Output details

The Conservatoire Collection (Software sample library of historical instruments)

The Conservatoire Collection fuses research strengths in historical instrument musicology (Perkins) and music technology (Hall). It is a collection of ten fully workable sampler instruments for digital audio workstations produced as a development of ongoing research into the Conservatoire’s Historical Instrument Collection combined with a research theme shared with the Integra project, to use technology to enable the preservation of, and increased access to, obsolescent or otherwise unavailable musical materials. Canada/UK-based sampler instrument manufacturer Soniccouture commercially disseminates the research on behalf of the Conservatoire, acting as global distributor of the sample library.

Perkins' research contribution to the project was to bring expertise in both the historical instruments themselves (French harpsichord, Flemish harpsichord, Theorbo, English theorbo, Baroque guitar, Psaltery, Baroque timpani, Renaissance side drums, Nakers and Hurdy-Gurdy), alongside historically informed performance practice, to direct stylistically appropriate micro-performances from the expert performers on each instrument sampled.

Hall's contribution was to direct the technical operation by devising the solutions for best-practice capture of each instrument and performance technique, and implementation methodologies to create the novel, workable, authentic but creatively flexible sampler instruments.

As well as being presented at academic conferences, The Conservatoire Collection has had significant direct artistic impact, notably with producers of commercial, media, theatrical and game music, being recognized as the best example of these particular instruments available to date. Independent verification includes excellent reviews in trade journals such as Sound On Sound (4.5/5 star rating), and the software library is now in general use with many music producers, including Guy Sigsworth and David Hirschfelder. The Collection has featured on Alison Moyet’s album _The Minutes_ (Cooking Vinyl, 2013), the PS3 game ‘Wonderbook: Book of Potions’ (Sony, 2013), and theatrical productions at the Château of Versailles and The American Players' Theatre, Wisconsin.