Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5/5 Stars
Sample Logic’s Arpology concept took an impressive leap forwards with Arpology X (reviewed in the November 2024 issue of SOS) and their latest release — Arpology Strings — takes that same four‑core engine but furnishes it with an impressive 8GB+ of orchestral string samples. The instrument requires the full version of Native Instruments Kontakt (7.10.6 or later), while the sample content includes detailed, multi‑articulation, multi‑dynamic sampling of solo string instruments, chamber ensembles and full orchestral sections. The library ships with an impressive 500+ preset collection built from this engine+samples combination.
As I commented when reviewing Arpology X, Sample Logic have pulled all the stops out with the engine that underlies this instrument. Sonically, you can blend of up to four of the core sounds via the main X/Y pad, but you also get a second X/Y pad for real‑time modulation of four different effects presets. Each sound core has an independent sequencer engine but to describe this as an ‘arpeggiator’ really does not do it justice; it’s a deep, powerful, multi‑parameter, step‑based sequencer/arpeggiator offering endless sound design and performance possibilities. There are also ADSR, filter, tuning and other sound‑shaping elements for customising the core sounds in each engine.
The underlying sampling has produced some orchestral string instruments that are genuinely playable in their own right... This is high‑quality stuff and I can easily image these sounds gracing a big‑budget song or score project.
The individual core sounds do sound very good in isolation and the underlying sampling has produced some orchestral string instruments that are genuinely playable in their own right. However, when combined within the four‑core engine, everything does go up a notch or three. This is high‑quality stuff and I can easily image these sounds gracing a big‑budget song or score project. Yes, it’s a string library and, if you dial back the sound editing and effects elements, you get some classy conventional string sounds. However, let the sound design elements of the engine do their thing and the more ‘hybrid’ end result can be truly magical; expressive, sonically impressive and capable of inspiring cue ideas with just a few notes (and a little added X/Y pad motion).
I suspect the target audience for Arpology Strings is busy media composers but there would also be plenty here to interest electronic music makers looking for a source of interesting string‑based textures. The presets span all sorts of mood‑setting evolving pad‑like textures; subtle arpeggiated string arrangements that can do ethereal, magic, moody or grandiose; staccato arps that would almost write a dramedy cue on their own; and sound‑design options that can place your strings into the most modern of compositional settings. No, it’s not inexpensive and, yes, the engine is deep and requires study to full exploit, but Sample Logic’s Arpology Strings rewards that effort in full. Top‑class stuff.