Vista is a legato strings library featuring a larger-than-life, romantic chamber sound, four dynamics (from a true PP all the way up to an intense FFF), slurred legato, same-note bow-change repetition samples, multiple attack types, and more. Just like Con Moto, the sustains, legato, and other assets were recorded “in motion.” The sustains specifically use an “active-bow” approach (employed on Con Moto and others) which offers continuously re-expressed vibrato & emotion, via performance & editing processes. Vista features 5 violins, 4 violas, 3 cellos, and 3 basses. There are some bonuses, one of which is a basic full strings patch (created from the individual sections), useful for sketching and pads. Also included is an overlay patch featuring 3 violins playing sustains and legato with heavy vibrato at FFF, useful for layering on the main 5 violins patch for more legato gel and detail. Lastly there’s a harp, with notes recorded in repetition so that it can do repeated notes fluently. A behind-the-scenes article on Vista is available here.

• Instruments
  • 5 Violins
  • 4 Violas
  • 3 Cellos
  • 3 Basses
  • Bonus
    • 3 Violins FFF Overlay (1 dynamic)
    • Harp
    • Full Strings Sustains (created from the separate sections)
• 4 dynamic layers, from PP to FFF
• Slurred legato con moto (legato with movement in the bowing and vibrato)
• Same-note bow-change repetition samples (triggered by repeating a note with the sustain pedal down)*
• “Active-bow” sustains (non-static longs that move and evolve while simultaneously maintaining the dynamic/timbre)
• Multiple attack types (hard and soft), triggered by velocity
• Release samples that respond fluently to note-length variation
• Recorded in a hall** with close and decca mics
• 48kHz / 24bit
• NCW-compressed, ~10.08 GB total
• Built for Kontakt 5.8.1 and above – full, retail version of Kontakt required
• Download via Continuata

* not on the full strings sustains patch

** the same hall as Oceania, Oceania II, Angry Brass Pro, the Perfperc series, and others.

NOTE ON DELAY: this library has a moderately delayed response when playing (140 ms based on the close mics) to further the musicality of the legatos and releases. The library is heavily optimized for this delay amount. All the elements of the library (legatos, sustains, attacks, same-note bow-change repetitions, etc) are on the same delay.

NOTE ON THE HARP: this patch works best if you have a sustain pedal, considering the delay. However there is also an option to have all the notes ring out in the GUI.