Explore Unique Textures with Tonsturm’s Wheel of Strings

Tonsturm has introduced Wheel of Strings, a versatile Kontakt Instrument designed for composers and sound designers alike. It is crafted from the rich sounds of master luthier Guido Falke’s hurdy-gurdies. However, this instrument is not merely a traditional replication of a hurdy-gurdy; instead, it serves as an expressive pad and texture generator.

Uniqueness of Wheel of Strings
Unlike typical instruments, Wheel of Strings focuses on creating evolving drones, airy harmonic beds, subtle movements, and organic grit. Furthermore, it includes synth-like tones and bright, plucky sounds ideal for arpeggios. The expansive sound palette is derived entirely from original hurdy-gurdy recordings, making it a modern tool for scoring that retains acoustic authenticity.

Innovative Features
This Kontakt instrument employs the same two-layer engine as Tonsturm’s previous product, Spiral Strings. Users can manipulate two layers, A and B, employing identical controls for each, which allows for fluid morphing between contrasting timbres. For Spiral Strings users, the transition to Wheel of Strings will be seamless—load and play without a learning curve.

The instrument is equipped with a flexible modulation system featuring three LFOs, two step sequencers, and cross-modulation options. This flexibility enables users to animate drones, bow noise, and synth-like sounds, allowing for an engaging and dynamic experience.

Premium Sound Design
A standout feature of Wheel of Strings is its true-stereo convolution workflow that places the hurdy-gurdy sounds into immersive characterful spaces, enhancing the cinematic depth of compositions. Premium impulse responses (IRs) captured from both vintage and modern high-end gear contribute to an intricate sense of size and space without losing the delicate nuances of bow and wheel articulation.

Price
Introductory: $99
Regular: $149
Available until December 9th.

More info: Tonsturm | Wheel of Strings