Viola Da Gamba

The Viola da Gamba is a six-stringed baroque instrument. It’s similar in size to the cello, but has a slightly different shape, uses frets, and is tuned in 4ths.

It is strung with synthetic gut strings, which to give it a strident, husky sound. The Gamba’s earthy tones can provide a rustic alternative to the classical string sound. This is one of only a handful of other baroque virtual instruments recorded.

Features

The Viola da Gamba sample library by Ben Osterhouse is split into 2 nki’s:

1.  The first nki is a collection of 12 articulations that features a variety of different length strokes, along with pizzicato, trills, ponticello, and tremolo. All of the different articulations can be easily layered together within a single interface.
2. The second nki is a collection of small rhythmic figures which have been designed to fit together to create natural-sounding ostinato patterns.

 Each of the rhythmic figures can be accessed either by using key switches or using a unique interface which allows you to visually arrange the figures into a sequence.

Each rhythmic figure is recorded as a 4-bar loop, and the musical emphasis is given to downbeats and upbeats.

This gives a natural ebb and flow to any ostinato pattern created with the Gamba.

It’s a three-octave range from C36 (2 octaves below middle C) up to C72 (an octave above middle C)