Elizabethan Era Instruments (Lute, etc.)

[Ken Theriot]

Does anyone know of a virtual instrument or sample library for Elizabethan instruments (c. 1550-1600)? Examples would be lute, harpsichord, viol, virginal, dulcimer, etc.

Thanks.

Ken

[Pingu]

Try 'Early Patches' and 'Benchette Musicale'

http://www.banchetto-musicale.com/en/verzeich.htm
http://www.dausenkunz.de/early_patches/

I have Early Patches in AKAI format, and have been very happy with it.

[geronimo001]

I'd love to get some more of those too!

[geronimo001]

Try 'Early Patches' and 'Benchette Musicale'

http://www.banchetto-musicale.com/en/verzeich.htm
http://www.dausenkunz.de/early_patches/

I have Early Patches in AKAI format, and have been very happy with it.

Oh i forgot about those. Thanks for the reminder!

[composernyc]

If you use Logic, you'd be surprised at how many instruments in that style are in the EXS generic instruments. Check it out.

[FredProgGH]

PMI's Historic Keyboards is a very good collection of harpsichords, a viginal and an early pianoforte. Their website seems to list the price now as $0, so I don't know if that means "free" or "discontinued"! It won't get you the lute and such but for keys I'd snag it if it's still around. Especially if it's actually $0 :D

[jrjnsn]

PMI's Historic Keyboards is a very good collection of harpsichords, a viginal and an early pianoforte. Their website seems to list the price now as $0, so I don't know if that means "free" or "discontinued"! :D

Turns out it links to the Sampletekk site.

[Saraswati]

Yes, the Sampletekk site (which has recently taken over the PMI instruments as well) has quite a lot that may be of interest. Not only are there the PMI Historic Keyboards and a separate PMI Clavichord, but also the Sampletekk Harpsichord, which I have and like. Plus there are the Sampletekk Renaissance Flutes (recorders) in 5 sizes. Listen to the demo; these are quite nice. The Hackebord (hammered dulcimer) from the PMI Orchestral Instruments is really enchanting, though I don't know when it originated. And if you could use them, there are also early organs--positif and baroque. Unfortunately, none of these are free, but the price is still good!

MOTU Symphonic Instrument also has a whole collection of early instruments. Some people had trouble with the earliest version, but supposedly the update corrected that. Garritan (and Kirk Hunter?) have a few too, with more in the future. And the bombarde as well as the whistles from Celtic Wind would sound right at home in an early music setting. Again, the demo at Bela D will tell you.

Hope this helps. Good luck with your search!

Saraswati