With modern sampling technology, no instrument or sound is out of reach. Most of us have our trusted go-to virtual instruments, think orchestral libraries, pianos, synths, guitars, or basses, but sometimes the most memorable productions come from reaching a little further leftfield. A unique sound can transform a beat, catch a listener\u2019s ear, and separate your track from the crowd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this list, we explore seven less conventional instrument choices and suggest how they can bring a fresh and unexpected touch to your production game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The zither is an interesting stringed instrument with multiple parallel strings stretched across a flat wooden body, played by plucking or strumming with fingers or a plectrum. Its sound has a somewhat Far Eastern flavour, full of long resonances that ring tunefully after each note. In production, a zither melody can inject atmosphere and intrigue, perfect for Trap and Hip Hop beats, but equally at home in cinematic scoring or experimental electronic music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might know it’s sound from 1960s spy film soundtracks such as The Ipcress File<\/em> or from Portishead\u2019s trip-hop classic Sour Times<\/em> (which famously sampled Lalo Schifrin). Its mysterious, slightly unsettling tone can instantly conjure suspense, tension, or exotic drama.
This fantastic recreation of a Zither by Sample Science perfectly captures the essence of this evocative instrument. The sound can be tweaked to your liking with a full array of processing options to include filters, LFO, Reverb, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n