Dutch Harpsichord Sample Library Software

The Best Service Dutch Harpsichord sample library offers nearly 3700 single samples of an original harpsichord built by Andreas Ruckers in 1628. Thanks to its 2 manuals and many registers, the Ruckers' harpsichord offers lots of unique sounds, sampled with 6 different register combinations, including the upper 8', lower 8' (principal 8'), tutti, both 8' together, the 4' register, as well as the lute stop. From the collection of Andreas Beurmann, the Ruckers harpsichord is now available for the first time in this digital sample library. The harpsichord is presented in its original Valotti tuning at 372Hz (presets at 440Hz tuning included).

Recorded in the great sounding rooms of the Hasselburg estate, engineers used active tube-driven Royer R-122V ribbon microphones and vintage Neumann TLM-170 microphones in conjunction with Crane Song Flamingo preamps and Universal Audio 2192 digital converters to do the Ruckers harpsichord justice.

The instruments of the Ruckers family represent the well-known and sought-after sound of Flemish harpsichords, and rank among the best harpsichords ever built. Their full and precious sound influenced harpsichord designs in Spain, France, England, and Germany. Like all harpsichords, the Ruckers is not touch-sensitive. However, even if the differences are minuscule, the notes vary due to different resonances of body and strings.

Until now, many keyboards and samplers represented harpsichords by triggering the same digital sample, leaving a cold and sterile sound. In order to improve upon previous recreations and to pay tribute to the liveliness and depth of this antique harpsichord, the producers of this library captured every sampled register with up to 8 variations of each note. To complete the harpsichord experience, they recorded every register with 4 different release samples of each note.

Furthermore, the Dutch Harpsichord sample library contains an essay in German from Professor Andreas E. Beurmann, explaining both the historic and musical background of the Ruckers Harpsichord.