Crotalinae – Discover the Sound of Ancient Cymbals in Your DAW
Looking for a unique percussive sound capable of adding depth, mystery, or sophistication to your musical works? Introducing Crotalinae – a virtual instrument from Alan ViSTa that reproduces the rich and sonorous sound of crotales, also known as ancient chromatic cymbals. This plugin is not just a sampler; it’s a bridge to an instrument with a long history, now easily integrated into your modern workflow.
Crotalinae is ideal for composers, sound designers, and musicians seeking to expand their sound palette beyond standard drums and percussion. Its clear, metallic tone can perfectly complement film soundtracks, create atmosphere in ambient tracks, add ethnic color, or become an unexpected “highlight” in any genre – from experimental electronic music to jazz and classical music.
What are crotales and their place in music?
Crotales are a group of small, tuned metal discs (cymbals) that produce a clear, resonating ring when struck with a stick or when two discs collide. Unlike regular untuned cymbals, crotales are arranged in a chromatic scale, allowing for the playing of melodies and harmonies. They have deep roots in history, dating back to antiquity, and subsequently found their place in classical orchestral music (for example, in the works of Debussy or Ravel), jazz, and modern percussion.
Their unique sound – something between bells and ringing cymbals – gives music a special transparency and “magic.” Using Crotalinae allows you to access this instrument without having to have a physical set of crotales, which is a significant advantage for studio work and live performances.
Crotalinae Plugin Overview
The Crotalinae plugin is based on a high-quality library of 25 stereo samples recorded in 24-bit format. These samples come from the reputable public library of Electronic Music Studios at the University of Iowa, known for its high-quality sound resources. The use of stereo samples adds volume and realism to the sound, and their distribution across the keyboard with appropriate stereo positioning creates a feeling of natural space, as if the instrument is right in front of you.
The plugin’s interface is simple and intuitive, providing the musician with key parameters for shaping the sound of the crotales for the specific needs of the composition.
Key Features and Capabilities
Crotalinae offers several basic controls that allow you to adapt the sound of the samples:
- 25 stereo 24-bit samples: High-quality recording ensures the clarity and detail of each crotale’s sound.
- Release time: Allows you to control the duration of the sound decay after releasing the key, which is useful for creating different percussive effects – from short hits to longer bells.
- Sustain level: Affects how long the sound is sustained while the key is pressed, providing additional control over the dynamics and length of the notes.
- Amplitude dynamic range control: This control allows you to adjust the plugin’s sensitivity to the speed of pressing the keys (velocity). This allows you to obtain more expressive or, conversely, more uniform dynamics during performance.
- Main volume: General volume control for convenient mixing of the instrument in your project.
Compatibility and Installation
The Crotalinae plugin is designed for maximum compatibility with modern music software. It is available in the two most popular formats:
- VST: Compatible with a vast number of DAWs on Windows platforms (both 32-bit and 64-bit) and MacOS.
- AU (Audio Units): Standard format for MacOS, providing seamless integration with Logic Pro, GarageBand, and other AU-compatible programs.
The process of installing the plugin is usually simple and straightforward, allowing you to quickly add Crotalinae to your virtual instrument library.
Conclusion
Crotalinae from Alan ViSTa is a great tool for those looking for unusual and high-quality percussive sounds. With authentic crotale samples from the University of Iowa, a simple interface, and key sound-shaping functions, this plugin will be a valuable addition to the arsenal of any musician or sound designer. Expand your creative palette and add a unique sparkle to your compositions with Crotalinae!
