The hurdy gurdy, a traditional medieval string instrument with a distinctive drone and melodic potential, has found a new audience in modern music production. For UK-based composers, producers, and hobbyists seeking authentic sounds without significant financial investment, several sample libraries and virtual instruments are available at no cost. These resources provide an accessible entry point into the instrument's unique sonic character, suitable for film scoring, folk music, and experimental electronic productions. This article details the available free options, their technical requirements, and their suitability for different creative workflows, based exclusively on information from verified industry sources.
Available Free Hurdy Gurdy Sample Libraries
Two primary free options are documented in the provided source material. Each offers a different approach to emulating the hurdy gurdy, from a single, focused instrument to a more comprehensive library.
Sonokinetic Hurdy Gurdy
Sonokinetic offers a free hurdy gurdy library specifically designed for the Kontakt Player 7 plugin from Native Instruments. This library is described as a single NKI patch containing over 1,400 samples of a Dutch example of the instrument, also known as a Draailier. The library is positioned as a tool for creating the harmonic environment typical of the hurdy gurdy in medieval-themed music, fantasy scores, and modern productions seeking medieval vibes. It is noted for being free and compatible with the free version of Kontakt Player 7, making it accessible to users who may not own the full version of Kontakt.
Technical Specifications and Requirements: - Software: Requires Kontakt Player 7 (available for free for Windows and macOS). - Sample Count: Over 1,400 samples. - Instrument Count: One instrument (a Dutch Draailier). - Format: Single NKI patch. - Compatibility: Designed for Kontakt Player 7. The full version of Kontakt is not required.
Source Reliability: The information about the Sonokinetic library is consistent across multiple sources [1, 2], which reference the official Sonokinetic website as the source for download and documentation. This indicates a high level of reliability, as the information originates from the developer's official channels.
Soundbytes HurdyGurdyLE
The Soundbytes HurdyGurdyLE is a sample-based VST synthesizer for the Windows platform. It aims to recreate not only the sound but also the playing technique of the hurdy gurdy. A key feature highlighted is its ability to emulate the continuous sound of the chanter and drones, which persists even when keys are released, mimicking the behaviour of the physical instrument. This synthesizer is presented as a solution to the difficulty of convincingly reproducing the instrument's peculiarities using traditional samplers.
Technical Specifications and Requirements: - Platform: Windows. - Type: VST synthesizer. - Key Feature: Continuous drone and chanter sound, independent of key release. - Compatibility: Requires a Windows VST host.
Source Reliability: The information is sourced from the Soundbytes website [4], which is the developer's official page. This provides a reliable basis for the described functionality and technical requirements.
Comparative Analysis of Free Options
The two free libraries cater to different user needs and technical environments. The Sonokinetic library is ideal for users within the Native Instruments ecosystem, particularly those using the free Kontakt Player. Its sample-based approach provides a specific, captured sound of a Dutch hurdy gurdy. In contrast, the Soundbytes HurdyGurdyLE is a VST synthesizer for Windows, offering a more synthetic and potentially flexible approach to generating the instrument's characteristic continuous drone and melodic behaviour. The choice between them depends on the user's preferred software environment (Kontakt vs. VST) and their desired level of authenticity versus flexibility.
Paid Alternatives for Comparison
While the focus is on free resources, the source material also mentions paid libraries, which provide context for the features and limitations of the free options. These are useful for understanding the market and the potential value of the free offerings.
Rhythmic Robot Audio Hurdy Gurdy
Rhythmic Robot Audio offers a hurdy gurdy library for Kontakt at a cost of €15. This library is noted for having a scripted user interface and requiring the full version of Kontakt 4.2.3 or above. It is described as providing more control over performance compared to the free Sonokinetic option. However, it requires a full version of Kontakt, unlike the Sonokinetic library which works with the free player.
Technical Specifications and Requirements: - Price: €15 (at the time of the article). - Software: Requires full version of Kontakt 4.2.3 or above. - Features: Scripted UI, more performance control.
