Metropolis Ark 1 - Notes
Metropolis Ark 1 not only marks Orchestral Tools' foray into the wonderful world of epic sampling, but also introduces a Choir into the Teldex ambience, completely positioned and ready to seamlessly blend into any arrangement. We deliberately chose to also record non-traditional instruments as belonging to a symphonic setup, like electric guitars and a drumset. Modern media scoring introduces a host of new instruments into the established orchestral lineup and we feel these instruments deserve the same care and precision in fitting them into the symphonic sound as their traditional counterparts.
Metropolis Ark 1 is inspired by a cinematic monument from 1927 - The first-ever epic science fiction motion picture of our time. A Berlin original which inspired us to preserve all its strength, greatness and bold exceptionalism in a monumentally powerful collection to bring it back into the latest cinematic soundtrack productions.
Metropolis Ark 1 contains a huge Orchestra, Choir, Electric Guitars, Percussion, a Grand Piano and a magnificent Drumset, all recorded with first call musicians at the Teldex Scoring Stage. Metropolis Ark 1 features the loudest imaginable dynamics starting from mf upwards to ffff. Everything is designed to be loud, to be bold and boundary-shatteringly epic. This Collection opens a whole new world for Orchestral Tools, who are well known for their Berlin Series, a virtual Orchestra that set a new standard and is used by many high-profile film composers in Hollywood and around the world.
A unique sound
There is one vision and everything is built around it:
Special sections like 4 Contra Bassoons playing in unison, a Bass Trombone Ensemble, a Cimbasso Ensemble or 12 Basses + 6 Celli playing together in octaves. Metropolis Ark 1 includes different French Horn ensembles: A big 9 piece Horn Section for soaring, thick Horn melodies and a smaller 3 piece Horn Ensembles, specifically designed to play chords. Together with uncomparable Powerchords recorded wet at the scoring stage with two different Guitars and a sinister massive Choir singing at the highest dynamics, this Collection will raise your compositions to a whole new level.
A flexible working tool
Instead of pre-mixed sections, Metropolis Ark 1 offers pure and unprocessed instrument groups to give you all the flexibility to arrange your own orchestrations. Extensive Articulation Sets additionally offer Swells, Crescendos, Glissandos, 2 different lengths of Marcato, Shorts, etc. on more than 80GB of compressed sample material.
Metropolis Ark 1 marks the next generation of Fortissimo and it is a Revolution of Epic in one single box.
District I - Orchestra
The Orchestra District forms the backbone of Metropolis Ark 1 and contains a number of big and epic ensembles that are designed to work well on their own, but especially as an addition and contrast to our other collections recorded at Teldex.
Finckenstein High Strings
The Finckenstein High Strings are made of a massive 14 Violins and 10 Violas and feature full 8va Legato, Spiccato and Col Legno, complemented by Unison Sustains and Tremolo. Added to this come several foundation articulations and effects.
| 01. High Strings Legato 8va | R: C2-G5 | L: 2 (mf, fff) | T: 1st-8th |
| 02. High Strings Sustains 8va | R: C2-G5 | L: 2 (mf, fff) |
| 03. High Strings Sustains Unison | R: C2-C5 | L: 2 (mf, fff) |
| 04. High Strings Tremolo Unison | R: C2-C5 | L: 2 (mf, fff) |
| 05. High Strings Spiccato 8va | R: C2-G5 | L: 3 (mp, f, fff) | RR: 6 | |
| 06. High Strings Spiccato Unison | R: C2-C5 | L: 3 (mf, f, fff) | RR: 5 | |
| 07. High Strings Spiccato Blurred | R: C2-C5 | L: 3 (p, mf, fff) | RR: 4 | |
| 08. High Strings Marcato Long Unison | R: C2-C5 | L: 2 (mf, fff) | RR: 3 | |
| 09. High Strings Marcato Short Unison | R: C2-C5 | L: 2 (mf, fff) | RR: 3 | |
| 10. High Strings Bartok Pizzicato Col Legno | R: C2-F4 | RR: 5 |
| 11. High Strings Crescendo Long Unison | R: C2-C5 | RR: 2 | |
| 12. High Strings Crescendo Short Unison | R: C2-C5 | RR: 2 | |
| 13. High Strings Swell Unison | R: C2-C5 | RR: 2 | |
| 14. High Strings Tremolo Decrescendo Unison | R: C2-C5 | RR: 2 | |
| 15. High Strings Glissandi Up | Various Glissandi | |
| 16. High Strings Glissandi Cluster | Two Cluster Glissandi | |
Wolfenstein Low Strings
The Wolfenstein Low Strings consist of 8 Celli and 10 Basses and continue the strings line-up with a generous complement of 8va articulations including Legato, Marcato Long and Short and many more.
