SAMPLING MEETS MODELING, AGAIN & AGAIN
 
 
Our second major update is now available to download!

Free for existing users of V1, VWinds Clarinets V2 builds on the solid foundations of the first version, with huge improvements across the board. We went back to the sample level and redesigned everything from the ground up, improving the tone, realism, depth and expressivity of the sound, as well as adding a wealth of new features! V2 Clarinets is our first library to feature a playable slow glissando, which is as easy to perform live as it is when programming with the mouse.

Other new features include a brand new virtual space, based on the award-winning acoustics of the Stoller Hall, control over the note releases, new updates to the vibrato engine, and many others! We've also included brand new Presets, in the same format as the update to the Double Reeds library, which will help speed up workflow. These Presets are designed for various set-ups, such as 'Symphony Orchestra', 'Close & Dry', and even options like 'Woodwind Ensemble' which will match up with other VWinds libraries.

Even with the v2 additions, our library remains incredibly compact, weighing in at only 1.1Gb download size, whilst still delivering the same responsiveness, playability and realism as all other VSeries libraries.

Included in the Clarinets bundle are the following instruments: 2 B-flat clarinets, 2 Bass clarinets, 1 E-flat clarinet, 1 A clarinet, 1 Basset horn and 1 Contrabass clarinet, each performed by different world-class musicians. The two versions of the B-flat and Bass are separately recorded individual instruments, to offer variety of tone and colour.

Like the rest of the VSeries, our core goal was to make these instruments easy to use right out of the box, without the need for key switches or multiple CCs, and controllable with just the air flow. For this library we went as far as to improve the airflow control itself, in what we believe was a world first in any sample library. We examined in detail the link between air and pitch, and incorporated our findings into this library. The result is an added layer of realism, which will be heard and identified by those with trained ears, but 'felt' by everyone.
 
Thanks to our work on a hybrid technology blending recorded samples with modeling techniques, we were able to put into these Clarinets the very best of both worlds: impeccable, authentic-sounding instruments, which are easily and immediately playable.
The VWinds Clarinets also employ H.A.T. (our proprietary Harmonic Alignment Technology). This leading technology allows for a hyper-accurate reproduction of the timbre of each instrument, covering the full dynamic range across every articulation, combined with highly customizable, beautifully expressive performance techniques, such as legato transitions and vibrato.
 
The combination of real recorded samples with modeling techniques means that VWinds Clarinets weighs in at only ~100Mb per instrument (retina graphics and presets included), while truly sounding like a real live instrument being recorded with all of its imperfections, alongside fully continuous response with unparalleled playability.
 
We are confident in saying that to our ears, and hopefully yours too, VWinds Clarinets are the most realistic and easy-to-use instruments of their kind available today.
 
 
 
 
 
Here are a few performances from real musicians compared to MIDI performances created using VWinds Clarinets (and used for our demos).
We left them very dry intentionally so that you can hear every detail.
 
Info - Instrument Real performance VWinds Clarinets
Bass Clarinet 1 V2 - Improvisation
Bass Clarinet 1 V2 - Rabaud, Solo de concert
Eb Clarinet V2 - Mozart, Clarinet Concerto (iii)
Bass Clarinet 2 V2 - Bach, Cello suite n°1
Bb Clarinet 1 V2 - Mozart, Clarinet Concerto (i)
Bb Clarinet 1 V2 - Prokofiev, Peter and the wolf
Bb Clarinet 1 V2 - Autumn leaves
Bass Clarinet 2 V2 - Improvisation
A Clarinet V2 - Mozart, Clarinet Concerto (ii)
A Clarinet V2 - Improvisation
Basset Horn V2 - Improvisation
on Kovacs, Hommage à Bach
Basset Horn V2 - Improvisation
Eb Clarinet V2 - G. Marks and S. SImons, All of me
Contrabass Clarinet V2 - Improvisation



The VWinds Clarinets V2 interface

Bb Clarinet

Bass Clarinet

Eb Clarinet

A Clarinet

Basset Horn

Contrabass Clarinet

Mix

Virtual Space

Preferences
8-Instrument Bundle

VWinds Clarinets contains 8 instruments:
2 B-flat clarinets, 2 Bass clarinets, 1 E-flat clarinet, 1 A clarinet, 1 Basset Horn and 1 Contrabass clarinet.

We recorded two of the more commonly used clarinets (B-flat and Bass) to offer a variety of tone and colour, but the E-flat, A, and even the Basset Horn could be employed as a 'general clarinet' sound for certain projects. If there's one clarinet in particular you liked the sound of, and would like to purchase it individually, the links below will direct you to the individual instrument page:

VWinds Bb Clarinet - VWinds A Clarinet - VWinds Eb Clarinet - VWinds basset Horn - VWinds Bass Clarinet - VWinds Contrabass Clarinet

The H.A.T. - Airflow Control

Thanks to our proprietary H.A.T. (Harmonic Alignment Technology), VWinds Clarinets is not just another heavily multisampled instrument - you can play articulations yourself just like a live player would, using only a MIDI controller (or even by simply drawing the automation in!). There are no complicated keyswitches involved to play staccatos or fast legatos or anything else - it's just a case of playing it live as you think it should sound.

