The hurdy gurdy, a traditional bowed string instrument with a distinctive drone and melody, has found a new life in digital music production. For UK-based composers, producers, and hobbyists, several libraries offer access to this unique sound, with some available at no cost. This article examines the available options, focusing on free and promotional sample libraries designed for the Kontakt platform, a standard in professional music software. The information is derived exclusively from the provided source materials, which include official brand announcements and technical specifications.
Available Free and Promotional Libraries
Two primary libraries for the hurdy gurdy are documented in the source material: one offered completely free of charge and another available at a significant promotional discount. Both are designed for use with Native Instruments' Kontakt software.
Sonokinetic Hurdy Gurdy (Free)
Sonokinetic, a developer of sample libraries, released a hurdy gurdy library as a free download. This library is specifically designed for the free Kontakt Player 7 plugin from Native Instruments, which is available for both Windows and macOS at no cost. The library is contained within a single NKI patch and comprises over 1,400 samples. The official Sonokinetic website is the source for both the download and accompanying documentation.
The library is described as capturing the sound of a 500-year-old medieval instrument, suitable for creating fantasy movie scores or medieval-themed music. It is intended to provide a harmonic environment for other melodic instruments. The source material does not specify any geographical restrictions for this free download, suggesting it is available to users globally, including the UK.
Insanity Samples The Gurdy (Promotional Offer)
Insanity Samples offers "The Gurdy," a comprehensive library requiring the full version of Kontakt (versions 5, 6, 7, 8, or above). This library is not free but is available at a promotional price. The regular price is £89.00, reduced to £44.99. The expiry date for this promotional offer is not specified in the source material.
The Gurdy is built on a foundation of 4,449 samples and includes three core microphone signals. It requires 6GB of disk space after lossless compression. Key features include adaptive turns, live performance techniques for melody strings, aftertouch capabilities, and a moveable ‘dog buzz’ threshold to replicate the characteristic buzzing bridge effect. The library also includes percussive sounds and fingernail drone slides. This library is designed for a more detailed and fully chromatic representation of the instrument, with a focus on advanced performance techniques.
Technical Requirements and Compatibility
The technical requirements for these libraries differ significantly. The free Sonokinetic library requires only the free Kontakt Player 7. In contrast, the Insanity Samples library requires a full, paid version of Kontakt (version 5 or newer). Both libraries are compatible with Windows operating systems. The Insanity Samples library is also compatible with macOS, as it works with Kontakt versions that support both platforms. The Sonokinetic library's macOS compatibility is implied by its requirement for Kontakt Player 7, which is available for both Windows and OSX.
Access and Distribution
Both libraries are distributed through their respective developers' official websites. For the free Sonokinetic library, the download is available directly from the Sonokinetic website. For the promotional Insanity Samples library, the purchase is made through the Insanity Samples website. The source material does not mention any mail-in sample programmes or physical media for these digital products; distribution is entirely online.
Eligibility and Usage
No specific eligibility criteria, such as age or profession, are mentioned in the source material for either library. The free Sonokinetic library is available to anyone who downloads the free Kontakt Player 7. The Insanity Samples library is available for purchase to anyone, with the promotional price potentially being time-limited, though the expiry date is unknown.
The intended use for both libraries is for music production within a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). The Sonokinetic library is aimed at creating a harmonic background, while the Insanity Samples library offers tools for detailed, realistic performance simulation.
Comparison of Key Features
The following table summarises the key differences between the two libraries based on the provided information:
| Feature | Sonokinetic Hurdy Gurdy | Insanity Samples The Gurdy |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Promotional price of £44.99 (reduced from £89.00) |
| Kontakt Requirement | Free Kontakt Player 7 | Full Kontakt 5, 6, 7, 8, or above |
| Sample Count | Over 1,400 samples | 4,449 samples |
| Key Features | Single NKI patch, medieval sound | Adaptive turns, aftertouch, dog buzz effect, percussive sounds, fingernail slides |
| Microphone Signals | Not specified | Three core microphone signals |
| Disk Space | Not specified | 6GB after lossless compression |
| Platform | Windows and OSX (via Kontakt Player 7) | Windows and macOS (via Kontakt) |
Conclusion
For UK musicians seeking the distinctive sound of the hurdy gurdy, the provided source material outlines two distinct digital sample library options. The Sonokinetic Hurdy Gurdy offers a completely free entry point, requiring only the free Kontakt Player 7, making it highly accessible for hobbyists and those on a budget. In contrast, Insanity Samples' The Gurdy provides a more extensive and feature-rich library for a promotional price, but requires investment in the full version of Kontakt software. The choice between them depends on the user's budget, technical setup (specifically their version of Kontakt), and the level of detail required for their musical projects. As the promotional price for The Gurdy has an unknown expiry date, interested parties should verify the current offer directly on the Insanity Samples website.