Denny Jaeger Master Violin Library

Sample CD Buyer's Guide

Published in the UKs Sound on Sound January 2000

Disc 1: Loud Violins

Disc 2: Soft Violins

Disc 3: Tremolos, Trills & Pizzicatos

Nothing but violin sections, painstakingly recorded at semitone intervals, compiled and seamlessly looped by an apparent obsessive (I mean that as a compliment, but if you meet Denny Jaeger at a party, don't get him started on violins). By layering short-attack samples with matching sustains, very realistic performances of anything from soft legato chords to fierce staccato melodies can be programmed. It's also worth pointing out that a violin's bottom note is G below middle C, so you will have to look elsewhere for real low-end strings. However, some artfully detuned violin section samples are provided in a valiant attempt to fill the gap. Standouts: Purely a question of musical aptitude, as the quality is excellent throughout. For a classic legato string sound, layer the '2MP' and '5MP' programs from the second disc.