Hopkin Instrumentarium: Aquaalt is a Kontakt-based instrument library capturing the unconventional sonics of Bart Hopkin's water lute - a steel-bowl resonator coupled with plucked strings, where the bridge transmits vibrations directly to the bowl's flat bottom. The moving water creates ever-shifting resonances that form the library's core sonic character: ethereal, slightly unstable timbres with organic movement that resist static synthesis.
Soundiron's sampling approach captures five articulation types across four mic positions (close and direct line in), with up to 8x round robin and 6 velocity layers per note. The articulations include plucks, bowed long and short, sul ponticello bowing, and pitch glisses, providing reasonable performance variety without attempting to mask the instrument's inherent character limitations.
The editing interface employs an LFO system with assignable modulation targets, 12 filter types, and modwheel/aftertouch/velocity mapping. The customizable arpeggiator and key/scale locking system support melodic composition, though these features feel somewhat generic when applied to such an idiosyncratic source material.
Aquaalt suits composers seeking genuinely unusual acoustic texture rather than conventional lute emulation. The water element prevents predictable sustain decay and introduces micro-variations useful for ambient work, experimental scoring, and sound design contexts. It occupies a distinct niche - not competitive with traditional sampled instruments but valuable specifically for its strangeness. Best deployed as a textural element rather than a primary melodic voice, Aquaalt rewards patience and selective usage.
Never Miss a Deal
We score every deal so you don't have to. Get the best ones in your inbox.