BLISKO
TIMELESS
TEXTURAL STRINGS
STRINGS TO MOVE HEARTS
Blisko places expressive, ultra-emotional strings under your fingertips. Get inspired by the constantly shifting avant-garde textures infused with real human emotion. Explore the extremes of the dynamic range, where even the most quiet sounds pack a huge emotional punch.
overview
Play a single note to realize this is not your bread-and-butter strings plugin. Instead of trying to breathe life back into static samples, you decide how much emotion you need at any given moment. Simply put: play a chord and let the beauty unfold.
Inspired by Henryk Górecki and John Luther Adams, Blisko gives you everything you need to deliver the maximum emotional impact with minimal notation. Get complete control over how dense and how passionate the performance is, thanks to the intuitive three-layer articulation mixer.
the CONCEPT
Create a soundscape that reflects you by customizing the size of the ensemble - from solo up to three players in each instrumental group - or automate the playersto join in as you play. Each player uses a different bowing technique to create an exciting and constantly shifting wall of sound.
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Click to pick an articulation to explore.
INTERFACE
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Control the number of players - from solo performance to intimate ensemble.
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Get the perfect mix between spot and room mics with intuitive one-knob control.
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Explore organic rhythms by offsetting the time at which the players join in to perform a note.
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Automatically distribute the notes you play among the individual players.
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Choose how many layers you'll cross-fade between using the Mod Wheel or an MPE controoler. From one, all the way to three.
ARTICULATION MIXER
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Click to choose a playing technique for each slot.
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Choose between four distinct microphone signals to mix using the Mic Blend knob.
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Own a MPE controller? Enable the MPE mode to control the cross-fade on per-note basis using CC74.
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Select a playing technique for a slot. Available articulations vary by instrument - please, see the list below.
PLAYING TECHNIQUES
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Control the number of players - from solo performance to intimate ensemble.
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Transpose selected layer for even greater textural shifts.
ANALOGUE WARMTH
OF OUT THE BOX
the process
Blisko was recorded using legendary vintage Neumann and Telefunken preamps from the early 1970s and hand-made ribbon microphones selected for their unique sonic character. Spend less time mixing and enjoy soundtrack-ready strings right out of the box.
Choose between 4 microphone positions to make the sound your own. Enjoy the texture of the bow moving across the strings and all the little imperfections and noises that make things sound human.
MOMENTS ARTICULATIONS
These slow-burning emotional patches are at the core of Blisko. Freely combine up to three playing techniques and mix them in real-time using the mod wheel or an MPE-compatible controller.
Use the whole ensemble to create a constantly shifting orchestral wall of sound or explore virtuosic solo performances by focusing on just one of the players.
Incredibly soft, intimate performances, perfect for neo-classical compositions and subtle background textures.
Constantly moving, profoundly emotional wave pendulums that reflect off each other.
The delicate beauty of these harmonics evokes the sounds of birds and nature.
Beautiful, shimmering strings with a stunning breathy texture.
A cross between tremolo and trills, performed using different bowing techniques. Whatever it is, it surely has a ton of movement and textural variety.
A super-delicate harmonic tremolo performed with plenty of irregularity.
An extremely dynamic texture created by densely performed pizzicato clouds.
Constantly shifting off-beat rhythms, performed with striking brush-like bowing.
Long, sustaining tones performed with the back of the bow for an unsettling texture.
Extremely dynamic tremolo crescendos performed at different rhythmic intervals and densities.
The atonal sound of the bow moving across the body of the instrument. Beautiful on its own, but also when layered as a lower dynamic to morph into other playing techniques.
* cello only, not included in Blisko Lite
** violin and viola only, not included in Blisko Lite
All Moments patches are compatible with MPE
SHAPES ARTICULATIONS
While Moments will sustain for as long as you hold the keys, Shapes have a clear beginning and end. Instantly create movement with each chord, thanks to semi-measured note lengths and imperfect performances.
Use the Cascade function to offset the moment each player joins to perform the part. Thanks to multiple round robins and off-beat sampling techniques, every note will be infused with organic imperfections.
