Instruments | Folk | Kay 5-String Banjo

A 5 string closed back banjo.

Details

This version of the FlameStudios Kay 5-String Banjo was converted from the original GigaSampler version by S. Christian Collins. The accompanying PDF file (FS Kay 5-String Banjo presets list.pdf) describes the behavior of the original GigaSampler version. While most of the information presented there still applies to the SFZ conversion, a few changes have been made when creating the SFZ version:

• In "FS KayBanjo (release mw1).sfz", a key switch has been added on notes C2 and D2 (middle C = C4):
• C2 (default): The banjo's note range is C3 through E6 with note G4 being the string 5 sample. String 5 is the short string that is usually played with the thumb, alternating between the other fingers for that classic banjo sound. This sample assignment causes G4 to have a different tone than the neighboring notes, which are using string 1 samples.
• D2: In this keyswitch, note G4 uses the string 1 sample, similar to its neighboring notes. The string 5 G4 sample is placed both below (F2-A2) and above (F6-A6) the normal banjo note range to facilitate an alternating-hand play style with one hand on the string 5 sample and the other playing the other four strings spread from C3 through E6. The string 5 sample normally only provides the pitch G4, but I have stretched it a whole step in each direction to cover notes F through A.
• In "FS KayBanjo (release mw1).sfz", the white keys C7 through A7 feature various harmonics and muted string effects that were included in the original GigaSampler file but never mapped to any keys.
• All samples have been edited to reduce noise and distortion. You can still hear distortion on a few samples due to the significant clipping on the originals. Other noises are occasionally present due to the recording having been made in a noisy environment. Despite these flaws, the audio quality has been greatly improved from the original version.

Requirements

This SFZ instrument was developed for use with the ARIA engine, freely available in the Plogue Sforzando VSTi. I don't know how well it will work with other SFZ samplers such as LinuxSampler or sfizz. Your mileage may vary.

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