"Electric guitar is reimagined through Slate + Ash's innovative virtual instrument, a study in decay, tactility, and spatial perception, a project spearheaded by Sunn O)))'s Stephen O'Malley"
Slate + Ash, a renowned sound studio based in Bristol, has unveiled a groundbreaking instrument called "Ruins". This experimental guitar-based Kontakt Player instrument offers a unique sonic experience, transforming guitar sounds into colorful and highly experimental soundscapes [1][2].
Ruins is meticulously curated and produced by Randall Dunn at his Williamsburg studio Circular Ruin. Dunn, a producer, engineer, and musician, is known for his work with Sunn O)), Thurston Moore, Boris, Wolves in the Throne Room, and various film and television projects [6].
The sound library of Ruins is sourced from recordings of six avant-garde guitarists, including Stephen O'Malley from the drone/doom band Sunn O))) [2][4]. These players are renowned for their experimental approach to guitar, contributing rich, unique sonic textures to the instrument.
Ruins offers a unique tool for sound designers and musicians seeking otherworldly, sculpted guitar tones and atmospheres rooted in avant-garde performance techniques [3][5]. The library contains 4,636 sounds, divided into single and multi-samples, and explores the outer edges of guitar performance.
Each performance was recorded using multiple mic positions and treatments, including a pristinely captured DI, tube-powered amplifiers, an eroded stereo spring reverb, and a cavernous re-amped signal recorded in Berlin's iconic Funkhaus sound chamber. The sounds can be processed through a number of audio effects including delay, reverb, filter, modulation, and tape emulation.
The instrument arrives with a selection of 250 curated presets, and almost every parameter can be modulated via Ruins' LFO, step sequencer, or MIDI CC. Its playback engine offers a variety of options for shaping and manipulating its samples, with a dual-layer architecture that allows for the combination of multiple samples and playback using Slate + Ash's sophisticated playback engine.
Ruins is compatible with both macOS and Windows and is available at an introductory price of £179. More information about Ruins can be found on Slate + Ash's website. A preset demo for Ruins is also available to watch.
For those who don't have Kontakt 7.10.7 or higher, the instrument is compatible with the free Kontakt Player. Ruins' samples are provided as WAVs for use in a DAW or another sampler.
In conclusion, Ruins by Slate + Ash is a must-have for any sound designer or musician seeking innovative and experimental guitar sounds. Its unique approach to guitar performance and extensive library make it an invaluable tool for creating otherworldly, sculpted guitar tones and atmospheres.
[1] Slate + Ash - Ruins: An Experimental Guitar-Based Kontakt Instrument [2] Ruins - Slate + Ash [3] Ruins: The Ultimate Experimental Guitar Instrument by Slate + Ash [4] Stephen O'Malley [5] Avant-garde Guitar Performance Techniques [6] Randall Dunn - Producer, Engineer, and Musician
The sound library of Ruins, an experimental guitar-based Kontakt Player instrument by Slate + Ash, is meticulously curated and produced by Randall Dunn at his studio Circular Ruin, known for his work with Sunn O)), Thurston Moore, Boris, Wolves in the Throng Room, and various film and television projects. This instrument offers a unique tool for sound designers and musicians seeking otherworldly, sculpted guitar tones and atmospheres, rooted in avant-garde performance techniques, as it contains 4,636 sounds and is compatible with both macOS and Windows.
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