Orchestral sample library recommendation

[munmun]

Hi there. I am on the market for an orchestral library to replace GPO. My criteria are:

- should work comfortably in a rock/ pop mix
- should sound good out of the box to minimize midi tweaking. I am a guitarist and my understanding of the nuances of strings is limited. Intelligent software would go a long way.
- ideally dry samples that I can add reverb to.
- budget would be approximatly $500

Any recommendations?

[C Heat]

I 'assume' most will recommend VSL.

Why are you replacing GPO4 may I ask? It seems to offer all of your criteria.

[munmun]

Originally Posted by C Heat

I 'assume' most will recommend VSL.

Why are you replacing GPO4 may I ask? It seems to offer all of your criteria.

I still have a way to go to perfect GPO programming. However, I do not have the experience or the ear to get every string nuance right as GPO demands. This is why I am looking for something more playable out of the box. I may as well perfect my skills on a better sounding and easy to use library. I am currently leaning towards Miroslav or VSL Chamber Strings since I use strings most often.

Any thoughts?

[robertshaw]

VSL is the best bang for the buck. There are better libraries
but much more expensive and not drastically better in sound quality

[munmun]

Originally Posted by robertshaw

VSL is the best bang for the buck. There are better libraries
but much more expensive and not drastically better in sound quality

Wondering if you own the SE version. Are the solo and ensemble strings on that pack suited to rock and pop or would you recommend the chamber strings for this style?

[popmann]

If the reason you're replacing GPO is for something more "playable out of the box", don't go with VSL. I love mine...but, they're anything but super friendly out of the box.

Go hardware. Roland's SRX04 card is cool. Kurzweil's orchestral exp in the Pc2 series are good--but not AS good as the Roland, IMO.

I do have a friend who swears by his Sampletank orchestral stuff as being really playable...I've got no experience. He uses that to work up the arrangements and then switches them to East West's big sounds to tweak and mix.

The thing about "playable out of the box" is that you WILL give up nuance and realism. That's always going to be the tradeoff.

[Audiomajik]

Kirk Hunter Chamber Strings. Thank me later.

[dkelley]

this thread is a good example of why I make money as a string session player.

playable without tweaking, believable, strings and synthesis just really don't exist. what we would need is a midi controller that a violinist could play to get at least a little bit of the real variations in control that a violin offers (nothing could come close to the real thing, but keyboards can't cut it at all).

you know, like an akai ewi is to a sax player. if that existed I'd buy it. but of course, I'm a violinist so I'd be able to take advantage of it quickly, and that would defeat my purposes since I multitrack real violins/violas for people who are frustrated with the sound of synth strings or synth solo violin.

but still... my point is that, while I too use synth strings for composing, when it comes to actual sound there is so much tweaking needed that once you get to a certain level/need or when it's a really exposed part, you need the real instrument.

same of course goes with many other instruments... but this thread is about strings which is my personal skillset.

but vienna with tweaking is a very good choice. those hardware boxes sound interesting as does that chamber strings option... I personally will look into all of those to see if they can help me with my quick composing needs for film scores etc!

cool suggestions guys :-)

[Dreamsilent]

What do people think of the Kontakt samples? I'm thinking of going for Komplete 6 myself for orchestral stuff (and everything else, of course)...

[M55ikael]

Originally Posted by Dreamsilent

What do people think of the Kontakt samples? I'm thinking of going for Komplete 6 myself for orchestral stuff (and everything else, of course)...

I just bought Kontakt 4 a month ago and my first impressions were pretty poor. Because I didn't like it at first I haven't bothered spending much time with it, so I wouldn't know if they can be tweaked good.
I'd actually check out AIR Structure if you're working with Pro Tools.

[krucifyx]

I am also a guitar/keyboard player with limited understanding of strings, and I have the IK Miroslav. As far as playability is concerned, it's pretty good on a keyboard (and the "combis" are a nice way to get a single orchestra sound with one patch), but in terms of sounds, it's not the best.

If I was iLock compliant, I would def go for the East West Gold Orchestra. They are having a huge promo on soundsonline where you can get it for your budget (or even can get the silver for under 100 dollars... that would give you enough to get Kontakt on the side).

And regarding Komplete, the string samples in the Kontakt library are supposed to be taken from the Vienna library, which is supposed to be real good (and the samples do sound good).

East West is also coming up with a new string library this January (Hollywood Strings). You may want to check this out too.

Good luck, and keep us posted (I'm trying to pair Miroslav with something else, a little more realistic, so I'm interested in your findings).

[dougb415]

Originally Posted by krucifyx

If I was iLock compliant, I would def go for the East West Gold Orchestra. They are having a huge promo on soundsonline where you can get it for your budget (or even can get the silver for under 100 dollars... that would give you enough to get Kontakt on the side).

Link? I wouldn't mind getting Silver for under $100

[Larry Mal]

The Kontakt stuff is OK. I understand they have added solo strings to it in the latest version.

