EastWest Hollywood Fantasy Voices delivers cinematic fantasy vocals recorded in Tolkien’s Elvish, featuring solo sustains, true legato, phrases, and full choirs. It offers expressive control for epic and ethereal scoring.
Purpose and Core Sound
Hollywood Fantasy Voices focuses on the vocal sound of cinematic fantasy scoring, built around singer Merethe Soltvedt’s voice. It provides sustains, true legato, Elvish words, phrases, and choir patches to cover both solo and ensemble needs. The library aims to give composers access to authentic, emotional vocal performances that fit epic or intimate fantasy contexts.
The recording approach is designed to reduce reliance on complex automation, allowing users to trigger expressive performances with simple note input. Multiple microphone positions and mood selections (Soft, Classic, Epic) offer tonal flexibility. The inclusion of Tolkien’s Elvish language adds a layer of authenticity for fantasy projects, while the choir provides traditional folk-inspired textures distinct from typical epic choir sounds.
Key Capabilities
Sustains include Lyrical and Vibrato styles for dynamic or high-energy vowel performances. Legato transitions were recorded ascending and descending within an octave, enabling expressive melodic lines. The Elvish words section features a collection of recorded words that can be performed individually or chained into phrases.
Phrase patches are organized by key, making it easy to find a suitable ad lib line during writing. The choir section includes male and female groups with different vowels, offering a rich harmonic backdrop. A keyswitch section condenses all these elements into combined patches for faster workflow, letting users access choir, solo, and word performances with fewer tracks.
Workflow and Integration
To use the library, load the desired patch in a compatible sampler or host that supports EastWest’s player. For quick sketches, the keyswitch patches are recommended, as they allow switching between different voice types and articulations on a single track. This reduces menu diving and keeps the writing process fluid.
For detailed control, separate patches for sustains, legato, and words give more focused editing. Users can layer solo vocals with choir patches to build textures. The mood and microphone options can be adjusted to fit the mix. While no specific system requirements are stated, users should ensure their setup meets the software’s general standards.
Practical Applications
The library suits fantasy film and game scoring, particularly for scenes involving battles, mystical settings, or emotional character moments. The Elvish words offer a unique way to add linguistic authenticity without needing a live singer. Composers can use sustains for ambient textures or melodic lines, and legato for more classical vocal writing.
Phrases are useful for quickly adding a vocal layer with minimal programming, ideal for tight deadlines. The choir can underline epic sequences or provide folk-infused harmonies. For hybrid compositions, combining the solo voice with other instruments can create distinctive soundscapes. The keyswitch patches streamline sessions where rapid changes between solo and choir are needed.
Key features
- Solo vocalist Merethe Soltvedt with cinematic fantasy tone
- Sustain articulations with Lyrical and Vibrato styles
- True legato transitions ascending and descending within an octave
- 60 Elvish words from Tolkien’s language for isolated or chained phrases
- Phrase patches organized by key for quick access
- Male and female choir with folk-inspired vowel performances
- Keyswitch patches combining solo, choir, and word sections
Best for
Best for composers seeking authentic fantasy vocal textures for film, game, or TV scoring, especially when they need Elvish language phrases, expressive solo lines, and folk-inspired choirs without a live vocalist. Works well in epic, emotional, or ethereal contexts.