This library is a tribute to the legendary musical style of its namesake, Django Reinhardt, innovator of gypsy jazz (also known as gypsy swing, hot club jazz, or jazz manouche). We recorded three instruments — acoustic lead, electric lead, and acoustic rhythm — designed to deliver solo and accompanying parts in the characteristic expression and speed of this wonderful style. With over 20,000+ samples total, we can confidently say we achieved our goal!

But the degree of sampling depth and authenticity included in DJANGO makes the instrument suitable for other contexts as well: modern jazz, swing, blues, or even pop, and can provide an alternative sound for lead steel or nylon acoustic guitar parts played with a pick. The rhythm instrument is ideal for the well-known upbeat swing rhythm, best known as “la pompe,” in any key and with a wide range of chords.

The designer of DJANGO, Dimitris Plagiannis, also produced our popular bouzouki and oud sample libraries, and approached this with the same sampling philosophy: meticulous recording, editing, and scripting techniques to make the instruments sound absolutely real. Not just through intelligent note playback (smart virtual fret selection, bends, slides, release noises), but also by including playing inconsistencies that provide the dynamics, flow, and expressiveness of real acoustic performances. It’s these subtle (and controllable) imperfections that give sampled and sequenced performances true life and depth.

We hope you’ll enjoy the result!