A one of a kind plugin
Sordina is an audio effect plugin that authentically replicates orchestral instrument mutes. Using models derived from real world recordings, Sordina allows you to effortlessly apply brass and string mutes to enhance any audio source.
This serves as an excellent means to broaden the capabilities of your existing virtual instrument collection or infuse additional richness into a live recording.
In addition to conventional use, Sordina allows you to explore options outside what is possible in the real world. Ever wondered how a bassoon would sound with a trumpet’s harmon mute? Now you can find out!
With over 260 meticulously crafted models, Sordina offers a comprehensive toolkit for your creative endeavours. Beyond traditional mutes, Sordina also includes emulations of effects like col legno, sul ponticello, and flautando, adding a layer of sophistication to your musical palette.
What our users say
Wowwww. What a powerful plugin. I now have about 30 different options (!) for mutes for each of my brass sections… That’s just incredible! I was expecting a single ‘on/off’ muted sound, but now I have a treasure trove of options for all the sections.
~ Oliver.
So far I’ve tried all sorts of brass samples, from the lowest to the highest registers, solo or ensembles, unisono or chords and can’t believe how authentic this plugin sounds (forget about EQs to get even remotely similar results).
~ Karsten K.
Sordina is indeed a fantastic plugin. Since I have it I skip the samples of muted instruments and use the plugin instead. Saves RAM and still sounds great. (plus there’s a wealth of models to choose from).
~ Siegfried Friedrich.
It’s just what I was looking for! Since many virtual instrument libraries don’t include muted articulations. In my humble opinion, the results are very convincing and it includes presets for a wide variety of brass mutes adapted to each different brass instrument
~ Choprats.
Demonstrations – Live Recordings
Trumpet
Trombone
Violin
Cello
Demonstrations – Virtual Instruments
The following tracks each consist of three versions: the original muted patch, followed by the non-muted version with Sordina applied, and finally, the non-muted version with Sordina bypassed.
Each comparison uses default microphones and identical MIDI; however, it’s important to note that some patches may vary in the number of layers, among other factors.
These demos were kindly provided by one of our Sordina users.
Pacific Violins
Adagio Violins
Albion 1 Cellos
Berlin Brass Trumpets
EWQLSO Trumpets
EWQLSO Trombones
Lots of Features & Easy to Use
Sordina has a clean, easy to use interface that helps you get started really quickly. Just insert the plugin on an instrument or audio track, select a mute, and tweak the volume.
For more detailed control over the sound there is a built-in parametric equaliser, saturation control, and mix knob.
Real-time feedback is delivered through on-screen meters and a spectrum analyzer, offering a dynamic visualization of how Sordina is shaping the incoming audio.
Multitude of Mutes
Sordina contains over 260 different mute models. Of these 178 are for brass instruments, 86 are for strings, and 3 are for saxophone.
The brass mutes encompass a comprehensive selection of standard options, including practice, various harmon stem configurations, cup, bucket, and straight mutes, among others. Additionally, there are unique and more exotic choices such as pixie, derby, plunger, and felt mutes.
For strings, we have an array of conventional orchestral mutes and practice mutes. Additionally, we provide specialized models tailored for specific effects like col legno, sul ponticello, and flautando.
All the models have been thoughtfully categorized within a three-tier preset browser, simplifying the process of locating your desired choice.
A full list of all the mute models included with Sordina can be found in the user manual.
Wah Wah
Mutes such as the trumpet’s harmon and plunger include a playable wah-wah control. When a compatible mute is selected the on-screen Wah slider is activated and can be controlled in real-time using host automation or a MIDI controller.
Why you’ll love Sordina
LIGHT ON RESOURCES
Sordina will enhance all your existing brass and string libraries without burdening your system.
PLAYABLE WAH
Breath life into your performances with the dynamic wah wah slider.
260+ MUTE MODELS
Mutes for every occasion, covering all major brass and string options.
System Requirements
OS: Linux (Ubuntu 16+) | Windows 7+ | MacOS 10.13+
CPU: Intel/AMD/Apple Silicon
HDD: 100MB
Host must support 64Bit VST3, AU, or AAX
RAM: 512MB
FAQ
You can experiment and have fun with all kinds of unusual combinations of audio and mute model.
However for the most realistic results dry solo recordings are preferred.
One user reported excellent results while using Spitfire Symphonic Brass which is a wet library.
*Libre Wave and Sordina are in no way affiliated or endorsed by the manufacturers of the mutes analysed for the creation of this plugin. Their names and trademarks are referenced only as descriptors for the user’s information.
Rob Pottorf (verified owner) –
Absolutely love this plugin…the realism on all fronts makes this a must have for brass. Beyond that, strings are an additional plus! To be honest, the plugin actually sounds better than most on board sordinos. Definitely a part of my “arsenal!”
Doug LeBow (verified owner) –
Sordina is a lifesaver! Some of my favorite Brass and String libraries don’t come with any mutes, or the exact mute sound I need in a particular situation. I am especially impressed with the harmon mutes and stopped horn. Much better than most factory articulations.
B M Feltham (verified owner) –
The newly updated Sordina now has mutes for strings! And this includes ‘effects’ options to also simulate different playing styles such as flautando, sul tasto and so on. The user interface has also been made more pleasing to look at and allows for click and midi learn or assign. That’s a huge improvement – especially for wah effects with some of the brass mutes.
The big two questions are: does it sound real? does it sound good? The answer is yes in both cases. Some amount of fine tuning may be needed to get the best results for any particular library, and the user interface allows for this. I also really appreciate the sound design opportunities that Librewaves careful recreation of muting effects facilitates. Mutes on everything? Oh, yes.
I have used the first version of Sordina a lot on brass; and I am sure to be using this updated version just as much on strings. It makes me want to write something immediately to make use of these wonderful sounds.
Lloyd Springer (verified owner) –
This is an absolutely amazing product. The original version was very impressive, but this new version is simply fantastic. There are endless possibilities for using this to make your tracks and orchestral sections stand out in new and wonderful ways. I honestly think this is a MUST-HAVE tool for anyone who does music recording and mixing.
And btw, the memory footprint is so tiny that you can easily use Sordina 2 on a bunch of orchestral (or other) tracks without it even using even 1% of your CPU (and my computer is 13 years old). It’s quite miraculous!
Version 2 is a great re-design that is faster and smoother to work with. Well done Librewave!
Oliver (verified owner) –
Wowwww. What a powerful plugin. I now have about 30 different options (!) for mutes for each of my brass sections… That’s just incredible! I was expecting a single ‘on/off’ muted sound, but now I have a treasure trove of options for all the sections.
I was nervous it would affect the room tone or reverb of the hall in a weird way, but it doesn’t.
Sure, one or two of the presets didn’t take as nicely and sounded synth-y, but with the overwhelming amount of options for each instrument type, that’s more than acceptable, and given these presets can’t be exactly customised for my particular brass library, and have to work generally for all of them — I’m just totally floored, and can’t wait to see and hear what you do for strings!
Thanks again – what a lovely, affordable way to unlock muted brass across all my favourite libraries.
Oliver
choprats (verified owner) –
It’s just what I was looking for! Since many virtual instrument libraries don’t include muted articulations (sometimes only a few ones) I was looking for the possibility to simulate these effects with a plugin and here it is. In my humble opinion, the results are very convincing and it includes presets for a wide variety of brass mutes adapted to each different brass instrument. I only miss that the same plugin includes mutes for the strings and thus be able to simulate the “con sordino” effect. I hope this will be included in a future update!