Created by Dan Keen: "Welcome to Soft String Spurs, a sample library of my viola. There are 3 main components to this collection of sounds; the Core, which has 4 dynamic layers (Levels 1 and 2 were recorded using a mute, Levels 3 and 4 were recorded without a mute), Harmonics (4 time-stretched and manipulated natural harmonics) and Swells. I recorded this diatonically, recording 4 bows per sample, using a combination of AKG C451B close and AKG C214 stereo room mics for width. To enhance the sound further, I also recorded multiple layers. Level 1 has just a single recording and Levels 2, 3 and 4 have 3, 4 and 5 layers respectively.

The samples were produced with minimal compression, EQ and reverb to allow you to have flexibility with the sound, but I must say they take very well to delay and reverb, as outlined in my YouTube walkthrough and tutorial video below. The dynamics of the Core library can be faded between using the Mod Wheel and the volume for the Harmonics and Swells can be adjusted with CC21 (Spitfire's vibrato control). The combination of these plus CC11 Volume controller allow for easy use of all three instruments simultaneously."

https://youtu.be/zAXKVbZ4nG4

Download it for free here: https://www.pianobook.co.uk/library/soft-string-spurs

Soft String Spurs

Maiden Voyage

These tracks were created as part of the Pianobook project.

Curated by one of the founders of SPITFIRE AUDIO, Pianobook is a collective sample project that aims to bring together a community of like-minded music makers to talk about their stories through the pianos they use, admire and are inspired by.

To find out more about the project, how you can get involved, and to download these (and many more) FREE sounds, visit
www.pianobook.co.uk.

Contact: marcusmanderson@gmail.com 
Facebook.com/dafingaz 
Twitter.com/dafingaz
Instagram.com/dafingaz

Soft String Spurs - SSS Core

I made this with Bluthner Style Piano, with "tweaked" velocities, making it playable at a quieter dynamic range
https://www.pianobook.co.uk/library/bluthner-style-6-90513/

and soft string spurs, a sampled viola
https://www.pianobook.co.uk/library/soft-string-spurs/

Up Close

This track was created as part of the pianobook project using it's free 'Soft String Spurs' instrument.

To find out more about the project, how you can get involved and to download the 'Soft String Spurs' and many more free instruments visit

www.pianobook.co.uk

For further information and updates visit

www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLh…jA7uvVnIDayerm1zl

Forsaken

A demo using solely PianoBook samples including Christian Henson's pianos and Dan Keen's strings.

Tuesday, After A Long Time

This track was created as part of the pianobook project using it's free Mandolin Guitarophone, Lowery Pad, Soft String Spurs and Tape Delay Experiment instruments.

To find out more about the project, how you can get involved and to download these and many more free instruments visit

www.pianobook.co.uk

For further information and updates visit

www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLh…jA7uvVnIDayerm1zl

Doubt I-III

"Memories fall and build up in the heart like snow, but the snow of memories never melts." My brother was killed on April 26, 2018. He was a Rapper and R&B artist. This track is the first cue in a personal video essay I made outlining my grief.

You can view that video essay here: https://youtu.be/aaUfMEiMjfc

This track was created using Jon Meyer's "Flute+Violin", Dan Keen's "Soft String Spurs", and Christian Henson's "Max's Bentley Upright" from the Pianobook website in addition to a few Spitfire Labs instruments.

PIANOBOOK: https://www.pianobook.co.uk/
SPITFIRE LABS: https://www.spitfireaudio.com/labs/

Snow of Memories

This track was created as part of the pianobook project using it's free to download 'King's Upright' piano and 'Soft String Spurs' instruments.

To find out more about the project, how you can get involved and to download these and many more free instruments visit

www.pianobook.co.uk

For further information and updates visit

www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLh…jA7uvVnIDayerm1zl

Keening

This is a sort of an experiment with minimalism - something I'm usually not very keen to compositionally, although I strive to when choosing a sound palette. This piece features several instruments from Pianobook, including "Kawai Felt Piano", "Soft Strings Spurs", "Lowery Pad" and "St. Helen's Cantores". For more information about Pianobook, visit the official site at https://www.pianobook.co.uk/

Breath

Recorded using solely Soft String Spurs Extras and Soft String Spurs by Dan Keen available for free here:
https://www.pianobook.co.uk/library/soft-string-spurs-extras/

Photo by Vincent Burkhead on Unsplash

Fragile (Soft String Spurs demo)

Created using free instruments from www.pianobook.co.uk:
Christian Henson's Tracked Piano 
Dan Keen's Soft String Spurs & Soft String Spurs Extras

Elegy

This track was created by using the free 'The Hoffman' Piano and the 'Soft String Spurs' from Pianobook.

To find out more about the community and download some amazing instruments for free please visit www.pianobook.co.uk

Tilt

This track was created using several libraries available at pianobook: Soft String Spurs, Soft String Spurs Extras and Swarmonics.

To find out more about the project, how you can get involved and to download the above mentioned libraries and many more free pianos visit

www.pianobook.co.uk

The Long Defeat

Piece written with the String Spurs (Pianobook) and the Gwilym Simcock Piano (Spitfire Audio)

Tristesse - Pianobook (String Spurs)

Created using instruments from pianobook.co.uk

The Lamp by Floh
The Short Harmonics Cello by BelaZee
Soft String Spurs by Dan Keen
Soft Drums by Jon Meyer

Melancholia

The Wolf

A melancholic piece realized with some all-time favorites from Pianobook, including the recently released "Study Piano" by Patrick Gammack. For more information, visit: https://www.pianobook.co.uk/
Original photo by Pierangelo Ranieri on Unsplash

Fading

This track features sounds from the following virtual instrument libraries:
Olafur Arnalds: Stratus, Chamber Waves and Composer Toolkit from Spitfire Audio.
Soft String Spurs and Winter Voices which are both free downloads from pianobook.co.uk

Waiting For The Night (Instrumental) - Depeche Mode cover

Dedicated to a lost childhood. Featuring "Home Piano", "Confinement Celeste" and "Soft String Spurs" from https://www.pianobook.co.uk/ Original photo by Yasin Alsbey at Unsplash, edited by Tomislav Erhard-Pacovski

Marble

I just downloaded Dan Keen's library Soft String Spurs
https://www.pianobook.co.uk/library/soft-string-spurs/
and when I put fingers on keyboard, this is the first that came out. Truly spontaneous!