e-instruments – Slower (KONTAKT)

Slower is an instrument library containing high-quality samples recorded on four different tape machines. The recordings are then played back at half speed, so all the sounds are lowered by an octave. Familiar instruments become magical, warm and tactile. Explore a wide range of sounds, including keyboards, guitars, strings, woodwinds, brass and more.

Half-speed tape transforms familiar sounds – like piano, strings, etc. – into something uniquely textured and immersive. By lowering the pitch of analog tape, you achieve a depth and warmth that digital methods cannot replicate. The natural characteristics of tape, such as wobble, noise, and flutter, add rich, organic layers.

This technique enhances acoustic timbres, making brass instruments, for example, more raspy and expressive. The process also brings out the low frequencies, creating dense, soft sounds. This distinctive texture evokes emotion and adds a magical, nostalgic quality to your music, enriching your sonic palette in profound ways.

Slower’s samples are recorded on four different types of tape machine:

• Studer A812 and Revox PR99 studio machines – large open reel-to-reel tape machines
• Uher 4400 Report IC and Uher 4400 Report Monitor portable machines – small reel-to-reel tape machines
• Tascam Portastudio 424mk3 cassette machine – a standard tape machine
• Sony M650v voice recorder – a micro cassette recorder

Each offers unique audio qualities and characteristics, especially at half speed. From the subtle warmth and precision of the high-end Studer A812 reel-to-reel machine to the lo-fi crunch of the Sony M650v voice recorder, these machines provide a whole range of vibrations and moods.

With 65 different sound sources, each recorded on four different tape machines, and a host of synthesized sounds, Slower offers a deep collection of unique timbres. The vast variety includes categories such as keyboards, guitars, strings, woodwinds, brass and rare ones such as dulcimer, glockenspiel and harmonium.

The tape recording process transforms classical instruments such as grand and upright pianos, electric and acoustic guitars and orchestral strings, offering a wide range of textures. In addition, recordings of famous synthesizer models add rich, evolving pads and complex textures to your palette. This comprehensive sound library provides endless inspiration and possibilities, allowing you to find the perfect sound for any musical context and genre, from hip-hop to ambient and electronica.