New Bunker Samples Off-World Vol. 1 – A Pitch Bend Compendium

New virtual instrument based on an ancient Vietnamese instrument, the Dan Bau (monochord).

Off World Vol. 1 is a new virtual instrument from sample library developer Bunker Samples, based on an ancient Vietnamese instrument, the Dan Bau (monochord). However, it is not a traditional sample library in any sense. Instead, it uses the Dan Bau performed in an unconventional way (bowed, rather than plucked) as a sound source to create an instrument that can only exist in the virtual domain.

The real Dan Bau features a bamboo handle that controls the pitch of a long metal string, which invites expressive pitch bending. For volume 1 a comprehensive set of pitch bends into target notes was sampled. These were then processed through an octave generator, distortion, and reverb, and the result is a huge and bold sound reminiscent of the score for Bladerunner 2049, but with a distinctly human touch. 

Each pitch bend was sampled sliding up and down, at 4 different lengths, from 1 to 4 semitones in range. Add in the 4 different bowed lengths of non-bending samples, and every note can be played in 36 different ways. To control all this a bespoke Kontakt engine was developed, which makes it fun and intuitive to play. 

Off-World Vol. 1 features a number of sound designed patches, but also comes with all the raw, un-processed samples mapped in the engine. It contains 4212 samples, is 12,2 GB lossless compressed size and requires the full version of Native Instruments Kontakt 5.6.6 or later – it will not work in the free Kontakt Player. 

It is available now with introductory pricing of $29 (rrp $39) until November 20, 2020 – More Info.

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