Deep, Dark and Brooding Pads, Drones and Soundscapes
SHADOWS is a Kontakt instrument that allows you to combine and crossfade between up to 4 different soundsources to create dark, sinister and foreboding pads, drones and soundscapes.
2.2GB of content from synthesisers was recorded, then mangled and transformed into both simple and complex sounds to be used within the engine. These can then be combined in the 4 part engine, and using the XY pad to cross fade between each of the sounds, you can create organic, deep and menacing sounds.
The library was inspired by composers like Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross, Hildur Guðnadóttir, John Carpenter and many more.
Choose from 232 individual sound sources from a variety of different sound categories, each varying in attack and timbre. There are 229 patches available in 3 different categories:
- Raw Instruments (84) -individual sound sources
- Duo Instruments (75) – two sound sources combined
- Instruments (70) – four sound sources combined
This library is ideal for anyone looking for dark, gritty, sinister, evolving pads, soundscapes, drones and more.
Blend 4 Distinct Soundsources At Once
SHADOWS has 3 distinct sections:
1. The 4 sound source modules
2. The XY pad
3. The master FX section
The sound source of each individual module can be changed by using the left / right buttons on the soundsource name, or clicking on the sound source name, then selecting a new one from the dropdown list. There are 232 different sound sources to choose from (meaning hundreds of thousands of combinations) with each sound varying in terms of timbre and attack.
Stuck for inspiration? Simply load up any patch and click on the “Randomize” button to load any 4 random sounds to get a new unique combination of elements to work with.
The “Random” button will randomise the settings (soundsources, convolution IR options etc.) to give you completely new sounds. “Reset” will bring XY pad back to the previous state.
Shadows
Create Movement with the XY Pad & Transform Sounds with FX
The XY pad is mapped to MIDI CC 74 and MIDI CC 75 allowing you to record your own movement within the XY pad as MIDI CC data.
It can control either volume crossfading or filter manipulation of each individual sound source. Using the XY pad to control the volume of each of the sound sources gives you more control over how much is being added to the overall sound, whereas using the XY pad to control the filter, adjusts the cutoff level in the filter of each source, giving a more natural blending of sounds.
Each of the 4 individual source sources within SHADOWS has its own FX, allowing you to sculpt the sound of each sound source individually.
The FX options within each sound source are ADSR, LFO, Filter, ADSR Filter, LFO Filter, ADSR Pitch and LFO Pitch
Additionally, there is a master FX section at the bottom of the interface which allows you to add delay, reverb, chorus, convolution reverb, saturation, stereo, EQ or compression to the overall patch
Technical Requirements & Specifications
- 4 individual sound sources with 232 different sampled sounds to choose from
- XY pad to cross fade between each of the sounds, creating movement and modulation
- Individual controls for ADSR, LFO, Filter, ADSR Filter, LFO Filter, ADSR Pitch and LFO Pitch on each sound source
- Master FX with delay, reverb, chorus, convolution reverb, saturation, stereo, EQ or compression
- Randomise button to create completely new sounds at random for immediate inspiration
- 32 convolution reverb samples with pre-delay, IR size and amount options
- 4.4GB of space required (2.2GB for download and 2.2GB for extraction)
- Kontakt 5.7.1 or higher required – not compatible with the Kontakt Player
Shadows
Deep, dark, tormented and menacing drones, pads and soundscapes
Recap:
- €29 – reduce the price by using your VSTBuzz reward points (even down to €0 if you have enough points!)
- 229 Kontakt patches with 232 samples
- Combine 4 soundsources for unique dark sounds that continually move and modulate
- Range of sampled sounds including synths, sound design and bowed instruments
- .WAV files included
- Kontakt 5.7.1 or higher required – not compatible with the Kontakt Player
- Perfect for deep dark pads, drones, textures and soundscapes
- Ideal for creating dark, gloomy, ethereal and ambient sounds
- Exclusive to VSTBuzz – not available anywhere else!
steve – :
Shadows is inspiring and contains a powerful atmosphere engine that is an inspiring underscoring instrument that’s a true must-buy!
Stan – :
Shadows and Meld have very similar 4-layer/source interfaces with common/shared voices, a central XY-Pad, randomization, effects, and layer parameter options selected by drop-down menus. Randomization is only for the selection of sound sources (parameter settings not affected) and this usually produces useable results (I tried over a dozen-and-a-half randomizations in a row without a resulting “dead” patch). Shadow layers have fewer options available for adjusting the sound of the layers due to fewer options available in the envelope/filter drop-down menu. Most of the extra options in Meld are LFO target options. Shadows also has fewer effects available than Meld (Meld has eight, Shadows has 4) and fewer IRs for the convolution reverb (Meld has 49, Shadows has 30). Since it has a separate reverb, Meld’s convolution IRs are of the sound design type, not the spaces type; Shadows single convolution reverb addresses various expected spaces. A big difference between Shadows and Meld is that Shadows’ effects can be set/adjusted for each layer; Meld’s effects are global. Shadows also has a Link button to allow the simutaneous adjustment of parameters for all four layers. Shadows’ XY-Pad works on six parameters, Meld’s only works on two. The XY-Pad for both only affects one (the selected) parameter at a time. Neither Shadows nor Meld has GUI arpeggiation available and both will lock you out of their GUIs if you use Kontakt’s back-end to access it.
All in all, both are capable and useful and quickly generate workable variations via randomization or by manually selecting individual layer voices and features. Shadows has 84 available voices (nearly 50 million combinations), Meld has 94 (~78 million combinations), and voice selections can be duplicated for layers. As to be expected, Shadows’ tones are consistently darker than Meld’s. Another nice points bonus from VST Buzz. 8 Stars for features and ease of use, 10 Stars for value.
Rene – :
Great soundscapes for the darker moods and music.
The videos gives you a great preview of the instrument.