Audio Imperia release free Glade instrument - Published 22/11/25

Fully featured complementary instrument revealed

Audio Imperia say that they’d been thinking about adding a free instrument to their software collection for some time, but didn’t want to take the approach of offering a ‘teaser’ or cut-down version of their existing creations. Instead, they’ve developed Glade — The Unearthed Orchestra, a powerful instrument that has been designed with the aim of finding a permanent place in a composer’s template.

The company say that the latest arrival “fuses world colour with symphonic craft”, and allows users to layer strings, winds, voices and organic percussion samples to discover interesting new harmonies and timbres. There are two audio engines, one of which features a four-layer design and employs a pair of macro controls that are capable of controlling just about any parameter. The second engine offers a more in-depth approach, providing users with individual instrument patches with keyswitchable articulations. The focus is on playability, and Audio Imperia say that Glade is capable of moving sketches to finished ideas in minutes, and will feel equally at home in film cues, trailers, games, pop toplines and electronic soundscapes.

Key Features
Two Engines

• Designer (New four-layer preset layout, macro control, factory presets)
  
  • Meet the Designer interface, a fast way to build living texture. Stack up to four parts from strings, winds, voices and percussive elements. Use the two macro controls to transform a single static chord into an evolving motion, or map them to almost any parameter for one-handed control.
• Pyramid (Traditional)
  • Prefer an intricate, detailed approach? Use the separate instrument patches with clear articulations and keyswitches. They’re stable, light on CPU, and ready for clean stems and fast mixes.
• 19 Instruments: High Strings, Low Strings, Orchestral Woodwinds, Kalimba, Taiko, Talking Drum, Conga, Tabla, Claves, Woodblock, Shekere, Celesta, Crotales, Marimba, Duduk, Fujara, Shakuhachi, Harps, Ney, Pan Pipes, Forest Percussion, Boy Soloists.

Compatibility
Glade runs in Native Instruments' Kontakt Player (or the full version of Kontakt) versions 7.10.9 and above, which are supported on PCs running Windows 10 and later, and Macs running macOS 10.15 or above. VST3, AU and AAX plug-in versions are available, along with a standalone application.

Availability
Glade is available now, and is free to download. www.audioimperia.com/product/glade

Source: www.soundonsound.com/news/audio-imperia-release-free-glade-instrument

 

OG Glade plugin