AURAS is an exploration of the realm of musical sound that is formless or indefinable in nature. These sonic sculptures can be shaped and controlled using MIDI keyboards and controllers, including MPE (Midi Polyphonic Expression) technology such as the ROLI Seaboard or Haken Continuum, which have the ability to mould the sound per note whilst playing.
As well as exploring the curated sound world of the AURAS patches, new sonic landscapes can be created and customised using the COLOURS environment. Simple assignment of sound shaping parameters to any MIDI sliders, knobs or controllers makes designing completely unique performable textures easy and quick.
The sound world of AURAS focuses primarily on abstract and impressionistic textures and rhythms.
It is influenced by the styles of composers and artists who blur the boundaries between sound design, orchestration and music. John Luther Adams, Ben Frost, Ingram Marshall, Tim Hecker, Ian William Craig, Machinedrum and William Basinski were all reference points for a library that explores the manipulation of sound as if it were an energetic field or aura of sonic texture that constantly shifts in shape and colour.
Deeply programmed MIDI control enables this concept to be played with intuitively and expressively. Unlike the way a regular sample library gives a strictly defined and static snapshot of a sound, AURAS allows the shapes and forms of each sound to be played with in a dynamic and unique way.
A wide variety of sounds were recorded as material for the sound design, with an emphasis on capturing performance and movement rather than a vast array of multi-sampled notes. Strings, synths, winds, field recordings, percussion and more were used as source material that was processed using a number of techniques and effects to create a sonic landscape that ranges from soft and fragile to complete chaos.
AURAS + COLOURS
The AURAS section of the library contains over 60 curated multi-layered instruments, creatively programmed to inspire new ideas.
Layers and effects are interacted with using the knobs and sliders of MIDI CC controllers or using the multi-dimensional gestural controls of MPE devices such as the ROLI Seaboard. A minimal GUI allows multiple parameters of each layer to be tweaked in order to to adjust the sound to taste.
→ AURAS
With over 100 patches, the COLOURS environment gives you the opportunity to take the source material from the AURAS instruments and shape your own sounds in a fast and simple way.
Immediate and intuitive sound manipulation parameters make it easy to focus on creating unique and playable textures in an instinctive and creative manner. The built in modulation matrix allows various effects and parameters to be assigned to knobs and sliders on MIDI controllers, MPE multi-touch controls, or any of two adjustable internal LFOs.
→ COLOURS
INTUITIVE EXPRESSION
Each AURAS patch’s layers and effects can be easily assigned to be controlled by knobs and sliders on any MIDI CC controller.
Both the AURAS and COLOURS engines have a MIDI learn function in which the user can simply twist a knob or push a slider on their MIDI controller to assign its CC number to the relevant parameter, allowing for extremely powerful and immediate expression.
→ ALT DEVICES
POLYPHONIC TEXTURE CONTROL
AURAS is the first Kontakt library designed to work with MPE multi-touch technology.
Multiple dimensions of touch allow for polyphonic control of a variety of creative sound shaping parameters. AURAS patches contain layers and effects that can be individually controlled per note using multi-dimensional gestural movement on the keybed, allowing for uniquely responsive expression in sound design performance.
→ MPE
AURAS IN CONTEXT
→ Hunter — Simon Ashdown
Affirmare — Yair Elazar Glotman
Basic Goodness — Sam Slater
Shadow Encouter — Simon Ashdown
00:00 / 00:00
PLAY
AURAS EP
The AURAS EP is a compilation of tracks created by a variety of contemporary artists using the AURAS instrument as a stimulus for their own musical visions.
The EP is purchased separately from the library and is available digitally or as a 12” vinyl.
TESTIMONIALS + REVIEWS
"WITHOUT A SHADOW OF A DOUBT, A VERY CLASSY PRODUCT. SONICALLY, IT REWARDS HUGELY, WHICH IS TESTIMONY TO BOTH THE QUALITY OF THE SOURCE AUDIO AND THE PLENTIFUL BUT REASONABLY SIMPLE CONTROL AVAILABLE AT EDITED AND REAL-TIME LEVELS. 10/10"
— MUSIC TECH MAGAZINE
"FOR ANYONE WHO WANTS TO CREATE AN INSTANT ATMOSPHERE, SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT, SOMETHING THAT CAN RANGE BETWEEN SOUNDING BEAUTIFUL, EUPHORIC TO SINISTER AND DARK"
— SAMPLE LIBRARY REVIEW
"ONE OF THRE BEST THINGS I EVER BOUGHT"
— NATHAN MICAY (INDUSTRY, LUCKYME)
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
SOFTWARE
Kontakt or Kontakt 6.3.2 or higher
Free Kontakt Player included
SYSTEM
Intel Macs (i5 or higher): macOS 10.15, 11 or 12 (latest update); Apple Silicon Macs: macOS 11 or 12 (latest update); Windows 10 or 11, Intel Core i5 or equivalent CPU
SIZE
9GB samples compressed
HARDWARE
Compatible with MIDI keyboards, MIDI controllers, ROLI Seaboard, ROLI Blocks and Haken Continuum
DOCUMENTATIONAURAS Quick Start Manual
