RealSamples Dutch HarpsichordSample Library

The RealSamples Dutch Harpsichord library offers an original harpsichord by Andreas Ruckers built in 1628. Due to its two manuals and many registers, the Ruckers harpsichord offers lots of unqiue sounds, sampled with 6 different register combinations, including the upper 8', lower 8' (principal 8'), tutti, both 8' together, the 4' register as well as the lute stop.

RealSamples Dutch Harpsichord Features:
-6 different register combinations sampled: upper 8', lower 8', tutti, 2x8', 4' and lute stop
-Sampled registers can be combined for even more sounds
-Each register recorded with 8 different samples of each note
-ready to play HAlion/Kontakt2/EXS24 presets
-wave format
-no mastering applied
-recorded in 192 khz/24 bits resolution and downsampled
-DVD set
-license-free application in your music

The instruments of the Ruckers family represent the well-known and sought-after sound of Flemish harpsichords while ranking among the best harpsichords ever built. Their full and precious sound set out to influence the harpsichord designs in Spain, France, England and Germany.  Like all harpsichords, the Ruckers is not touch-sensitive. However, even if the differences are minuscule, not any given note will sound exactly the same due to different resonances of body and strings.

Until now, many keyboards and samplers represented harpsichords by always triggering off the exact same digital sample, leaving a cold and sterile sounding impression.  In order to improve upon previous recreations and to pay tribute to the liveliness and depth of this antique instrument, RealSamples captured every sampled register with up to 8 variations of each note.  To complete the harpsichord experience, they recorded every register with 4 different release samples of each note.

Remaining in excellent condition in the collection of Andreas Beurmann, it is now available for the first time for your sampler within the Dutch Harpsichord library, presented in its original valotti tuning at 372 Hz (Presets in 440 Hz are included as well).  Presets are available for all common sample formats including HAlion, Kontakt2, and EXS24.  The sample library contains nearly 3700 single samples.

Recorded in the great sounding rooms of the Hasselburg estate, RealSamples employed active tube-driven Royer R-122V ribbon microphones and vintage Neumann TLM-170 microphones in conjunction with Crane Song Flamingo preamps and Universal Audio 2192 digital converters to do the instrument justice.  For maximum sound quality, they recorded in 192 khz/24 bits, downsampled to the resolution of your choice.

Furthermore, the RealSamples Dutch Harpsichord sample library contains an essay in German from Professor Andreas E. Beurmann himself, explaining both the historical and musical background of the instrument.

A high performance system is required, especially a sound card allowing for the particular sample rate/bit depth, and at least 512 MB RAM (1 GB or more is best).