How to Create Intimate and Emotional Music with Spitfire Audio Olafur Arnalds Composer Toolkit KONTAKT
Spitfire Audio Olafur Arnalds Composer Toolkit KONTAKT: A Review
If you are looking for a unique and inspiring set of tools to create intimate and emotional music, you might want to check out Spitfire Audio Olafur Arnalds Composer Toolkit KONTAKT. This is a collaboration between Spitfire Audio and BAFTA-winning composer Olafur Arnalds, who is known for his blend of organic instruments, loops, and edgy beats. In this article, we will review this library and see what it has to offer.
Spitfire Audio Olafur Arnalds Composer Toolkit KONTAKT
What's included
The library is centered around a 'felted' grand piano that was customised by Olafur after several tests using various strips of felt. This gives the piano a soft and intimate sound that is perfect for delicate and emotional compositions. The piano was recorded in meticulous detail over several days at Olafur's studio in Reykjavik, Iceland, using different microphones and vintage outboard gear. The library offers four unique signals that you can mix and match to create your own sound:
KM84: The pure sound of the small condensers, giving you a tight crisp sound.
Coles: A mono signal below the soundboard, processed through a Roland Space Echo as a LoFi tape simulation for a gritty low end.
Processed: A mix of the KM84s with a pair of C12s, mixed by Olafur into a pair of Pultec EQs, then slammed through a 1178 stereo compressor to give you the distinctive Arnalds sound.
Spaced: A pair of Neumann M50s placed in the corners of the room, capturing the natural ambience and reverb.
But that's not all. The library also includes a comprehensive set of sonic manipulations and progressive synth sounds that were designed with the writer in mind. These are divided into three categories:
Warpeds: These are sounds that were created by manipulating the piano recordings using various effects and techniques, such as granular synthesis, convolution reverb, pitch shifting, filtering, etc. These sounds range from ethereal pads to glitchy textures to cinematic drones.
Syntheds: These are sounds that were created by sampling Olafur's collection of analog synths, such as Juno 60, Moog Voyager, Prophet 08, etc. These sounds are warm and rich, suitable for adding depth and movement to your tracks.
Attackeds: These are sounds that were created by layering the piano recordings with percussive elements, such as drums, shakers, claps, etc. These sounds add rhythm and groove to your tracks.
The library comes with over 300 presets that showcase the versatility and creativity of the library. You can also tweak the sounds using the built-in effects and controls, such as reverb, delay, distortion, EQ, filter, envelope, etc. The library is powered by the Kontakt engine, which means you can use it with any DAW that supports VST, AU, or AAX plugins. The library requires the full version of Kontakt 5.6.8 or higher and takes up about 14 GB of disk space.
How to install and use
Installing and using the library is very easy and straightforward. Here are the steps you need to follow:
Download the library from the Spitfire Audio website or app. You will need to create an account and log in to access the download link.
Unzip the downloaded file and move the folder to your preferred location on your hard drive.
Open Kontakt and click on the "Add Library" button on the left panel. Locate the folder you just moved and click "OK". The library will be added to your Kontakt library browser.
Load any preset from the library by double-clicking on it or dragging it to the rack. You can browse the presets by category or by using the search function.
Play and enjoy! You can adjust the sound using the knobs and sliders on the interface, or use your MIDI controller to control them.
Pros and cons
As with any product, there are pros and cons to consider before buying it. Here are some of the main ones for this library:
Pros
The library offers a unique and inspiring set of sounds that are perfect for creating intimate and emotional music.
The library is very versatile and can be used for various genres and styles, such as ambient, cinematic, indie, pop, etc.
The library is easy to use and comes with a lot of presets that showcase its potential.
The library is powered by Kontakt, which means it is compatible with most DAWs and has a lot of features and options to customize the sound.
The library is a collaboration between Spitfire Audio and Olafur Arnalds, who are both renowned for their quality and creativity in music production.
Cons
The library is quite expensive compared to some other libraries on the market.
The library requires the full version of Kontakt, which is also expensive and not included in the price.
The library takes up a lot of disk space and might be slow to load on some systems.
The library might not suit everyone's taste or needs, especially if you are looking for more traditional or realistic sounds.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Spitfire Audio Olafur Arnalds Composer Toolkit KONTAKT is a great library for anyone who wants to create intimate and emotional music with a unique and inspiring set of sounds. The library offers a lot of versatility and creativity, as well as ease of use and compatibility. The library is a collaboration between Spitfire Audio and Olafur Arnalds, who are both experts in their fields. The only drawbacks are the high price tag, the requirement of Kontakt full version, and the large disk space. However, if you can afford it and appreciate it, this library is definitely worth checking out.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about the library:
Q: How much does the library cost?
A: The library costs $299 USD on the Spitfire Audio website or app. You can also get it as part of the Olafur Arnalds Collection bundle for $499 USD, which includes two other libraries: Olafur Arnalds Chamber Evolutions and Olafur Arnalds Stratus.
Q: Do I need Kontakt to use the library?
A: Yes, you need the full version of Kontakt 5.6.8 or higher to use the library. The free Kontakt Player will not work with this library.
Q: How do I get updates for the library?
A: You can get updates for the library through the Spitfire Audio app or website. You will need to log in to your account and check for updates regularly.
Q: Can I use the library for commercial projects?
A: Yes, you can use the library for commercial projects as long as you follow the terms and conditions of Spitfire Audio's license agreement. You can find more information about this on their website.
Q: Where can I find more information or support for the library?
A: You can find more information or support for the library on the Spitfire Audio website or app. You can also contact their customer service team via email or phone. You can also join their online community and forums, where you can interact with other users and get tips and feedback. dcd2dc6462
