How to Craft and Phrase Authentic Performances with Embertone – Friedlander Violin Combo Edition (KONTAKT)
Embertone Friedlander Violin Combo Edition (KONTAKT): A Review
If you are looking for a realistic, expressive, and versatile virtual violin for your music production, you might want to check out Embertone Friedlander Violin Combo Edition (KONTAKT). This is a comprehensive and detailed solo violin library that aims to capture the living sound and musical purpose of a real violinist. In this review, we will explore what this product has to offer, how it compares with other violin libraries, and whether it is worth your investment.
Embertone – Friedlander Violin Combo Edition (KONTAKT)
Introduction
Embertone Friedlander Violin Combo Edition (KONTAKT) is a virtual instrument that features an extensively sampled solo violin, recorded by violinist Dovid Friedlander from the North Carolina Symphony. The library contains over 4000 samples, covering a wide range of articulations, dynamics, and expressions. The library also includes a custom Kontakt script that allows you to control various aspects of the performance, such as vibrato, legato, bow position, portamento, and more. The library is compatible with Kontakt 5 Player or higher, and requires about 3.5 GB of disk space.
The main features and benefits of this product are:
True legato programming + True Portamento's for smooth and realistic transitions
Neighbor borrowing round robin option for natural variation
Full vibrato control for expressive modulation
Staccatos RR X 8, 4 dynamic layers for crisp and agile attacks
Pizzicato, tremolo, sordino, sul ponticello, sul tasto, immediate attack, and emo attack articulations for diverse timbres
Bow position control for tone color adjustment
Flexible and movable keyswitches for easy switching between articulations
Tablet control option for convenient touch-screen interface
Watermarked for protection against piracy
This product is suitable for anyone who needs a high-quality solo violin sound for their music projects, whether it is classical, cinematic, pop, rock, or any other genre. The library is designed to be easy to use, but also offers a lot of flexibility and customization options for advanced users. To use this product, you need a computer that meets the minimum system requirements for Kontakt 5 Player or higher, as well as a MIDI keyboard or controller.
Overview of the Friedlander Violin
The Friedlander Violin was created with a lot of care and attention to detail by Embertone, a company that specializes in creating realistic and expressive virtual instruments. The violin was recorded in a dry studio environment with multiple microphones, capturing every nuance and subtlety of the performance. The samples were then edited and processed with minimal noise reduction and EQ adjustments, preserving the natural character and warmth of the sound.
The library was scripted by Andreas Lemke, a genius Kontakt programmer who has worked on many acclaimed products such as Spitfire Audio's Albion series. The script provides a user-friendly interface that lets you access and tweak various parameters of the instrument. You can adjust the volume, pan, reverb, EQ, tuning, and other settings. You can also switch between different articulations using keyswitches or the on-screen buttons. You can control the vibrato intensity and speed using the mod wheel or the sliders. You can also change the bow position using the pitch wheel or the knob, which affects the brightness and tone of the sound. You can also enable or disable the neighbor borrowing option, which randomly selects samples from adjacent notes for more variation and realism.
The Friedlander Violin sounds and performs very well, delivering a rich and organic sound that can fit in any musical context. The legato transitions are smooth and natural, and the portamento slides are realistic and expressive. The vibrato is dynamic and responsive, adding life and emotion to the sound. The staccatos are crisp and agile, and the pizzicatos are warm and delicate. The tremolo, sordino, sul ponticello, sul tasto, immediate attack, and emo attack articulations provide a range of different colors and textures to choose from. The Friedlander Violin can handle both lyrical and virtuosic passages with ease, and can also create atmospheric and cinematic sounds with some creative processing.
