UVI String Machines 2 - Warm Vintage Sounds Revived

Overview

Over 60 string synthesizers spanning 50+ years of design innovation from around the globe have been carefully collected, restored and recorded to create one remarkable instrument: String Machines 2. A multi-year effort, String Machines 2 greatly expands on the original, including many rare sounds and machines exclusive to this collection as well as a completely updated architecture and interface. Now you can create stunning keys, pads, brass, bass, voices, piano sounds and more with the warm analog tones of vintage string synths. 355 hand-crafted presets have been designed to get you started, built on a foundation of 46,000 samples, while a versatile dual-layer architecture lets you easily combine the sounds of multiple machines together to create new hybrids with creative freedom.

In-Depth

History

In the 1970s, commercial keyboard designers began an attempt to reproduce orchestral string sounds through analog synthesis. The results were far from their original goal, and while niche at the time, the sounds of these machines have become timeless, not for their similarity to orchestral instruments but for their place in our collective memory and nostalgia. Today these synths are mostly gone, broken with age and discarded, the threat of many of them disappearing completely becoming a reality.

Expanding the Archive

6 years ago we released String Machines, which captured 11 of the most iconic of these synths. Now we're back and we've added 51 more machines to the list. Explore classics like the Solina, Freeman String Symphonizer and Elka Rhapsody as well as extremely rare models including the Yamaha SK-50D, Logan Vocalist, Jen SM2007 and more. Many of these machines were very hard to track down and most of them came to us in non-working condition, needing to undergo serious repair and restoration. The result was well worth the effort, as String Machines 2 has grown into both an important archive and an inspiring instrument.

Sound Signature

Each of these old string synths was meticulously inspected, tested and calibrated to ensure as close to factory functionality as possible. After spending time with each machine to identify signature sounds, unique qualities and natural strengths, our sound designers captured them in the highest-quality possible with premium DI boxes, hardware processors and converters. Each sample was hand-trimmed and processed to bring out the best sound with a mastered finish. A diverse assembly of instruments, some made decades and continents apart, the sound of String Machines 2 is vivid and soulful, rich with the subtle character and quirks of aged components.

Dual-Layer Design

String Machines 2 is designed with two discrete layers so that you can easily choose from and stack any of the 842 included synthesizer sounds. Having been originally designed to emulate acoustic strings, the sound of these machines often layer and modulate in very pleasing ways, naturally lending themselves to work in ensemble. With String Machines 2 you have full control over amp ADSR, multi-mode filter, voicing, stereo, LFO and step modulators and arpeggiator for each machine, allowing you to modify presets or create new sounds from scratch in any way you like. A capable effect bus adds the finishing touch, including EQ, Drive, Thorus, Phasor, Delay, Sparkverb and an authentic ensemble effect modeled after the Roland RS-505.

With the authentic sound of 62 string synthesizers, String Machines 2 is a sonic archive reinvigorating these warm, charactered timbres in a singular creative instrument.

What's New

- 51 new synths

- Updated voice architecture including new modulations

- Master effect section with EQ, Drive, Thorus, Phasor, Delay, Sparkverb and authentic Ensemble

- Faster load times

- Sleek unified interface design

- 355 new hand-crafted patches

- 51 new synths

- 355 new hand-crafted patches

- Updated voice architecture including new modulations

- Master effect section with EQ, Drive, Thorus, Phasor, Delay, Sparkverb and authentic Ensemble

- Faster load times

- Sleek unified interface design

Machines

Omni 2 • Quadra • CRUMAR T3 • Multiman • Performer • Stringman • EKO Stradivarius • ELECTRONICA EM-25 • ELECTRONICA EM-26 • Rhapsody 490 • Rhapsody 610 • Twin 61 • EMINENT 310 • EMINENT K150 • Morpheus • EXCELSIOR Strings Synthesizer K4 • FARFISA Polychrome • Soundmaker • FARFISA String-Orchestra • FARFISA Syntorchestra • FORMANTA EMS-01 • FREEMAN String Symphonizer • Godwin Symphony 249 • HOHNER String Performer • HOHNER-LOGAN String Melody • HOHNER-LOGAN String Melody II • JEN SM2007 • Junost-21 • Delta • EPS-1 • Lambda • Poly Ensemble 1000 • Poly Ensemble 2000 • Symphony O3 • Trident Mk1 • LOGAN Big Band • LOGAN Piano String Synthesizer • LOGAN Vocalist • Opus 3 • Matrix-12 • PAiA Strings • Russian Opus • RS-09 • RS-101 • RS-202 • RS-505 • VP330 Mk1 • VP330 Mk2 • SCI Prelude • SIEL Cruise • SIEL Orchestra • SOLINA • SOLTON Programmer 24 • TEISCO SX400 • German Box • CE20 • CE25 • SK15 • SK20 • SK30 • SK50D • SS30

Also available in the Vintage Vault 4 bundle

A comprehensive collection of 36 products gives you the most important synth and drum machine sounds from the last 50 years. Created from 255 vintage instruments, Vintage Vault delivers over 14,000 hand-crafted presets from over 800,000 meticulously recorded samples. Experience the authentic sounds of vintage hardware instruments with the simplicity of software. Vintage Vault puts the history of synthesis at your fingertips!

