EastWest String Machine £170
Summoning the spirit of the string machines of the pre-digital age, EastWest’s latest VI brings retro-future textures to the 21st century table
EastWest’s penchant for pro-level orchestral libraries and malleable vocal suites has made their software stable a comfortable go-to for many working in the industry. While aimed at serving the needs of modern composers first and foremost, EastWest’s latest in a growing line of more colourful releases gazes warmly back to an age of more basic instrument sampling.
It was a time when analogue synth and string machines, such as the Oberheim OBX, the ARP Solina and the Roland Jupiter-6 were among the most innovative-sounding instruments around. Their scintillating, epic character defined the soundtracks of countless iconic films and tracks from the likes of Giorgio Moroder, Joy Division and Pink Floyd. Intending to emulate the qualities of string ensembles and Hammond organs, the wonky, expansive nature of these synthesised voices instead injected a character all of their own.