Klevgrand Borsta

A stroke of genius

Borsta (Swedish verb, means to brush) is a drum and percussion instrument that simulates strokes and brushes. Its unique audio engine allows for an endless number of very natural sounding brushing phrases and rhythms.

What sets Borsta apart from similar instruments is that its audio engine supports continuous changes in intensity. This makes it possible to create life-like brushing phrases and patterns, something that can't be easily achieved with ordinary sample-based instruments.

The parallel envelope and events sequencers allow you to determine exactly when to start a stroke, how the stroke's pressure/speed should evolve over time and when to end it. On top of that, each instrument also offers multi-sampled one-shots with advanced choking capabilities.

Each instrument is based on more than 400 high-quality samples, recorded for playing with different velocities and round robins. The initial version of Borsta comes with 18 different instruments, but each instance of the plug-in emulates one single drum instrument at a time. That means the sequences can only be played one at a time. However, switching between sequences can be done seamlessly via MIDI, and additional one-shot samples can be triggered using an ordinary MIDI track.

The instruments are all structured and MIDI-mapped in a uniform way, which makes it possible to use the same sequence on any instrument. For instance, a traditional swing pattern will sound musically correct no matter whether you choose a Frame Drum, Tambourine or Snare Drum - it will just sound like the musician changed instruments.

Features

• 18 high-quality instruments with 6 multi-sampled one shots each
• 230 pre-made factory sequences
• 60 Global presets covering different sounds and genres
• Separate volume and velocity curve control of each sound type
• Room simulation (9 different rooms)
• Reverb with adjustable decay time (6 different algorithms)
• Timbre adjustment control (harmonics)
• Overall pitch
• Three band equalizer

Anatomy
18-drum course
Choose between 18 different percussion instruments, suitable for brushing, rubbing or scraping.
Curve your enthusiasm
The shape of the envelope represents how the intensity of the brushing will be during a brush stroke.
Brush on, brush off
This area defines when the brush strokes will play during a sequence.
Ready, preset, go
A vast collection of presets in many different styles, ready to play or to be used as a starting point.

Global view
Go into details
Levels for the Brush sound, as well as Brush On and Off, plus the One-shot variants. A "Curve" knob for controlling the velocity sensitivity.
Room for the elephant
A simple but effective Reverb, plus a Room simulator.
Feel harmonic
For quick tone-shaping, use this knob to add or remove the harmonics.