NEW! Kirk Hunter Concert Strings in Kontakt Format!! $399 Intro!

[peter269]

KH CONCERT STRINGS IN KONTAKT FORMAT - $399 INTRO UNTIL JAN 23
We're excited to announce that the 100GB+ Kirk Hunter Concert Strings Library in Kontakt format are shipping just after NAMM for an intro price of $399 that ends midnight January 23 EST (the day NAMM ends). No group buy needed at this price.

http://www.kirkhunter.com/libraries/strings.shtml

OVERVIEW
The Kontakt version was programmed by Ashley Witt. For those who don't know Ashley, he programmed the Miroslav Vitous library for the E4, Disk 6 of Advanced Orchestra for the E4, has worked with Andy Brick, Danny Elfman, David Newman, Media Ventures and others in Los Angeles for both programming and electronic orchestration. He composed a score for a documentary that was nominated for an Academy Award. Ashley is one of those rare folks who also plays the majority of orchestral instruments. And last but not least, Ashley helped beta test the award winning Vienna Symphonic Library.

With these qualifications, Kirk gave Ashley a free hand to create what Ashley felt would be THE Concert Strings library in Kontakt. What Ashley has done with the Concert Strings in Kontakt is truly over the top.

As with the GS version, there are Close, Far and Distant, Muted and Open, plus a bonus set of solo strings for violin, viola, cello and bass. Let's look at the Far Mic'ed Violins as our model.

You get:

24 Violins Heavy Vibrato
- Envelope Control (A = cc27, R = cc28)
- Separate Layers

24 Violins Light Vibrato
- Envelope Control (A = cc27, R = cc28)
- Separate Layers

24 Violins No Vibrato
- Envelope Control (A = cc27, R = cc28)
- Separate Layers

24 Violins Short Notes
- Envelope Control (A = cc27, R = cc28)
- Separate Layers

24 Violins Sustained Combinations and FX
- Envelope Control (A = cc27, R = cc28)
- Separate Layers

1st Violins Heavy Vibrato
- Envelope Control (A = cc27, R = cc28)
- Separate Layers

1st Violins Light Vibrato
- Envelope Control (A = cc27, R = cc28)
- Separate Layers

1st Violins No Vibrato
- Envelope Control (A = cc27, R = cc28)
- Separate Layers

1st Violins Short Notes
- Envelope Control (A = cc27, R = cc28)
- Separate Layers

1st Violins Sustained Combinations and FX
- Envelope Control (A = cc27, R = cc28)
- Separate Layers

2nd Violins Heavy Vibrato
- Envelope Control (A = cc27, R = cc28)
- Separate Layers

2nd Violins Light Vibrato
- Envelope Control (A = cc27, R = cc28)
- Separate Layers

2nd Violins No Vibrato
- Envelope Control (A = cc27, R = cc28)
- Separate Layers

2nd Violins Short Notes
- Envelope Control (A = cc27, R = cc28)
- Separate Layers

2nd Violins Sustained Combinations and FX
- Envelope Control (A = cc27, R = cc28)
- Separate Layers

In each Envelope Control folder you get an EXTRA 27 programs that enables you to customize each patch by manually controlling the attack and release to your desire from right within the sequencer!

But that's not all! In the Separate Layers Folder you get 28 individual layer programs that lets you quickly create your own layers. And this pattern repeats for the violas, cellos and basses and Far Mic Mutes!

No other Kontakt library has this much customizable control for you.

THE FAR MIC COMBOS FOLDER
Here you have four folders - All Strings, Keyswitch Modules, Other and Staccato Round Robin with down bow and up bow combinations.

ALL STRINGS
Instead of getting just a few All Strings patches, you get a library's worth. There are two basic sizes - 27 Strings (chamber setup as full string orchestra across the keyboard) and 58 (full sections).

27Strings.nki - 14 individual string orchestra patches where basses through violins are crossfaded to flow into each other. Includes legato, medium and hard attacks, staccato down down, staccato up, pizz and two individual tremolos.

27Strings.nki w/envelope control - same as above but with the ability to customize attacks and releases using controllers 27 and 28.

27Strings.nkm - similar to the above but uses four (4) individual Concert String programs (1st Violins, Chamber Violas, Chamber Cellos and Chamber Basses) set to omni to give you one giant string orchestra spanned across the keyboard, or four individual sections that you set up by simply changing the MIDI channel.

