- Publisher: Sound Dust
- Product: Wurlitzer Toolkit
- Release: ohsie
- Version: iNTERNAL
- Requirements: Kontakt v6.7 or higher
Let’s be honest, the world might not need another electric piano library. But at Sound Dust, our ethos is about pushing beyond the expected, taking beloved instruments and… well, doing new things to them. Sometimes loving things, sometimes maybe not-so-loving things, all in the pursuit of unique sonic character.
Introducing the Sound Dust Wurlitzer Toolkit. Yes, it originates from that iconic electric piano sound, carrying the memory and melancholic charm of a Wurlitzer. But this is different. It functions like an electric piano, but sheds the usual baggage, offering instead a palette of organic textures, mellow cinematic moods, and otherworldly gorgeousness that’s distinctly its own. Forget pristine perfection; embrace character, edge, and a touch of beautiful weirdness.
If you’re seeking sounds that hint at nostalgia but live firmly in the realm of cool, edgy, and unique sound design, this could be your new secret weapon. And the best part? This toolkit is available as a completely free download.
The Source: A Wurlitzer with Provenance (and Quirks)
Not all Wurlitzers are created equal. This isn’t just any sampled e-piano; it’s a specific, characterful Wurlitzer 200, a rare and wonderful beast from the more ‘organic’ end of the spectrum. This particular instrument belongs to the incredibly talented Mikey Rowe, keyboard player for Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds and formerly of Sheryl Crow and Oasis fame. You’ve likely heard its unique voice on records by all of them.
What makes it even more special? It features the rare tremolo speed modification, allowing it to achieve undulating effects most Wurlis can only dream of. We captured this unique instrument, warts and all, as the foundation for something far beyond a simple emulation.
Four Ways We Lovingly Misused a Classic
The Wurlitzer Toolkit isn’t just one instrument; it’s four distinct personalities born from creatively misusing Mikey Rowe’s Wurli, each poured into an expanded version of our powerful DRIFT engine:
1. BAD WURLITZER:
We took the pristine signal and pushed it through the gloriously terrible live pitch-shifting algorithm of a vintage AKAI MPC 100. Pitched downwards, something magical happens – it sounds crunchy, lo-fi, and strangely wonderful. Explore 12 velocity layers ranging from a full octave down up to a subtle semitone shift.
2. CHAOTIC WURLITZER:
Embracing the unique tremolo mod, we recorded samples while manually wiggling the tremolo speed knobs in real-time. The result? Three velocity layers where every single note possesses its own uniquely evolving wobble – speeding up, slowing down, pulsing erratically. Perfect for unpredictable textures and organic movement.
3. FUZZY WURLITZER:
Things get gorgeously brutal here. Each note was meticulously recorded through the Dust Cloud Drive pedal, a stunning custom fuzz pedal built by SzCz using salvaged vintage parts based on the legendary Arbiter Fuzz Face circuit. Expect warm saturation, gritty textures, and harmonically rich distortion.
4. GOOD WURLITZER:
Okay, we had to include a ‘proper’ version too! Seven pristine velocity layers recorded straight into high-quality preamps capture the fundamental character of Mikey’s Wurli. But even here, expect the Sound Dust touch – featuring ‘interesting’ loops that add subtle life and avoid sterile perfection.
The Expanded DRIFT Engine: Your Sound Design Hub
Each of these four Wurlitzer personalities lives within an expanded version of our versatile DRIFT engine for Kontakt, offering deep control for sculpting your own unique sounds:
- FX Switches: Instantly trigger different effect chains unique to each snapshot (preset). These are wired for dynamic performance via the GUI switches or MIDI key switches, with the Mod Wheel often controlling movement and intensity.
- Morphing EQ: A powerful equalizer with 100 curated presets. Seamlessly morph between EQ settings to create evolving tonal landscapes.
- Morphing ADSR: Shape the amplitude envelope with incredible flexibility using 100 ADSR presets, allowing you to morph between different contours for dynamic variation.
- Convolution Reverb: Go beyond standard reverb algorithms with 70 custom, unique impulse responses, ranging from realistic spaces to characterful ambiences and abstract textures.
- DRIFT Control: Dial in that sought-after vintage instability. Introduce subtle (or not-so-subtle) tape-like pitch burble and flutter for an authentic analog feel.
- Dual Tremolo: Two tremolo engines wired in series allow for the creation of complex, evolving rhythmic pulses and throbbing textures far beyond the standard Wurlitzer tremolo.
Find Your Unique Voice
The Sound Dust Wurlitzer Toolkit is designed for producers, composers, and sound designers looking for sounds that inspire. It delivers textures that feel familiar yet novel, blending organic warmth with cinematic potential and a touch of melancholic charm. It’s perfect for adding unique character to scores, creating atmospheric beds, crafting lo-fi melodies, or simply exploring sound beyond the ordinary.
What’s Inside?
- 4 Core Kontakt Instruments (BAD, CHAOTIC, FUZZY, GOOD Wurlitzer)
- Requires FULL Version of Kontakt 6.7.1 or above (Not compatible with the free Kontakt Player)
- 220 Diverse Snapshots (Presets) showcasing the toolkit’s potential
- 1.4 GB Uncompressed WAV Samples
- A healthy dose of Sound Dust weirdness and charm
Ready to explore the stranger side of a classic? Download the Free Wurlitzer Toolkit!