EKR490 by AudioThing analog string machine Kontakt instrument artwork

EKR490: Analog String Machine Kontakt Instrument by AudioThing

Rated 4.3/5 on Plugin Boutique (62 ratings)

EKR490 is an analog-style string instrument by AudioThing that runs in Kontakt. It offers two main sounds, Strings and Violoncello, plus a blended combination of the two, modeled on the Elka Rhapsody 490 string machine.

REQUIRESKontaktHost player sold separately
Kontakt
AVAILABLE ATPlugin Boutique
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01Overview

EKR490 is a software instrument built for the full version of the Kontakt engine. It draws on the Elka Rhapsody 490, a strings machine from the mid-1970s that was also sold as the Hohner String Vox. The instrument includes two main sounds, Strings and Violoncello, along with a combination of the two that differs from simply mixing them together. Artists including Jean Michel Jarre, Tangerine Dream and Vangelis are noted as users of the original synth.

Best for

  • Analog string pads
  • Cinematic string textures
  • Cello lines
  • Retro synth-pop strings
  • Ambient and electronic music
Developer
AudioThing
Requires
Kontakt
Store
Plugin Boutique
02Key features

What you get

  • Two Kontakt instruments (.nki): tuned and original
  • Strings and Violoncello sounds plus a blended combination
  • Envelope with Attack and Release controls
  • 12dB/oct low-pass filter for shaping tone
  • Built-in reverb effect
  • 147 samples at 44.1kHz / 24-bit
  • Kontakt and WAV formats, 235 MB total size
03In depth

Sound Character and Controls

The instrument is built from two Kontakt instruments, one tuned and one original, so you can choose between a tuned version and the sampled character as recorded. Its envelope gives you Attack and Release controls to shape how each note swells in and fades out, which is useful for sustained string pads.

The effects section includes a 12dB/oct low-pass filter and a reverb. The filter lets you soften or darken the strings, and the reverb adds space without leaving the instrument.

Formats, Sample Content and Requirements

EKR490 uses 147 samples recorded at 44.1kHz and 24-bit, and the package totals 235 MB. It is delivered in Kontakt and WAV formats.

You need the full version of Kontakt 4.2.4 or higher to run the instrument. It is a Kontakt instrument, not a standalone product, so it loads inside the Kontakt engine.

04Specs

Will it run?

Formats, systems and requirements as listed by Plugin Boutique. Missing details are left out, not guessed.

DeveloperAudioThing
TypePlugin
CategoryKontakt Instrument
RequiresKontakt
FormatsKontakt
05FAQ

Questions, answered

What do I need to use EKR490?

You need the full version of Kontakt 4.2.4 or higher to run the instrument. It loads inside the Kontakt engine.

What formats does EKR490 come in?

EKR490 is available in Kontakt and WAV formats.

Which sounds are included in EKR490?

EKR490 includes two main sounds, Strings and Violoncello, and a combination of the two that is slightly different from simply mixing them together.

How large is the EKR490 download?

The package is 235 MB and contains 147 samples recorded at 44.1kHz and 24-bit.

07Developer

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