Replicating acoustic instrumentation has to be done with grace. You need to make sure that the dynamics are there and feel played. You need to tastefully disguise the layers and fit them into the room using reverb and compression. You need to ensure smooth transitions between notes and have the proper wavelength.
Generally speaking, it’s good to use most sample-based instrumentation in an additive sense, but not as the main character. That does depend on the library as well. Not all sample-based libraries are created equal. Some are better at mimicking reality than others.
Start making sampler-based instruments sound real
We’d like to extend a massive thank you to Towerz for joining us and sharing his expertise on making sampler-based acoustic instruments sound lifelike as if played by a real musician. He really hit the nail on the head, emphasizing that a lot comes down to layering, attention to detail, and using the right Kontakt libraries.
These details might seem obvious once you know they’re there, but are often overlooked by newer producers. Knowing these intricacies is crucial in turning sampler-based instruments into lifelike sounds. Hopefully, by the end of this interview, Towerz has given you a fantastic starting point to replicate these techniques and achieve similar results in your own music.
And as always, none of this would be possible without powerful tools like Kontakt 8, so be sure to check it out through the link below.