Kirk Hunter Studios has introduced Lyric Series String Quintet, a new virtual instrument for Kontakt that is designed to let you create lyrical string parts, with realistic legato, vibrato and bow changes.

Here’s what they have to say about it:

While there are plenty of good-sounding solo string libraries out there, I found it interesting that for me, a professional string player, it took a lot of “fiddling” with the instrument to get really musical phrases and melody lines. It was easy to get nice “pads” and “fillers” for sure, but I really wanted a believable single, melody line. Nothing out there, not even my older libraries, seemed to capture that certain essence you hear when listening to a professional player unless you took a lot of time to tweak whatever you were working on. And live-playing? No way. Not “out of the box” anyway.

In creating Lyric Series String Quintet, the developers calculated the probabilities of legato performance styles and incorporated that into the instrument. The instruments (except the Romantic Guarnerius Violin) analyze your playing style and handle all three vibrato parameters (amount, speed and fade-in) to give you the closest approximation of a real string player’s style.

Finally, the instruments provide you with realistic bow changes. By default, they are markedly separate and distinct. But if you prefer, you can “connect” the bowing for a more fluid phrase. In addition, “slurred” or “fingered” legato is also available.

Features:

• ‘Unrivaled’ vibrato control.
• Intuitive, string-oriented legato transitions.
• Rapidfire spiccato for fast, aggressive phrases.
• Quick to load.
• Easy-to-learn interface.
• Multis for small string ensemble work.

Audio Demos:

Pricing and Availability

Lyric Series String Quintet is available now with an introductory price of $179.99 USD (regularly $399.99 USD).