Cinesamples is proud to introduce World Series: Viola da Gamba – the first sample library of its kind and the third release in their lauded World Series.
Recorded at the world famous MGM Scoring Stage at Sony Pictures Studios in Los Angeles, the Viola da Gamba sample library captures the expressiveness and unique tone of the 15th century precursor to the cello that was popularized in the Renaissance.
“Even though it looks similar to a cello, the tone of the Viola da Gamba is far more textured than your average stringed instrument,” says Tim Starnes, Cinesamples general manager and audio director. The Viola da Gamba owes it’s unique sound to its 6 gut strings and frets made from movable, tied-on gut, similar to early guitars and lutes. 
The Viola da Gamba has experienced a resurgence in popularity in media scores in the last several years, appearing in the music of Game of Thrones and Vikings. Starnes attributes the instrument’s otherworldly tone
and versatility for its recent demand, “the Viola da Gamba does a remarkable job of transporting the listener to another time and place.”
The Cinesamples Viola da Gamba sample library allows composers to take advantage of both the expressive, melodic style of the Viola da Gamba and the textured, otherworldly tone that composers seek to set
their scores apart. The Cinesamples Viola da Gamba library
boasts deep-sampled legato, sustains, and short articulations such as staccato, pizzicato, and sforzando and several patches that allow composers to create bow-synced drones unique to the Viola da Gamba that are particularly useful for media scoring.
“We wanted to build a library that allows composers the full range of creativity they’d experience using the actual instrument,” says Starnes. “This instrument will be a versatile tool in any composers palette, but especially for composers who don’t have access to such a rare instrument.” !
“the Viola da Gamba is far more textured than your average stringed instrument…”
CINESAMPLES
Sample libraries by composers, for composers. Founded in 2007 by composers Michael Barry and Michael Patti, Cinesamples’ instruments have been used across the globe and have been featured in countless blockbuster film, television, trailer and video game scores. Cinesamples has grown to provide creators of media music worldwide with the most innovative, high quality virtual instruments. Initially founded to bridge the gaps found in existing orchestral libraries, Cinesamples continues to find unique and inventive approaches to sample library development in search of realistic synthesis of the orchestra.
M.T.V.rock 