A Cinematic Synth based on Smooth Synth Strings and Choirs

A toolkit of cinematic sounds

The core sounds of this library are six synthetic strings and choirs instruments. These sounds are useful even before processing. Ethereal choirs and lush string pads can be made instantly. However, the three-layer structure of Mirage allows you to take these sounds even further. Complimentary sounds can be layered together and modulated with LFOs and filters, and reverbs can be applied. Using these features, it is easy to create rich textures and soundscapes with movement. But this is by no means the extent of Phoenix’s capabilities.

Keys and bass sounds can also be produced. In the included presets you will find many examples of these types of sounds such as low rumbles, plucky staccatos and clean subs. Phoenix also works excellently when layered with real instruments. The smoothness of the sounds of this product gell superbly with them, enhancing their richness and width.

Uses of Phoenix

You might make use of Phoenix in a film/TV/video game score. A preset such as Shimmering Cavern could be used to create a sense of wonder and beauty. This preset uses three sound layers spread across three octaves. LFOs subtly modulate the volumes of these layers, and a touch of bit-crush distortion is used, resulting in a sound that shimmers in the high frequencies. Similarly to this, there are many other presets included in this product that have an emotional character. This track could be added to by using the Bass Pluck preset with a low pass filter applied to it. This would work excellently as a driving ‘underscore’ element.

Another possible use for Phoenix might be in an ambient track. A preset like Smoothest Pad might be used to play wide-spanning chords, gently transitioning into each other in the background. A Keys preset like Melody Drops could be used on top of this for a distant emotive sounding melody. A Bass preset such as Sub Bass Repeater could be used to fill out the low end, and give drive to the track with its pulsing pattern.

A third possibility might be in a track outside of the ambient or cinematic genres. Phoenix can be used to add character to your electronic/rock/hip hop track. It can be used as something to bring depth to the background or to layer up with your real performances. The various strings presets of Phoenix, in particular, might be useful in these situations. These synthetic strings have a smooth organic sound to them, similar to their real counterparts, but with a softer character. Phoenix might also be useful in writing a breakdown in a track – add atmosphere and a sense of open space – before bringing back the drive of your track.

Specifications

• 80 presets, saved as separate mirage-phoenix files

• Mirage sample-based synthesis engine included

• Phoenix Mirage library (closed format mdata file) which features six multi-sampled instruments

• ~70MB file download

What is Mirage?

Mirage is our sample-based synthesis engine. It is a VST/AU synthesiser plugin that features a powerful set of controls for processing our custom sample libraries, such as Phoenix or Wraith (currently libraries can only be made with our internal tools).

Mirage is designed for rapid, flexible sound design and for ease-of-use.

A rack of built-in Effects

Another technique that sound designers use to shape the character of sounds is by applying effects. Mirage features a rack of such effects for this purpose. Built-in effects such as distortion, bit-crush, chorus and stereo widener can be used to enhance the sound with extra harmonics or extra simulated width.

The compressor can be used to control dynamics or add punch, and the filter can be used to isolate just the frequencies you need. Mirage also has reverb and delay effects for real space simulation. These are great for sound design too.

One of the reverb effects is a convolution reverb, this is typically used to add a real-sounding reverberation effect to the signal by using samples of real spaces (impulse responses). However, by substituting the sample of a real space with an abstract sample, interesting effects can be produced. Mirage features both realistic impulse responses and abstract ones for creative sound design.

Minimum friction from your mind to your DAW

Mirage is designed to not get in your way. It is fast to load up and is CPU efficient. It has a vector-based GUI that can be resized so that it will work on any size screen. The controls are laid out in an intuitive way, and a full description of what each control does can be viewed by hovering the mouse over it for a moment. Mirage also comes with a PDF user manual with all of the nitty-gritty details covered.