Developer Fracture Sounds has released the free Blueprint: Textural Cello for Kontakt Player.

As some of you will already know and are probably sick of hearing, I love a good orchestral library.

Nothing beats having the best players in the world and an incredible sound stage, but unless you’re scoring a AAA movie or video game, that’s not on the cards.

I love that orchestral libraries have come so far that you can comfortably score anything without listeners questioning the authenticity.

Of course, not all libraries are equal, but the Fracture Sounds Blueprint series has been a consistent source of high-quality orchestral sounds since its debut.

This latest release, Textural Cello, is the sequel to the previous Textural Violin library.

I’m always happy to see libraries that bring out the grittier and edgier side of stringed instruments. Textural Cello does that with four distinct articulations: Free Tremolo, Col Legno, Spikes, and Bends.

The Free Tremolo articulation is the heart of the library and probably where you’ll do most of your work. Although the library wouldn’t have the same value without the Free Tremolo articulation, I like the other three most.

The Col Legno articulation is perfect for punchy melody lines or ostinatos. The Bends articulation is perfect for creating harmonic ambiguity as it drifts beautifully.

The Spikes articulation is something a little different; I don’t think enough libraries include the gritty side of stringed instruments, and this articulation has that real scratchy character that sounds almost ominous (great for scoring film).

Each parameter offers dedicated settings.

The interface is pretty typical of the Blueprint series; you have five adjustable parameters: Dynamics, Scatter, Delay, Reverb, and Atmosphere.

The Scatter control is interesting; it randomizes the pan of each sample. It’s an easy way to add movement and make a simple chord sound interesting.

With free libraries like this one and Sonixinema’s Delicate Strings, it’s a great time to be an aspiring media composer.

It’s hard to find fault in this library or any other from the Blueprint series. I’m thankful that developers like Fracture Sounds spend the time and effort to release freebies that sound every bit as good as many paid libraries. Enjoy!

Download: Blueprint: Textural Cello (FREE – Kontakt Player required)

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