Music production hardware and instrument manufactorer Studiologic have issued a new, improved Numa Player.
Numa Player 2.0 is a free standalone sampler and VST plugin host that offers a variety of virtual instruments and VST plugins – from sampled acoustic keyboards like grand pianos and uprights to modeled electric pianos, playable percussions, string ensemble patches in addition to synth-based soundsets such as retro pads and vocal/choral sounds.
The new 2.0 version features several improvements in the performance aspect and the overall general layout of Numa Player. According to Studiologic, Numa is now more intuitive than before, with increased MIDI capabilities like bigger polyphony and more sound layering (and sound shaping) options.
The Sounds: Impressive Variety, Ranging Quality
Numa Player 2.0 offers the following instruments and patches:
- Acoustic Pianos – Model D 1983 (Steinway), Model F 2000 (Baldwin), The Upright, CP E-Grand (Yamaha)
- Electric Pianos – Rhodes EP Mark I, EP Mark II, Wurly 200, Wurly 255 (Wurlitzer), FM-EP1, FM-EP2, FM-EP3, FM-EP4 (Yamaha DX7)
- Keys – Clavinet, Harpsi (Harpsichord), Vibes (Vibraphone), Marimba, Celesta and three accordions: Cassotto, MasteFisa & Musette
- Strings & Pads – Strings Ensemble, Strings Section, Cellos, Synth Pad 1, Synth Pad 2, Voice Pad, Syn Choir
When it comes to sound quality, Numa Player may not offer the most pristine of sounds since some of the instruments are either too stretched sample-wise or too synthetic. Some of them are even outdated I’d say when it comes to tone – but despite that there are indeed some usable exceptions in this free Studiologic sample collection, like the Model D Steinway and the unspecified upright.
Is Numa Player for everybody?
Since the free Numa Player offers a bit more quantity rather than quality, it is naturally more suitable for a live performing musician/keyboardist than a recording producer.
Studiologic Numa Player is compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS and iPadOS. Supported plugin formats: Stand-alone, VST (VST3), AU.