The Felt Piano Concept Re-Imagined For Guitars
Softstruck by Sonora Cinematic
Sonora Cinematic, Edinburgh, Scotland – 5th August 2025. Sonora Cinematic has announced Softstruck – one of the developer’s most unconventional Kontakt Player instruments to date and the third title to join the highly popular Select series.
The inspiration behind Softstruck emerged during a felt piano recording session, sparking the team’s curiosity about whether the same emotional softness created with felt could be brought to the guitar. After experimenting with adding felt to the instrument itself, which didn’t hit the mark sonically, the real breakthrough came when attention shifted to muting the stroke.
Using ultra-soft felt picks, typically designed for nylon instruments such as the ukuele, Softstruck delivers a brushed, blurred guitar tone that feels nostalgic, intimate, and deeply textured – a perfect fit for cinematic scoring and ambient production.
The Guitars
Taking the new-found technique, three distinctive guitars were sampled…
Guitar 1 ‘Butterscotch’ – a classic guitar with an added middle pick-up that offers an iconic scooped clean tone which is very bright to begin with and darkened considerably with the felt.
Guitar 2 ‘Flatwounds’ – a fantastic, chambered guitar with a p90-style pickup – a much darker instrument made even darker by fitting flatwound strings.
Guitar 3 ‘Singlecut’ – a classic model renowned for its bassy sound at the neck pickup.
The guitars were recorded through four signals: two different amps for each guitar for some tonal variation and two different pedalboard chains, one ambient and lush, the other more experimental.
FX & Features
As with all Select series titles, Softstruck features Sonora Cinematic’s signature atmospheric FX, tweaked specially for guitar. A lush studio reverb, a shimmery, diffused ambience with a huge tail, and a slowly modulated reverb with granular-like processing for a rich, textured soundscape.
Other features include a Double Track switch for different round robins which can be panned hard right and left for a richer, stereo feel, and a broad range of 51 curated presets.
Whether composing a cinematic score, crafting ambient soundscapes, shaping emotional cues, or writing delicate, heartfelt songs, Softstruck provides a deeply inspiring palette. Its understated character also makes it ideal for introspective solo pieces or layered textures in complex arrangements.
Pricing
Softstruck is available to download now for the introductory price of £29 (normally £39). An ‘upgrade’ option is available for existing Select series customers priced £23 (normally £29). Intro offers end on 31st August 2025. All prices exclude VAT. Requires Kontakt Player v8.3.
For full details, videos and audio demos visit: Get Softstruck Here From Sonora Cinematic
Sonora Select Series
Sonora Select is a curated series of inspiring, great-sounding, and budget-friendly sample libraries designed for Kontakt Player. Perfect for creators at any level, each title combines ease of use with professional-quality sound.
Softstruck marks the third release in the series, joining the best-selling Emma Legato — a deeply expressive true legato vocal instrument — and the hauntingly beautiful Nocturne, a cinematic electric piano with a moody, atmospheric edge.
Loyal customers can take advantage of extra savings with upgrade pricing available on each product in the series.
About Sonora Cinematic
Sonora Cinematic is the home for sample libraries and instruments produced by composer and sound designer Alessandro Mastroianni. Their mission is to inspire composers, songwriters and music producers to write music the moment they touch the keyboard with bestselling releases such as Panorama Guitars, Aria Vocalscapes, Poiesis Cello, and more. The company has recently expanded its portfolio with captivating instruments designed for Audiomodern’s Soundbox platform.