| 01. Low Strings Legato | R: C1-C4 | L: 2 (f, fff) | T: 1st-8th | RR: 2 |
| 02. Low Strings Sustains | R: C1-C4 | L: 2 (f, fff) | RR: 2 |
| 03. Low Strings Tremolo | R: C1-C4 | L: 2 (f, fff) |
| 04. Low Strings Spiccato | R: C1-C4 | L: 3 (mp, f, fff) | RR: 9 | |
| 05. Low Strings Marcato Long | R: C1-C4 | L: 2 (f, fff) | RR: 3 | |
| 06. Low Strings Marcato Short | R: C1-C4 | L: 2 (f, fff) | RR: 3 | |
| 07. Low Strings Bartok Pizzicato Col Legno | R: C1-F2 | RR: 3 |
| 08. Low Strings Crescendo Long | R: C1-C4 | RR: 2 | |
| 09. Low Strings Crescendo Short | R: C1-C4 | RR: 2 | |
| 10. Low Strings Swells | R: C1-C4 | RR: 2 | |
| 11. Low Strings Tremolo Decrescendo | R: C1-C4 | RR: 2 | |
| 12. Low Strings Glissandi | Various Glissandi | |
Holbein Bassoons a4
The Holbein Bassoons are made of four bassoons and provide essential articulations. Setting the theme for all Orchestral District instruments, these articulations work well as a larger complement to other sections or solo instruments (for example from Berlin Woodwinds), but also on their own as one giant section.
| 01. Bassoons a4 Sustains | R: Bb0-D3 | L: 2 (mf, fff) | M: Spot |
| 02. Bassoons a4 Staccato | R: Bb0-D3 | L: 2 (mf, fff) | RR: 5 | M: Spot | |
| 03. Bassoons a4 Marcato Long | R: Bb0-D3 | RR: 3 | M: Spot | |
| 04. Bassoons a4 Marcato Short | R: Bb0-D3 | RR: 4 | M: Spot | |
| 05. Bassoons a4 Crescendo Long | R: Bb0-D3 | RR: 2 | M: Spot | |
| 06. Bassoons a4 Crescendo Short | R: Bb0-D3 | RR: 2 | M: Spot | |
| 07. Bassoons a4 Crescendo Flutter | R: Bb0-D3 | RR: 2 | M: Spot | |
| 08. Bassoons a4 Swells Short | R: Bb0-D3 | RR: 2 | M: Spot | |
| 09. Bassoons a4 Swells Long | R: Bb0-D3 | RR: 2 | M: Spot | |
Barnak Contrabassoons a4
The four Barnak Contrabassoons provide the same articulations as the Holbein Bassoons.
| 01. Contrabassoons a4 Sustains | R: Bb-1-D2 | L: 2 (mf, fff) | M: Spot |
| 02. Contrabassoons a4 Staccato | R: Bb-1-D2 | L: 2 (mf, fff) | RR: 5 | M: Spot | |
| 03. Contrabassoons a4 Marcato Long | R: Bb-1-D2 | RR: 3 | M: Spot | |
| 04. Contrabassoons a4 Marcato Short | R: Bb-1-D2 | RR: 4 | M: Spot | |
| 05. Contrabassoons a4 Crescendo Long | R: Bb-1-D2 | RR: 2 | M: Spot | |
| 06. Contrabassoons a4 Crescendo Short | R: Bb-1-D2 | RR: 2 | M: Spot | |
| 07. Contrabassoons a4 Crescendo Flutter | R: Bb-1-D2 | RR: 2 | M: Spot | |
| 08. Contrabassoons a4 Swells Long | R: Bb-1-D2 | RR: 2 | M: Spot | |
| 09. Contrabassoons a4 Swells Short | R: Bb-1-D2 | RR: 2 | M: Spot | |
Kommandanten Trumpets a4
Four Trumpets are combined in the Kommandanten Trumpets and provide Staccatissimo Clusters in addition to standard articulations as well as some special ones.
