Impact Soundworks The Stroh Violin KONTAKT

The Stroh Violin is a curious acoustic instrument invented by electrical engineer John Matthias Augustus Stroh, who, of course, named it after himself. Stroh conceived of a violin constructed with a metal resonator and horn, producing a louder, brighter sound compared to a traditional wood violin. He patented his design in 1899.

While this curious modification of the violin never overtook the popularity of perhaps the most classic orchestral instrument, the stroh violin is played by musicians worldwide – particularly in Europe – for folk music. It is beloved for street performance, thanks to its powerful tone that requires no amplification to be heard even in a noisy area.

The Impact Soundworks Stroh Violin captures the titular instrument in a single, elegant, and lightweight Kontakt patch with modern trimmings like a sequencer and ‘grit’ effects. The result is a fun and surprisingly versatile virtual instrument, great for everything from rhythmic underscore ostinato to comical pizzicato, folk mockups and more. Special thanks to performer Kalle Ricken and designer Richie Albert!