High strings
Unlock new textures with Special Bows 1—a dedicated collection of unconventional articulations and playing styles. From sul tasto’s subtle warmth to sul ponticello’s icy edge, these non-standard techniques can evoke singular moods and inspire your compositions in unexpected ways.
With 8 first violins, 6 second violins, and 5 violas—all captured in situ with multiple mics, for a vivid, realistic soundstage. For even more striking results, pair it with the celli and basses of Special Bows 2. Together, they’re anything but your typical string section.
Bring additional nuance and depth to your arrangements with these evocative articulations on the high strings.
Highlights
Sul tasto (flautando) legato
Col legno
5 Violas
Sul ponticello legato
8 First violins
Multiple mic positions
Flageolet (harmonics)
6 Second violins
Recorded at the Teldex Scoring Stage
About the playing techniques
The unusual playing styles in Special Bows 1 can be used to evoke
specific moods and achieve surprising expressive effects.
Sul tasto
The player places the bow over the end of the fingerboard for a soft, warm sound.
Sul ponticello
The player bows right next to the bridge for an eerie, icy, brittle tone, rich in harmonics.
Flageolet
The left hand lightly touches the bowed string, producing glassy overtones.
Col legno
The player strikes the strings with the back of the bow for a dry, percussive, sound.
New colors for your strings
Special Bows 1’s extended timbral palette can be used alone, paired with Special Bows 2, or combined with Berlin Strings or Symphonic Strings to create a comprehensive, adaptable ensemble of uncommon depth.
Like all products in the Berlin Series, Special Bows 1 was recorded at Berlin’s Teldex Scoring Stage with all players seated in their traditional orchestral positions. Multiple mic placements (Decca Tree, AB omni, a choice of spots, and surround) ensure a balanced, spatially coherent sound that gels beautifully with other Orchestral Tools collections.
Runs in SINE
Mic merging
Preserve your system resources: Fine-tune your mix using multiple mic positions, then merge into a single channel within the player.
Greater usability
SINE is designed to complement the compositional workflow. Create on the fly with auto keyswitch options, and easy remapping tools.
Download single instruments
Choose only the instruments and mic positions that you currently need—no need to download the entire collection at once.
Berlin Strings
Berlin Strings Special Bows 1
High strings
Teldex Scoring Stage, Berlin
SINE version
Works with Orchestral Tools’ SINE Player—NOTE: Latest version required!
Size
36.3 GB of samples (18.3 GB SINEarc compressed)
24 bit / 48 KHz patches
SINE system requirements
Mac: macOS 10.13 or higher | Intel Core i5 or similar | Apple M1 chipset supported | At least 8 GB RAM (16 GB+ recommended)
Windows: Windows 10 | Intel Core i5 or similar | At least 8 GB RAM (16 GB+ recommended)
Formats supported: Standalone, VST, VST3, AU, AAX
Kontakt version
Works with Kontakt 5.5.1 full
Please note: Kontakt versions bought after Mar 23, 2021 can be upgraded to SINE for a support fee of 10% of the regular collection price