Strumming and picking actions are reproduced by an auto-strum function, special strumming keys, or MIDI loops. An EQ, a multi-effect, and a reverb module complete the Strum GS-1 package. AAS Strum Acoustic GS-1 allows you not only to find the right sound but also to easily and efficiently synthesize a wide range of left- and right-hand playing. Jun 07, 2015 Applied Acoustics Strum Electric GS-2.v2.0.0 Applied Acoustics Systems has announced the release of Strum Electric GS-1, a new guitar track production plug-in for music producers and composers. Strum Gs 2 Keygen Crack. Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2 Kannada Full Movie Songs Download.
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Applied Acoustics Systems – Strum GS 2 – Review
Time for Your Physical
Applied Acoustics Systems, or AAS, have long been popular pioneers in the realm of software synthesis. The Montreal, Canada based company was founded in 1998 by Dr. Marc-Pierre Verge and Dr. Philippe Derogis after mutually fusing their doctoral backgrounds with their love of music. Since then, AAS has developed and released many successful software synthesizers based off of the unique and certainly complex concept of Physical Modeling. No corner of acoustics or physics has been left undiscovered and their latest release, Strum GS-2, acts as the ultimate in plucked string synthesis.
Strum GS-2 is available as a standalone program, or as a 32bit/64bit VST, AU, RTAS, and AAX Native plugin, for Mac OS X 10.6 or above and Windows XP through 8. Strum GS-2 features over 200 different acoustic and electric guitar models, combining what was previously two separate acoustic and electric guitar synths in the Strum GS-1 releases. Strum GS-2 is a significant overhaul of the Strum GS-1 products in every important area of what made the originals so attractive. The physical modeling engine has been revised. A visually simplified user interface and bank/program manager helps get the technical thinking out of the way as soon as possible. In addition to overhauling the effects section (chorus, delay, flanger, phaser, distortion, notch filter, wah, auto-wah, and reverb), a very effective tone shaping EQ and compressor were added.
A Brief History of Sound
For those unfamiliar with the concept of Physical Modeling, it is the process of producing sound entirely through complex mathematics/algorithms based in real world physical observations. Instead of using samples or emulating an electrical circuit, Physical Modeling simulates reality, mechanical interactions, and the resulting acoustic energy. Where did you pluck the string? How hard? What was shape of the pick? I don’t know; ask Strum GS-2!
The results are sounds that have a realism, expressiveness, and flexibility that even the largest existing sample based instruments could not possibly touch. The 200+ factory presets are but a suggestion to what the instrument is capable of. They are enough to get up and running with your song writing immediately, but a near infinite potential of new sounds can be found within for you sound designers and creative freaks out there.
Now, I will say that if you are listening to Strum GS-2 in solo and purely to critique its ability to trick you into thinking it’s the “real thing”, you might be disappointed. However, you are then most certainly missing the point, and with that missing out on some really inspiring musical moments you would have otherwise enjoyed. There is something about playing Strum GS-2, especially for keyboard players like myself, that provides this uncanny feeling of being connected to the instrument. I felt as though I did not have to compensate or think about making my performance sound like an acoustic or electric guitar like I always have to with a great number of sample based libraries. Instead of spinning up such unmusical parts of my brain, I just relaxed and played notes. It was as though a pro guitar player was translating my playing in real time. I was excited to hear my own playing again and this sense of hearing musical feedback from a virtual instrument is so very important and somewhat forgotten in software these days.
The heart of the Strum physical model. Make your guitar weep gently or ferociously!
How to Play Guitar for Dummies?
Far and away my favorite feature of Strum GS-2, besides the sound and expressiveness, is the various intelligent performance modes and chord voicing “assistance”, for lack of a better term. In line with my previous thoughts about turning off your non-musical brain, the work Strum GS-2 does behind the scenes to turn a keyboard into a guitar performance is quite incredible.
There are three play modes: Keyboard, Guitar, and Loop. Keyboard is the mode for doing all of the playing yourself, and Strum automatically refigures what may be unrealistic or impossible guitar chord voicings automatically, and in real time. It does so with sensible re-fingering of chords or even sometimes applying a hammer-on type articulation. There were some moments where a particular tasty chord would not be understood properly, like some more modern poly chords. However, often changing the Voicings settings fixed this and, when they didn’t, I will have to concede that it’s likely because it’s impossible on a standard tuned guitar. It would be nice to have options for alternate tunings.
Although I own and can play acoustic/electric guitars, my proficiency on keyboard is far greater. Simply put, Strum lets me be a pianist, but hear a guitarist. It’s very inspiring and liberating. In fact, I’d say this is a worthy purchase even if you know a guitar player, as you can use the software to write better guitar parts, even if they will be delivered to a guitar player via sheet music or tab later. I found myself often using Strum simply to learn new guitar voicings!
Strum’s main performance view, where the magic happens!
The Guitar mode lets you integrate strumming and a new approach to picking or arpeggiating chords. The center 2-3 octaves of the keyboard become where you define the chords, either by playing entire voicings or even just one or two notes that Strum will fill in with the musical chord choice. Then the entire action of strumming a guitar is simplified down to two keys; downstroke and upstroke. There are multiple keys assigned to various mutes and string slaps, as well as keys for the individual six strings. One great way I found to use this mode was by recording the chords beforehand in my DAW using Strum’s Keyboard mode. Then, I’ll switch it to Guitar mode and take another recording pass in the DAW, this time dedicated the “left hand” strumming and picking. What a great way to write!
Finally is the Loop mode, where Strum does just about all of the work for you. A plethora of preset MIDI patterns are available spanning nearly every major genre and playing style. Each loop has a marked tempo, but the tempo is still changeable, whether via tap tempo, manual adjustment, or synced with your DAW. Simply pick a loop and hit a key, and guitar playing happens!
Conclusion
I must admit, I’m one of those realism snobs. Whether it be how close a software compressor comes to a particular hardware unit after which it was modeled, or if I could make someone think a sampled drum kit was the real deal, it’s the first thing that comes to my mind.
While the general tone of Strum GS-2 won’t be tricking more critical ears, at least outside of the context of a dense mix, this instrument made me absolutely not care. That is certainly not the point as I see it. It is still definitely useable in a track as a replacement for a real acoustic or electric guitar, but the real benefit lies in the doors this opened creatively and musically. Strum GS-2 is massively inspiring and has acted as a strong reminder to me how much more important that is to creating new music.
Add to this Strum GS-2’s extremely tweakable physical modeling engine and built-in effects, and you have an all in one package for new musical output for some time.
No matter what instrument you play, Strum GS-2 will have something for you. It is definitely worth giving it a try at the very least.
Scores
Sound Quality 4/5 – While not a revolution in reproducing the real tone of a beautiful acoustic or electric guitar, this is the best reproduction of the uncanny expressiveness and feel that is playing a plucked string instrument. Physical modeling at its finest.
Ease of Use 5/5 – I couldn’t think of a simpler interface to interact with. My first time out with Strum GS-2 didn’t require a reference to the manual at all. No clutter or wasted space.
Features 4/5 – It would have been nice to hear what kinds of voicings came out of alternate guitar tunings, or for some of the more “hip” keyboard born chords not to always end up reverting to more traditional voicings, Other than that, Strum has everything you need to produce a guitar track, be it an infinite variety of guitar tones or all of the bread and butter effects and amp tones you will need.