Wrongtools has launched MARXOS, The Marxophone Orchestra, a Kontakt sample library based on a collection of vintage Marxophones. The release documents the instrument’s string sounds and mechanical operation, alongside prepared and processed recordings intended for a range of musical and sound-design contexts.
Patented in 1912, the Marxophone is a flat lap zither that uses a mechanical playing system. Flexible metal arms fitted with small hammers strike the melody strings, creating repeated notes, tremolos and cascading patterns as the hammers bounce across the instrument.
For MARXOS, Wrongtools recorded the Marxophones in detail, including the strings as well as hammer noise, mechanical movements and other instrument-specific imperfections. The library provides independent control of these mechanical sounds, allowing users to adjust their presence within a patch.
The collection includes conventional acoustic Marxophone recordings alongside prepared and processed material. Wrongtools prepared instruments with cork, rubber, foam and jewellery, while additional recordings used E-bows and contact microphones mounted directly on the strings.
MARXOS contains 49 Kontakt patches spanning acoustic Marxophone sounds, prepared plucks, repeated and bouncing patterns, textures, pads, drones and hybrid orchestral-style colours. The included interface is resizable and incorporates Wrongtools’ sound-sculpting tools for further adjustment of the recorded material.
- 49 Kontakt patches
- 2,700 samples
- 6.1 GB total library size
- Independent mechanical sound controls
- Resizable user interface
- Acoustic, prepared and processed Marxophone recordings
MARXOS requires the full version of Native Instruments Kontakt 6.4.2 or later.
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