Pipes, pipes, and more pipes are what you will get from the new Bolder Sounds release, Celtic Pipes 2. This new sample library offers a comprehensive set of bagpipes, Uilleann pipes, and pub pipes.

According to Bolder Sounds, every single musical note that these instruments are capable of producing were sampled for the collection. Samples are presented in both short and long loop lengths, mapped out in authentic note ranges with extensions on the highest sample. With the sustain pedal in the lower octaves, you can set a drone into motion. With the pitch bend and continuous controllers, you can wail away on the melodic (chanter) part of the pipes without affecting the drones, all on the same MIDI channel. Overall, Celtic Pipes 2 makes stunningly realistic pipe samples, according to the manufacturer.

The Native Instruments Kontakt version of the Celtic Pipes sample library has been updated to version 2 with newly added KSP scripting. The version 2 update is being offered as a free upgrade for current Celtic Pipes owners.

For everyone else, Celtic Pipes 2 may be purchased for $29.96 for Kontakt 3 and higher, EXS24, and Gigastudio 2. After July 24, 2010 however, when the Bolder Sounds Summer Sale ends, the sample library will be offered at its regular price of $39.95.

In other news, Bolder Sounds has also released a free Thumb Piano sample library for Kontakt 3 and higher and Apple EXS24. The range of the thumb piano (its other names include the kalimba, sansa, or mbira) recorded for this free library is two octaves plus a major 3rd. The thumb piano was sampled with both plucks from the flesh of the thumb, as well as the finger nail of the thumb for a brighter sound. Each sample zone has three round robin samples assigned to it, so if you play the same key three times in a row, you will hear a different sample each time.

For more information about Celtic Pipes 2 of the free Thumb Piano library, please visit boldersounds.net.