Void & Vista have announced a major update that significantly enhances the capabilities of their debut software instrument. STRANDS 2.0 includes a range of features developed for the company’s second instrument, FOLDS, including its Ensemble engine, updates to the Dynamics and Character Multi FX pages and a number of other enhancements that take advantage of the improvements in Kontakt 7.
If you’re not familiar with STRANDS, it’s worth taking a look at our review from the June 2023 issue of SOS.
What’s New?
The instrument is now equipped with the Ensemble feature introduced in FOLDS, which allows users to blend in additional sample voices and manipulate them using Pitch, Width, Detune and Cascade parameters. The Dynamics page has been treated to an overhaul, too, and is now kitted out with Pan, Distance and Stereo Spread dials that offer more in-depth control over the soundstage.
An addition 10 effects have been added to the Character Multi-FX page (increasing the total count to 22) including Blur, Degrade, Tape, Fuzz, Reverse and Trems, and users can now save and load entire chains as Character FX presets. The instrument also now features MIDI-based pitch-shifting, resulting in more realistic harmonisation effects. Over 100 new snapshot presets that show off the new features are present, bringing the total count to over 1000 built-in patches.
The instrument also benefits from improvements made to Kontakt 7, including some user interface tweaks and NKS protocol updates, as well as boasting improved loading times and reduced CPU usage.
Take a look at the video below to see and hear the new features in action.
Compatibility
STRANDS 2.0 runs in Native Instruments’ Kontakt or Kontakt Player versions 7.7 and above, which are supported on PCs running Windows 10 and higher, and Macs running macOS 11 or later. VST3, AU and AAX plug-in versions are available.
Pricing & Availability
STRANDS 2.0 is available now as a free update to existing users. For those wishing to purchase the instrument, it’s priced at £129 including VAT, and the company are currently offering a 20% introductory discount until 26 September 2024.
