String Machines 2

String Machines 2 is a meticulously sampled instrument library drawing from over 60 vintage string synthesizers spanning five decades of analog design. UVI's multi-year restoration and archiving project has resulted in what amounts to a sonic time capsule of an underappreciated synthesis era, now made accessible as a plugin instrument rather than a hunt for increasingly rare hardware.

The core appeal lies in the authentic character these machines possess. Unlike their original intent to simulate orchestral strings, 1970s string synths became valued for distinctly electronic qualities - lush ensemble effects, characteristic chorus modulations, and harmonic richness that defined countless recordings across progressive rock, synth-pop, and electronic music. String Machines 2 captures this sonic DNA through 46,000 samples derived from actual hardware, preserving the analog artifacts and nonlinearities that define their appeal.

The dual-layer architecture enables layering across different machines, permitting hybrid sound design while maintaining the integrity of individual units. The 355 included presets demonstrate considerable breadth, spanning traditional pad and brass textures through more experimental territory.

This instrument suits producers and composers seeking authentic vintage synthesizer character without the maintenance, repair, and acquisition costs of actual hardware. Engineers working in genres from progressive rock to modern synth-based production will find immediate utility. Compared to competing string synth libraries, String Machines 2's expanded collection and restoration quality establish it as the most comprehensive option currently available, functioning equally well as both a sound design tool and historical archive of an overlooked synthesis chapter.