ERA II Vocal Codex: Medieval Vocals for Cinematic Scoring

Posted on 1. August 20261. August 2026 by Max Noizefield

Best Service has recently announced the release of ERA II Vocal Codex, a specialized virtual vocal instrument designed to enrich medieval, historical, and cinematic music productions. This new library, produced by renowned sound designer Eduardo Tarilonte, focuses on early music aesthetics, providing a comprehensive collection of solo vocal performances.

The instrument is engineered to offer flexibility in acoustic placement within a mix. Consequently, all vocal performances were captured without ambient room reflections. This dry recording approach allows producers to apply their preferred reverb and spatial processing, tailoring the sound to specific project requirements. Furthermore, the library is substantial, containing over 14,000 samples and totaling 8.5 gigabytes of content, ensuring a wide range of sonic possibilities.

Diverse Vocalists and Authentic Performances

ERA II Vocal Codex features four distinct vocalists, each contributing specific regional or historical performance styles. For instance, Celica Soldream performs the Celtia profile, offering softer, Celtic-inspired styles, and the Heroica profile, suitable for powerful, epic arrangements. In addition, Iván López lends his voice to the Bard profile, ideal for delicate historical music, while Víctor Sordo performs the Medieval Tenor, perfect for sacred and solo liturgical passages. This diverse roster ensures a broad palette of vocal textures.

The recording process employed a dedicated vocal chain for each singer, consisting of a high-quality Kahayan 4K7 microphone, an API preamplifier, and a Kahayan Epsilon I summing mixer. This setup was chosen to capture intricate transient details and maintain tonal accuracy, thereby ensuring a pristine sound quality. Moreover, all four vocal profiles include five true legato vowels (A, E, I, O, U), alongside multiple dynamic layers and expression controls, which contribute to the instrument’s realism.

Integrated Soundscapes and Advanced Control

Beyond the core vocal performances, the library incorporates 30 scripted atmospheric soundscapes. These unique presets combine processed vocal layers with synthesized textures, making them ideal for crafting evolving pads and historical ambient backgrounds. This feature significantly expands the instrument’s utility beyond traditional vocal arrangements. Sound manipulation and playback are efficiently managed via the included Best Service Engine sample player, ensuring smooth workflow integration.

Features

Four Solo Vocalists: Two female (Celtia, Heroica) and two male (Bard, Medieval Tenor) profiles.
True Legato Scripting: Real interval transitions recorded for five primary vowels (A, E, I, O, U) per voice.
Dry Capture Philosophy: Samples recorded close-miked in a treated studio for user-defined external reverberation.
Soundscape Engine: 30 sound design presets built from vocal material for pads and ambient textures.
Expression Control: Integrated MIDI controller mapping for vibrato, dynamics, and articulation switches.

Price
Intro: 103.35 €/$
Regular: 159 €/$

ERA II Vocal Codex is available now and requires the Best Service Engine Player 1.6, which is included with the purchase. The instrument supports VST3, AU, AAX Native, and Standalone formats for both Windows and macOS, including compatibility with Intel and Apple Silicon architectures. Copy protection is managed via online serial number activation, allowing up to two simultaneous computer activations per license. This makes it a versatile tool for various production environments.