But, the Kirk Hunter stuff, which I just got recently, is great. I'm as happy with it as I was expecting. I don't yet know how to tweak it all, so it'll be even better when I do.

It's also on sale at the moment.

But, I do use the samples in Kontakt. You need either Kontakt (maybe- maybe- the new free player will work, check before you buy) or the Logic sampler, EXS.

But, go to the site, and check them out.

[foamboy]

Originally Posted by Audiomajik

Kirk Hunter Chamber Strings. Thank me later.

NEVER! He said he wanted something dry that he could add reverb to. Kirk Hunter Libraries are just OKAY!

IMO they have a very "synthy" quality that verges on harshness and then there's that damned "ambience" that you can't get rid of!

I own VSL,Kontakt, Sampletank, GPO and of cousre the Kirk Hunter stuff. I have demoed the East/West stuff and if pop/rock is your thing, I would splurge for the full version of Kontakt 4 or get a stripped down version of Sample Tank and some of the free sounds that they offer. VSL is GREAT if you need a more authentic mock up for orchestration,but IMO it is not as "pop" oriented as the ones I mentioned above.

Of course as mentioned, EAST/WEST is having some kind of a promotion that will give you a "starter" version for free and all you have to do is answer a few questions(take a survey). Check it out. It might be all you need.

Good luck, and please don't get the Kirk Hunter library.tutt


foamboy


ps. BTW after re-reading the quote I used I must admit that I have not tried the KH Chamber strings so MAYBE they might be better than the Diamond,er Emerald,er Ruby, or whatever the F I actually bought. I would recommend heading over to the site and REALLY listening HARD to their demos.

[munmun]

I got VSL in the end. Se version. So far it is a treat compared to GPO. Ofcourse the basic samples are better. However the interface is also more conducive to creating realism. I am starting to realise that maybe the something similar could be possible with GPO but it would take a lot more knowledge of the instrument to dial in the right tones.

Any more insights and I will post.

[Larry Mal]

The ambience of all the Kirk Hunter stuff I have can be turned off, by clicking on "bypass reverb". Maybe this is different from what you have, though, it may not have been on the older libraries or the entry level one.

[mekohler]

Originally Posted by dougb415

Link? I wouldn't mind getting Silver for under $100

Yeah I don't think that's right...the cheapest I am seeing is 195.

[krucifyx]

Originally Posted by mekohler

Yeah I don't think that's right...the cheapest I am seeing is 195.

Sounds Online Virtual Instruments & Sample Libraries

See the 40% promo till tonight...

[mekohler]

Originally Posted by krucifyx

Sounds Online Virtual Instruments & Sample Libraries

See the 40% promo till tonight...

Even with that...Try it. Add Silver orchestra and choose your free product...the total will be $195. If you apply the HOLIDAY coupon code, it first reverts everything to full price, THEN discounts...making it still $195...

So as far as I can see $195 is the cheapest you can get the Silver edition, unless I am being incredibly stupid.


Edit: I am stupid...after the discount is applied you need to delete the free gift, then you can get it for $117. If you don't have an ilok the total comes out to $180.

[saovi]

Originally Posted by munmun

Hi there. I am on the market for an orchestral library to replace GPO. My criteria are:

- should work comfortably in a rock/ pop mix
- should sound good out of the box to minimize midi tweaking. I am a guitarist and my understanding of the nuances of strings is limited. Intelligent software would go a long way.
- ideally dry samples that I can add reverb to.
- budget would be approximatly $500

Any recommendations?

For your uses, VSL Special Edition - even though it is more than you wanted to spend - would probably be your best bang for the buck based on your specs here.

[Jose]

Originally Posted by munmun

Hi there. I am on the market for an orchestral library to replace GPO. My criteria are:

- should work comfortably in a rock/ pop mix
- should sound good out of the box to minimize midi tweaking. I am a guitarist and my understanding of the nuances of strings is limited. Intelligent software would go a long way.
- ideally dry samples that I can add reverb to.
- budget would be approximatly $500

Any recommendations?

My recommendation is don't spend 500$ in strings for pop-rock music.You don't need to spend that much for your needs.If you are new with strings Viena could be too much for you and go crazy with articulations, velocities, etc...

Something like this(50$) can do the pop-rock job and it is very easy to use:

Cakewalk Studio Instruments Boxed Version

Cakewalk Studio Instruments Download

[Jose Skertchly]

If you want dry sounds go for Vienna, if you want more "Hollywood" sounds go for the East West Gold Orchestra. BTW, the EW Silver version sound's much better than the GPO.

Jose.

[GULL]

Originally Posted by munmun

- should work comfortably in a rock/ pop mix
- should sound good out of the box to minimize midi tweaking.

Considering the two statements, assuming it's strings alone, I suggest session string / session strings PRO from native instruments.