Developer Venus Theory has released auras:veils, their latest addition to the free Auras project for Decent Sampler.
Decent Sampler is a gateway to an endless supply of weird and wonderful sounds, many of which are free. The Decent Sampler itself is also free to download.
Among the thousands of free sounds, some of the very best come from Venus Theory and his Auras project.
Veils is the latest installment of the Auras series, coming after the likes of Polyscape and Volts.
Auras:veils is an expressive string-based library, but not a typical orchestral strings library.
Auras:veils features a diverse collection of sounds and textures created using a mix of stringed instruments, including electric guitar, ukulele, and banjo.
There are three types of presets: Layers, Pads, and Singles.
The Layer presets are the most inherently expressive, morphing between layers; when it comes to evolving cinematic sounds, the A/B layer system is one of the coolest elements of Arturia’s PolyBrute 12, and it’s great to see Venus Theory showcase it with his Auras project.
The Antihero Layer preset is one of my favorites; the initial impact is ideal for dark and sparse melodic lines, while the ominous texture below grows in presence; lovely.
The Pad presets offer immersive textures, while the Single presets provide single-note plucks for more melodic playing.
We could have had nothing but the Layer presets, and auras:veils would still be a worthwhile download. But the other types, especially the Singles, turn Veils into something much more versatile.
If you’ve tried any of the previous Auras releases, you’ll be familiar with the intuitive interface. The preset sounds are excellent, but auras:veils offers enough options to customize sounds, control dynamics, and expression.
The Dynamics and Expression sliders are the go-to controls, as you’d expect with a string-based library, and a couple of faders on your MIDI controller will go a long way.
You can sculpt the sound with the Filter section and add built-in FX, including Delay and Reverb.
Whenever Venus Theory releases a new addition to the Auras project, it’s a no-brainer for me. We have a top-class sound designer crafting incredible sounds and making them compatible with the free Decent Sampler without charging a penny.
If you want to support Venus Theory’s work, there is a pay-what-you-like option, or you can become a Patreon.
Download: auras:veils (FREE / Name-your-price)
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Last Updated on June 4, 2025 by Tomislav Zlatic.