| 01. Trumpets a4 Sustains | R: E2-D5 | L: 2 (mf, fff) |
| 02. Trumpets a4 Staccato | R: E2-D5 | L: 2 (mf, fff) | RR: 6 | |
| 03. Trumpets a4 Staccato Cluster | R: E2-D5 | RR: 4 | |
| 04. Trumpets a4 Marcato Long | R: E2-D5 | L: 2 (f, fff) | RR: 3 | |
| 05. Trumpets a4 Marcato Short | R: E2-D5 | L: 2 (f, fff) | RR: 4 | |
| 06. Trumpets a4 Crescendo Long | R: E2-D5 | RR: 2 | |
| 07. Trumpets a4 Crescendo Short | R: E2-D5 | RR: 2 | |
| 08. Trumpets a4 Crescendo Flutter | R: E2-D5 | RR: 2 | |
| 09. Trumpets a4 Crescendo Long Cluster | R: E2-D5 | RR: 2 | |
| 10. Trumpets a4 Crescendo Short Cluster | R: E2-D5 | RR: 2 | |
| 11. Trumpets a4 Swells | R: E2-D5 | RR: 2 | |
Schwarzdorn Horns a9
The Schwarzdorn Horns are made of nine French Horns and form a giant ensemble with full Legato, essential articulations and effects. They are best played monophonically for epic leading melodies.
| 01. Horns a9 Legato | R: G0-G4 | L: 2 (f, fff) | T: 1st-8th | M: Spot |
| 02. Horns a9 Sustains | R: G0-G4 | L: 2 (mf, fff) | M: Spot |
| 03. Horns a9 Staccato | R: G0-G4 | L: 2 (mf, fff) | RR: 6 | M: Spot | |
| 04. Horns a9 Staccato Cluster | R: Bb0-Eb4 | RR: 2 | M: Spot | |
| 05. Horns a9 Marcato Long | R: G0-G4 | L: 2 (mf, fff) | RR: 3 | M: Spot | |
| 06. Horns a9 Marcato Short | R: G0-G4 | L: 2 (mf, fff) | RR: 4 | M: Spot | |
| 07. Horns a9 Crescendo Long | R: G0-G4 | RR: 2 | M: Spot | |
| 08. Horns a9 Crescendo Short | R: G0-G4 | RR: 2 | M: Spot | |
| 09. Horns a9 Crescendo Flutter | R: G0-G4 | RR: 2 | M: Spot | |
| 10. Horns a9 Crescendo Long Cluster | R: G0-G4 | RR: 2 | M: Spot | |
| 11. Horns a9 Crescendo Short Cluster | R: G0-G4 | RR: 2 | M: Spot | |
| 12. Horns a9 Swells Long | R: G0-G4 | RR: 2 | M: Spot | |
| 13. Horns a9 Swells Short | R: G0-G4 | RR: 2 | M: Spot | |
| 14. Horns a9 Octave Rips | R: B0-Eb3 | M: Spot | |
Rotdorn Horns a3
Complementing the Schwarzdorn Horn, the Rotdorn Horns feature three horns and are the perfect companion to the 9 Horn section when playing chords or more laid-back arrangements.
| 01. Horns a3 Sustains | R: G0-G4 | L: 3 (mp, f, fff) | M: Spot |
| 02. Horns a3 Staccato | R: G0-G4 | L: 3 (mp, f, fff) | RR: 6 | M: Spot | |
| 03. Horns a3 Marcato Long | R: G0-G4 | RR: 3 | M: Spot | |
| 04. Horns a3 Marcato Short | R: G0-G4 | RR: 4 | M: Spot | |
| 05. Horns a3 Crescendo Long | R: G0-G4 | RR: 2 | M: Spot | |
| 06. Horns a3 Crescendo Short | R: G0-G4 | RR: 2 | M: Spot | |
| 07. Horns a3 Crescendo Flutter | R: G0-G4 | RR: 2 | M: Spot | |
| 08. Horns a3 Swells Long | R: G0-G4 | RR: 2 | M: Spot | |
| 09. Horns a3 Swells Short | R: G0-G4 | RR: 2 | M: Spot | |
Friedrich Bass Trombones a3
Three Bass Trombones provide a very unique timbre with essential articulations.
