Rigid Audio Asphericon is a hybrid sampler-instrument designed for Kontakt, featuring a collection of 24 multi-sampled instruments focusing on guitars, tubes, and bells. This unique plugin aims to provide users with a versatile palette of sounds suitable for ambient, cinematic, and experimental music production. Asphericon stands out with its layered approach, allowing musicians to blend different variations of each instrument with ease. The plugin incorporates several effects to enhance the sonic possibilities, including convolution reverb, an ambient layer with 20 presets, an ambient shimmer effect, and a guitar amp simulation. Asphericon’s interface is designed to be user-friendly, with four global presets that offer quick access to different sound configurations. The instrument is fully velocity-responsive, enabling expressive performances that capture the nuances of playing dynamics. Priced affordably during its introductory period, Asphericon presents itself as an accessible option for producers looking to expand their sound library with high-quality, atmospheric instruments.
Pros:
• Diverse collection of 24 multi-sampled instruments focusing on guitars, tubes, and bells
• Layered instrument design allows for easy blending of sound variations
• Includes unique effects like convolution reverb and ambient shimmer for enhanced sound shaping
• Fully velocity-responsive for expressive performances
• Affordable pricing, especially during the introductory offer
Cons:
• Limited to 24 instruments, which may not be sufficient for some users seeking a more extensive library
• Requires the full version of Kontakt, potentially increasing the overall cost for new users
The features of Rigid Audio Asphericon are designed to provide users with a comprehensive toolkit for creating atmospheric and textural sounds. At its core, the plugin offers 24 beautifully crafted, multi-sampled instruments that focus on guitars, tubes, and bells. Each of these instruments has been carefully recorded to capture the subtle nuances and characteristics that make them unique.
One of the standout features of Asphericon is its layered instrument design. This approach allows users to blend different variations or layers of each instrument seamlessly. By manipulating these layers, musicians can create complex, evolving sounds that add depth and interest to their compositions. This feature is particularly useful for those working in ambient or cinematic genres, where textural richness is often a key component.
The plugin’s effects suite significantly enhances its sonic capabilities. The unique convolution reverb effects add spatial dimension to the instruments, allowing users to place sounds in various acoustic environments. This can be particularly effective for creating immersive soundscapes or adding a sense of realism to virtual instrument performances.
Complementing the reverb is an ambient layer feature with 20 presets. This adds an additional dimension to the sound, allowing users to quickly introduce atmospheric elements that can sit behind the main instrument or blend with it to create new textures. The ambient shimmer effect further expands the plugin’s ability to create ethereal, evolving pads and textures that can add a sense of wonder and space to a composition.
For those working with guitar-based sounds, the inclusion of a guitar amp simulation effect is a valuable addition. This feature allows users to add grit, warmth, or character to the guitar samples, expanding their versatility and making them suitable for a wider range of musical styles.
Asphericon’s user interface is designed with efficiency in mind. The four global presets provide quick access to different sound configurations, allowing users to rapidly switch between different moods or styles during the creative process. This feature can be particularly useful during live performances or when working to tight deadlines.
The fully velocity-responsive nature of the instrument adds a crucial layer of expressivity. This means that the sound responds dynamically to how hard or soft the keys are played, allowing for nuanced performances that can capture the subtleties of a player’s touch. This feature is essential for creating realistic-sounding performances and adds a human element to the digital instruments.
While the plugin focuses on a specific range of instruments (guitars, tubes, and bells), the ability to layer and blend these sounds opens up a vast array of sonic possibilities. Users can create hybrid instruments that combine the attack of a bell with the sustain of a guitar, or layer multiple instruments to create rich, complex textures that evolve over time.
This plugin is best for:
• Ambient and atmospheric music producers
• Film and game composers seeking unique, textural sounds
• Experimental musicians looking for new sound design tools
• Producers working in electronic genres who want to add organic textures to their tracks
• Songwriters seeking inspiration from unconventional sound sources
Rigid Audio Asphericon presents itself as a specialized tool for creating atmospheric and textural sounds. Its focus on guitars, tubes, and bells, combined with its layering capabilities and effects suite, makes it a unique offering in the crowded virtual instrument market. The plugin’s strength lies in its ability to create complex, evolving sounds from a relatively small number of base instruments. This approach can be particularly appealing to producers who prefer working with a curated selection of high-quality sounds rather than navigating through extensive libraries. The inclusion of features like convolution reverb, ambient layers, and guitar amp simulation expands the sonic possibilities, allowing users to shape and mold the sounds to fit a wide range of musical contexts. While the limited number of instruments might be a drawback for some, the layering and blending capabilities help to mitigate this limitation by providing a vast array of possible combinations. The plugin’s affordability, especially during its introductory period, makes it an attractive option for producers looking to expand their sound palette without breaking the bank. However, potential users should be aware that it requires the full version of Kontakt, which could be an additional expense for those who don’t already own it. Overall, Asphericon appears to be a well-designed tool that could find a place in the workflows of many ambient, cinematic, and experimental music producers.