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Glissando Harps Manual v 2.0


rev 2.0.0 - Nov. 12th, 2018

 Welcome
Thank you very much for purchasing Glissando Harps for Kontakt!
We hope you’ll make the best out of these carefully crafted Virtual Instruments.

A Few Words on the Sounds of Glissando Harps

The two harps making up Glissando Harps, Concert and Orchestral, were sampled in two very different venues, with different
instruments, players, microphone and preamp setups. This was done on purpose. To put in your hands two complementary
instruments, allowing for the best sound to fit many different composing scenarios.
For Concert Harp we chose a small live room. For this reason when we set up for the next chapter, Glissando Orchestral Harp, we chose
a studio, Sotto Il Mare Recording Studios (near Verona in Italy), famous for their wonderful analog equipment and a resounding live
room. This setup allowed us to capture more microphone perspectives than we had for Glissando Concert Harp. So, to sum up:
Glissando Harps
Glissando Concert Harp
Small recording venue, best fit for intimate or in-your-face kind of parts; also good for characterization with additional
reverbs and Efx. Three microphone channels: an AB stereo setup with a Schoeps CMC64 matched pair and a Mid-Side
setup with Neumann M140 as mid and Royer R121 as side.
Glissando Orchestral Harp
Large recording venue, perfect when you need to position the harp in an orchestral scenario, both as accompanist and as
a soloist. Eight microphone channels, combined in five “movie-city-named” nki instruments. An LCR (wide AB + central
mono) with Schopes CMC64 and Soundelux U195, the mono Soundelux U195 by itself, another wide AB with ribbon AEA
N22 matched pair. On one side of the harp. On the other side: a tube mic Blumlein setup using a Wunder Audio CM7 pair,
an AB with Soyuz SU013. Distant miking setups: a frontal, on axis, XY captured with a Sennheiser MKH40 pair, a really wide
AB with ribbon AEA N8 and a Decca trio consisting of three AKG C451E with the CK22 omni capsules.

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 Requirements
This Instrument requires that you have installed the Full Version of Kontakt 5.5.2 or newer.
It will not work with the free Kontakt Player.
Each instance needs between 400 and 900 MB of RAM. Make sure that your computer has enough RAM to cope with your host DAW
needs and this and other libraries’ needs.
When using more instruments at the same time, a fast hard disk drive or an SSD is warmly suggested.

Unpacking
Once you have downloaded the Install files following the instructions from the purchase email, please follow these steps:
1. The RAR compressed files (.rar, .r01, .r02 or part1.rar, part2.rar ...) need a specific application in order to be opened.
1.1. PC users might use 7-zip, an open source tool for compressed files: http://www.7-zip.org.
1.2. MAC users might use The Unarchiver: https://theunarchiver.com.

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 1.3. These are freeware open-source option but there many other free and commercial alternatives available on both platforms to

open RAR files.

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 Installing

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Once all of the RAR and ZIP files are unpacked, you can move the Instrument folder to your favorite location, then move the Samples
folder inside the Instrument Folder.
We advise on:
1. placing the “Glissando Harps” folder where you want it to be;
2. then move the LARGE “Glissando Concert Harp Samples” folder into the “Glissando Concert Harp” folder;

3. and the other even LARGER “Glissando Orchestral Harp Samples” into the “Glissando Orchestral Harp” folder.
Please keep and eventually make back-up copies of the installers since they might be useful in case of data-loss, without requiring a full
re-download of the whole package.

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 Loading
Kontakt Instruments not based on the protected NI scheme, can be loaded in one of the following ways:
1. Drag & Drop the .nki file onto the main Kontakt interface.
2. Use the Kontakt Browser to find the .nki file and either Double-Click or Drag & Drop to the main interface.

Quick Load
You can use Kontakt’s Quick Load feature to easily access the Instrument.
1. Click on the “Quick” button on top of Kontakt’s interface.


