- Publisher: Pulse Audio
- Product: Liikkuva
- Release: ViP Team
- Version: 1.1
- Requirements: Kontakt v5.8.1 or later
Liikkuva is a specialized string texture sample library designed to capture the distinctive sonic landscape of Scandinavian crime drama soundtracks. The name, pronounced “Lee Koo Vah,” reflects the library’s Nordic inspiration, drawing from the atmospheric music heard in shows like The Killing, Wallander, and Bordertown.
Unique Recording Approach
The library was meticulously crafted with several unique characteristics:
Orchestra Composition
Unlike traditional string libraries, Liikkuva deliberately omits violas from its ensemble. This intentional choice creates a more distinctive sound profile by:
- Removing the mid-range frequencies typically filled by violas
- Producing a silkier, more ethereal string texture
- Emphasizing a sound with a “boomy bottom and airy top”
Recording Environment
The strings were recorded in a beautiful church in Zagreb, Croatia, which provided an exceptional acoustic space. This location allowed for capturing rich, organic sound with natural reverberation.
Microphone Techniques
One of Liikkuva’s standout features is its comprehensive microphone approach. The library offers three distinct microphone positions:
- Close Microphones: Capture intricate, detailed string performances
- Mid Microphones: Provide a balanced sound
- Far Microphones: Offer a more ambient, spacious recording
Articulation Variety
Liikkuva provides an impressive range of string articulations, divided into high and low string categories. These articulations are designed to create movement, evolution, and emotional depth. Some notable techniques include:
Ethereal Techniques
- Harmonics: Produces bell-like, high-pitched tones
- Molto Flautando: Creates a soft, flute-like, whispery sound
- Sul Tasto: Generates a soft, muted tone by bowing over the fingerboard
Dramatic Techniques
- Sirens: Smooth pitch glides mimicking wailing sounds
- Molto Sul Pont Tremolo: A sharp, metallic trembling effect
- Ricochet Soundscape: Bouncing bow techniques for dynamic textures
Interface Design
The library features a minimalist, user-friendly interface with controls for:
- Microphone position selection
- Reverb length and mix
- Dynamic layer crossfading
- Sustained and release sample attack/decay times
- A “Random Start” button to introduce natural variations
Sonic Characteristics
Liikkuva aims to sonically represent the Scandinavian landscape: cold, bleak, yet hauntingly beautiful. The sounds are described as:
- Organic and raw
- Soft and delicate
- Silky with an icy tone
- Capable of expressing both cold, sharp emotions and warm, shimmering atmospheres
Ideal Use Cases
The library is particularly well-suited for:
- Modern drama soundtracks
- Minimalist compositional styles
- Score work requiring intimate, evolving string textures
- Projects needing a distinctly Nordic musical aesthetic
Liikkuva represents a specialized tool for composers and sound designers seeking to capture the unique emotional and sonic landscape of Scandinavian audiovisual storytelling.