If you like the idea of the Sinori percussion instrument but you don't necessarily want to body slam it to experience its cool sounds, check out the Sinori Live sample library from Virtuasonic. The Sinori Live sample pack offers many of the Sinori's possible sounds, in a convenient collection for Native Instruments Kontakt 4.

A Sinori is a unique percussion instrument made from a sheet of steel. Thanks to its unorthodox design and shape, it is capable of producing a wide range of interesting sounds from a variety of traditional and non-conventional playing techniques. More information about the Sinori is available at the Sinori Percussion Web site (sinoripercussion.com).

Throughout the last year, Virtuasonic has recorded two Sinori models in collaboration with its creator: a standard version (named Sinori Studio, which is not yet available) and a special prototype (Sinori Live). The new Sinori Live sample library features the Live model. According to Virtuasonic, high-resolution samples recorded at 24-bit, 96 KHz resolution and the mapping capabilities of Kontakt extend the Sinori instrument’s range to produce a wide palette of sounds that can rival other metallic percussion intruments and bring new flavors to your compositions at the same time.

The sample pack requires the full version of Kontakt 4.2 or later, and it includes 9 instruments, over 500 dry-recorded samples, and up to 10 dynamics and 8 round robins. During the recording sessions Virtuasonic sampled the following playing techniques: mallets (on the metal sheet / on the knob), superball mallets, harmonics and hits made with various drumsticks (wood, bamboo), and body-playing, a special playing technique unique to the Sinori.

Sinori Live features at a glance:

• Size: 1.6 GB (compressed)
• 9 Instruments for Kontakt 4.2
• 517 Samples (recorded dry)
• Sampled at 24-bit, 96 kHz resolution
• Up to 10 dynamics and 8 round robins
• Playing techniques: mallets (hits, crescendos, rolls, trills), superball mallets, harmonics (bamboo and woodsticks), body-playing (flexion: center, knee, hand / top), muted hits (woodsticks)
• Requires Native Instrument Kontakt 4.2 or later (full version)

Virtuasonic's Sinori Live is now as a download library for the the introductory price of 24.95 EUR (approximately $37) until May 8, 2011. The regular price is 29.95 EUR ($45). For more information, visit virtuasonic.com.