Emotional solo strings (violin, viola and cello). Inspired by the signature sound of Scandinavian strings that have become the basis of modern drama soundtracks, Soft String Soloists features a trio of violin, viola and cello playing in soft dynamics for a more emotional and profound sound.
About the Library
As composers, we often find ourselves reaching for solo strings when scoring emotional or delicate scenes. However, we noticed a gap: many existing string libraries are written with a more prominent and virtuosic sound that rises above the orchestra, but is not suitable for softer and more intimate compositions.
To solve this problem, we created Soft String Soloists, a versatile legato library inspired by the popular “Scandi String” sound that has become a hallmark of neoclassical music and modern drama.
Soft String Soloists includes solos for violin, viola and cello, using our intelligent Legato engine, first introduced for brass soloists, for ultra-realistic reproduction and an exceptional level of control. Each instrument offers two stunning types of legato (standard and portamento), as well as a variety of long, short and swollen articulations typical of the genre.
Recorded in a traditional string quartet performance at Nave Studios, the library provides complete control over the mix, offering near, mid and far mic placements, allowing users to achieve anything from intimate to spacious, ambient sounds. With our innovative instrument placement feature, each instrument can be positioned anywhere in the room, allowing for a variety of ensemble configurations, as well as the use of a central stereo system, ensuring easy integration with other libraries in your collection.
Sophisticated Controls
Like the brass band soloists, this library also features our innovative Smart Legato engine and instrument placement options, making the task of composing less about technical settings and more about creativity.
In intelligent mode, the instrument automatically analyzes incoming MIDI notes and selects the ideal transition length, ensuring smooth playback without further editing, while still delivering truly expressive sound.
The realism of this feature is determined by the delay: by delaying the audio signal, the engine can ‘look ahead’ and adjust the performance in real time. The higher the delay, the more natural the instrument responds. The delay value specified in the legato settings is precise, allowing you to compensate for the negative latency of the track with the DAW function, ensuring perfect synchronization, while your MIDI is quantized. This allows you to focus more on composing, while the instrument takes care of the smallest details.
Scandi style
We recorded these solo strings in the distinctive “Scandi String” style, known for its airy, delicate dynamics that reveal a softer, more fragile side to string instruments. This style has become the signature sound of many modern neoclassical works.
What sets this sound apart is its deep emotionality. Capturing the nuances of the performers’ expression, each sample echoes a human approach, making this library a joy to explore.
Spatial Placement
As with many of our other libraries, we created production-ready mixes from the array of microphones used in the session. The near signal provides a very intimate and frontal sound, while the far mics provide a more diffuse sound.
Instrument placement offers three flexible options. The first, “In-Situ,” places each instrument in the natural position of a traditional string quartet. For more creative control, our innovative Custom Position feature lets you place any instrument anywhere on stage – further back, closer to the front, or even opposite its original position. This allows you to double instruments in different positions to expand the ensemble, or place them center stage for solos.
We’ve also included a center stereo option for those who want to minimize natural panning with the On Place setting. This makes it easy to use your DAW’s reverb and pan tools to seamlessly blend an instrument with other libraries, giving you maximum control over the final sound.
Instruments
We were delighted to once again collaborate with our first chamber ensemble players, Behind String Formations: Andra Vornicu (violin), Rebecca Stubbs (viola), and Matthew Phillips (cello). Thanks to their exceptional talent and growing experience working with us in the sampling field, we have developed a strong collaborative relationship, bringing a unique synergy to the creation of sounds in this library.
- Solo violin, viola and cello
- 9 articulations per instrument (27 total), including two legato types
- 3 microphone positions (near, middle, far)
- Advanced Smart Legato performance engine
- Flexible instrument placement (In Situ, Custom Position and Stereo Centre)
- Full NKS support: works with Komplete Kontrol hardware
- Works in the free Kontakt Player (version 6.7.1 and above)
