Hoard Mandolin is a Kontakt-based legato mandolin library with velocity-controlled articulations, repetition sustains, playable chords, and live groove patterns, performed by Jason Hoard.
Performance and Articulations
Hoard Mandolin is built around a versatile Master Legato patch that combines three distinct legato types, each triggered by velocity. The primary range uses a natural plucked legato, suitable for typical melodic lines. Higher velocities trigger hammer-on and pull-off articulations up to a major second, while lower velocities produce a slide-into-pluck gesture with mod wheel control over slide speed.
The Chicken Peck variant retains the same legato engine but adds repetition sustains optimized for rapid, successive picking. Both patches integrate automatic downstroke and upstroke picking techniques, enabling fluid, expressive performances across genres. A dedicated Muted Legato patch offers a softer, percussive tone for nuanced passages.
Repetitions and Chords
Beyond legato sustains, the library provides playable repetition patches. These include split-keyboard options that assign different repetitions to sections of the keyboard, plus mute repetitions for percussive effects. A dedicated tremolo patch supports fast, controlled shaking for rhythmic intensity.
Chords are covered by several patches: sustained chords for pads, tight chords with major and minor voicings that support keyboard-split playing with CC1 for inversions, and short chords derived from phrases for quick strums. These are useful for comping and rhythmic accents in arrangements.
Grooves and Extras
The Chuck Live Grooves patch features three choked chuck patterns performed at four tempos: 90, 120, 150, and 180 BPM. These are mapped to keys for quick integration, and they provide a rhythmic backbone for productions. Playable chucks allow real-time performance of similar patterns.
Additional fret slides and noises add realism and transition elements. The library also includes a custom hall impulse reverb, adjustable via an on-screen control, to place the instrument in a space. Recorded at 48 kHz and 24-bit with compressed NCW format, it balances detail and file size.
Workflow and Suitability
For melodic writing, the Master Legato patch excels in solo passages, from folk to cinematic. The velocity layering allows for dynamic control without switching patches, making it efficient in a Kontakt-based setup. The Chicken Peck variant is ideal for fast-picking lines, such as bluegrass or rock solos, where repeated notes need clarity.
Repetition and chord patches suit rhythmic accompaniment, and the live grooves add instant energy for backing tracks. The split-key options and CC1 mappings streamline performance. The library is best used in a DAW that supports Kontakt, with a MIDI controller for velocity and mod wheel expression. It caters to composers and producers needing a reliable, expressive mandolin without extensive sampling.
Key features
- Velocity-activated legato articulations including pluck, hammer-on/pull-off, and slide
- Automatic downstroke and upstroke legato picking integration
- Chicken Peck patch with repetition sustains for rapid picking
- Playable repetition patches with split-keyboard options and mute variants
- Tremolo and sustained chord patches for pads and comping
- Tight chords with major/minor voicings and CC1 inversion control
- Chuck Live Grooves with three patterns at four tempos
Best for
Ideal for composers and producers needing a versatile legato mandolin for melodic solos, bluegrass lines, rhythmic strumming, and live-feel grooves. The velocity-based articulations and repetition patches suit both expressive playing and quick, picking-heavy passages. Works well in film, folk, and contemporary production when a dynamic, authentic mandolin is required.