| 01. Bass Trombones a3 Sustains | R: C0-A#3 | L: 2 (f, fff) |
| 02. Bass Trombones a3 Staccato | R: C0-A#3 | L: 2 (f, fff) | RR: 6 | |
| 03. Bass Trombones a3 Marcato Long | R: C0-A#3 | L: 2 (f, fff) | RR: 3 | |
| 04. Bass Trombones a3 Marcato Short | R: C0-A#3 | L: 2 (f, fff) | RR: 4 | |
| 05. Bass Trombones a3 Crescendo Long | R: C0-A#3 | RR: 2 | |
| 06. Bass Trombones a3 Crescendo Short | R: C0-A#3 | RR: 2 | |
| 07. Bass Trombones a3 Crescendo Flutter | R: C0-A#3 | RR: 2 | |
| 08. Bass Trombones a3 Swells Long | R: C0-A#3 | RR: 2 | |
| 09. Bass Trombones a3 Swells Short | R: C0-A#3 | RR: 2 | |
Koenigsberger Cimbassi a3
The big three Cimbassi ensemble comes with the regular standard articulations and packs a punch, yet provides definition.
| 01. Cimbassi a3 Sustains | R: C0-G#2 | L: 2 (mf, fff) |
| 02. Cimbassi a3 Staccato | R: C0-G#2 | L: 2 (f, fff) | RR: 6 | |
| 03. Cimbassi a3 Marcato Long | R: C0-G#2 | L: 2 (mf, fff) | RR: 3 | |
| 04. Cimbassi a3 Marcato Short | R: C0-G#2 | L: 2 (mf, fff) | RR: 4 | |
| 05. Cimbassi a3 Crescendo Long | R: C0-G#2 | |
| 06. Cimbassi a3 Crescendo Short | R: C0-G#2 | |
| 07. Cimbassi a3 Crescendo Flutter | R: C0-G#2 | |
| 08. Cimbassi a3 Swells | R: C0-G#2 | |
Hindenburg Tubas a3
For ultimate low end, the three Hindenburg Tubas feature essential articulations.
| 01. Tubas a3 Sustains | R: Bb-1-D3 | L: 2 (mf, fff) |
| 02. Tubas a3 Staccato | R: Bb-1-D3 | L: 2 (f, fff) | RR: 6 | |
| 03. Tubas a3 Marcato Long | R: Bb-1-D3 | L: 2 (f, fff) | RR: 3 | |
| 04. Tubas a3 Marcato Short | R: Bb-1-D3 | L: 2 (f, fff) | RR: 4 | |
| 05. Tubas a3 Crescendo Long | R: Bb-1-D3 | |
| 06. Tubas a3 Crescendo Short | R: Bb-1-D3 | |
| 07. Tubas a3 Crescendo Flutter | R: Bb-1-D3 | |
| 08. Tubas a3 Swells | R: Bb-1-D3 | |
District II - Choir
Metropolis Ark 1 has two choirs, Female and Male, each with Legato, Sustain and multi-syllable Staccato and Marcato as well as FX.
Viktoria Female Choir
The Viktoria Choir features five Sopranos and five Altos.
| 01. Female Choir Legato | R: F2-C5 | L: 2 (mf, fff) | T: 1st-8th | M: Spot |
| 02. Female Choir Sustains | R: F2-C5 | L: 2 (mf, fff) | M: Spot |
| 03. Female Choir Staccato | R: F2-C5 | L: 2 (mf, fff) | Syllables: me tro so li shi tu ro qu re ta | M: Spot | |
| 04. Female Choir Marcato Long | R: F2-C5 | L: 2 (mf, fff) | Syllables: fra tro se ti quo | M: Spot | |
| 05. Female Choir Marcato Short | R: F2-C5 | L: 2 (mf, fff) | Syllables: met tro laq shi kus | M: Spot | |
| 06. Female Choir Glissandi & FX | R: G2-G3 | M: Spot | |
Aarauer Male Choir
The Aarauer Choir features five Tenors and five Basses.
| 01. Male Choir Legato | R: D#1-C4 | L: 2 (mf, fff) | T: 1st-8th | M: Spot |
| 02. Male Choir Sustains | R: D#1-C4 | L: 2 (mf, fff) | M: Spot |
| 03. Male Choir Staccato | R: D#1-C4 | L: 2 (mf, fff) | Syllables: me tro so li shi tu ro qu re ta | M: Spot | |
| 04. Male Choir Marcato Long | R: D#1-C4 | L: 2 (mf, fff) | Syllables: fra tro se ti quo | M: Spot | |
| 05. Male Choir Marcato Short | R: D#1-C4 | L: 2 (mf, fff) | Syllables: met tro laq shi kus | M: Spot | |
| 06. Male Choir Glissandi & FX | R: F2-F3 | M: Spot | |
District III - Percussion
District III contains orchestral and epic percussion and a special fff Piano.