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2. Either from the PC’s Explorer / Mac’s Finder or from Kontakt’s Browser, Drag and Drop the folder containing the Instrument or
the .nki file itself to the Quick Load window.
3. Eventually, you can organize instruments in collection by creating folders inside the Quick Load window (right-Click on PC or ctrl-
Click on Mac).
4. The Instrument is readily available, either from the Quick Load window itself or through the Quick Load button.


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Main Panel (1 - Modes)
• Manage Presets, Store, Rename and Delete them - these
save the whole status of the instrument
• Monitor the currently active Articulation
• Playing Modes:
• Piano Mode: play the Harp (maximum range C1-
G7, based on the loaded articulation) chromatically
like you would play a piano. To sustain notes, use
the Sustain Pedal
• Harp Mode: play the Harp (maximum pitch range
B1-G#7, keyboard range C1-G7) diatonically like an
Harp player. Play only the white keys and use C0-B0
to raise or lower the pitch of each note on every
octave just like an Harp (and/or use Tonal Centers +
Modes / Chords). To sustain notes, use the Sustain
Pedal
• Pedals: to raise a pedal (sharpening the pitch of all
relative notes on every octave), play the corresponding
note between C0 and B0 above the velocity limit set in
the Preferences. To lower a pedal play below the said
velocity limit.
• Tonal Centers: when in Glissando is Active or Harp mode
is selected you can either manage the pedals Man(ually)
(C0-B0) or set the tonal center from here (works together
with Modes / Chords) - Control via MIDI CC #74 Ctrl-Click (PC) and Cmd-Click (Mac) sets each Pot to its default value
• Modes / Chords: if Tonal Centers is in any position but Man(ual), set the mode-scale or chord the Harp will be tuned to. The selection covers the
most used positions and chords in literature - Control via MIDI CC #71

💡 HINT: every Pot and Button in Kontakt is assignable to a MIDI CC (right click on it and find out), so you can control Tonal Centers and Modes / Chords in realtime

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Main Panel (2 - Glissando)
• Turn On pressing C0 (Piano Mode) or C#0 (Harp Mode)
• Turn Off pressing C#0
• Stop it (while keeping Glissando mode active) via D#0
• Select the type of Glissando via Menu or MIDI black keys
F#0 to G#1. Set direction via GUI or using A#1.
• While in Glissando Mode the keyboard control mode is
the Harp mode, with only white keys working and
alterations controlled by C0-B0, Pedals Keys and/or Tonal
Centers + Modes / Chords
• How to play it: play a Start and an End Note. The time
difference between the two played notes sets the speed
of the Glissando.
• The Glissando engine will interpolate between the Start
and End Note velocities, playing crescendo and
decrescendos accordingly
• Optionally use the ModWheel to set playing velocity
instantly (resets after stopping the Glissando)
• Optionally use PitchBend to slow and raise speed
instantly, release it to return to the original speed
• Soften smooths the attacks of the Glissando for special
or more realistic effects
• Accel sets the acceleration (positive or negative) of the
Glissando
• Time and Velocity can be randomized and you can set the Ctrl-Click (PC) and Cmd-Click (Mac) sets each Pot to its default value
Accent value when in any of the Glissando Accent modes


💡 HINT: every Pot and Button in Kontakt is assignable to a MIDI CC (right click on it and find out)

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Main Panel (3 - Glissando Modes)
• Direction Buttons: Glissandos can play either unidirectionally or bidirectionally, press the
according button next to the menu (or MIDI key A#1)
• Off (C#0) turns Glissando Mode Off
• Glissando (F#0) will play Glissandos from the Start Note to the End Note and again (up-down,
down-up, down-down, up-up based on Start and End Note and on the Direction Setting) until
you turn it off manually (D#0 or Off via Menu)
• Single Glissando (G#0) will play a single Glissando from the Start Note to the End Note
• Glass Accent Start (A#0) is the same as Glissando but accents the starting note based on the
Accent Value on GUI
• Single Gliss Accent Start (C#1) is the same as Single Glissando but accents the starting note
based on the Accent Value on GUI
• Glass Accent End (D#1) is the same as Glissando but accents the ending note based on the
Accent Value on GUI
• Single Gliss Accent End (F#1) is the same as Single Glissando but accents the ending note
based on the Accent Value on GUI
• Double Glissando (G#1) plays two Glissandos at the same time, one from Start to End Note, the other from End Note to Start Note, effectively
emulating two-handed Glissandos. This will play indefinitely until you stop it manually (via D#0 or Menu)
• You can extend the Glissando Range at any time during a Glissando just by pressing any other note on the Keyboard


