e-instruments – Slower

Slower is an instrument library containing high-quality samples recorded on four different tape machines. The recordings are then played back at half speed, so all the sounds are lowered by an octave. Familiar instruments become magical, warm and tactile. Explore a wide range of sounds, including keyboards, guitars, strings, woodwinds, brass and more.

Half-speed tape transforms familiar sounds—like piano, strings, etc.—into something uniquely textured and immersive. By tone-dropping analog tape, you achieve depth and warmth that digital methods can’t replicate. Film’s natural characteristics, like wobble, noise, and flutter, add rich, organic layers.

This technique enhances acoustic timbres, making brass instruments, for example, more raspy and expressive. The process also brings out the low frequencies, creating thick and soft sounds. This distinctive texture evokes emotion and adds a magical, nostalgic quality to your music, enriching your sonic palette in profound ways.

The Slower samples were recorded on four different types of tape recorders:

• Studio: Studer A812 and Revox PR99 – large open reel-to-reel tape recorders
• Portable: Uher 4400 Report IC and Uher 4400 Report Monitor – small reel-to-reel tape recorders
• Cassette: Tascam Portastudio 424mk3 – standard cassette tape
• Recorder: Sony M650v – microcassette tape
  

Each offers unique audio qualities and characteristics, especially at half speed. From the subtle warmth and precision of the high-end Studer A812 reel-to-reel tape recorder to the lo-fi crunch of the Sony M650v recorder, these machines deliver a spectrum of vibes and moods.

With 65 different sound sources, each recorded on four different tape machines, and a variety of synthesized sounds, Slower offers a deep collection of unique sounds. The vast variety includes categories such as keyboards, guitars, strings, woodwinds, brass, and rare ones such as dulcimer, glockenspiel, and harmonium.

The tape recording process transforms classical instruments such as grand and upright pianos, electric and acoustic guitars, and orchestral strings, offering a wide range of textures. Additionally, recordings of famous synthesizer models add rich, evolving pads and complex textures to your palette. This comprehensive sound library provides endless inspiration and possibilities, allowing you to find the perfect sound for any musical context and genre, from hip-hop to ambient and electronica.