CINEMATIQUE
INSTRUMENTS
UNIQUE INSTRUMENTS FOR MODERN MUSIC
LISTEN TO OUR MONOCHORD
| Open End / Eric van Gent |
| Inter Mono / Eric van Gent |
| Cross Road / Eric van Gent |
| Refrigerator / Eric van Gent |
German Monochord
The word “monochord” literally means “single-stringed”. It was first constructed 2500 years ago by Pythagoras for basic experiments on harmonics. It was a simple wooden plate with only one string in those days. Today, it is an instrument with many strings of the same length stretched over a wooden soundbox, all tuned to the same tone. If you slowly pass your hands alternately over the strings without a break, you get a long-lasting sound that is rich in overtones.
We recorded several different articulations, which are all available in one patch.
Our German Monochord has 21 strings, one string tuned one octave lower. All strings are tuned to B.
Firstly, we recorded separately each of the 21 strings of the Monochord plucked both with hands and plec in 2 or 3 dynamic variations. We mapped the strings in a range from C2 to C5 that you can pass your hands alternately over the keys related to the strings of the Monochord.
Using this playing technique, you get the typical long-lasting sound of the Monochord. Beyond that, we recorded single strings in several Round Robin variations and dynamic layers.
Please note. Kontakt 5 or higher full version is required.
INSTRUMENT VIEW
WALKTHROUGH MONOCHORD
CONTENT
Organic Sound
We've taken great care to capture the natural and organic sound of the Monochord. We've recorded all the main articulations with a high-quality microphone, using four times round robins and 3 velocity layers.
5 Articulations
- Finger (tuned)
- Finger (untuned)
- Plectrum (tuned)
- Plectrum (untuned)
- Stick
Glissando Feature
Using all articulations we implemented a Glissando feature, which triggers hold down notes by the mod wheel.
Tremolo Feature
Utilizing all articulations we added a Tremolo feature, which can be easily controlled by the mod wheel. This tremolo can create a tragic and dramatic effect, perfectly fitting in many different music styles and genres.