HARP/GLISSANDO MODE: C#0 turns PIANO MODE: C0 turns Glissando on, C#0 is
Glissando on/off, D#0 stops Glissando. unassigned. Keyswitches are mapped
Keyswitches are mapped on Black Keys from chromatically from D0 to B0

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Main Panel (4 - Glissando Settings)
• Stop Mode
• End Of Round will finish the glissando in the current
direction after you instruct Glissando to stop or quit
glissando mode
• Immediate will stop playing at the last note being
played when you instructed Glissando to stop or quit
glissando mode
• On Key Release
• Do Nothing: this allows to play consecutive glissandos, extending the reach and length of multiple glissando at once
• Stop Glissando: this stops and exits glissando mode right after you release the last MIDI key of the two (start or end note)
• Turn Gliss On/Off on MIDI CC: you can assign any MIDI CC to turning on and off glissando mode.
• Please be aware that CC#1, Pitch Bend, CC#71 and CC#74 are pre-wired and used by Glissando!
• Volume Offset: change the overall volume of glissandos compared to pizzicatos (hint: Midi CC assignable!)


💡 HINT: every Pot and Button in Kontakt is assignable to a MIDI CC (right click on it and find out)

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 Articulations Panel (1)
• Freely Load any of the available Articulations on any of
the available keys
• Available Key Switch Keys are:
• D0 to B0 in Piano Mode
• Black Keys from F#0 to D#2 in Harp Mode
• Type controls the kind of action the Key Switch will carry:
• Switch: like a traditional Key Switch, press the key
and the Articulation is activated until another Key
Switch is pressed
• Temp: the Articulation is active only while the Key
Switch is pressed
• Articulation 2 and Velo: a second articulation may be
optionally activated when playing above the Velocity set
in the field on the left of it
• Note Repeat: if activated, when releasing a note, another
Note On with the same note and velocity is triggered,
helping playing very fast repetitions in realtime (Tremolo)
• Art Lvl controls the overall level of the Articulation
• Release: select the type of Release Trails and their level.
Available types are: Tips, Nails and Etouffé. When
releasing the Sustain Pedal a special Release Trail is
played: Hand Stop
• Pedals: enable and set pedal noises here Ctrl-Click (PC) and Cmd-Click (Mac) sets each Pot to its default value
• Resonances: when playing the harp, each note triggers
resonances in the body and other strings. Enable and set their level here


