Soundpaint have announced the release of the latest update to their free software sampling platform. Promising to enable composers, producers and performers to play sampled instruments with more realism than ever before, Soundpaint 2.5 offers a selection of new features and enhancements that greatly expand its versatility.
Legato
The headline feature of the update is the inclusion of the second generation of the company’s Hyper-Acoustic Legato technology, which now extends to the full range of orchestral instruments and choirs. Users are now able to take advantage of polyphonic legato when playing sustained instruments without the phasing artefacts that can be introduced by alternative legato technologies. The results are said to deliver unrivalled levels of expression, resulting in a greater connection between player and instrument.
Keyswitches & Expression
Keyswitching functionality has also been improved, with a new Multi-Note switching mode allowing users to combine different keyswitches for greater control and enhanced expressive playing, whilst a new Parts Randomizer function aims to provide instant inspiration by combining parts from different instruments to offer up new and innovative sounds.
A feature unique to Soundpaint is its ability to upscale the resolution of velocity layers for any instrument, regardless of how many were originally sampled. A new Velocity Zoom feature expands on that capability, allowing users to “zoom in” and generate even more detail within a chosen velocity range, adding additional expressive control in a range that they feel an instrument performs at its best.
Other Improvements
In addition to the new features, the update also brings with it a number of improvements and enhancements that aim to make the software the fastest and most intuitive sampling platform available. The number of available parts when designing an instrument has been increased from four to eight, and a new visual keyboard with easy labelling has been implemented. The browser system has also been improved, making it easier to search and discover new sounds.
Compatibility
Soundpaint 2.5 is supported on PCs running Windows 10 or later, and Macs running macOS 10.14 and above. VST2, VST3 and AU plug-in versions are currently available, with an AAX version in development, and there is also a standalone application. The Mac version is natively compatible with Apple’s M1 and M2 processors.
Availability
Soundpaint 2.5 is available to download now from the Soundpaint website. The sampling engine is free, and nearly all of the 120+ instruments currently available are priced at $50 or less.
