Patch assignment can be made by singular articulation, or with my favoured option of key-switch based patch, where all is on offer. Not surprisingly, this level of excellence is continued through the Mid and Low strings, but if leisurely legato is not the order of the day, there are plenty of other choices. In context, this can almost be a little too on the back of the time, so some helpful thought in the programming here will assist. Now, this effect is always a difficult thing to achieve, as the movement from one note to the next has to be treated carefully, especially when trying to take the specifics of the original instrument into context - and what we have here is something which is, by design, a leisurely movement from one registration to the next. Starting with the strings, these are organised into High, Mid and Low assignments, so starting with a High patch, I was immediately treated to a level of legato assignment which, frankly, is a bit special. German-based company Orchestral Tools has managed to establish an excellent reputation within a short space of time with its ever-expanding libraries of predominantly orchestral flavours, but having covered the main symphonic bases, the company took the decision about 18 months ago to release Metropolis Ark 1. Who knew that combo would be so effective? In its more extreme setting of dynamic honking of timbre, even Bernard Herrmann would be feeling suitably content.Orchestral Tools follows up its exceptional Metropolis Ark 1 library by spiriting us off to an altogether darker place.ĭave Gale descends to the realm of the Nibelung to examine its epic depths…. Among the more orthodox combinations there are some treasures, such as the marriage of bass oboe and basset horn. The wind combination of flute, oboe and clarinet is stunningly good, with the Power Legato being something of a star, yet again. I made straight for the low strings and was delighted to hear the creaking of instruments, feeling almost tortured under such pressure of bowing. The new Power Legato, which is getting its first outing in Ark 4, is really usable and very aggressive. The strings kick things off, with a section divided into high, mid and low, and with that also comes additional patches containing further articulations and legato bowing. Where District 1 offers plenty of fullness and body, District 2 breaks things down into orchestral sections. Tutta la verità sul 5gĪs you move up from the middle register, the transition from male to female is handled nicely, and you can hear extraordinary power from the tenors as they push in their upper range. Elsewhere within District 1, we find the Mixed Choir, which I was suitably intrigued to find had similar sonic credentials to the orchestral sections. In the case of the Full Orchestral Multi patch, it sees each set of mic samples add a further 0. Three additional mics can also be added at this stage, offering further close-up action or ambience. The Ricochet features the bow bouncing from the string, creating a very interesting and usable colour, while the Power Sustain brings us some hardcore bowing, which would have even Dmitri Shostakovich smiling. Looking at the String Orchestra patch, there are some real gems to be found. In each section, there are similarities to what we saw in the full orchestral patching, but with further articulation options. Moving on from the full orchestral setting and the sections are broken down individually to strings, woodwinds and brass. Sonically, the first Full Orchestral patch out of the box sounds stunningly impressive. All patches here are available in either single or multiple articulation formats, with the latter being open to keyswitching from the bottom of the keyboard, with dynamic control being patch-dependent - which, in the case of the more sustained settings, is achieved from the mod wheel MIDI CC 1. Contained within it are five patches which could be regarded as the en masse interpretation of the Ark series. Now, Metropolis Ark 4 sets out to offer what is arguably an even broader canvas, yet with a tightened sonic focus.ĭistrict 1 is described as Elite Orchestral Forces. Now in its fourth volume, previous incarnations have brought us both loud and quiet extremes and a beating, pulsing orchestra. T he Metropolis Ark series from Orchestral Tools has never been one to disappoint. Who you gonna call when you need a crack team of orchestral samples? Maybe the fantastic 4 from Orchestral Tools.
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