Native Instruments put the pedal to the very modern metal with their latest Session Guitarist title.
Native Instruments now have a pretty diverse selection of styles within their Session Guitarist series and the latest title — Electric Storm Deluxe — expands that further. If you follow electric guitar trends, then you won’t have failed to notice the rise of modern metal into (almost!) the mainstream: for example, Karnivool, Periphery, Animals As Leaders and, if you watched the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, Gojira. Often combining the chug of djent, highly technical riffs, and ambient chord voicings that might make even a jazz player squeak, it’s a style that has also seen 7‑ and 8‑string guitars come to the fore. It has already embedded itself firmly into video and film soundtracks. It’s perhaps not surprising, therefore, that developers are paying attention and providing software instruments that deliver this sound and style.
The Oncoming Storm
As with other more recent Session Guitarist titles, Electric Storm comes in two Kontakt versions. One provides the usual pattern‑based Session Guitarist engine, while the second provides a combination of patterns plus a fully playable ‘melody’ virtual instrument with multiple articulation options. Under the hood, the sample base has been created using a high‑end Framus 8‑string electric guitar. The engine includes a comprehensive suite of amp, cab and effects modelling, and provides plenty of creative sound‑shaping possibilities. The tones are pretty epic but you can also opt to use just the DI signal and add your own choice of third‑party guitar rig modelling if you prefer.
Electric Storm provides a collection of 270 riff, chord and arpeggio patterns, organised into 63 ‘song’ based groups. Like other titles in the Session Guitarist series, the clever part — and the bit that allows you to generate instant results — is the engine’s ability to adapt these performance patterns to your own choice of MIDI‑triggered chord changes. By keyswitching between patterns, playing your own chord triggers, and adjusting the performance dynamics (via the Impact control), you can coax plenty of performance variety out of the base pattern set.
Beyond the preset patterns, there is a modest learning curve to master all the performance options. However, if you dig in, the ability to drag‑and‑drop the MIDI pattern triggering notes to your DAW for editing, and options to switch riff playback to ‘single note’ mode (the pattern retains the rhythmic structure, but the riff sticks to a single pitch; you just play different trigger notes to revoice the melodic element of the riff) make a big difference in terms of crafting your own performance. Of course, the playable ‘melody’ instrument lets you add your own touches to the patterns and, with suitable use of the various articulations, lets you create very convincing solos.
In use, Electric Storm Deluxe undoubtedly hits its style and sonic targets. The pattern options provide instant gratification but the engine offers a surprising amount of flexibility. Pair it with suitable drum and bass performances (real or virtual) and you can get that super‑heavy, down‑tuned, modern metal vibe without having to master an actual 8‑string guitar (my brain and fingers can’t cope!), while the more textural or ambient sounds are just as convincing.
If you want to bring the sound of modern metal guitar playing into your own projects, NI have made it easy.
Conclusion
Of course, Electric Storm is not your only option. For example, check out Impact Soundworks’ various Shreddage products or KeepForest’s Appex Modern Trailer Guitar — different price points, different feature sets, but the same general sonic target. However, NI have captured the sound and spirt of the style really well in Electric Storm Deluxe, and the Session Guitarist engine has something for everyone in terms of the performance features. Low, loud and heavy, or delicate, melodic and ambient; take your pick. If you want to bring the sound of modern metal guitar playing into your own projects, NI have made it easy to do; Electric Storm brings modern metal to the music production mainstream.
Summary
NI’s Electric Storm Deluxe lets you add the sound and style of modern metal guitar playing to your own projects. The Session Guitarist engine, while easy for new users, also manages to offer plenty of performance flexibility for those prepared to dig in.