Source Reliability: The information is from a gear news website [2] that includes promotional links. While the price and basic requirements are stated, the source is a third-party retailer or review site, not the official developer page. Therefore, users should verify the current price and compatibility on the official Rhythmic Robot Audio website.
Insanity Samples The Gurdy
Insanity Samples offers "The Gurdy," a comprehensive hurdy gurdy library designed for the full version of Kontakt. It is built on 4,449 samples and includes three microphone signals. The library features detailed chromatic design for drone strings, adaptive turns, aftertouch capabilities, and a moveable 'dog buzz' threshold. It also includes percussive sounds and fingernail drone slides. Currently, it is available at a promotional price of £44.99, reduced from a regular price of £89.00, though the expiry date for this offer is unknown.
Technical Specifications and Requirements: - Price: Promotional price of £44.99 (regular price £89.00). - Software: Requires full version of Kontakt 5, 6, 7, 8, or above. - Sample Count: 4,449 samples. - Disk Space: 6GB after lossless compression. - Features: Three microphone signals, chromatic drone strings, adaptive turns, aftertouch, 'dog buzz' threshold, percussive sounds, drone slides.
Source Reliability: The information is from a news article on AudioPlugInGuy [3], which references the developer's launch announcement. The promotional price is stated, but the lack of an expiry date introduces some uncertainty. For the most current pricing and availability, checking the official Insanity Samples website would be advisable.
Sonokinetic Rinascimento
While not a hurdy gurdy library, the Sonokinetic Rinascimento collection is mentioned in the context of medieval instruments. It contains 38 instruments, sampled with three mic positions, and includes features like an auto-strummer for lutes. However, it is important to note that Rinascimento is not compatible with the free Kontakt Player and requires the full version of Kontakt. This highlights a common distinction in the sample library market: libraries designed for the free player are often more limited in scope (like the single-instrument Sonokinetic Hurdy Gurdy) compared to comprehensive collections requiring the full version.
Technical Specifications and Requirements: - Software: Requires full version of Kontakt (not compatible with free Kontakt Player). - Instrument Count: 38 medieval instruments. - Features: Three mic positions, auto-strummer, custom scripting.
Source Reliability: The information is from a gear news website [2]. As with the Rhythmic Robot library, this is a third-party source. Verification on the official Sonokinetic website is recommended for full details.
Key Considerations for UK Users
When selecting a free hurdy gurdy sample library, UK-based producers should consider the following factors derived from the source material:
- Software Compatibility: The most critical factor is the user's existing software setup. The Sonokinetic library requires Kontakt Player 7, a free download but specific to the Native Instruments ecosystem. The Soundbytes library is a VST for Windows only. Users of other DAWs or operating systems (e.g., macOS) should confirm compatibility.
- Sound Authenticity vs. Flexibility: Sample libraries like Sonokinetic's offer a captured, authentic sound of a specific instrument. Synthesizer-based approaches like Soundbytes' may offer more flexibility in sound design but may require more user tweaking to achieve a realistic result.
- Feature Depth: Free libraries typically offer a focused set of features. The Sonokinetic library provides a single, well-sampled instrument. For more advanced techniques (like detailed drone control or multiple mic positions), paid libraries like Insanity Samples' The Gurdy are necessary.
- Source Verification: For any library, especially paid ones, it is best practice to consult the developer's official website for the most accurate and current information on pricing, compatibility, and features. The provided sources are largely reliable, but official sites are the ultimate authority.
Conclusion
For UK musicians and producers, the hurdy gurdy is accessible through at least two free sample libraries, each suited to different technical environments. Sonokinetic's free Hurdy Gurdy provides an authentic, sample-based instrument for users of the free Kontakt Player 7, ideal for adding medieval colour to productions. Soundbytes' HurdyGurdyLE offers a VST synthesizer for Windows users, focusing on replicating the instrument's unique continuous drone behaviour. While paid libraries from developers like Rhythmic Robot Audio and Insanity Samples offer greater depth and control, the free options provide a legitimate and cost-effective way to explore the distinctive sound of the hurdy gurdy. As with all software, verifying details on the official developer websites is recommended before download or purchase.