The Mbira, often known as a Thumb Piano or Kalimba, is a traditional African folk instrument characterized by metal tines attached to a wooden or gourd base, played by plucking with the thumbs. Typically small and handmade, this instrument produces a limited range of notes, offering a unique and charming tonal quality rooted in indigenous musical heritage.

Array Instruments, a U.S. company founded by Bill Wesley and Patrick Hadley, has taken the Mbira concept beyond its traditional form to create a highly refined and extended version. The Array Mbira stands out as a sophisticated instrument with an expanded pitch range and exceptional sound clarity, designed with precision and engineered for professional use rather than casual play.

Soniccouture’s virtual instrument captures the essence of this advanced Array Mbira with a meticulously sampled 5-octave version. Featuring over 4,000 samples, the library offers separate microphone and pickup channels that can be blended for tonal customization. The instrument supports 8 velocity layers and multiple round-robin samples per note, enhancing expressiveness and realism. Additional features like a strummer module and note-off damping samples provide dynamic performance options, making it a detailed and immersive tool for musicians and producers.