Soniccouture Intros Kora 21 String African Harp Virtual Instrument

Soniccouture has introduced Kora, a new virtual instrument, based on the African harp.

Here’s what they have to say about it:

“A beautiful & fascinating African instrument, the Kora is hard to classify. With 21 strings and a cow-hide resonator, it’s a type of bridge harp, but with some lute or guitar DNA in the mix. Originally from Gambia, it is widely played in Mali, Senegal and across Africa.

Sonically it is similar to the harp, but when played in the traditional style it also bears resemblance to a guitar played using the flamenco or Delta blues technique of plucking polyrhythmic patterns with both hands.

Soniccouture’s virtual instrument is designed to be very playable and versatile, featuring a MIDI pattern player for authentic accompaniment and micro-tuning for authentic scales if desired.”

Features:

  • 6 GB Library (2.8GB compressed)
  • 24 Bit, 96khz Stereo Sampling
  • 40 Velocity layers with Round Robin Anti-Repeat
  • Release damping samples 25 layers
  • Mute detero samples 25 layers
  • Custom MIDI Pattern Player
  • Stereo Mic Channel, Stereo Contact Mic Channel
  • Sound Design Presets

Kora Performance Demo:

Pricing and Availability:

Kora is available now with an intro price of $89 USD, normally $129.

8 thoughts on “Soniccouture Intros Kora 21 String African Harp Virtual Instrument”

  1. I was quite excited for this, so I clicked on the link.
    It’s a Kontakt instrument!
    Hard pass.
    Please put that in the article next time to save wasting my time.

    2. I watched the video to grab a sample that I could load into Synplant for audio fun. But 40 seconds into the video he says it’s a Kontakt instrument.

  2. Herbie did a gorgeous album called “Village Life,” with Mandinka griot Foday Musa Suso on the Kora. Herbie plays a Yamaha DX1. You get a great take on what both instruments can do. Its on YouTube in full, if you like. A real standout, as the electronic and acoustic sides are well-balanced, by two masters.

    https://www.herbiehancock.com/album/village-life/

    1. The opening of Moon/Light always reminded me of some twisted Dueling Banjos sounding variation(if they were on shrooms) lol, good album.

    2. Thanks for sharing that.
      It’s an album that has past me by.
      I’ve just given it a quick listen and it sounds fantastic.
      I’ll definitely be giving it a deep listening later when I have more time.
      Thanks again.

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