The new Russian Balalaikas sample set is now available from Precisionsound.

I programmed the interface and user controls for the Kontakt 3 and 4 versions of the sample set. The balalaika was played by Igor Iachimciuc, and the sample set was edited by Lars Westin, who also designed the background artwork.

Two Kontakt instruments are included: a solo balalaika, and balalaika group which creates the sound of three performers playing in unison. Both include a special tremolo feature that allows the initial tremolo speed to be set on the interface, then varied during performance using the mod wheel.

Interface for Kontakt 4 Balalaika Solo instrument

Click here to read more about my collaboration with Precisionsound.

Sample library developers Precisionsound have recently released several updated instruments for which I've provided custom Kontakt scripting.

The Nordic Upright Piano, Dusty Electric Piano (rhodes), and Funky Electric Piano (wurlitzer) all have new interfaces with customised controls to easily shape the sound. An exciting update to the Persian Santur will be released shortly.

Here's Daniel Näsström from Precisionsound demonstrating the Nordic Upright Piano:

Neil Diamond's Girl, You'll Be A Woman Soon is an ideal companion to our earlier cover of Cliff Richard's Lucky Lips: they're both sentimental songs which, with the tiniest shift in tone, sound strangely menacing.

Credits: Laura Gregory - vocals; Sim Eckstein - guitars; Me - synths and production, with input from Laura and Sim on the arrangement.

I'm working in collaboration with sample library developers Precisionsound to create customised instruments for Native Instruments' software sampler Kontakt.

We've begun with a custom interface and performance controls for Precisionsound's Weltmeister accordion, and updates to other instruments from the Precisionsound catalogue will follow.

 Weltmeister accordion interface with controls for release samples, keyswitch volume, reverb, saturation effect, and stereo image.

The instruments work with Kontakt 3.5 or higher, and can be purchased online from the Precisionsound store.

Even more bizarre than Panther Track, I couldn't resist setting to music a reading by Acclivity of William Blake's The Lamb. I also added a recording of NoiseCollector at age two and a half, to play the lamb.

Thanks to Laura Gregory for assistance with the track's arrangement.