Samplemodeling Clarinets ‘Virtually Indistinguishable From The Real Thing’

Samplemodeling has released SWAM Soprano & Bass Clarinets– new virtual instruments that use adaptive modeling synthesis, based on the physical characteristics of actual instruments.

The Soprano & Bass Clarinets, created by Stefano Lucato & Emanuele Parravicini for Samplemodeling’s SWAM platform, are sample-based, but advanced processing techniques allow realistic crescendo, legato/portamento, vibrato, ornamentations & trills, constant-formant pitchbends, subharmonics, growl and overblow to be performed in realtime.

The Clarinets also include microtuning, allowing user-defined scales. The extent of detuning (range -60/+60 cents) can be precisely set for each note, and selectively applied to individual notes in realtime by Keyswitches activated by a MIDI CC.

According to the developers, the Samplemodeling Clarinets are ‘virtually indistinguishable from the real thing’. Here’s a video demo, so you can decide for yourself:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2c7CezcJFc

Are they ‘virtually indistinguishable from the real thing’? Let us know what you think!

Samplemodeling Clarinets are available now as a package for EUR 149 (+VAT if applicable).

26 thoughts on “Samplemodeling Clarinets ‘Virtually Indistinguishable From The Real Thing’”

  3. I found myself wondering why in the world anyone would spend the effort to model a clarinet in the first place? I must say it does sound just like a clarinet.

    Never really liked the sound of them. Squawking goosey sounding things.

    1. There must be some bedroom Kenny G’s out there…but seriously, it’s a win for people like film composers and such who can’t count on having their composition recorded by a real orchestra. And then there’s retro-dance artists like Parov Stelar…

    2. In orchestral instrumentation, no other woodwind has the dynamic and pitch range of the Clarinet. An incredible solo instrument for both Jazz and Classical. Kletzmer would be nothing without it! Even works great in bands like Supertramp. Never dismiss an instrument through petty prejudice.

      Oh yeah, and this is an outstanding sounding virtual instrument. It’s about as close to the real thing as you can get to my ears.

      1. I’d think a saxophone has more dynamic range than a clarinet. But yea, range out the wazoo.

        Though I think some of the faster passages reveal the synthetic nature, in general I’m really impressed with the sound. I think they have addressed the need to be able control the notes after attach.

        1. WTF. I wonder why I get dislikes? For suggesting that a saxophone can play louder than a clarinet? (I think they both can play equally soft). A clarinet has a huge note-range. It’s a beautiful sound.

          When that guy was doing some of the faster runs, it stopped sounding like a real clarinet. But the ability to control the “breath pressure” (or at least that’s how it sounded) was very effective.

              1. They are probably displeased that I suggested that a saxophone is an “orchestral woodwind” — I suppose they are right– at least in some century.

  4. Next level shit!

    There was a guy at NAMM a few years back that was using artificial intelligence and physical modeling to do similar things with violin sounds. It blew me away like this. Close your eyes and your hearing the real thing.

  6. No matter what sounds you use, the keyboard interface is obvious. You can fake (still not indistinguishably though) the sound, but it’s another job to fake the playing.

  7. 3 comments

    1. this is a spectacular plugin

    2. even if the emu is great, it still sounds “perfect.” there is no way to emulate unpredictable events.

    3. i would LOVE to see some of these amazing articulations extended to the synthesis of unusual and artificial sounds

  9. Impressive technology. One thing keeps coming to mind… when all is said and done, and all of those hours of programming are completed, in the end, you have… a clarinet.

  11. I’m a little underwhelmed. The tone lacks color. A clarinet has many shades over its range and in the hands of a fine player is capable of a multitude of tone color, articulations, envelopes etc. Check out this. http://youtu.be/DVXFONkLPok listen to the expression. Possibly this instrument is capable of this in the hands of an equally accomplished virtuoso.

  12. Am i the only one who found parts of this were cringe worthy? Maybe I’m the only one here who learned to play wind before keys, and do a lot of Wind Controller work, but I thought any time the clarinet sound got beyond legato it was a little painful. Some of the Jazz riffs were okay, but without any variance of volume once the note is struck it is obvious there is a keyboard behind it. All wind players vary their volume and vibrato in ways that key controllers just can’t catch. As for Klezmer uses? Forget it.

  13. I’m not buying the flutters, but the legato lines sound pretty damn good. I think their 149 Euro pricepoint for their instruments is high for single instruments though.

  14. This is a very well-modeled instrument that is NOT aimed at more purely electronic players. That standard doesn’t fit here, so the complaints don’t quite ring true. In a real orchestra, a section may be composed of 3 violas, 2 clarinets and a single French horn. Its a subtle and complex blend. If you are doing an orchestral mock-up, this could easily add real life to a group of somewhat more static samples, such as a 4-string section. That small added bit of “Real” can seriously color a piece’s ability to convince the listener. Don’t mistakenly dis a great clarinet for not being a Moog. There will be a dedicated group of composers who will SQUEEE to have this one.

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