Bolder Sounds introduced one of its latest products – The Handbell library.

It features a three octave set of handbells chromatically recorded in 9 articulations totaling 1.2 gigabytes. Flexible Kontakt scripting includes control over Envelope-Amp parameters, EQ, IR and reverb, Location (player perspective or audience) and release samples when applicable.

Handbell Clapper – samples are created with the traditional technique of holding it against the shoulder, bell-upwards, and then swinging the bell through an elliptical shape to cause the clapper to strike the casting of the bell.

Suspended Handbell with a soft rubber mallet – samples were recorded with the bells suspended from the ceiling of the room while being struck with a soft rubber mallet.

Suspended Handbell with a hard rubber mallet – samples were recorded with the bells suspended from the ceiling of the room while being struck with a hard rubber mallet.

Suspended Handbell with a plastic chopstick – samples were recorded with the bells suspended from the ceiling of the room while being struck with a plastic chopstick. This creates a great deal of high frequency content.

Singing Handbells – the Singing Handbells sound is created by running a wood dowel along the rim of the handbell, similar to the way a wet finger across the edge of a crystal glass can make it sing.

Plucked Handbells – is accomplished by using the thumb and forefinger to force the clapper head into the casting while the bell is on the table, producing a staccato note.

Handbell Library Specifications:

2 round-robins per bell on most articulations.

Sample resolution of 44.1Khz / 24Bit stereo .wav format

1.2 GB installed, 680 MB .rar download

Kontakt 2/3/4 and Apple EXS24 native formats

The Handbell library is available at a introductory price of $69.00 until January 1, 2010.

More information: Bolder Sounds