Kopernikus Percussion
MA1's Kopernikus Percussion contains an Epic Percussion Ensemble patch with an assortment of percussion instruments as well as a processed Epic Percussion Hits patch with a lot of processed "hybrid" hits.
| 01. Percussion Menu | Various Percussion | RR: 10 | M: Spot |
| 02. Percussion Hits | Various Percussion | RR: 5 | M: Spot |
Drake Piano
The Drake Piano is a special piano patch with fff dynamics for percussive hits cutting through the densest orchestrations and is intended as a member of the Percussion, not a solo piano.
| 01. Drake Piano | R: A-1-C7 | L: 2 (mf, fff) |
District IV - Band
The Band District brings Electric Guitars, Bass and a Drumset to the Teldex Stage and serves great for hybrid and crossover productions.
Kornmesser Guitar Ensemble
Put together from the Kornmesser Guitars and the Troppauer Bass, the Guitar Ensemble features pre-mixed and pre-panned L and R Guitars with the Bass layered, all controllable with various mic positions.
| All Kornmesser Guitar Ensemble patches have the following microphone positions: Left Close, Left Room, Right Close, Right Room, Amp 1, Amp 2. |
| 01. Guitar Ensemble Power Chords | R: A0-B3 + SFX below and above | L: fff | RR: 4 for singles |
| 02. Guitar Ensemble Alternative Power Chords | R: A0-B3 + SFX below and above | L: fff | RR: 4 for singles |
| 03. Guitar Ensemble Double Power Chords | R: A0-E3 + SFX below and above | L: fff | RR: 4 for singles |
| 04. Guitar Ensemble Single Strokes | R: A0-B3 + SFX below and above | L: fff | RR: 4 for singles |
Kornmesser Guitar Left and Right
The Left and Right Guitars are intended to be used as a double-tracked pair.
| All Kornmesser Guitar L patches have the following microphone positions: DI, Spot I, Spot II, AB, Tree, Surround. |
| 01. Guitar Left Power Chords | R: A0-B3 + SFX below and above | L: fff | RR: 4 for singles |
| 02. Guitar Left Single Strokes | R: A0-B3 + SFX below and above | L: fff | RR: 4 for singles |
| 03. Guitar Left Tremolo | R: A0-B3 | L: fff |
| 04. Guitar Left Tremolo Muted | R: A0-B3 | L: fff |
| All Kornmesser Guitar R patches have the following microphone positions: DI, Spot I, Spot II, AB, Tree, Surround. |
| 01. Guitar Right Power Chords | R: A0-B3 + SFX below and above | L: fff | RR: 4 for singles |
| 02. Guitar Right Alternative Power Chords | R: A0-B3 + SFX below and above | L: fff | RR: 4 for singles |
| 03. Guitar Right Double Power Chords | R: A0-E3 + SFX below and above | L: fff | RR: 4 for singles |
| 04. Guitar Right Single Strokes | R: A0-B3 + SFX below and above | L: fff | RR: 4 for singles |
| 05. Guitar Right Tremolo | R: A0-B3 | L: fff | RR: 4 for singles |
| 06. Guitar Right Tremolo Muted | R: A0-B3 | L: fff | RR: 4 for singles |
Troppauer Bass
The Electric Bass is recorded dry with an extra overdrive mic position and two Amp positions for ultimate clarity and punch in the low end.
| All Troppauer Bass patches have the following microphone positions: DI, Overdrive, Amp 1, Amp 2. |
| Articulation | Properties |
| 01. E-Bass Sustains | R: A0-B3 + SFX below and above | L: fff | RR: 4 for singles |
| 02. E-Bass Staccato | R: A0-B3 + SFX below and above | L: fff | RR: 4 for singles |
Gardeschützen Drumset
This GM-mapped drumset answers the question of what happens when a drumset is put into the Teldex stage.
| 01. Drumset | R: GM Mapping | L: 6 (pp, p, mf, f, ff, fff) | RR: 8 | M: Spot |
*In case you did not know - All sections and instruments in Metropolis Ark 1 are named after street names near the Teldex Studio in Berlin/Germany. Now you know.