Garritan has announced Garritan Orchestral Strings 2, an orchestral string library powered by the Garritan ARIA sample engine.

This library features the complete string sections of the orchestra, a rare solo Stradivari violin, a solo Pallotta viola, a solo Gofriller cello, a solo Amati double-Bass, 1st violin section, 2nd violin section, viola section, cello section, double-Bass section, and a full string orchestra.

Each string section and solo instrument allows for the performance of a variety of realistic and expressive articulations, bowings, playing techniques, and special effects. To be specific, the following articulations are included:  various sustains, staccato, marcato, spiccato, martelle'', pizzicato, sautille, portamento, ricochet, col legno, tremolo, trills (at various interval), and harmonics. Many of these articulations may be played altra corda (on an adjoining string) or con sordino (muted).

Avant-garde effects such as harmonic glissandi (Penderecki effects) and below-the-bridge effects are also included, as are bow position control (sul tasto and sul ponticelli), up and down bowing, realistic legato and portamento, body/sympathetic resonance behavior modeling, adjustable noise (bow, pluck and snap noise), and controllable loose/tight articulations.

Garritan Orchestral Strings 2 will be released in the 1st quarter of 2009. For more information, please visit garritan.com.