Flowing crescendo-decrescendo movements with irregular note lengths and emotional intensity controlled by the velocity of your playing. 2 repetition samples per note.
A slow-rising tide that fades out semi-abruptly. 2 repetition samples per note.
An avant-garde playing technique based on dropping the bow onto the strings and letting it fall freely. 3 repetition samples per note.
A woody pluck created by gently hitting the strings with the back of the bow. 3 repetition samples per note.
** violin and viola only, not included in Blisko Lite
An extremely loud and snappy sound made by strongly pulling the strings and letting them smash back against the body of the cello. 3 repetition samples per note.
** cello only, not included in Blisko Lite
A GOLDMINE OF SONIC INSPIRATION.
- Sound On Sound
wonderfully atmospheric and poetic.
- Trentemøller
BLISKO RAISES THE BAR FOR SOFT, INTIMATE, TEXTURAL STRINGS.
- Sample Library Review
COLLECTIONS
Enjoy the whole band as instantly playable, pre-mapped ensemble with two hand-picked microphone positions and essential articulations.
Get the entire Blisko suite at the best price. Blisko Complete pack includes the Violin, Viola, Cello and Blisko Lite.
Bundle Deal
Get soundtrack-ready with emotional avant-garde strings and a rebel grand piano.
TRY IT OUT
Download the free trial and experience Blisko at your own studio.
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Blisko is a VST3 / AU / AAX textural strings ensemble plugin.
You’re going to need 8.5GB of disk space to install Blisko Lite. Blisko Complete requires 44.1GB. Twice as much is required for setup.
Windows (10 or newer) and Mac (10.11 or newer). 8GB of RAM and an i5 or better CPU required. 64-bit only. MPE requires a compatible DAW. The download and setup are handled by Pulse, which makes it easy to manage all your Felt Instruments. The fiels are watermarked to you.
The plugin works in every major DAW that supports VST3, Audio Unit or AAX plugins, like Ableton Live 10 or newer, Logic, Pro Tools, Cubase, FL Studio, Studio One, Reason 12, Reaper etc.
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Blisko Violin covers a note range from F#2 to A5. Blisko Viola covers a range from B1 to F#4. Blisko Cello covers a note range between C1 to G4.
Blisko Lite presents the entire ensemble, pre-mapped across the keyboard over a range of C1 to A5.
The note range on all harmonics / flageolet articulations is narrower by one octave due to real-life limitations.
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Blisko is an MPE-ready textural strings ensemble plugin. You can use a controller such as the Roli Seaboard, Ableton Push 3, Haken Continuum, or Expressive E Osmose to control the Moments articulation mixer using polyphonic per-not expression.
To use this feature, assign CC74 to any axis on your controller (it will control the blend), flick on the MPE switch on the interface, and make sure that your DAW is compatible with MPE.
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Yes! There are two upgrade paths:
→ If you own Blisko Lite, the upgrade price is 110 GBP (+ VAT for EU customers).
→ If you own one or more of the individual Blisko instruments (for example, you got the Viola as a part of the Alternatives Bundle, or Violin and Cello in the Neo-Classical Bundle), you can cross-grade to Blisko Complete.
In either case, please, get in touch via the About page to set up your upgrade.
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Yes! If you own all three, you can get Blisko Lite for 45 GBP (+ VAT if you’re in the EU).
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There are no sales at Felt because I don’t think they’re fair to people who got the plugins earlier on. And those are the people who I want to support the most, which is why I offer loyalty pricing.
In a nutshell, purchasing the plugins gives you access to bundle upgrades and sweet discounts on new releases.
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I offer a 25% edu discount on individual products to students and educators. The discount will be valid for a year since it’s issued and will not work on the bundles as they’re already discounted. If you’re interested in edu pricing, please, send me a copy of your Student or Staff ID or a different proof of your enrolment and I’ll set you up.
Please, allow a few days for a response - Felt is a one-man company and support needs to get the priority treatment.
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Blisko was created in collaboration with Marta Zalewska, a Polish multi-instrumentalist an performer. During the sessions, Marta commented that the style we're after feels a bit like playing under a microscope. I couldn't agree more!