Checking Out: Ripple Cello by Osterhouse Sounds
Though extremely niche, Osterhouse Sounds’ Ripple Cello is expressive and innovative, breaking new ground in the sampled cello realm while delivering previously unattainable life-like cello performances with loads of controls for users.
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Checking Out: Ripple Cello by Osterhouse Sounds
Upon first playing Osterhouse Sounds’ Ripple Cello, I immediately knew I was in for something refreshingly different from the typical cello libraries we’ve seen in the past. This library offers a creative, intuitive approach to cello performances that feel both expressive and realistic, even straight out of the box.
One of the standout features is how convincing performances sound, even with the default settings. However, to achieve the highest level of realism, some MIDI adjustments and alignment will be necessary to truly unlock the full potential of the instrument’s expressiveness.
What makes Ripple Cello special is its ability to trigger “ripples” or two-note slurs when playing overlapping pairs of notes within a perfect fourth of each other. This constraint—limiting ripples to a perfect fourth—might seem restrictive, but it opens the door to some fascinating chord play and stacking possibilities. As you layer notes, you’ll discover rich harmonic textures and new ways to experiment with how the instrument responds.
The instrument gives you control over the direction of these slurred performances. You can set it to perform downward slurs, trigger notes in the order of key press, or create upward performances, offering versatile ways to control how phrases evolve.
One of the most innovative aspects is the way Ripple Cello synchronizes articulations. The performances are tempo-synced, and you have access to quarter notes, eighths, and what is labeled “sixteenth snaps,” giving you that precise 1-E subdivision of a sixteenth note. For further creative possibilities, offsetting stacked notes allows for even more unique playback options.
With the Sync feature activated, velocity no longer controls volume as it typically would. Instead, it controls the sample start time, making velocity a tool for shaping the performance’s timing. This feature makes the instrument behave almost like forced quantization, aligning all pitches and ensuring that performances remain tightly in sync.
The programming behind Ripple Cello is thoughtfully crafted. From synchronized swells to release sample options that override note lengths, the instrument ensures a cohesive performance with seamless ripples. Key switches allow for real-time control over playback, adding even more flexibility for performers or composers looking for precise control.
If this sounds complex, I was also a bit perplexed at first, but the official walkthrough video cleared up a lot of the instrument’s logic. A particularly helpful feature is the built-in IDEAS browser, which includes 80 MIDI clips. These clips show how various programming techniques affect playback, and you can preview them right within the instrument or drag and drop them into your DAW for a hands-on understanding of how the library’s unique features work.
What’s impressive about Ripple Cello is that it’s not just about playing back pre-recorded phrases—it offers a deep level of control over how those samples are triggered and how they sync together. The result is an expressive and innovative instrument that breathes new life into cello performances.
Osterhouse Sounds has consistently impressed with their releases, and Ripple Cello is no exception. It’s a gem—an innovative tool that brings lifelike, previously unattainable cello performances to your music. Whether you’re scoring for film or working on a song, this library is sure to elevate the realism and emotional depth of your work.
Osterhouse Sounds‘ Ripple Cello normally sells for $79.00 from our friends at Loot Audio
Facts
Downloads as 345 MB (compressed)
Delivered via Pulse
684 Samples, Recorded at 110 BPM
Quarters, Eighths, and Sixteenths Slurs Articulations
Performed through the Ripple Engine
Tempo-Sync to DAW BPM
Built in “Ideas” Browser with 80 Midi Clips
DragDrop to DAW
Requires Full Version of Kontakt 6.8+
Osterhouse Sounds‘ Ripple Cello normally sells for $79.00 from our friends at Loot Audio
