BUNKER STRINGS VOL. 1

 $59  

(Ex. VAT)

Bunker String turns established norms of sampling upside down, to give you full control over an exciting array of unique articulations. A secret weapeon of many media composers, it has been used on the soundtrack of countless shows like “Shadown and Bone”, “The witcher” (Joseph Trapanese) and “Dickinson” (Drum & Lace, Ian Hultquist) to name a few. Vol. 1 is focused on contemporary pointillistic textures, from shimmering beauty to scary mayhem, Bunker Strings Vol. 1 is sure to inspire you and give your string writing a unique sound.

This library pairs really well with Bunker Strings Vol. 2. 

THIS LIBRARY COMES WITH THE BONUS LIBRARY GONGSTER LOOPS (ONLY AVAILABLE WITH PURCHASE)

"...I enjoyed these samples and found them to be an inspiring alternative to conventional string collections — it’s good to know something positive can come out of a bunker!"

A new approach to string textures

Conceived and recorded deep underground in a World War II bunker in Copenhagen, Bunker Strings Vol. 1 is a collection of eclectic, modern and highly playable string textures and extended techniques, that will add a new sonic palette to your arsenal. Featuring violins, violas, cellos, basses and a full ensemble patch playing innovative textural techniques such as drumstick tremolo, as well as some incredibly tight and aggressive col legno shorts, this library will inspire your creativity and add a modern edge to your string writing. It’s designed to easily blend with your existing strings sounds thanks to the excellent dry recording quality and useful sound shaping controls directly on the interface. From soft, shimmering beauty to loud and bombastic, Bunker Strings is the perfect addition to any film, game and TV composer’s toolkit. 

The density slider

Bunker Strings represents a new way of thinking about string texture sampling, because it lets you create dynamics and textural changes by literally changing the ensemble size on the fly with the density slider. This technique is only possible through the power of sampling, making this library a true virtual instrument in it’s own right, one that lets you add life and shape to normally static textures. All the longs articulations are available in normal and extra dense versions, giving you the versatility to use the library in anything from a chamber piece to an epic trailer. The combination patches takes this concept a step further, letting you seamlessly morph from one texture into another.

Hear the density slider in action:

powerful shorts

Bunker Strings also features short col legno notes, a very popular sound in film music. Normally played by tapping the strings with the wood of the bow, we went for a drumstick instead! The result is crisp and tight shorts that can go from soft and ticking along in the background, to a massive, thunderous “whack it as hard as you can”. They add instant punch to your rhythmic writing, and blends really well with your existing string libraries, thanks to the dry recording space and useful controls for stereo image right on the interface. Best of all, the density slider also works on the shorts, letting you go from 3 to 9 players pr note.

modern textures

Bunker Strings is not a normal string library! The concept is unique and the sounds are raw and gritty, but can also be delicate and beautiful – and above all, this is a texture library you can actually play like an instrument. If you’re looking to spice up your string writing and add a distinct modern edge to your sound arsenal, this is the library for you. As one of the demo writers summarised it: “insta-Jonny Greenwood”. 

try the freebie

The original prototype for Bunker Strings, “Scary Viola Pizz”, is available free of charge and with no limitations, so you can try the concept before you buy. It has a very limited range compared to the full version. Download from here. 

Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 – what’s the difference?

In short, while they share the same concept and philosophy, and was recorded in the same way, in the same room, there is no overlap between them in terms of sounds and articulations.

The longs in Vol. 1 are all pointilistic in nature, many short notes coming together to form long notes, and are all non-bowed except for the ricochet tremolo. By contrast, the longs in Vol. 2 are all bowed and more sustained in nature. There is just one pointilistic articulation in Vol. 2: the plectrum tremolo.

The shorts in Vol. 1 can replace any traditional Col Legno when you are looking for more power, while the shorts in Vol. 2 can replace any traditional pizzicato, when you want more clarity and bite. The strummed non-tonal shorts in Vol. 2 are great as a percussive, driving element.

NEW IN the latest update

• The bass ricochet tremolo that was missing from the initial release has been recorded and added.
• The previous 78 patches have been consolidated down to just 11: a longs and a shorts patch for each instrument (including ensemble) and the bonus synth sounds are now also in a single patch. Select the articulation you want with GUI buttons or key switches.
• No more having to load a different patch to switch between the normal and dense versions of an articulation. It’s now a switch on the GUI.
• Auto purge for the multi articulation patches: use only the RAM needed for the currently selected articulation.
• Auto fade for the shorts: automatically stop any previously played notes or chords still ringing out any time you play a new note or chord. Cuts down on voice count and is more realistic.
• And last but not least a more modern looking, easy to use GUI.

 INSTRUMENTS

• Violins (3 to 9 players)
• Violas (3 to 9 players)
• Cellos (3 to 9 players)
• Basses (3 to 9 players)
• Full Ensemble

ARTICULATIONS

• Drumstick shorts (power col legno) with 3 dynamic layers and 4 round robbins.
• Drumstick tremolo
• Soft pizz tremolo
• Loud pizz tremolo
• Ricochet tremolo
• Combination patches:
  • Soft into loud pizz
  • Pizz into drumstick trem
  • Pizz into ricochet trem
• Bonus patches: 7 different sound design patches