Introduction - Native Instruments Scarbee Mark 1 User Manual

1 Introduction

Scarbee sample libraries are hailed around the world for capturing not only the classic tone of
these vintage instruments, but also their feel. Sampled, mapped, and programmed with great
love and slavish attention to detail, the Scarbee MARK I presents a classic electro-mechanical
instrument in its ultimate form.
MARK I is the sound of a hot-rodded, wonderful electric piano from the 70s! It has expression
and dynamics ranging from warm and mellow to bright and barking, but can also produce a
dulcet bell-like tone, which is very suited for jazz, funk and R&B.
How much detail is there in the instrument?
To start with, all samples are full length and un-looped. Each of the 73 keys of the original
instrument was sampled at 12 different velocities ranging from 0 to -26 dB, but this is only
half the story. In order to capture that magical feel of really playing the original instrument,
we also recorded release samples for each of the 12 velocities at the exact same level as the
corresponding sustain samples. The release tone—a sound created when a damper bounces
against the tine as a key is released—is an intrinsic element of what musicians recognize as
Scarbee Mark I - User Manual – 5