Spitfire Audio have announced the upcoming release of a new choral sample library created in a second collaboration with Grammy-winning composer and conductor Eric Whitacre. Combining samples of 19 world-class singers performing in AIR Studios’ Lyndhurst Hall with the company’s eDNA synthesis engine and Evo Grid interface, Eric Whitacre Contrast aims to surpass the boundaries of traditional choral performances and offer a huge range of experimental sound design possibilities.
Contrast captures 19 members of the Eric Whitacre Singers performing experimental techniques in AIR Studios' Lyndhurst Hall.The library is built around 245 experimental techniques performed by 19 members of the Eric Whitacre Singers comprising five sopranos, five altos, four tenors and five basses. Light and Dark variations of each technique are provided, which offer open and closed vowel sounds respectively, something which the company say offers two contrasting timbres. The techniques themselves exhibit varying shifts in dynamics, tone and pitch, resulting in patches that evolve over time — an effect that ranges from subtle to dramatic.
Contrast is presented in Spitfire’s own player, and comes with three separate GUI options: Standard, Evo Grid and eDNA. Standard mode provides access to the samples much in the way you’d expect, mapping sounds along the keyboard and offering a selection of switchable articulations. A Scale Mode feature allows users to select any of the seven diatonic modes (or build their own scale) and will intelligently select samples that conform to that scale, and create velocity splits that allow wider intervals to be triggered by higher velocities.
The Evo Grid, which features in a number of the company’s libraries, then makes it possible to layer different techniques and map them across the keyboard to create complex, evolving patches. Evo Grid patches can be created manually from scratch, but the library also comes loaded with a set of pre-made configurations, as well as a Feeling Lucky button, which will generate a random combination.
The eDNA mode then utilises a synthesis engine that provide keen sound designers with a huge variety of processing and effects capabilities, allowing the core samples to be transformed into electronic synth-style soundscapes. 24 Warp and 92 synth presets are provided, including a selection of presets created by three guest artists: Oscar-nominated composer Ryan Lott (Son Lux), Clark, and Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith.
We reviewed the first Eric Whitacre library in SOS February 2019, click here to take a look.
Compatibility
Eric Whitacre Contrast runs in Spitfire’s own plug-in, which is available in VST2, VST3, AU and AAX formats. The download size for the library is 66GB.
Pricing & Availability
Eric Whitacre Contrast is available to pre-order now for a discounted price of, $239£199 including VAT / €219, reduced from $299£249 including VAT / €279. It will be available to download on 26 October 2023. During the pre-order period, owners of Eric Whitacre Choir are eligible for a crossgrade discount of 40%, followed by a 20% thereafter.
