SOUNDIRON Hopkin Instrumentarium: Chordophones | Experimental String Instrument Library
A Collection of Ten Experimental String Instruments from Master Instrument Inventor Bart Hopkin
SOUNDIRON Hopkin Instrumentarium: Chordophones is an experimental string instrument library designed by master instrument inventor Bart Hopkin and produced by SOUNDIRON. It features 10 unique custom instruments with a total size of 58.3 GB. This library brings together all string instruments from the Hopkin series, including a brand-new exclusive instrument, the Stroked Zither. Each instrument boasts unique organic timbres, multiple microphone positions, and hundreds of soundscapes re-created from original recordings, making it a professional scoring sound library designed for Kontakt Player.
Compared to traditional orchestral string libraries, Chordophones achieves unique, irreplaceable timbres by featuring instruments crafted from non-traditional materials such as wood, steel, styrofoam, water, and rubber. Unlike other effects libraries on the market, Bart Hopkin's design philosophy ensures that every sound originates from a real physical sound source, injecting authentic and imaginative organic textures into digital music creation, thus offering a sound palette with greater narrative and emotional depth.
Quick Facts
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Brand: SOUNDIRON
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Model: Hopkin Instrumentarium: Chordophones
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Number of Instruments: 10 experimental string instruments
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Total Size: 58.3 GB
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Sampling Specs: 24-bit / 48 kHz (Lossless NCW)
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License Format: Kontakt Player / NKS
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Suitable for: Film Scoring, Game Music Production, Experimental Music Creation, Ambient Soundscape Design, Sound Design
Who is SOUNDIRON Chordophones suitable for?
SOUNDIRON Chordophones Core Technologies and Features
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10 Unique Experimental Instruments: Features 10 handcrafted string instruments designed by Bart Hopkin, including Alt Alt, Aquaalt, Handsome Dan, Icicles & Pop Ice, Squiggly-Amejewar, Stroked Zither, Weighted Strings, and 2+2+1, each with a unique timbre.
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Multiple Microphone Positions: Each instrument offers various microphone placement options, allowing users to freely mix them to create different soundstages, from intimate detail to expansive spatiality.
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Rich Articulations: Provides various articulations such as Plucks, Staccatos, Bowed Sustains, Glisses, and Percussion, covering a wide range of musical expression needs.
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Ambient Soundscape Design: Includes hundreds of soundscapes processed from original instrument recordings, quickly adding atmosphere and depth to your compositions.
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Powerful 4-Layer Sound Engine: An efficient modular four-layer graphical user interface (GUI) allows users to freely stack and blend different timbres to create complex and dynamic sound textures.
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Over 150 FX Presets: Built-in with over 150 meticulously designed effects chain presets (FX Presets), providing instant creative inspiration and covering various styles and application scenarios.
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Full NKS Integration: Fully compatible with Native Instruments' Komplete Kontrol and S-Series keyboards, all parameters can be intuitively controlled via hardware.
Core Sound-Shaping Controls
- Provides comprehensive sound envelope controls, including Swell, Attack, Release, and Offset (sample start point offset).
- Built-in Vibrato, Filter, and Pitch controls, allowing for fine and coarse pitch adjustments.
- Supports Articulation Switching, Cross-fading, and Layering, offering flexible dynamic expressiveness.
Advanced Modulation & Performance Features
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Adaptive LFO System: Allows selection of LFO waveform, modulation target, rate, intensity, and supports Tempo-Syncing and fade-in time control.
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Versatile Filter: Offers 12 types of low-pass, high-pass, and effects filters, assignable to various modulation sources such as velocity, mod wheel, expression pedal, aftertouch, and keyboard position.
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Customizable Arpeggiator: Built-in powerful arpeggiator with controls for velocity table, arpeggiation direction, timing, Swing, randomization, and note duration.
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Scale and Key Lock: Built-in scale lock system to restrict notes to common scales and keys, facilitating melody creation and live performance.
Modular FX Rack
- Provides 8 effects slots, allowing free arrangement and combination of 27 different DSP effects modules.
- Effect types include classic Phaser, Flanger, Delay, Distortion, Amp/Cab simulation, Compressor, EQ, Rotator, and more.
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Convolution Reverb: The reverb effect includes 99 impulse responses (IRs) of real spaces, covering rooms, concert halls, churches, and outdoor environments.
- Additionally provides 40 custom FX impulse responses, usable for creating highly experimental special effects that completely transform the original timbre.
Technical Specifications
| Sound Library Format | Kontakt Player Library (NKS Format) |
| Included Instruments | 10 experimental string instruments designed by Bart Hopkin |
| Number of NKI Presets | 169 NKI preset files |
| Total Samples | 44,365 stereo samples |
| Audio Format | 24-bit / 48 kHz stereo lossless compressed NCW format |
| Installed Size | 58.3 GB |
| Supported Plugin Formats | VST, AU, AAX (via Kontakt Player) |
| Licensing Method | Native Instruments Native Access online serial number activation |
| Minimum System Requirements (Mac) | macOS 10.12 or newer, Kontakt Player 8.1 or newer |
| Minimum System Requirements (Windows) | Windows 7 or newer, Kontakt Player 8.1 or newer |
| Hardware Recommendation | Dual-core CPU, 3 GB or more system memory, SATA or SSD solid-state drive recommended |
Pros and Cons
SOUNDIRON Hopkin Instrumentarium FAQ
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