The next three folders are 58Strings.nki, 58Strings.nki w/envelope control, and 58Strings.nkm. The 58 Strings are the full ensemble sections of 24 Violins, 16 Violas, 12 Cellos and 6 Basses.

KEYSWITCH MODULES
We call this "Keyswitches on the fly." Inside this big folder are a series of folders starting on C0 (and C5 for the lower instruments) going up "chromatically" to B0 (and B5) that contain individiual folders for 12VCS, 16VAS, 1ST VBS, 24 VNS, 2ndVNS, 6VCS and 8VAS that enable you to create your own keyswitches in under 2 minutes.

The OTHER Folder contains a complete set of the Keyswitch Modules and three specialized patches created by Ashley.

STACC ROUND ROBIN DOWN_UP
For each section, Full Ensemble and Chamber instruments, are down-up staccato "bowings".

TOTAL CONSISTENCY
There is simply NO OTHER Strings library available in the Kontakt format that's this size (100GB plus!), with this much control at the introductory price of $399 ($599 starting January 24th). Everything I've just outlined is repeated for Close and DIstant Mic'ed Strings. In all, a whopping 27,000+ patches (80MB on the patches alone!). And of course, Kirk Hunter's Concert Strings are recorded in their seated orchestral position.

ORDERING
The $399 price for 16 disks is a 33% discount off list good through midnight EST January 23, 2005. Please order at this link:

http://www.kirkhunter.com/libraries/strings.shtml

US SHIPPING
Shipped USPS Priority Mail, $9.95 including insurance and signature delivery.

INTERNATIONAL
Including Canada, ALL international orders shipped FedEx International. For VAT, value is shown as the cost of the DVDs and duplication, $50US, not the cost including intellectual property. Each order is handled individually. You'll be e-mailed your shipping cost.

DON'T WAIT!
The $399 price is only guaranteed through January 23rd. On January 24th, the price goes back to $599. And BTW - Look for the Kirk Hunter Concert Brass in GS format to ship in early February!

[Nigel W]

I just got the KHCS in Giga format - would there be a NAMM Sidegrade deal available for the Kontakt version,please?

Thanks!

Nigel

[Kaatza Music]

I listened to the demo and didn't find anything to get excited about. The demo sounds kind of amaturish and not all that realistic, it definitely sounds like samples, not a real orchestra. Especially the dynamics, swells, etc. Maybe the library is a lot better than the demo would suggest, but if I was promoting a library, I wouldn't use this demo. Sorry for the critisizm but I'm telling it like I see it. I won't be pulling out my VISA card.

[Existence]

I listened to the demo and didn't find anything to get excited about. The demo sounds kind of amaturish and not all that realistic, it definitely sounds like samples, not a real orchestra. Especially the dynamics, swells, etc. Maybe the library is a lot better than the demo would suggest, but if I was promoting a library, I wouldn't use this demo. Sorry for the critisizm but I'm telling it like I see it. I won't be pulling out my VISA card.

A LOT of people felt this way when the demos on KH's site were published, and I would have to agree that the demos don't provide much reason to get excited. I however took a leap of faith based on Kirk's past accomplishments and other info that I gleaned -- dove in and purchased the library -- and now couldn't be happier that I did. The strings are rich, detailed, and very powerful. There are a vast number of expressive and useable articulations available, and lots of real time control via standard midi messaging (mod wheel, aftertouch, keyswitch, etc.)

IMO, if someone cannot get good sounding results with this string library, it is absolutely the fault of the programmer/composer, and not the library itself...

[peter269]

I just got the KHCS in Giga format - would there be a NAMM Sidegrade deal available for the Kontakt version,please?

Thanks!

Nigel

Crossgrade is $250.

[peter269]

Are those "classical snippet" demos representative of this library?

I mean, is it the same one?

It seems odd as the description talks about close, distant, and far mics but the demos are all bone dry with various reverb box examples.

So whats up with that?

It would be useful for you to read the press release and information on the web site explaining what we did and why. Briefly, the demos are done out of the box with no reverb, then the same music with different reverbs to demonstrate how various reverbs can affect the final sound.

More demos are forthcoming but our primary effort has been to get the new Kontakt version out before NAMM, which we've done. Two major string libraries since late July!

[peter269]

I listened to the demo and didn't find anything to get excited about. The demo sounds kind of amaturish and not all that realistic, it definitely sounds like samples, not a real orchestra. Especially the dynamics, swells, etc. Maybe the library is a lot better than the demo would suggest, but if I was promoting a library, I wouldn't use this demo. Sorry for the critisizm but I'm telling it like I see it. I won't be pulling out my VISA card.

