Blab Music
ThaLoops Launches Cello Shots: A Virtual Cello Rhythm Machine for Producers
ThaLoops has unveiled Cello Shots, a VST3 plugin that reimagines the acoustic cello as a rhythm‑oriented tool for modern producers. The instrument turns the bow‑driven sound into a one‑shot library that can be triggered straight from a MIDI keyboard, giving beatmakers in hip‑hop, trap, R&B and pop a percussive cello resource without hiring a performer.
Built from recordings of a professionally trained acoustic cellist, Cello Shots offers 506 one‑shot samples that include riffs, bites, bends, licks, chops and chords. Those samples are grouped into 21 musical themes that come pre‑programmed for an intuitive keyboard layout. The themes are available in five keys—A, C, D, E and G—and in four tempos ranging from 90 to 120 beats per minute, allowing producers to slot the cello into almost any groove.
Three distinct banks give the plugin a wide sonic palette. The slaps bank delivers playable chords, basslines and melodies that feel like a traditional rhythm section. Low and high percussion banks provide organic hits and accents that can be layered over drum patterns, while the FX bank supplies vinyl crackles, sweeps and experimental textures for extra sonic interest.
The plugin ships as a VST3 for Windows and as an Audio Unit for macOS, ensuring compatibility with most digital audio workstations. Producers can trigger the samples directly from a MIDI keyboard, turning the cello into a beat‑making machine rather than a conventional bowed instrument.
According to the company’s website, Cello Shots is available for purchase at an introductory price of $14.99 for a limited time, with a regular price of $19.99. The plugin is marketed as a cost‑effective addition to a producer’s toolkit, especially for those who want to incorporate acoustic cello textures into contemporary electronic music.
ThaLoops positions Cello Shots within a broader trend of acoustic instruments being repurposed for beatmaking. The developer’s catalog already includes sample packs featuring live recordings of guitars, drums and orchestral instruments, all designed to be used as one‑shot samples in modern production.
The release arrives amid a growing demand for high‑quality, ready‑to‑use acoustic samples that can be employed across genres. Producers in hip‑hop and trap have increasingly experimented with string instruments as percussive elements, and Cello Shots offers a streamlined solution that eliminates the need for a session musician.
ThaLoops has not announced any planned updates or expansions for Cello Shots beyond the current sample set. The company’s website lists the plugin as a standalone product, with no bundled releases or additional content.
In summary, Cello Shots is a VST3/AU virtual instrument that turns an acoustic cello into a rhythm machine. It offers 506 one‑shot samples, 21 musical themes, and multiple banks of percussive and FX sounds. The plugin is targeted at hip‑hop, trap, R&B and pop producers and is available for $14.99 for a limited time on the ThaLoops website.
Built from recordings of a professionally trained acoustic cellist, Cello Shots offers 506 one‑shot samples that include riffs, bites, bends, licks, chops and chords. Those samples are grouped into 21 musical themes that come pre‑programmed for an intuitive keyboard layout. The themes are available in five keys—A, C, D, E and G—and in four tempos ranging from 90 to 120 beats per minute, allowing producers to slot the cello into almost any groove.
Three distinct banks give the plugin a wide sonic palette. The slaps bank delivers playable chords, basslines and melodies that feel like a traditional rhythm section. Low and high percussion banks provide organic hits and accents that can be layered over drum patterns, while the FX bank supplies vinyl crackles, sweeps and experimental textures for extra sonic interest.
The plugin ships as a VST3 for Windows and as an Audio Unit for macOS, ensuring compatibility with most digital audio workstations. Producers can trigger the samples directly from a MIDI keyboard, turning the cello into a beat‑making machine rather than a conventional bowed instrument.
According to the company’s website, Cello Shots is available for purchase at an introductory price of $14.99 for a limited time, with a regular price of $19.99. The plugin is marketed as a cost‑effective addition to a producer’s toolkit, especially for those who want to incorporate acoustic cello textures into contemporary electronic music.
ThaLoops positions Cello Shots within a broader trend of acoustic instruments being repurposed for beatmaking. The developer’s catalog already includes sample packs featuring live recordings of guitars, drums and orchestral instruments, all designed to be used as one‑shot samples in modern production.
The release arrives amid a growing demand for high‑quality, ready‑to‑use acoustic samples that can be employed across genres. Producers in hip‑hop and trap have increasingly experimented with string instruments as percussive elements, and Cello Shots offers a streamlined solution that eliminates the need for a session musician.
ThaLoops has not announced any planned updates or expansions for Cello Shots beyond the current sample set. The company’s website lists the plugin as a standalone product, with no bundled releases or additional content.
In summary, Cello Shots is a VST3/AU virtual instrument that turns an acoustic cello into a rhythm machine. It offers 506 one‑shot samples, 21 musical themes, and multiple banks of percussive and FX sounds. The plugin is targeted at hip‑hop, trap, R&B and pop producers and is available for $14.99 for a limited time on the ThaLoops website.
