Audio Modeling Releases SWAM String Sections

Play realistic sounding strings in real time without using keyswitches

Emulating a large ensembles with samples can work quite well, but switching articulations – that is, samples of different playing techniques – isn’t as organic as when you’re playing the real instruments.

Developers have come up with some very fancy programming to make it more intuitive, but generally you still have to use keyswitches, which means keys at the bottom or top of your keyboard become on-the-fly program change switches. Effective as that is, it’s not as intuitively expressive as, say, blowing harder, or – in the case of strings – changing how you bow.

Audio Modeling, in a couple of incarnations, has been working on eliminating keyswitches for years. Most of their demos are done with either a breath or wind controller, and the real-time expressive control is impressive. But of course you can use other MIDI Continuous Controllers to get the same level of expression.

Previous Audio Modeling releases have been solo instruments. Their latest release is full string sections, which – one would assume – presented some different technical challenges, if for no other reason than that the transitions between notes are even more complex with an ensemble.

We look forward to doing a full review in the near future. SWAM String Sections has some other tricks up its sleeve, which you’ll read about in the following release from Ilio, their North American distributor. – NB

Leading distributor of virtual instruments and audio processing software ILIO and audio plug-in developer Audio Modeling are thrilled to announce SWAM String Sections, a truly innovative suite of four plug-ins, corresponding to the orchestra sections Violins, Violas, Cellos, and Double Basses, and based on Audio Modeling’s exclusive modeling technology.

Learn more here – https://www.ilio.com/swam-string-sections

Pushing Through the Barriers of Sampling

SWAM String Sections are capable of emulating orchestras of various sizes, from small chamber ensembles to large symphonic groups. SWAM technology provides instant access to natural orchestral articulations, and sections can be placed together in a virtual room to achieve authentic, blended acoustics. With real-time control over staccato, legato, expression, and more, it represents a revolution in orchestral arrangement and composition, allowing for seamless transitions between different styles and articulations without disrupting the creative flow.

Room Modeling Technology

The room plays a crucial role in crafting that natural blend of different instruments, so Audio Modeling created the Room Simulator! You can precisely position each section of the orchestra within a virtual room, creating a spatial experience that mirrors reality.

SWAM String Sections feature choices of room size and absorption materials, allowing users to transition seamlessly from a controlled, highly absorbent recording studio to the grandeur of a spacious cathedral. Fine-tune sounds by adjusting the microphone’s proximity, either drawing it closer for intimacy or pushing it farther for a richer reverb effect. With SWAM’s Room Simulator, you can shape your orchestral sound with unmatched precision, from the first touch of the bow on the string to the culmination of sound in your ears.

The Room Simulator can be controlled from any SWAM String Sections plugin in a setup. Whether adjusting section placement, room size, or absorption materials, it’s all controllable within any SWAM String Sections plugin, thanks to the unique seamless communication between individual plugin tracks.

Next Level Production Workflow

– Realistic: Individual section plugins provide separate control of each section’s expressivity, by automating expression, vibrato, bow pressure, and bow position, tremolo, etc.

– Efficient: The creative workflow is not broken by searching for an articulation or the right sample.

– Fast: With physical modeling technology, recreate any musical style, controlling velocity, expression, playing staccato/legato, and experimenting with the sound just by playing.

– Smart: The room simulator communicates between the multiple tracks on the DAW, with a centralized UI to position all sections at once instead of opening each plugin to tweak room settings.

Featured Highlights:

– Comprehensive Suite: SWAM String Sections includes four essential plugins—Violins, Violas, Cellos, and Double Basses.

– Expressive Modeling: Harness the power of physical and behavioral modeling for limitless articulations and musical styles. A first for orchestral ensembles!

– Spatial Control: Take charge of room modeling and section placement, tailoring your desired sound and spatialization. With our Room Simulator, you can choose the room absorption and size and move each section to any position, resulting in an accurate acoustic response based on the geometry and characteristics of the room.

– Creative Workflow: Experience a new, uninterrupted creative workflow. Play and control real-time parameters to achieve the perfect expressive attack, sustain, and articulation, without the need to pause and search for the desired samples in a library.

– Realistic Monophonic Section Programming: Capture the authenticity of a live orchestra by programming each monophonic section individually in your DAW, complete with its unique performance characteristics. Just as real orchestras have sections that play individual parts, SWAM String Sections allows you to replicate this realism in your compositions, thereby avoiding the dreaded “organ” effect when playing chordally. Bringing physical and behavioral modeling to ensembles means not having to compromise on authentic, precise control for orchestral arrangements.

– Seamless Communication: Our String Sections plugins work together harmoniously, allowing seamless management of multiple sections without phase cancellation.

– Orchestral Flexibility: Build your custom orchestra, from small ensembles to grand symphonies. As you add more sections, they intelligently communicate, automatically placing themselves in a user-selected room with anti-phasing settings for exceptional sound quality.

– Musical Freedom: These are incomparable first-of-its-kind instruments that offer unparalleled orchestral sound-shaping possibilities.

About Audio Modeling

Italy based Audio Modeling is a global leader in multi-vector expressive acoustic instrument emulation with a primary focus on instruments that offer continuous input and control by the musician on several dimensions at the same time. Audio Modeling’s purpose and research is aimed at finding solutions to enable the user to overcome the inherent limitations of traditional samples, in addition to developing technological solutions, especially in software, that actively support musicians, composers, and producers in delivering their artistic expression. They are distributed in North America exclusively by ILIO.

Price: $500

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