Apple EXS24
For this sample library a beautiful 3 octave set of handbells were recorded in 9 different articulations totalling 1.2 gigabytes. The samples are 24 bit stereo and most articulations are presented with 2 round-robins per bell.
The EXS24 version features 20 EXS instruments along with 11 Channel Strip settings. A 4th 'fake octave' has been added to extend the bass range for flexibility. Download the pdf manual located at the bottom of this page for more detailed information regarding EXS24 programming.
If you own the Kontakt version and are also a EXS user, the EXS instrument data is available for download at the bottom of this page titled - Handbell_EXS_Instruments.zip.
The demos below were made with the Version 2 samples from NI Kontakt. Be aware that the EXS24 version has only a 3 octave range while the Kontakt version spans from C2 up to C8.
Handbell sampled articulations
Handbell Clapper - samples are created with the traditional technique of holding it against the shoulder, bell-upwards, and then swinging the bell through an elliptical shape to cause the clapper to strike the casting of the bell.
Suspended Handbell with a soft rubber mallet - samples were recorded with the bells suspended from the ceiling of the room while being struck with a soft rubber mallet.
Suspended Handbell with a hard rubber mallet - samples were recorded with the bells suspended from the ceiling of the room while being struck with a hard rubber mallet.
Suspended Handbell with a plastic chopstick - samples were recorded with the bells suspended from the ceiling of the room while being struck with a plastic chopstick. This creates a great deal of high frequency content.
Singing Handbells - The Singing Handbells sound is created by running a wood dowel along the rim of the handbell, similar to the way you can run a wet finger along the edge of a crystal glass and make it sing.
Plucked Handbells - is accomplished by using the thumb and forefinger to force the clapper head into the casting while the bell is on the table, producing a staccato note.
Malleted Handbells on a padded table - samples are created by striking the bell with a rubber mallet while the bell is resting on the foam of a padded table. This produces a tone brighter and more percussive than the plucked samples.
Handbell Shakes - is accomplished by quickly ringing the bell back and forth so that the clapper strikes both the front and back of the bell casting in rapid succession. This creates a continuous tone, as opposed to normal ringing in which the tone decays rapidly after being rung.
Handbell table hit endings - samples are typically used for the end of a piece of music or at a cadence. Before this sound is heard the bell is already ringing, so you hear just a small portion of the pitch of the bell followed by the percussive hit on the foam table.
