Shreddage 3 Hydra is a deeply sampled 8-string virtual guitar for Kontakt, focused on rock and metal with clean tones, brutal chugs, and two distinct Fishman Fluence pickups.
Purpose and Character
Shreddage 3 Hydra is a virtual instrument designed for rock and metal production, especially heavy and progressive subgenres. It captures an 8-string Ibanez RGIF8 drop-tuned to low E, equipped with Fishman Fluence Tosin Abasi Signature pickups in neck and bridge positions. This setup provides distinct tonal options, notable clarity, and a low noise floor, with some open-string sustains lasting over 40 seconds.
The sampled content includes over 40,000 24-bit samples covering essentials like sustains, powerchords, palm mutes, staccatos, legato, harmonics, tapping, tremolo, slides, vibrato, releases, rakes, and muted chokes. This breadth aims to deliver realism for rhythm parts, chords, and leads. While its core is metal, the clean tones are also suitable for dreamy or ‘gaze’ style music, making it versatile for various production contexts.
Key Capabilities
Hydra integrates with the Console modular rack, offering over 30 effects modules including EQs, compressors, spatial effects, modulation, amps, distortion pedals, reverbs, and more than 30 custom cabinet IRs. These cabs feature dynamic, condenser, and ribbon microphone options in multiple positions. Users can save and load FX chains or presets across projects, and blend between pickups with custom inserts per position.
The instrument includes 55 production-ready console tone snapshots for quick sound shaping. Additionally, TACT 2.0 provides total articulation control, allowing customization of how articulations are mapped and triggered to suit individual workflows. The engine also includes poly input for realistic chords, a strumming tab for custom rhythm parts, and multiple fret and string voicing algorithms.
Workflow and Use
To write realistic guitar parts, users can employ sustains, powerchords, and palm mutes for rhythm, with staccatos and legato for leads. The poly input feature helps create convincing chord voicings, while the strumming tab enables custom strum patterns. TACT 2.0 lets you reassign keyswitches or velocity triggers to match your DAW or playing style, making the instrument adaptable to different setups.
Console’s modular design allows you to build a guitar tone from scratch or start with snapshots, then tweak EQs, amps, and cab IRs to fit a mix. The ability to save and load chains ensures consistency across projects. This is beneficial for producers composing rock tracks, metal riffs, or atmospheric clean textures, as Hydra covers both aggressive and ethereal sounds.
Practical Applications
Hydra shines in rock and metal productions, especially heavy subgenres and progressive music, where its 8-string range and clarity support chugging riffs and soaring leads. Its clean tones and long sustains make it suitable for post-rock or shoegaze styled arrangements. The instrument serves as a complete guitar solution, eliminating the need for external amp sim software in most cases.
For music producers and composers, Hydra can be a primary guitar sound source. Its articulations allow for nuanced performances, from soft clean chords to aggressive palm-muted gallops. The snapshot system accelerates workflow, letting you audition tones quickly. By combining Hydra with other virtual instruments, you can create full mixes, relying on its built-in effects for a polished guitar track.
Key features
- 8-string guitar tuned to low E
- Two pickup positions: neck and bridge
- Over 40,000 24-bit samples
- Console modular FX rack with 30+ effects and 30+ cab IRs
- TACT 2.0 articulation mapping
- Poly input for realistic chord playing
- Strumming tab for custom rhythm parts
- 55 production-ready tone snapshots
Best for
Shreddage 3 Hydra is best for rock and metal producers seeking a high-quality 8-string virtual guitar for rhythm and lead parts, with versatile clean tones and deep articulation control. It’s also a strong choice for ambient or post-rock music needing sustained, clear guitar sounds.