DISCOVER MORE

Also available in the Vintage Vault 4 bundle

DISCOVER MORE

SPECS

WHAT YOU GET

Size:	16.83 GB (FLAC lossless encoding, was 29.39 GB in WAV)
Content:	46,311 Samples, 355 Presets
Sample Resolution:	44.1 kHz. Recording at 88.2 kHz
License:	3 activations per license on any combination of machines or iLok dongles

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

Runs in UVI Workstation version 3.0.1+, and Falcon version 1.5.4+
iLok account (free, dongle not required)
Internet connection for the license activation
Supported Operating Systems:
- MacOS 10.14 Mojave to macOS 14 Sonoma
- Windows 10 to Windows 11 (64-bit)
17 GB of disk space
Hard Drive: 7,200 rpm recommended or Solid State Drive (SSD)
4GB RAM (8 GB+ highly recommended for large UVI Soundbanks)

COMPATIBILITY

Supported Formats:	Audio Unit, AAX, VST, VST3, Standalone
Tested and Certified in:	Digital Performer 8+, Pro Tools 2019+, Logic Pro X+, Cubase 7+, Nuendo 6+, Ableton Live 8+, Studio One 2+, Garage Band 6+, Maschine 1+, Tracktion 4+, Vienna Ensemble Pro 5+, Reaper 4+, Sonar X3+, MainStage 3, MuLab 5.5+, FL Studio, Bitwig 1+, Reason 9.5+

MANUAL

>> Download String Machines 2 Manual >> Download Soundbank Installation Guide

Listen

Reviews

"String Machines 2 is a beautiful plugin with loads of different sounds that are immediately great! Whether you want to create dark low drones or you want to imitate real strings! They also sound great WITH real strings! It adds a really nice color to it! A must have!"

Junkie XL

Multi Platinum Producer, Musician & Composer
(Batman vs Superman, Deadpool, Mad Max, Divergent, 300, Tomb Raider, Justice League)

"The dual layers combined with the onboard effects potential makes for a fantastic go-to device to get those creative juices flowing. The purity of sound and the flexibility for layering or de-layering means the sounds are extremely useable in the studio."

Guy Fletcher

Musician, Sound Engineer & Producer
(Dire Straits, Mark Knopfler, Tina Turner, Randy Newman, Mick Jagger, Vicente Amigo)

"String Machines 2 is a massive update with more patches from 62 machines. So much choice and the sound quality is 100%. This is a studio MUST HAVE no matter what genre you make. New master FX features and redesigned interface is a very nice touch. Yet again..."

Pianoman

Ministry Of Sound, London/FFRR Records, AATW Records, Polydor Records, EMI

"I'm all about string synths, including the KORG Symphony and Poly Ensemble 2000, so this is a must-have! I also have the real machines, so thanks to UVI I don't have to look for spare ones! This is the heaven, as it comes with so many string synths that you can easily layer: the SK30, RS-505, Matrix-12, and much more!"

Hajime Okano

Producer, Musician
(Pink, L’Arc~en~Ciel, Dead End, Janne Da Arc)

"If your musical pursuits involve revisiting prog or new age sounds of the 1970s, I’m pretty confident this may be totally your cup of tea."

SoundBytes

"A very powerful and inspiring plug-in, thanks to modulation, FX and arpeggiation contraptions, all of which can easily take the package completely away from its published manifesto, and into a beautiful world of sound design and ethereality."

MusicTech

"It has a pleasant mild pure sound recollective of hardware instruments. Truly, this is a really incredible library."

Strong Mocha

NorrinRadd22

Noodling Around with UVI's String Machines 2

RetroSound

62 legendary string machines from the 70s/80s

Synth Anatomy

UVI String Machines 2 Review

User Testimonials

"Simply awe-inspiring, special congrats on that one."— PR, YouTube

"The presets go way beyond string sounds..."— Slic, KVR

"You can't find out in one life time."— Harry HH

"A big selection and nice templates to create pallets from."— Kevin 63101

"Impressive!"— Arttu S., YouTube

"THIS IS AMAZING!"— Eternity, YouTube

"This is the best Synth String release to date! The sound design possibilities are endless."— Michael L., Facebook

All trademarks copyright their respective owners. UVI is not affiliated or endorsed by any entities listed here.
All sounds in String Machines 2 are original creations of the UVI sound design team.

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Overview

In-Depth

History

Expanding the Archive

Sound Signature

Dual-Layer Design

What's New

Machines

Also available in the Vintage Vault 4 bundle

Also available in the Vintage Vault 4 bundle

SPECS

Listen

Reviews

User Testimonials

Vintage Vault 2 Pricing

Vintage Vault 3 Pricing

Vintage Vault 4 Pricing

Key Suite Bundle Edition pricing