Chronos Bass v2

Download the library (Google Drive link)

Routing

Apply attached Kontakt output configuration for proper string separation like so

Unite Kontakt outputs under DI correction bus, route DI correction bus to Reamping bus (or bypass its output and work through sends if you want to do parallel), route Reamping bus to Bass bus

Handling

Use EQ on DI correction bus to control response from reamping bus. Chronos naturally goes really heavy on midrange (especially the 5th string), so you might want to find and drop problematic range that causes muddy sounding of distortion. You can use extreme boosting of high midrange to make it sound aggressive or boost of highs to make it brighter. It's recommended to use declicker as shown in MMG#31 to avoid clicking artifacts. Go top-down for individual string EQ fix if needed. Use Reamping bus (or parallel reamping tracks) for reamping units. Use Bass bus for group post-processing and later export from it

Velocity programming

Use fixed velocity values. Avoid randomization.
In most cases 110 will work just fine. Use 127 to force very hard hit.
Alternate between 110 and 90 to humanize fast parts or force even/uneven feeling
Alternate between 70 and 50 for extra fast parts.
Use 1 for release sound on all-stop points. Make sure that release note do not have any gaps with previous one. If you already used timing randomization - expand the last note in sequence, make a slice at the point of release and set sliced note velocity to 1
Create noise on B2 if needed. Control the amount with velocity

Note: range goes upwards for every articulation. You don't need it, but I say it just in case
(examples: Main Donwstroke -110/126, Main upstroke - 90/109, and so on)

Keyswitch programming for Manual mode

First make sure that your keyswitch pattern have exact timing of the actual notes. The best way to organize it is mass editing. Select/copy all the notes, set the cursor to first note start position. Paste, do not reset highlighting of pasted notes. Enter the note of your primary keyswitch to Pitch parameter of the info lane, apply by hitting Ctrl+Enter to place all the pasted notes in a chosen position. Adjust individual notes if needed. You can also make chromatic palette to figure out best transition points. Then write down range-to-string associations, mass edit (as described above) notes of each range one by one

Recording and sampling

• Performance/recording: Kostas "Spades" Heliotis
• GUI design: Alex Morozov
• Instrument: Fender Precision bass
• Pickups: Seymour Duncan SPB-3 (singles)
• Recording Chain: Radial PRO48 into Tascam US-2x2
• Style: Pick
• Strings: Rotosound stainless steel 45-105
• Amount of strings: 4
• Original tuning: Half-step down
• Specifics of 5th string: Samples below D# are artificial. Based on 3rd string they combine original attack with resampled tail. Resampling means -12 smt pitch shifting without time or formant compensation. Samples below low G# are made out of 5th string's G. That results in timbre deviation between 5th and other strings. I tend to like how it sounds though
• Offline audio processing: Denoiser
• Compiled on Kontakt V5.8.1.043 (x64)
• Round robin count: 15 (main articulation), 5x3 (others)
• Sample rate: 44.1 kHz
• Audio bit depth: 24 bit

Troubleshooting

• No library found
  Chronos is a third-party library, meaning it will not appear in libraries tab. You should locate related .nki through files menu to open it. You should also use full version of Kontakt, otherwise you will be limited by 15 minutes trial per session
• No sound
  Make sure that you're in a proper octave range. Use 16 output version of Kontakt and apply attached output configuration (restart after). Try and set MIDI Ch to "Omni"
• Demo mode
  Use full version of Kontakt. The library wasn't officially licensed by NI, so it will work in demo mode when used in Player version
• Incorrect response of keyswitches in manual mode
  Try to move keyswitch pattern back just a bit so it will be registered before the actual note
• Audio clicks
  Use declicker

What's new in v2

• New GUI
• Manual/Automatic modes
• Rework of notes below low G#
• Minor mapping fixes