In Summary

With electric guitar enjoying fewer virtual outings than some of its bandmates, all eyes are on any new arrival that can successfully bottle the experience of convincing guitar for keyboard-induced chords and licks. Here we check out e-instruments’ latest. How does it sound? Hear it for yourself as Mark M Thompson plugs in…

Going Deeper

Recording composers quite often gravitate towards guitar, keys, or both as a writing tool or as their arrangement’s point of focus. With a whole range of pianos, electromechanical keys, synths, and more besides, musicians in need of virtual keyboards for the DAW are well catered for. Perhaps owing to the incredibly tactile nature of guitar, its virtual presence for the DAW is rather more thin on the ground. Up until now, instruments’ ability to recreate the nuance of strings and frets has been hard to get right. Some might agree that in a world of virtual drums, keys, horns, strings, and more, the guitar side of things is still ripe for development.

e-instruments Desolate Guitars

Well known for a range of virtual strings, horns, and keys, e-instruments aren’t afraid of a challenge when it comes to conjuring virtual sounds that convince. Developed for NI Kontakt, e-instruments describe Desolate Guitars as a meticulously captured guitar library centred around four guitars and two amp models (in this case a Fender Twin and a Vox AC30). Giving the sound further provenance is a “real” spring reverb and extensive effects presets. Below Mark M Thompson takes Desolate Guitars for a spin to soak in its sounds recorded and designed by guitarists, for guitarists.

Mark M Thompson On e-instruments Desolate Guitars

I’m a guitarist, so my normal guitar virtual instrument use is one of convenience, inspiration or basic prep work, with the intention of replacing it with the real thing later.

e-instruments’ Desolate Guitars is one of the exceptions.

From the moment I started playing it, I was captivated by its ability to seamlessly transport me to the intended desolate landscapes, weaving a tapestry of emotion and sonic exploration. The attention to detail in capturing the nuanced tones of each included guitar ensures a level of authenticity that is truly commendable.

The dynamic nature of the instrument allows for both delicate, ethereal passages and powerful, resonant chords, providing a versatile palette. And whilst the patches can be a little hit and miss (there’s still a very “MIDI” sound to a couple), when it shines it really shines. The baritone guitar, for instance, is just sublime.

As I mention in the video, I hope e-instruments add some additional effects to the needed patches (fret noise, muted runs etc) for added realism, but even as it stands as an initial release (and the company’s first foray into guitar instruments) it is an incredibly impressive one.

Whether you're scoring a film, producing ambient music, or simply looking to add a unique touch to your compositions, Desolate Guitars delivers in spades.