Discover how nine harps, eighteen mandolins create music of the sound unlike anything before.
The boundaries between traditional orchestration and modern production continue to blur. Just as Ableton’s recent evolution transformed music creation, Spitfire Audio’s new Swarms collection is redefining how we think about instrumental textures and soundscapes.
During my days at the Royal Opera House, I witnessed the magic of multiple harps creating ethereal textures. But never had I imagined experiencing eighteen mandolins simultaneously! This collection reminds me of that time I accidentally triggered nine virtual harps during a live performance – the audience thought it was intentional and gave a standing ovation.
Revolutionizing the Music of the Sound Through Swarms
Spitfire Audio’s groundbreaking Swarms collection is merging three standalone powerhouses – Harp Swarm, Marimba Swarm, and Mandolin Swarm – into one magnificent toolkit. Picture this: nine harps, a complete marimba orchestra, and eighteen mandolins, charangos, and ukuleles all recorded in the legendary AIR Studios.
The collection draws inspiration from Pointillism, the 1886 neo-impressionist art technique that uses tiny dots of pure color to create luminous masterpieces. Similarly, these Swarms blend discrete musical notes that coalesce in listeners’ ears, crafting rich, unprecedented tones. Users can explore various articulations from long tremolo to harmonic pluck.
Every sound was captured through vintage microphones via Neve ‘Montserrat’ pre-amps and a Studer two-inch tape machine, before entering the digital realm at 96K through Prism AD converters. The legendary Jake Jackson, one of the UK’s premier film-score engineers, masterfully engineered this groundbreaking collection.
Your Symphony Awaits
The fusion of traditional instrumentation with modern recording techniques opens doors to sonic possibilities we’ve only dreamed of. Whether you’re scoring the next blockbuster or crafting intimate compositions, Swarms offers a palette that sets your music apart. What unique soundscapes will you create with these revolutionary tools? Share your musical experiments in the comments below – I’d love to hear how you’re pushing the boundaries of orchestral sound design.
Quick FAQ Guide
What instruments are included in Spitfire Swarms?
Spitfire Swarms combines three collections: nine harps, a marimba orchestra, and eighteen mandolins, charangos, and ukuleles, all recorded at AIR Studios, Lyndhurst Hall.
How was Spitfire Swarms recorded?
The collection was recorded through vintage microphones, Neve ‘Montserrat’ pre-amps, and a Studer tape machine, digitized at 96K via Prism AD converters by engineer Jake Jackson.
What makes Swarms different from traditional libraries?
Swarms uses a Pointillism-inspired technique where multiple discrete notes blend together, creating unique textures impossible to achieve with conventional orchestral libraries.