💡 HINT: every Pot and Button in Kontakt is assignable to a MIDI CC (right click on it and find out)
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Articulations Panel (2)
List of available Articulations and their playing range (with all pedals in their neutral position):
• Pizzicato: this is the most common playing technique. Range is C1 to G7 on both Harps
• Sons Harmonique: harmonics. Range is A2 to C6 on both Harps
• Sons Sifflés: sound produced by rubbing the fingers along the length of the strings. Mostly on bass
strings. Here they are mapped on C1-D1. Not a tuned sound
• Sons De TamTam - Rubber: sound produced by hitting the strings with a rubber stick. Range is C1 to
C7 - Glissando Concert Harp GCH ONLY
• Sons De TamTam - Wood: sound produced by hitting the strings with a light wooden stick. Range is
C1 to C7 - Glissando Concert Harp GCH ONLY
• Sons Guitariques: also called Prés De La Table - is the sound produced by playing the string right
next to the lower part of the body. Sound is guitar-like and more brilliant. Range is GCH: A2 to F5,
GOH: A2 to C6
• Mechanics Efx: sound produced by playing the strings between their mechanics. Range is C1 to E6.
A randomly tuned sound
• Pizzicato Nails: sound produced by playing the strings with the nails rather than with the finger tips.
Range is GCH: A2 to G7, GOH: C1 to G7
• Sons Xylharmonique: sound produced by playing the harmonics muffled right after the attack.
Range is A2 to C5 on both Harps
• Sons Xylophonique: sound produced by muting the string at its end and plucking it with the other
hand. Sound is of course muffled and warmer. Range is A2 to G7 on both Harps
• Hits On Strings: sound produced by hitting and releasing the strings immediately with both hands.
Range is A1 to G2. Not a tuned sound
• Sons Ésoteriques: a special technique involving the use of pedals as an effect. Range is A1 to G2. Not a tuned sound
• Paper Sordino: sound produced by interweaving the strings with paper ribbons. Range is C1 to C5 on both Harps

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• Velvet Sordino: sound produce by interweaving the strings with velvet ribbons. Range is GCH: C1 to C4, GOH: C1 to C7
• Tinfoil Sordino: sound produced by interweaving the strings with tinfoil ribbons: Range is GCH: C1 to E5, GOH: C1 to C5
• Sons Alcoholique: sound produced by rubbing the strings with a piece of cotton imbued with alcohol. Range is C1 to G6. A randomly tuned
sound - Glissando Concert Harp GCH ONLY
• Hits On Body: sound produced by hitting the body of the Harp in different positions with fingers, open and closed hand. The other arm stops all
strings from resonating. Range is GCH: C1 to B2, GOH: C1 to D3
• Hits On Body - Reso: sound produced by hitting the body of the Harp in different positions with fingers, open and closed hand. The strings are
left free to resonate. Range is GCH: C1 to B2, GOH: C1 to D3
• Rattling: sound produced by playing pizzicato with the harpist wearing a noisy jewel at her wrists. Range is C1 to G7 - Glissando Concert Harp
GCH ONLY
• Appoggiato: sound produced by playing pizzicato and resting the finger on the next string rather than floating it. Range is C1 to G7
• Bartok: sound produced by playing pizzicato near the lower part of the body and letting the finger hit the body itself, producing a very
percussion-like and aggressive sound. Range is A2 to C7 - Glissando Orchestral Harp GOH ONLY
• Sons Guitariques Nails: also called Prés De La Table Nails - is the sound produced by playing the string right next to the lower part of the body
with the nails rather than the finger tips. Sound is guitar-like and more brilliant. Range is A2 to C6 - Glissando Orchestral Harp GOH ONLY
• Sons Xylophonique Open: sound produced by muting the string at its end and plucking it with the other hand, then releasing the muting
finger right after the note has been plucked. Sound is slightly muffled and warm. Range is A2 to G7 - Glissando Orchestral Harp GOH ONLY


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 Mixer Panel (1)
• Set the Master output level, stereo Width and eventually
Swap L/R channels
• Rev Send: Set the amount of signal sent to the IR Reverb
engine and Mute it
• Set the Level and Stereo Width of each set of up to 4
available recorded perspectives
• Reverb: select one of the custom IRs and assign them a
pre-delay, set their size and overall level
• Delay: set Level, Time, Repeats and Damping
• EQ: an effective 3-band EQ with Low, Mid, High frequency
centers
• Comp: a preset compressor with mix capabilities
• Dist: a distortion pedal for sound design ventures
• Amp & Cab: guitar amp and cabinet for sound design
ventures. Please note that the use of this effect turns the
signal path in mono


💡 HINT: every Pot and Button in Kontakt is assignable to a MIDI CC (right click on it and find out)

