Custom Kiesel Aries Samples Feature Extended Range and Performance Controls
Soundiron has launched Axe Machina, a virtual electric guitar library designed for metal production featuring Craig Peters' custom Kiesel Aries 7-string guitar. The instrument is currently available at a sale price of $79, reduced from its regular $99 price.
Instrument Specifications and Recording
The library samples a custom Kiesel Aries multi-scaled 7-string guitar tuned to A Standard, featuring 24 frets, a swamp ash body, birdseye maple neck, and Guitarmory Polaris pickups with D'Addario XL 10-64 gauge strings. The extended range provides access to low F, nearly an octave below standard guitar tuning.
Recording includes single note and power chord sustains with palm mute variations, plus performance articulations including pinch harmonics, mutes, pick scrapes at multiple lengths, fret noise, chokes, rakes, and slides. The library provides both direct input recordings for external amp simulation and custom reamped tones created with Neural DSP software.
Performance Features and Interface
The instrument includes real-time articulation selection, key-switch mapping options, an arpeggiator, auto-strummer, and sequencer functionality. Individual string access allows full control over each string's available range, including overlapping notes between strings.
A modular effects rack features 27 DSP modules assignable across 8 slots in any order, including phaser, flanger, delay, distortion, amp and cabinet simulators, compressors, EQ, and rotator effects. The convolution reverb includes 99 rooms, halls, chambers, and outdoor environments plus 40 custom effects impulses.
Artist Background and Endorsements
Craig Peters, the source guitarist, has composed for video game soundtracks including Borderlands 2 and The Long Dark, plus metal releases from acts like Deeds of Flesh and Arkaik. His touring experience includes performances with Cannibal Corpse and The Black Dahlia Murder.
Industry endorsements come from Charlie Clouser, Chris Dudley (Underoath), and Serj Tankian (System of a Down), who praise the library's realism and playability for heavy guitar applications.
Technical Requirements and Compatibility
The library requires Kontakt Player 8.1 or later and includes 71,796 samples across 22.8 GB of installed content. Eight Kontakt instrument presets provide different configurations including lite versions for reduced RAM usage, DI presets for external processing, and amped versions with built-in tones.
Full compatibility with Komplete Kontrol and S-Series keyboards is supported for integrated hardware control.
More information is available on the Soundiron website.
