HarpTime Physically Modeling VSTi Released

March 03, 2004

HarpTime Pro
(Click for a close-up)

HarpTime Fun
(Click for a close-up)

The HarpTime VST synthesizer for Windows was designed by Luigi Felici of NuSofting specifically to reproduce the sound of the plucked folk harp, and uses a physical modelling synthesis engine in which twelve strings are all individually modelled to allow true sympathetic resonances. Attention has been paid to the construction of real harps, and with more than ten string modelling algorithms available, HarpTime is capable of reproducing the tones of a variety of folk and ethnic instruments including the Celtic harp, as well as that of many other types, such as Japanese (koto), Paraguayan and African harps.

HarpTime is available in two versions, the fully-featured 'Pro' version, and a simpler 'Fun' version which is more immediate to use.

Performance Features:

A unique implemention to emulate the pitch envelope typical of loose strings.
Natural string vibrato is created by a smoothed Pitch Modulation controlled by an LFO
Control is provided over the 'touch' of the player, allowing variation in the effective playing strength, from soft strums, to hard plucking.
Full control of keyboard velocity response
Effects

A double "Low Pass/Band Pass" filter is implemented, which allows a great deal of control over the timbre of the sound. This means, for example, that electric harp timbres are possible. An internal stereo Chorus adds more depth and timbral variation to the sound.

String Controls

The 'Fun' version of HarpTime implements a global string parameter set, which affects all strings. The Pro version also has a global parameter set, but this may be overridden with a further set of controls for each of the individual twelve strings. These controls determine

The maximum energy sent to the string
Microtuning of the string (-100 to +100 cents)
The position where the string is plucked (changes the harmonic structure)
The tone, or brightness of picking

Available now for Windows, HarpTime Pro and HarpTime Fun both come with a free VST host program that allows for live performance, and cost $59.90 and $23.90 respectively. A bundle of both the Pro and Fun versions can be purchased for $74.90.

For more information, visit their web site at http://nusofting.liqihsynth.com/.

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