SWAM Violin
by Audio Modeling · Instrument · Physically modeled solo violin
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SWAM Violin is a physically modeled solo violin from Audio Modeling, played in real time rather than built from recorded samples.
Bow speed, pressure and position are under continuous control, and the whole instrument needs only about 52 MB of RAM per instance. It costs $99 with a 15-day trial.
Best for: Acoustic Instruments. Genres: Jazz, Acoustic & Classical, Ambient & Cinematic, Pop.
Keywords: strings, solo strings, physical modelling, monophonic, smooth, AI assistant, AUv3/iOS, fat, polyphonic, set-and-forget.
What it does
SWAM Violin (version 3) is a solo violin built with Audio Modeling's SWAM physical modeling, which recreates "the natural interaction between bow and string" in real time. It is meant to be played live, from a keyboard or an expressive controller, rather than programmed from a set of articulations.
- Physical modeling: the violin sound is generated as you play from a model of bow and string, not played back from samples.
- Bow control: bow speed, pressure and position shape the tone continuously, for smooth legato, dynamic articulation and shaped vibrato.
- Play modes: Left Hand, Right Hand and Polyphony modes, plus expressivity and timbre settings to change the character of the instrument.
- Tuning: master tuning, transpose, adjustable pitch bend range and micro-tuning.
- MIDI mapping: learn mode, a view of all assignments, advanced curve remapping, plug-and-play controller presets and a guided setup wizard for keyboards, breath and expression controllers.
- Room and effects: an FX section and an acoustically modeled room with several room types of different materials and sizes.
- Accessibility: the interface works with the native accessibility frameworks on macOS, Windows and iOS for blind and visually impaired users.
It has NKS support. A 15-day free trial is available, and it is also sold in bundles such as SWAM Solo Strings.
Source: Audio Modeling product page
When to use it
SWAM Violin works the other way from sample libraries such as BBC Symphony Orchestra Core or Berlin Strings, which give you recorded players and fixed articulations, and from Arturia's Augmented STRINGS, which leans toward hybrid sound design: there are no recorded samples, so every note responds to how you move the bow controls, and the sound changes smoothly between legato, accents and vibrato. That makes it far more expressive for exposed solo lines, but it asks more of the player, since it needs continuous expression data to sound right. It is also very light on memory and disk compared with sampled strings. For ensemble parts, Audio Modeling's separate SWAM String Sections or a sampled orchestra are quicker.
- Best for: expressive solo violin lines played live with an expression pedal, breath controller or other expressive controller.
- Genres: classical, film and game scoring, pop and folk arrangements.
- Look elsewhere if: you want a ready-made orchestral section or recorded articulations to drop in; BBC Symphony Orchestra Core or Berlin Strings are quicker, and SWAM String Sections covers ensembles.
- Tip: the instrument stays silent without expression (CC11) or volume (CC7) data, so map an expression pedal, breath controller or fader before you start playing.
What producers say
Reviewers rate it among the most playable virtual violins, as long as you control it with an expressive controller.
- Sound On Sound (2019, reviewing the solo strings together) found them "fat, rich-toned and realistic", with convincing legato and vibrato, consistent tone across the range and many keyswitched playing options; it found the col legno option weak.
- KVR users rate it 5 out of 5 from one review (version 3.7.2), praising the playability, the natural player nuances and the range of tones and rooms; the reviewer liked three of the violin models but not the electric violin patches.
- Criticisms: it needs a controller sending expression or volume data to make any sound, which Sound On Sound flagged as essential to know.
Where to buy
- AudioDeluxe: $66.33
- Best Service: $83.73
- Audio Modeling: $99
Tutorials and reviews
- Audio Modeling SWAM Violin
- Audio Modeling SWAM VIOLIN
- Audio Modeling SWAM Violin demo 14:The Inverted World
- Audio Modeling SWAM Violin Demo 6:Rainy Days
- Audio Modeling SWAM Violin/Cello v3 Bach BWV 997 Prelude for lute
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