Oscillation Strings: Kontakt String Instrument by Ben Osterhouse

The core of the library is its swell engine. Similar to a synth, the attack and decay knobs set the shape of each note, but every position on the knobs triggers a different set of samples, which opens up many phrasing options.

Rhythmic articulations include energetic eighth notes, medium quarter notes recorded at 90 and 120 bpm, and broad, expressive half notes. Two legato types are available: Note Change, where a bow change lands decisively between notes, and Portamento, which gives a smoother, more gliding transition.

The polyphonic legato chooses a different legato sample depending on where overlapping notes are played, with offset, volume, length and fade-in time adjusted automatically.

Everything in the library tempo-syncs. If your project tempo is much faster or slower than the recorded material, samples can overstretch, so the interface includes options to halve or double the speed of all samples.

The library ships with 11,427 .ncw compressed samples, which take up a large amount of memory when fully loaded. Purge options let you unload unused rhythms, swells or instruments from RAM.

If you prefer not to use the built-in swells, switch to Expression mode and shape phrasing yourself with the modwheel. The custom compression system adjusts the quiet parts of each swell per note, which the developer describes as more natural than adding a compressor after Kontakt.