The Animator transforms chords into natural, realistic-sounding rhythmical phrases. Turn on the Animator, hold down a chord, and enjoy instant rhythmic arpeggios. It’s completely customizable — program up to 16 individual steps, then apply dynamics, groove and swing as required. 

The Animator works in multiple time-signatures, and provides a choice of three short-note articulations: Staccato, Spiccato and Pizzicato. You have control over the bowing direction and here’s a special performance tip: assign the Animator to a footswitch to trigger it on the fly.

Session Strings Pro provides ‘Performance’ presets. In this case, ‘preset’ is a combination of tools and user interface options designed for live performance, improvising, and trying out new ideas. 

Here, you can assign articulation changes to your pedals and controllers to keep both hands free for playing. Define up to five articulations in the same preset, one each assigned to Main, Velocity Switch, Sustain Control, Expression Control and Pitch Bend. The Animator is also part of the Performance Presets.

The Production presets are designed for detailed composition and recording. Here you can assign six articulations to six keys on your MIDI keyboard to change articulations easily. 

The Round Robin control, available in both preset types, refers to the automatic sample circulation. Session Strings Pro provides up to four alternative samples per note and circulates up/down strokes automatically, for a realistic sound without the unpleasant 'machine- gun effect' found in some sampled instruments. This can be disabled for avant garde rhythmic experiments.

A sufficient array of articulations is a prerequisite for expressive and authentic sample-based strings. Session Strings Pro provides 29 articulations, many featuring custom control options. 

Using Trills, for example, you can define a root key, which ensures that the trills you play automatically use the correct intervals. Glissando, alternatively, lets you control glide speed using a knob on your controller. The articulations available differ slightly between the Performance and Production presets.