Strings Sample Library Group Buy

Those of you who like to record or compose music on your computers are probably aware of Kontakt and also know what a strings sample library is. And if you don't already own one, you might wish you did. If I am describing you, then you are in luck! Kirk Hunter Studios makes some great symphonic sample libraries. Even if you've never heard of them, there's a very good chance you've heard them! And right now (until November 25th, 2011) they have a special group buy deal, where the more people sign up to buy, the lower the price gets - down to 75% off the regular price.

This is an amazing deal. As it currently stands (Nov 3) we're just 5 people away from at the 60% discount level. I've got my eye on that Pop/Rock Strings library that will soon be is currently under $100 and likely eventually under $65. For details on the group buy you can visit KvR. But to me the best way to look at it is to see all the products for sale with their percentage prices. Someone's already done that and I'm stealing it:

Library - List price

15% off | 20% off | 40% off | 50% off | 60% off | 75% off

 

Pop/Rock Strings - $249.00

$211.65 | $199.20 | $149.40 | $124.50 | $99.60 | $62.25

 

Concert Strings II - $799.00

$679.15 | $639.20 | $479.40 | $399.50 | $319.60 | $199.75

Concert Strings II - Whole Divisions - $249.00

$211.65 | $199.20 | $149.40 | $124.50 | $99.60 | $62.25

Solo Strings II - $249.00

$211.65 | $199.20 | $149.40 | $124.50 | $99.60 | $62.25

 

Concert Brass II - $349.00 *

$296.65 | $279.20 | $209.40 | $174.50 | $139.60 | $87.25

Concert Brass II - Whole Divisions - $199.00

$169.15 | $159.20 | $119.40 | $99.50 | $79.60 | $49.75

Concert Brass II - Half Divisions - $199.00

$169.15 | $159.20 | $119.40 | $99.50 | $79.60 | $49.75

 

Diamond (Orchestra) - $549.00

$466.65 | $439.20 | $329.40 | $274.50 | $219.60 | $137.25

 

I've signed up!

Note that all libraries except Pop/Rock Strings require you to already have Kontakt 4 or greater.

* Regular list price is $399 but was already on sale when the group buy started.

Sounds Get Squished, Sounds Get Gooder

One of the first things I learned about working with music on computers is that the most important effect you can use is compression. The next thing I learned was that it's the least understood effect. Lord knows I didn't understand it. I'm not entirely certain I do now, but I feel confident enough to blather about it in a blog post. I'm pretty sure that I know it well enough to describe it, even if my own application of it would make proper audio engineers point and laugh. But why worry? Nobody reads this blog. And if anyone ever does and they happen to know where I've gone wrong, maybe I'll finally learn!

Original, compressed and final side-by-side-by-side

Quick 'splain
[1] Because of peaks, levels can only be increased so far using just volume controls.
[2] Compression squishes the peaks down.
[3] Now volume controls can raise the levels more effectively.

That's a quick overview, but I'm going to go into more detail about each stage. Read on, if you care.