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Mixer Panel (2)
• Set the main Envelope for the Harp:
• Attack
• Attack Curve
• Hold
• Decay
• Sustain
• Release
• Set and activate the Filter:
• Type of Filter (low pass, high pass, band pass)
• Cutoff frequency
• Resonance
• Amount of Envelope Modulation
• Set the Filter Envelope:
• Attack
• Hold
• Decay



Ctrl-Click (PC) and Cmd-Click (Mac) set each Pot to its default value

💡 HINT: every Pot and Button in Kontakt is assignable to a MIDI CC (right click on it and find out)

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Preferences Panel
• Pedals KS Mode
• Programming - Absolute:
• Velocities 81-127 move pedal to “b”
• Velocities 41-80 move pedal to “Nat.”
• Velocities 0-40 move pedal to “#”
• Performing - Relative: pedals are moved relatively and velocity is used to tell Glissando if to make the pedal
“sharper” or “flatter” (this is the original v. 1.0 behavior)
• Relative Pdls SW Velo: below this set value the action on Pedals (C0-B0 in Harp Mode) will lower the pitch by a semitone.
Above this value the pitch will raise by a semitone.
• Velocity Splits: sets the edge values for Articulations with 2 and 3 (or 4 on Glissando Orchestral) sampled playing dynamics.

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 End User License Agreement (EULA)
Please read the terms of the following Soundware license agreement before using this Instrument. By installing and using these sounds, you agree
to become bound by the licensing agreement. If you do not agree to these terms, do not install and use the product.
With this library, you are obtaining a license for your use only. The sounds, images, presets, samples and programming are the property of
Chocolate Audio and are licensed (not sold) to you for use in music production, public performance, and reasonable musical purposes within
musical compositions.
This license expressly forbids distribution of these sounds, either as they exist in this form or any modification thereof. Any duplicating, copying,
distributing, transferring, uploading or downloading, trading of these libraries or any of the contents therein is strictly prohibited. You cannot sell,
loan, share, rent, lease, trade, reissue nor assign any or all of the enclosed sounds to anyone. You cannot redistribute them through an archive, nor
a collection, nor through the Internet, nor binaries groups, nor newsgroup, nor any type of removable media nor through a network. The sounds
and samples contained herein cannot be edited, digitally altered, re- synthesized or manipulated without direct written consent of Chocolate
Audio. The enclosed sounds cannot be re-used in any other commercial sample library or any competitive product.
A right to use any of the samples and sounds in this collection is granted to the original end-user only, and this license is not transferable unless
there is written consent of Chocolate Audio or its representative and payment of an eventual additional fee. Resale is allowed, granted that the
original Licensee communicates to the Licensor (Chocolate Audio) the terms of the transfer, including the full name and email address of the new
Licensee. This process always requires authorization from Chocolate Audio and it's not granted per se.  Transfer of License fees are detailed in the
F.A.Q. page and are free, unless differently specified and/or unless the license transfer has to happen via an external agent who might require
license transfer fee (for example Fxpansion with BFD libraries). Licensor will not be responsible if the content of this product does not fit the
particular purpose of the Licensee. The sounds are licensed "as is" without warranties of any kind. Neither Chocolate Audio nor any agent or
distributor can be held responsible for any direct or indirect or consequential loss arising from the use of this product in whatever form.
This product may not be returned for any reason other than manufacturing defects. Please make sure before ordering this item that it meets your
needs. Information contained herein is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Chocolate Audio.
The terms of this license shall be construed in accordance with the substantive laws of Italy and EU. In any written materials or credits
accompanying your music recording that utilizes material from Chocolate Audio (website, CD booklet, film credits, etc), you are invited to include a
courtesy credit and inform Chocolate Audio about it.
By installing and using this product, you acknowledge that you have read this license agreement, understand the agreement and agree to its
terms and conditions. This is the complete agreement between you and Chocolate Audio that supersedes any other representations or prior
agreements, whether oral or in writing.
Last revised on April 7th, 2016

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