Simply play a note, adjust the air flow, and that's it! Vibrato is automated by default, but this can be customized or even just controlled manually.

Authentic Vibrato

We carefully measured the different parameters that change when a player uses vibrato, and we combined everything into a hyper-realistic and extremely adjustable vibrato, specifically tailored for each instrument.

There are multiple ways to control the vibrato: automatic, automatic depending on time, and completely manually. Vibrato can also be replicated to an extent by using just the air flow, in order to replicate the diaphragm movement of a live musician.

Legato Transitions

We spent considerable time and effort carefully extracting every minor detail of recorded transitions in order to give a variety of customizable legato transitions, and to help make the Clarinets as indistinguishable as possible from a live performance.

These transitions range from lightning-fast changes to extremely slow bends, with and without extra attack. We made sure to cover all of this, and you’ll see that this is all controllable in the interface. The legato behavior can even be randomized to help give a more human-like performance.

The legato transitions are based on real recorded transitions, but if you prefer a synthetic sound for particular projects, you have the option to choose fully-modelled transitions as well.

 

Multi-Microphone Recording

Recording a woodwind instrument can be done in various ways and at different positions. We used 3 different microphone positions to offer a variety of sounds whilst maintaining the crystalline sound of our VSeries instruments.

Various microphone positions can produce even better results when using the "virtual space”, detailed below, where there are 4 options for microphone configurations.

You can also apply reverb and EQ within the interface to prepare the sound to your taste before even starting with external plug-ins.

Virtual Space

The virtual space perfectly reproduces what a real recording of an ensemble would be, using convolution.

When recording an orchestra, a pair of microphones is usually placed in front of the musicians and they naturally take position in the stereo field depending on where they are in the room.

The Virtual Space does exactly the same thing: you can place the musician wherever you like on a big stage.

When using this with multiple tracks, you immediately have the feeling of being in front of a real woodwind section.

Our default space for V2 is based on recordings from the award-winning Stoller Hall.

Advanced Editing

There are an endless number of ways to play a woodwind instrument, and we had to make a careful choice on the default settings based on our interaction with world-class players, but many of the options can be customized to your taste.

Furthermore, most settings can be randomized for more human-like and unpredictable results.

Formant control / Microtuning / Volume adjustment

VWinds is already highly customizable, but to add even more variety, each harmonic of the sound can be adjusted.

For even more versatility, the pitch and volume of every note is adjustable, meaning the instrument can be completely tailored to your needs.

Keyboard, Breath Controller, Wind Controller and MPE support

VWinds can be played using a keyboard by selecting the notes on the keyboard and controlling the air flow with a MIDI controller, such as a modulation wheel or a breath controller.

You can also use a wind controller like an EWI, an Aerophone, a Sylphyo or any other brand - in order to do this the appropriate controller must be selected from the controller menu in the MIDI section.

Ensemble

If multiple instruments are loaded at the same time, their notes will be performed at exactly at the same time.

We added some smart features that can change the timbre of the instruments, transpose everything by a fixed interval and also act on the MIDI performance.

For example, you can have all 8 instruments with a different transposition value playing the same C minor scale, so no matter what you play on the keyboard, it will sound in key.

Sample player
VWinds Clarinets comes with its own sample player, the UVI Workstation 3 (requires v3.1.6 or later).
We provide it for free with every library that you buy, you don't need to buy an expensive sampler to use our products. It works on Mac (10.14 or later intel or arm processor) and PC (windows 10 or later), in standalone or as a plugin (VST / VST3 / AU / AAX ) and in 64 bits only. You can find more info about it here.
Technical description

UVI Workstation v3.1.15 is required for the library to function properly, the VWinds Clarinets will not work on windows XP, or OSX 10.6, it will not work on a receptor either.

1.5Gb compressed in lossless flac format (190Mb for the A clarinet, 190Mb for the Eb clarinet, 350Mb for both bass clarinets, 190Mb for the basset horn, 400Mb for both Bb clarinets and 170Mb for the contrabass clarinet).

Copy Protection
We use the iLok system to protect our products and you can choose to register your license to your computer or to an iLok dongle.
If you decide to use an iLok dongle, both V1 and V2 are compatible with our products.
You can activate your license on up to 3 computers or iLok dongles at the same time and you can deactivate one and activate another as many times as you want.
Registration
Once your order is complete, you will be provided with a serial number.

You will then be able to register it to your iLok account from our website on this page (you need to be logged in to access this page). The whole process is described in the FAQ (instructions + screencast).
Video Reviews/Demos

Demo by Juulu: https://youtube.com/@JuulusMusic?si=Kwv7PGgxaMfzpPMB

 

Demo by ManyWorldsMusic: https://youtube.com/@ManyWorldsMusic?si=qgi8ZR8GEvUAfpXV

Review by Mikael Baggström: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI54GV92rAlmfg1xGpT7Smw

 

Demo by k-strike: https://youtube.com/@k-strike8705?si=7Fgix4uUzHKHPSb3

 

Demo by Leandro Gardini: www.leandrogardini.com

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