Let me reciprocate by telling you like it is. Every week on Monday night the NBC television network airs the new thriller "Medium" the theme of which, composed by Emmy winning composer Jeff Beal, was 99% done with Kirk's Concert Strings. And the producer picked Kirk's strings over the live string ensemble which had 12 players.

That's a win for the network, a win for the producer, a win for the composer, and a win for you just as as soon as you order!

[Existence]

Well, if you have any good sounding results to post, I'd love to hear them.

So what's the deal with the three mic positions and the dry demos with artificial reverb?

What does the recorded ambiance sound like?

Can't explain why they did the demos the way they did, as I agree that they don't show this library in its best light. The recorded ambiance acts much as you would expect for the three mic positions -- the 'close' mics are the driest sounding, and the 'distant' mics are the most ambient. I would characterize the ambience in the 'far' mic samples as being a few ticks less than what you might get in EWQLSO Gold, but you can definitely hear hall sound in these samples, and it is a good sounding hall. The actual difference in sound between the far mics and the distant mics can be a bit subtle, and is less than the difference between the close mics and far mics, if that makes sense.

Overall, with the large section sizes (for example, 24 violins) the included hall ambience, the zeal with which the performers played, and the recording technique seem to all add up to one of the most powerful sounding string libraries I've yet heard.

[peter269]

Can't explain why they did the demos the way they did...

As I have written previously, we did these because of customer requests to hear examples from the classics that could be compared to the score, and done dry "out of the box" along with what they sounded like with other reverb.

[peter269]

The Solo Strings sound quite nice but are not on sale yet are they?

http://www.kirkhunter.com/libraries/vstrings.shtml

They've been available for over a year.

[Kaatza Music]

Just to clarify, my previous comments were not negative towards the library, just my reaction to the demo itself. I am willing to have an open mind if there are some better examples of this librry to listen to. I currently have EWQLSO Gold (have ordered Pro) and the VSL library that came with Giga 3, both of which I like.

[peter269]

Just to clarify, my previous comments were not negative towards the library, just my reaction to the demo itself. I am willing to have an open mind if there are some better examples of this librry to listen to. I currently have EWQLSO Gold (have ordered Pro) and the VSL library that came with Giga 3, both of which I like.

Yesterday I had a jazz instructor from the University of Denver, after hearing Jeff's them for MEDIUM, listened to the demos, and on the basis of the Debussy orchestrations, ordered the Kontakt library. I've had this happen a lot. For someone who doesn't like the demos, someone else does.

Even though the demos were done late summer with beta samples, you're still hearing the library execute well 6-8 part vertical harmony. The pizzicato example from Tchaikovsky is excellent as is the excerpt from the Rite of Spring.

It's a great library at a killer price. I can understand the need for "more", but if you wait too long, you're going to end up paying 30% more.

But I do appreciate your comments.

[audiopHoBic]

Peter,

Really interested in this package - $399 (that's £214 in real money;-) is insanely good value!

One question - what is the approach to legato in this library? (cf maestro tools or the vsl tool)

thanks!

Andy

[Ian Westwood]

Just as audiopHoBic, I am interested in this deal. The exchange rate at the moment, and the introductory price add together to make it an attractive proposition.

I have one question though on the pricing. It is quoted at 399USD, with sales tax to be added. Does this just refer to US tax and in the UK we have to pay tax on the import, or is the tax applied at source and we have to pay import on the new increased figure?

Thanks for any assistance

Ian

[peter269]

Peter,

Really interested in this package - $399 (that's £214 in real money;-) is insanely good value!

One question - what is the approach to legato in this library? (cf maestro tools or the vsl tool)

thanks!

Andy

First, there are a large number of legato programs (see list on page 1).

Second, because you can control the attack and release with controllers #27 and #28, you can customize and create your legato programs.

Third, we have down-bow/up-bows in a separate single layers directory that enables you to customize bowings.

With this, please be aware that within the Vienna Family are two types of legato programs. The first are found in the Cube and have legato working with the mod wheel. The second are found in the Performance Set and specifically are designed to work with the Performance tool, which of course, is dual platform for Mac and PC.

As you may know, Max at FX-MAX is creating AMP and we'll have a whole set of programs for that tool once it's released.

So at this point, we've met the majority need. But since NAMM is in just two days, we'll look at see what's announced.

