Hi all, My name is Andrew Aversa. I'm a world music aficionado, composer and co-founder of Impact Soundworks, a sample library developer. We specialize in recording unusual, unique and custom instruments, then editing the results and releasing them for use in Kontakt format by composers and producers all around the world. We've recorded instruments like the North Indian sitar, Japanese koto, and most recently, an 8-string acoustic bouzouki crafted by Antonis "Larisseos" Theodorou.
My personal goal in doing this isn't to try to replace live musicians in any way, but rather to give people access to beautiful instruments and sounds that are normally difficult to obtain (or, difficult to find skilled players). The bouzouki is one such instrument. I have always really loved its sound, but finding someone in my area (Baltimore) who can play one skillfully is a challenge.
Here's a video of this sampled instrument in action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qvmlr2iGLgw
What are your thoughts? Do you find the sound realistic? Would you use it for your own songs, perhaps for sketching or writing purposes before recording your own instrument?
I also wanted to ask this community what sort of instruments you might like to see recorded for future libraries. Dimitris Plagiannis, creator of this bouzouki sample library, has already recorded an electric version which is even more unusual. Are there any other mandolin-type instruments that are rare, unique or hard to find? Perhaps one of you has one that you might be interested in sharing!
Thanks in advance for your thoughts
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