the advantage of fixing a part, a good way of defeating the creative paralysis which can result from having too many musical balls in the air!
The required operating systems are:
- (PC) Windows 7, 8, 10, Vista or XP 64-bit.
- (Mac) OS 10.7 to 10.14.
Supported plug-in formats are:
- (PC) VST 64-bit, AAX 64-bit.
- (Mac) AU 64-bit, VST 64-bit, AAX 64-bit.
At the time of writing, Audio Unit v3 and VST3 are not yet supported.
Sound Barrier
The SWAM MIDI Mapping page allows you to remap all the control parameters to any MIDI CC so they can be controlled in real time from a MIDI controller, or from a MIDI sequence in a DAW.I sometimes joke that the default state for a recording studio is dead silence. Think about it: how many times have you plugged an instrument into your mixing desk or DAW and let rip with an inspired volley of notes, only to be greeted with a deafening silence because something is muted or hasn't yet been turned on? This happens all the time in my world, so I wasn't particularly surprised when my first encounter with SWAM woodwinds resulted in a complete absence of sound.
The manual proclaims the underlying reason: "It is absolutely necessary to use a suitable continuous physical MIDI controller such as an expression or volume pedal (CC11 or CC7) or a breath or wind controller (CC2). WITHOUT SUCH A CONTROLLER, THE INSTRUMENT WILL NOT WORK." In my case, a quick wiggle on my keyboard expression pedal (set to MIDI CC11) set matters straight. If you don't have such a thing, chances are your MIDI keyboard has a slider which will generate CC11 commands. Failing that, there are a number of inexpensive fader-based MIDI controllers on the market.
Beyond simply getting a peep out of the thing, using a physical controller will enable you to access the instrument's full dynamic range, which in conjunction with judicious use of vibrato, is the key to achieving a totally realistic performance with SWAM instruments.
Pros
- Utterly realistic, highly playable solo instruments.
- Superbly fluid legato transitions ensure flowing melody lines and natural-sounding trills and grace notes.
- Authentic vibrato.
- Suitable for all musical styles.
Cons
- Instruments are silent until you send them CC11 (expression) or CC7 (volume) data.
Summary
Comprising 10 essential woodwinds and a quartet of solo saxes, Audio Modeling's Solo Woodwinds collection is a highly versatile tool for all musical styles from orchestral to big–band jazz. The company's Solo Strings instruments are equally adaptable. Based on SWAM modelling techniques which transcend the limitations of traditional samples, both collections offer supreme playability, consistency of tone and an in-depth feature set which will satisfy the most ardent programmer.
information
SWAM Solo Woodwinds: Flutes €250, Clarinets €170, Double Reeds €250, Saxophones €250, Solo Woodwinds Bundle €750.
SWAM Solo Strings: Violin €120, Viola €120, Cello €120, Double Bass €120, Solo Strings Bundle €360.
All-in bundle (Solo Woodwinds & Solo Strings) €1000. Prices include VAT.
SWAM Solo Woodwinds: Flutes $250, Clarinets $170, Double Reeds $250, Saxophones $250, Solo Woodwinds bundle $750.
SWAM Solo Strings: Violin $120, Viola $120, Cello $120, Double Bass $120, Solo Strings bundle $360.
All-in bundle (Solo Woodwinds & Solo Strings) $1000.