Publisher: Soundprops
Website: soundprops.com/guitar-series-direct-sg
Format: KONTAKT 6
Size: 723 MB
Direct SG is our virtual version of the famous double-cutaway guitar. The instrument features two humbuckers, a three-way pickup selector, and volume and tone controls (two for each pickup). Our virtual instrument allows you to use all three selector positions, as well as independent volume and tone adjustments for each one.
Sonic characteristics and genres
Humbuckers provide a higher output level and impart a smooth character to the sound with less pronounced high frequencies. This sound is suitable for a wide range of musical genres, including:
• rock
• country
• pop
• soul
• R&B
• blues
• jazz
• reggae
• punk
• heavy metal
Authenticity and sampling detail
To capture the instrument’s authentic character with maximum precision, we sampled virtually all playing techniques and articulations used by guitarists. We also recorded elements such as:
• fret buzz
• string release sounds
• pick attack
• squeaks and other noises associated with playing electric guitar
Innovative FX-morph system
Thanks to our meticulously crafted, “smart” scripts, all available functions are organized within an intuitive and elegant interface. One innovative feature is the FX-morph system, which blends standard articulation tones with harmonic sustain notes and feedback sounds recorded specifically for this purpose. This new level of expressiveness—unmatched in similar virtual instruments—allows the musician to precisely reproduce the tonal shifts caused by changing the pick’s angle or position, as well as the feedback effects that occur when the guitar is brought close to an amplifier.
Capturing Pickup and Circuitry Sounds
The type of pickups installed and their wiring configuration are among the most significant factors influencing an electric guitar’s sound. When recording an instrument as complex as the electric guitar, it was crucial for us to provide the ability to select any pickup combination available on the specific model. Simply connecting pickups directly to a mixing console does not yield the same sound as passing the signal through the instrument’s complete electrical circuitry.
Modeling Methods and Results
To capture the authentic sound of the pickups, we therefore decided to use a combination of sampling and modeling techniques. Analyzing the sonic characteristics of various pickups and their associated electrical circuits enabled us to create a spectral “fingerprint” for each pickup and combination. Thanks to advanced filtering methods, we can reproduce every tonal nuance and any pickup configuration. We even recorded the guitar body’s resonance, as we believe it contributes to the instrument’s authentic sound.
The development and refinement process spanned over three years of intensive work; we believe that our passion and attention to detail have resulted in an incredibly expressive instrument that offers exceptional realism and playability.