Also, creating a Vienna-like legato set is a specialized recording process. To come close to that, we have to look at various options, of which for Kontakt, AMP looks the best. For more info, see http://www.fx-max.com/amp.html

Obviously, we're all "behind" Vienna in this regard. But I think it's fair to say that what Herb Tucmandl has accomplished is in a league of it"s own! It's the best.

[peter269]

Just as audiopHoBic, I am interested in this deal. The exchange rate at the moment, and the introductory price add together to make it an attractive proposition.

I have one question though on the pricing. It is quoted at 399USD, with sales tax to be added. Does this just refer to US tax and in the UK we have to pay tax on the import, or is the tax applied at source and we have to pay import on the new increased figure?

Thanks for any assistance

Ian

It's based on the value of the DVDs, $50US, not the intellectual property on them.

[peter269]

MORE ON LEGATO

I want to give a little "off-beat" answer to the legato question. In checking through the Kontakt programs, I did them using the M-Audio Keystation Pro 88. Keystation Pro has 9 velocity settings. The library really responded to these settings and I was quite surprised to see the various types of legato phrasing possible when switching between the various options.

[audiopHoBic]

MORE ON LEGATO

I want to give a little "off-beat" answer to the legato question. In checking through the Kontakt programs, I did them using the M-Audio Keystation Pro 88. Keystation Pro has 9 velocity settings. The library really responded to these settings and I was quite surprised to see the various types of legato phrasing possible when switching between the various options.

Not quite sure I follow... legato is achieved by making use of different velocity settings?

[jc5]

As I have written previously, we did these because of customer requests to hear examples from the classics that could be compared to the score, and done dry "out of the box" along with what they sounded like with other reverb.

It is not my wish to be negative, as this new library at is special price is quite interesting to me, but I have to agree with the others who feel the demos do not do justice to it.... from what I have read this is a huge library, but from what is available it does not sound like it... both dry, and with the various reverbs it sounds.. well.... synthy! :confused:
Very, very synthy.... I find it hard to believe that this is it for such a big product..

There have been one or two users who claim that it can in fact do much more - I would greatly appreciate the chance to hear some of these capabilities before the special price deal expires.

Also, I am a GS3 user and would be curious to hear how the strings would sound with the built-in NFX Reverb and Gigapulse.

Again, I do not wish to be negative, but it is impossible for a prospective customer to come to a decision based only on hearsay and some ... um... uninspiring demos...

[peter269]

Not quite sure I follow... legato is achieved by making use of different velocity settings?

If you look at the list, there are already legato bowings that are velocity controlled or that the volume is controlled by mod wheel.

[peter269]

It is not my wish to be negative, as this new library at is special price is quite interesting to me, but I have to agree with the others who feel the demos do not do justice to it.... from what I have read this is a huge library, but from what is available it does not sound like it... both dry, and with the various reverbs it sounds.. well.... synthy! :confused:
Very, very synthy.... I find it hard to believe that this is it for such a big product..

There have been one or two users who claim that it can in fact do much more - I would greatly appreciate the chance to hear some of these capabilities before the special price deal expires.

Also, I am a GS3 user and would be curious to hear how the strings would sound with the built-in NFX Reverb and Gigapulse.

Again, I do not wish to be negative, but it is impossible for a prospective customer to come to a decision based only on hearsay and some ... um... uninspiring demos...

As I've posted elsewhere in this thread, one man's uninspiring demo is inspirtational to someone else. We have more demos posting. And if you'll our PR, Kirk's strings were predominantly used for the main theme for NBC's Medium which airs weekly on monday nights.

It sounds fantastic in GigaPulse, especially with the Larry Seyer Reverb.

[audiopHoBic]

On the demo quality issue:

I've just listened to the mp3 of "Medium" using KH CS and I have to say it sounds great; crisp, dynamic and involving. And if I'm correct that this library also includes the existing Solo Strings, the demos of which also sound very good then I have to say I'm now seriously considering.

The special Kontakt NAMM price is until the 22nd?

Andy

[peter269]

On the demo quality issue:

I've just listened to the mp3 of "Medium" using KH CS and I have to say it sounds great; crisp, dynamic and involving. And if I'm correct that this library also includes the existing Solo Strings, the demos of which also sound very good then I have to say I'm now seriously considering.

The special Kontakt NAMM price is until the 22nd?

Andy

I'm extending it until January 31. NAMM was a madhouse.