Comparison with other violin libraries
There are many other violin libraries on the market, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. How does the Friedlander Violin compare with some of the most popular ones? Here is a brief overview of some of them:
Library
Price
Features
Pros
Cons
Embertone Friedlander Violin Combo Edition (KONTAKT)
$120
- Extensively sampled solo violin- True legato + True Portamento's- Full vibrato control- Multiple articulations- Bow position control- Neighbor borrowing option- Tablet control option- Watermarked
- Realistic and expressive sound- Flexible and customizable performance- Easy to use interface- Affordable price- Watermarked for protection
- Requires Kontakt 5 Player or higher- No ensemble option- No mic position option
Spitfire Audio Solo Strings
$399
- Four solo string instruments (violin, viola, cello, bass)- Recorded at Air Studios in London- Multiple mic positions- Multiple articulations- Performance legato patches- Ostinatum patches- Time machine patches
- High-quality sound and recording- Versatile and diverse sound palette- Detailed and nuanced performance- Ensemble option with multiple players per instrument
- Expensive price- Requires Kontakt 5 Player or higher- Large disk space requirement (47 GB)- No vibrato control option
Cinematic Studio Solo Strings
$299
- Four solo string instruments (violin, viola, cello, bass)- Recorded at Trackdown Studios in Sydney- Multiple mic positions- Multiple articulations- True legato patches- Polyphonic legato patches- Customizable keyswitches
- Realistic and expressive sound- Smooth and natural legato transitions- Polyphonic legato option for chords and double stops- Simple and intuitive interface
- Expensive price- Requires Kontakt 5 Player or higher- Large disk space requirement (41 GB)- No vibrato control option
8Dio Adagio Violins Vol. 1
$399
- 11 solo violin players- Recorded in a church environment- Multiple mic positions- Multiple articulations- True legato patches- Ensemble builder patches- Customizable keyswitches
- Deep and detailed sound and recording- Wide and diverse sound palette- Expressive and emotional performance- Ensemble option with up to 11 players per instrument
- Expensive price- Requires Kontakt 5 Player or higher- Huge disk space requirement (60 GB)- No vibrato control option
As you can see, each library has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on your needs and preferences. The Friedlander Violin stands out for its realistic and expressive sound, flexible and customizable performance, easy to use interface, affordable price, and watermark protection. However, it also lacks some features that other libraries offer, such as ensemble option, mic position option, and vibrato control option. Ultimately, the best library for you depends on your personal taste, budget, and project requirements.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Embertone Friedlander Violin Combo Edition (KONTAKT) is a great solo violin library that delivers a realistic, expressive, and versatile sound that can fit in any musical context. The library features an extensively sampled solo violin, recorded by violinist Dovid Friedlander from the North Carolina Symphony. The library also includes a custom Kontakt script that allows you to control various aspects of the performance, such as vibrato, legato, bow position, portamento, and more. The library is compatible with Kontakt 5 Player or higher, and requires about 3.5 GB of disk space.
The Friedlander Violin is suitable for anyone who needs a high-quality solo violin sound for their music projects, whether it is classical, cinematic, pop, rock, or any other genre. The library is designed to be easy to use, but also offers a lot of flexibility and customization options for advanced users. The Friedlander Violin sounds and performs very well, delivering a rich and organic sound that can handle both lyrical and virtuosic passages with ease. The Friedlander Violin also compares favorably with other popular violin libraries in terms of realism, expression, and versatility.
If you are interested in purchasing or learning more about the Friedlander Violin, you can visit the official website of Embertone here: [Embertone Friedlander Violin Combo Edition (KONTAKT)]. You can also watch some demo videos and listen to some audio examples here: [Embertone Friedlander Violin Combo Edition (KONTAKT) Demos]. You can also read some user reviews and feedback here: [Embertone Friedlander Violin Combo Edition (KONTAKT) Reviews].
We hope this review has been helpful and informative for you. Thank you for reading!
FAQs
Here are some common questions and answers about the Friedlander Violin:
Q: How do I install the Friedlander Violin?
A: To install the Friedlander Violin, you need to download the library files from the Embertone website using the link provided in your purchase confirmation email. You also need to download the Kontakt 5 Player from the Native Instruments website if you don't have it already. Then, you need to unzip the library files and move them to your preferred location on your hard drive. Finally, you need to add the library to your Kontakt 5 Player using the "Add Library" button.
Q: How do I activate the Friedlander Violin?
A: To activate the Friedlander Violin, you need to open the Kontakt 5 Player and load the library. Then, you need to click on the "Activate" button on the top right corner of the interface. You will be prompted to enter your serial number that was provided in your purchase confirmation email. After entering your serial number, you will be able to use the library without any limitations.
Q: How do I update the Friedlander Violin?
A: To update the Friedlander Violin, you need to visit the Embertone website and check if there are any new versions available for download. If there are any updates available, you need to download them and replace the old files with the new ones. You don't need to re-activate or re-add the library after updating.
Q: How do I contact Embertone for support or feedback?
A: To contact Embertone for support or feedback, you can use their contact form on their website here: [Embertone Contact Form]. You can also email them directly at support@embertone.com. You can also follow them on their social media channels, such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.
Q: How do I get a refund for the Friedlander Violin?
A: To get a refund for the Friedlander Violin, you need to contact Embertone within 14 days of your purchase and explain why you are not satisfied with the product. You also need to provide proof of purchase and your serial number. Embertone will then process your refund request and issue a full or partial refund depending on the circumstances. However, please note that Embertone reserves the right to refuse a refund if they suspect any abuse or fraud. dcd2dc6462