Review: Sonokinetic Capriccio Lynda Arnold on Mar 23, 2015 in REVIEW 0 comments

Capriccio from Sonokinetic is their largest cinematic sample library to

date. Lynda Arnold delves into this unique product that provides high-

quality orchestral sounds to composers of all levels.

Sonokinetic recently released their newest orchestral phrase-based cinematic sample library

called Capriccio. Capriccio builds on the success on Sonokinetics other phrase-based orchestral

libraries that include Grosso, Minimal, Vivace, Tutti and Sultan Strings. Capriccio is their largest

library release yet in terms of physical size and sound and includes new features and instrument

additions, Runs and Melodic Percussion. I was intrigued and impressed by the demo compositions

on their website and couldnt wait to jump in and try it out. What I found after a bit of a learning

curve, is a powerful composition tool for orchestral scoring that allows you to compose, edit, layer,

arrange and customize typical instrument parts found in many cinematic orchestral scores. Whether

you use a part here or there to add to an existing composition or arrange entire pieces using the

phrases in Capriccio, this is a useful tool for composers at all levels limited only by one s

imagination.

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Figure 1The Six Instruments in Capriccio

Specs and Scope

Capriccio is a hefty, RAM heavy library, mostly due to the multiple microphone position options

included for each instrument and phrase, but well worth the option to create orchestral realism.

There is a Lite version of each instrument featuring a combined microphone position if your

computer cant keep up. Of course youll get more spatial realism if you use the full version, but the

Lite version is a nice option if you are using a phrase or two from the library to add to an existing

composition. For my demo, I used the Lite versions of all the instruments and did my arrangement

in Pro Tools 11.

Capriccio comes in both 16- and 24-bit versions adding up to 54 GB of uncompressed content. Both

16- and-24 bit versions include over 38,000 samples, an impressive feat for an orchestral library of

this kind. The sound quality of the phrases is wonderful too.

Using the Capriccio Interface

The Capriccio instrument interface in Kontakt 5 is clear, easy to use and well designed. The color

variants for each instrument section in the orchestra are a nice touch. There are three layered parts

for each instrument patch represented high to low pitch instruments with a variety of recorded

phrases to choose from. The phrases range from repeated ostinato type rhythms to arpeggios of all

kinds. Theres an option to mix together different phrases of the higher instruments, say violins, if

you dont need the cello or bass parts or vice versa. You can also create different instances of

Capriccio in one Kontakt player if you want to separate the string sections into high, middle and

low. I could go on, but I think you get the idea that Capriccio is highly customizable depending on

your preferred workflow.

I found the information section (picture below) vital for getting to know the various parameters in

the phrase windows and especially for learning the detailed key mapping setup for triggering mutes,

presets and parts. Sonokinetic did a great job organizing the keyboard. I needed to hunt around on

my controller for the mutes and presets initially, as the key mapped diagram does not have midi

markers like C0 C7 (this would be helpful in the future). I would suggest committing the

parameter mapping to memory so you can work more efficiently.

Figure 2Capriccio Information Section

Digging into the Phrases

There are 4 available phrase presets to choose from. Each Capriccio instrument is loaded with 4

presets with phrases that work well together as a template. You can easily swap phrases in and out

with the phrase picker and integrate the sounds phrases with the others by using the offset slider in

the global settings area at the bottom of the interface. Some combinations will work better than

others and its wonderful to be able to experiment with these professionally performed and recorded

bits.

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Figure 3Engaging Offset Function in the Master Section

The recorded phrases fit well in a cinematic context, especially for creating suspense with minimal

ostinato type lines or for layering parts from multiple sections to create typical, but effective

polyrhythms for film sequences with more action. I loved working with the brass parts, especially

the powerful low brass phrases. The woodwind layers are also quite nice, and will add a sense of

whimsy and flight to any score.

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Figure 4Audition Phrases in the Phrase Picker Window

Its important to note that major or minor triads and their inversions trigger Capriccio phrases only.

Also, it doesnt matter if you play a root position or inversion of a triad, the phrase will still sound

the same. The harmonic shift function in Capriccio allows you to mix and match major and minor

triads to create different progressions and build 7th chords over root ostinatos, but you wont find

diminished or augmented chords included or any intervallic relationship you may use to create

extreme harmonic tension. Still, there are so many permutations of the included material possible,

that you can use your musical creativity in other ways.

Drag and Drop MIDI

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Figure 5Drag and Drop MIDI Area

One way to adapt instrument phrases and make them your own is by using the new Drag and Drop

MIDI feature included in Capriccio. Any phrase can be dragged onto a track in your DAW and

played by another instrument in your library. You can then edit the notes at will. Keep in mind that

Capriccio will not play these MIDI phrases back. Youll have to employ another orchestral

instrument library. The ability to use these phrases outside of Capriccio is worth owning this library

alone. The string and woodwind runs are a great example of how drag and drop MIDI can help save

time if you dont have great keyboard technique.

The ability to use these phrases outside of Capriccio is worth owning this

library alone.

Setting up in the DAW

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Figure 6Capriccio Set-Up in Pro Tools

As I mentioned earlier, there are many ways to set up Capriccio in your DAW using the latest

version of Kontakt. In my first demo session, I started with six tracks, each with a different

instrument from Capriccio. As I started to build my arrangement, I programmed mutes and preset

changes in some tracks and in other cases duplicated the instrument to use a different preset phrase.

This helped ease my own workflow when mixing, compressing and editing the parts. The demo

below contains only sounds from Capriccio with minimal effects and mixing so you can hear the

basic sound of the library.

Round Up

Sonokinetic has a very unique product that will appeal to a variety of composers at all levels.

Capriccio would work wonderfully in an educational context. Many producers and composers buy

orchestral libraries, but lack the knowledge or experience to use all the instruments in an orchestra

correctly or effectively. Capriccio is a product that starts to bridge this educational gap while

offering a high quality orchestral sound at the same time. Composers can get to the task of working

on their arrangement skills faster, increasing their knowledge and workflow. Listen to the demos

and watch the informational videos to learn more about Capriccio and its many features.

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