- Publisher: XPERIMENTA Audio
- Product: Preparato Guitar
- Release: ViP Team
- Requirements: Kontakt v6.6.1+
The XPERIMENTA Audio Preparato Guitar represents a significant advancement in the realm of sampled guitar instruments. As the third installment in the Preparato Series, this Kontakt library pushes the boundaries of what’s possible with guitar sampling, offering an unprecedented level of sonic exploration and control. By combining meticulous acoustic sampling with innovative digital processing, Preparato Guitar provides composers and producers with a versatile toolkit for creating unique, organic textures and evolving soundscapes.
Key Features
Comprehensive Guitar Sampling
Preparato Guitar encompasses three distinct guitar types, each offering its own tonal characteristics:
- Acoustic Guitar
- Classical (Nylon-String) Guitar
- Electric Guitar
Extensive Preparation Techniques
The library features 32 unique preparations across the three guitar types, including:
Acoustic Guitar Preparations:
- Sustain (Pick and Finger)
- Harmonics
- Angelic Damped
- Muted
- Various Mallet Techniques (Soft, Metal, Mellat Bouncing)
- Bending
- Koto-style
- Particle Textures
- Unconventional Tools (Pen, Felt Pads)
- Sitar-inspired Tones
- Bowed Techniques (Staccato, Sustain, Harmonics)
- EBow
Classical Guitar Preparations:
- Sustain Finger
- Muted
- Pencil and Paper Techniques
- Metal Mallet (Standard and Bouncing)
- Soft Mallet
- Harmonics
Electric Guitar Preparations:
- Sustain Pick
- Angelic Damped
- Pen Techniques
- Tremolo Waves
- Particle Textures
- Dual Guitar Sustain
- EBow (Standard and Echo Waves)
Advanced Acoustic Modular Engine
The heart of Preparato Guitar is its newly updated Acoustic Modular Engine, which offers:
- Granular synthesis capabilities
- Flexible modulation options
- Customizable envelope shaping
- Integrated effects processing
This engine allows for deep sound design possibilities, enabling users to craft complex, evolving textures from the sampled material.
High-Fidelity Recording Process
XPERIMENTA Audio employed a meticulous recording methodology to capture the nuances of each preparation:
- Multiple microphone techniques (close, XY stereo, ribbon)
- Premium signal path (Neve and handcrafted Argentini preamps)
- Carefully selected amplifiers and effects for electric guitar recordings
Intuitive User Interface
The Kontakt interface for Preparato Guitar has been designed for both efficiency and depth:
- Easy navigation between guitar types and preparations
- Clear visualization of modulation and effects parameters
- Quick access to key sound-shaping controls
Technical Specifications and System Requirements
Audio Specifications:
- Sample Rate: 48 kHz
- Bit Depth: 24-bit
- Number of Samples: Over 15,000
- Library Size: Approximately 12 GB (compressed)
System Requirements:
- Full version of Native Instruments Kontakt 6.7.1 or higher
- Operating System:
- macOS 10.14 or later
- Windows 10 (latest Service Pack, 64-bit only)
- CPU: Intel Core i5 or equivalent AMD processor (i7 or higher recommended)
- RAM: 8 GB minimum (16 GB or more recommended)
- Hard Drive: SSD recommended for optimal performance
Supported Formats:
- Kontakt Player (limited functionality)
- Full version of Kontakt 6.7.1 or higher
The Technology Behind Preparato Guitar
Advanced Sampling Techniques
Preparato Guitar employs a combination of traditional multisampling and more experimental techniques:
- Round-Robin Sampling: Multiple takes of each articulation are recorded to avoid the “machine-gun effect” when playing repeated notes.
- Velocity Layering: Each preparation is captured at multiple dynamic levels, allowing for natural-sounding transitions between soft and loud playing.
- True Legato: Where applicable, the transitions between notes are sampled to provide realistic note connections.
- Continuous Controllers: Many preparations allow for real-time control over various parameters, such as bow pressure or mallet intensity.
The Acoustic Modular Engine
The proprietary Acoustic Modular Engine (AME) is the cornerstone of Preparato Guitar’s flexibility:
- Granular Synthesis: The AME can break down the sampled material into micro-segments, allowing for the creation of evolving textures and drones.
- Modulation Matrix: Users can assign various modulation sources (LFOs, envelopes, MIDI CCs) to virtually any parameter within the engine.
- Spectral Processing: The engine includes tools for manipulating the harmonic content of the samples, enabling radical timbral transformations.
- Convolution Effects: Integrated convolution processing allows for the application of realistic spaces and creative sound design.
Signal Flow and Processing
The signal path within Preparato Guitar is designed for maximum flexibility:
- Sample Playback → 2. Granular/Spectral Processing → 3. Modulation → 4. Effects → 5. Output
This modular approach allows users to craft complex sounds by manipulating the audio at various stages of the signal flow.
Conclusion
XPERIMENTA Audio’s Preparato Guitar represents a significant advancement in the field of sampled guitar instruments. By combining meticulous acoustic sampling with powerful digital processing capabilities, it offers composers and sound designers an unprecedented level of control and creativity.
The library’s 32 unique preparations across three guitar types provide a vast sonic palette, while the advanced Acoustic Modular Engine allows for deep sound manipulation and design. From subtle organic textures to complex, evolving soundscapes, Preparato Guitar is capable of producing an extraordinary range of timbres that extend far beyond traditional guitar sounds.
For composers working in film, television, game audio, or experimental music, Preparato Guitar offers a wealth of inspiration and practical tools. Its ability to blur the line between acoustic and electronic sound sources makes it an invaluable asset for creating distinctive, emotive textures that can elevate any production.
As the third installment in the Preparato Series, this library demonstrates XPERIMENTA Audio’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of sampled instruments. By reimagining the guitar as a source for unconventional sounds and textures, Preparato Guitar opens up new avenues for musical expression and sound design.