Acclaimed composer Max Richter shares his essential string sounds via his new SRM Sounds instrument library

Max Richter has just released his sixth virtual instrument pack from his sound library, SRM Sounds. This new product is all about strings, but according to Richter, it goes much deeper than that.

In the video announcing the pack, officially titled Max Richter Strings, he discusses how he tapped musicians he’s known for decades to record the audio for each of the five parts: Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello 1, and Cello 2. While many composers hone in on the standard string quartet, Richter added a second cello because he’s a self-described ‘bass head.”

“Violin one is not Violin one. It’s Louisa as far as I’m concerned,” Richter says. “It’s really moving to play this instrument because these are people I’ve been working with for 20 years or more. Especially with a solo string instrument, you feel the person playing it so powerfully.”

All of the five instruments can deliver specific playing qualities as well, from the short bursts of staccato to the sweeping tones of legato. Four mic signals can be applied through the plugin: Close Condenser, Close Ribbon, Tree, and Outriggers. The interface also offers a simple reverb, controlled by pre, time, and mix. So, while the pack offers five instruments in total, the different articulations and recording colours can bring an endless variety of orchestral tones to any production.

Prior to this, four out of five of Richter’s previous releases through SRM Sounds have all been standard instruments. The first was Max Richter Piano, as he is a pianist by trade.  Then Dark Mode was a free download to add more color options to the piano. The fourth was Sleep Piano, which offered recordings directly from the piano he used to compose his eight-and-a-half-hour concept album, Sleep. The most recent was ASMR Choir, which combined strings and a choir to play intimate, soft sounds. His third release, Valley Forge, was more exploratory, combining a 15-piece timpani ensemble processed with analogue electronic instruments such as Richter’s Minimoog.

Max Richter Strings is currently available for £199 until 30 September. After that, the price will increase to £249. It works with Native Instruments hardware and software, Kontakt Player, or Kontakt 8.10.2 and newer. For more information, head to SRM Sounds.

Harry Levin is a freelance journalist with credits in SPIN, Billboard, MusicTech, Grammy.com, Los Angeles Magazine, and more. His musical journey began 20 years ago with a Led Zeppelin CD. He played jazz trombone through college, produced large-scale electronic music events, and now spends his professional time writing and editing.