Particle Sound Forks [KONTAKT]

FULL INFO BELOW:

Forks is a unique Kontakt 5 instrument that uses a deeply programmable interface to combine both acoustic and synthetic elements to create sublime new sounds for composers and sound designers.

At its heart Forks is based on an extensively sampled collection of scientific tuning forks that have been used and abused and played in unique and creative ways, all captured in pristine 96kHz clarity. A plethora of thuds, rattles, jangles and buzzes all make appearances here in addition to the traditional pure ringing tones tuning forks are known for. These acoustic samples were then heavily processed and twisted to produce companion sounds that can be layered and added to the acoustic elements along with raw waveform samples from an Arp 2600 synthesizer. This makes it possible to create anything from detailed electric pianos and vibraphone-like tuned percussion to otherworldly soundscapes and pads. The included presets take advantage of this diversity and showcase the breadth of sounds that are possible while being easily tweakable from the logically laid out front panel.

Forks features a dual layer interface with individually linkable sections that is an evolution of Particle Sounds original Carbon interface and affords considerable sound mangling power in an intuitive and straight forward way. Each of Forks 2 layers features dual sound sources, one of which is selectable from a drop down menu, sample start point modulation, state selectable filter, 3 envelopes, 2 LFOs with available tempo sync and a dedicated controller section.

There is also a dedicated Global and FX page that features 4 freely assignable insert slots along with master delay and convolution reverb. Each of the insert slots lets you select between one of 18 different effects including Eq, dynamics, distortion, reverb, delay and modulation FX, while the convolution reverb features 51 custom impulse responses hand crafted to compliment the included sounds. In addition to more traditional reverbs these include some pretty out there special effects like granular delays and artificial environments created by attaching contact mics to an abused metal spring.

Forks Specs:

100 expertly crafted presets using Kontakt Snapshots.3,446 total samples.4.27GB lossless compressed .NCW files (7.17GB equivalent).Up to 24 random robins per instrument.Up to 26 velocity levels per instrument.7 acoustic articulations captured at 96kHz.36 alternative, processed and synth multi-samples captured at 96kHz and 48kHz.51 custom impulse responses captured at 96kHz including special effects.

Meet the articulations:

Felt
Each fork was struck with a felt timpani mallet at up to 15 velocity levels and 6 random-robins. These were recorded with a microphone as well as with a contact mic mounted at the hilt. The resulting sound has been pre-mixed to provide the best combination of attack with body and sustain.

Processed and alternative versions:

Reverse - Reversed samplesRepeats - Rhythmically looping mute samplesLoop - Looped sample with a lumpy sounding sustainDestructed - Epic processed sound that slowly decays into chaosChord - A three note root, 5th, octave chord

CPU
Tuning forks were struck and then dragged across the top of an ancient plastic computer case creating a slightly harsh and grating sound that turns spooky when pitched down. The struck attack has been separated and can be mixed with the main sound. Up to 24 random-robins create an organic, ever changing sound.

Processed and alternative versions:

Stretch - Original samples subjected to extreme time stretching
Synth Sustain Infinitely sustaining samples with a synthetic, chorusing sound
Reverse - Reversed samples
Antiseptic - Processed sound with a gurgling, choir like tone
Surge - Epic swell sound
Freeze - Infinite sustain version of Surge

Table (Long and Short)
Created in a similar way to CPU but this time the forks were dragged across a thin plywood card table for a warmer and more resonant tone. Long and Short versions with up to 15 random-robins and 5 velocity levels are available, again with mixable struck attack sounds. For the Short version the forks were first struck and then placed against the corner of the table near the handle and then drug across it ending at the terminus of the tines. With the Long version the forks were once again struck and placed on the table near the shoulder but were left in this position to vibrate and die out more slowly.

Processed and alternative versions:

Stretch - Long samples subjected to extreme time stretching
Reverse - Short samples reversed
Warbler - Processed pad type sound with a slightly uneven, wavering pitch
Spaceland - Spacious, sustaining choir like sound

Keys
A ring of small padlock keys was hung in the crook of each fork allowing them to buzz and tingle as the fork was struck with a mallet. Captured at up to 11 velocity levels and 6 random-robins. These can then be mixed with samples from the Mutes articulation from above to produce a more woody sound.

Processed and alternative versions:

Low Fork - Only samp