Sonokinetic – Chime: A Journey Through Time with Antique Bells

In the pursuit of creating the perfect chime collection, we embarked on a magical mystery tour, sourcing authentic antiques to bring you Sonokinetic – Chime. We didn’t want just any bells—we aimed for the resonance of history itself. Our journey led us to remastered hand-cast replicas of original clock bells from 17th and 18th century clocks. These bells were not mass-produced; they were individually crafted, preserving the craftsmanship and character of antique timepieces.

This collection features chime bells from iconic clock styles: Dutch Amsterdam Standing clocks, French Pendules, Comtoises, Dutch Grandfather clocks, Bracket clocks, Carriage clocks, and large watch bells. These bells offer a sound steeped in history, crafted from a unique alloy of silver and bronze, and hand-tuned to preserve the vintage character. The resulting tones are rich, full, and distinct—far surpassing the usual orchestral bell tree instruments.

A Unique Sound of Vintage Clarity

The bells in Sonokinetic – Chime each possess a unique voice. Their clarity is remarkable, standing apart from traditional factory-made bells. We chose to remaster these bells to maintain their vintage charm, making them the perfect addition to any cinematic score. Their timeless, resonant tones are ideal for creating both ethereal moments and bold statements in your compositions. Every chime echoes with the authenticity of centuries-old craftsmanship.

Each bell was carefully selected to bring forth the rich tonal palette that makes the Chime collection so special. The variety of sizes and tonal qualities of these bells offers a wide array of possibilities, from delicate and soft to loud and triumphant, allowing you to compose with depth and versatility. These bells resonate with an unmatched beauty that is sure to enrich any project, whether it be film scoring, sound design, or music production.

The Four-Part Bells Collection

The Sonokinetic – Chime library is part of a comprehensive bells collection that includes four distinct libraries: Bowls, Carillon, Chime, and Sleigh Bells 2. These libraries shine in unison, each offering a unique tonal flavor, yet combining effortlessly to form one cohesive musical voice. The wide variety of bells in this collection offers endless compositional possibilities, ensuring that every piece you create will be filled with a distinct, authentic atmosphere.

The Chime library, in particular, focuses on the rich tonal characteristics of the chime bells, offering everything from delicate glimmers to bold, resonating strikes. Paired with the other libraries in the collection, it provides the perfect contrast of sound, helping to elevate your compositions to new heights.

Capturing History with the AMS Microphone Array

To achieve the purest representation of these bells, we employed our innovative Aligned Microphone Setup (AMS), a bespoke and standardized microphone array designed to capture every detail of these bells in perfect clarity. The AMS allows us to capture instruments with unparalleled precision, providing every subtle detail of their resonant tones.

Our recording space was designed with minimal reflection, ensuring that we captured the bells' full spectrum of sound without interference from unwanted acoustics. The AMS setup includes a mix of small diaphragm condensers, high-end open cardioid microphones, and large diaphragm condensers, alongside a binaural head in the center of the array. This binaural setup is perfect for creating immersive, 3D audio experiences, making it an ideal choice for composers working on surround sound or immersive video game scores.

Versatility and Musical Magic

The versatility of Sonokinetic – Chime shines through in the demos created by our talented composers, who drew inspiration from this library to create some of their best cues. The bells’ musicality is truly magical, and the library's extensive sound palette allows for a range of compositions, from subtle background textures to grand, heroic statements.

With this collection, you can easily incorporate these unique bell sounds into your projects, creating scores that are filled with history and rich tonal depth. Whether you’re composing a cinematic score, working on a game soundtrack, or crafting ambient sound design, Sonokinetic – Chime brings a timeless and magical dimension to your work.

Conclusion

Sonokinetic – Chime isn’t just a library; it’s a collection of bells that hold stories from centuries past, now available to enhance your musical creations. With its rich variety of sounds and detailed recording quality, this library is perfect for composers who seek to infuse their projects with a sense of elegance and history.

Don’t miss the opportunity to explore the beautiful and distinctive tones of Sonokinetic – Chime, and discover how these antique bells can bring your compositions to life.