List of all multi-sampled orchestral libraries

[Aryaroman]

I did a search and didn't find an up-to-date and simple list of these, so decided to compile it myself. I don't include individual component libraries, only "complete packages". That means it includes at least three of these: Strings, Brass, Woodwinds, Choir, Percussion. Few libraries include all five, most libraries include four-to-three. Percussion and Choirs are most often omitted.

Also, I do not include ROMpler-libraries, for simplicity's sake. In alphabetical order, by dev:

8dio - Majestica
CineSamples - CineSymphony Core, CineSymphony Lite
East West - Symphonic Orchestra PLAY Edition (Silver, Gold, Platinum...) Hollywood Orchestra.
Garritan - Personal Orchestra 5, Instant Orchestra
Impact Soundworks - Rhapsody Orchestral Colors
IK Multimedia - Miroslav Philharmonik 2, Classic,
Kirk Hunter Studios - Diamond Symphony Orchestra, Spotlight Ensembles Orchestral Sections
Orchestral Tools-Symphonic Sphere, Metropolis ARK-series
Peter Siedlaczek/Best Service - Complete Orchestral Collection
ProjectSam - Symphobia, Orchestral Essentials
UVI - Orchestral Suite
SoniVox - Film Score Companion
Sonokinetic - Da Capo
Spitfire - Albion
Steinberg - HALion Symphonic Orchestra
Vienna Symphonic Library - Special Edition Vol 1./Epic Orchestra

Only Chamber:

Cinematique Instruments - Ensemblia/Deluxe
Versilian Studios- VSCO2 Standard/Pro

Free:

Mattias Westlund - Sonatina Symphonic Orchestra
XtantAudio - Total Composure Orchestra
BigCat Instruments - WIPS Iowa Orchestra
____________________________________________
I included a poll, to give some vague idea of the general (KVR) opinions. You can vote multiple libraries, because most people use multiple libraries in their work. If you don't like the poll, don't vote or comment on it.
Updat: Since the launch of the poll, many libraries are omitted from it, due to being released afterwards. (Adding them to the poll would, unfortunately, reset the votes.) I removed reviews to keep this as simple and objective as possible. However, jonsolo posted some very insightful looks into some of these libraries, which you find by scrolling down. For more detailed look into orchestral libraries, composer Zhao Shen of VI Composer forums has made a very good and detailed guide here:
http://stormsoundmusic.com/guide/

[fmr]

Did a search and didn't find an up-to-date and simple list of these, so decided to compile it myself. In alphabetical order:

CineSamples - CineOrchestra
East West - Symphonic Orchestra PLAY Edition (Silver, Gold, Platinum...)
Garritan - Personal Orchestra 4
IK Multimedia - Miroslav Philharmonik
Mattias Westlund - Sonatina Symphonic Orchestra (free)
Peter Siedlaczek/Best Service - Complete Orchestral Collection
ProjectSam - Symphobia
Sonokinetic - Da Capo
Spitfire - Albion 1 & 2
Vienna Symphonic Library - Special Edition (Vol 1. Bundle and up)

Hope I didn't miss any.

Garritan Instant Orchestra also qualifies, IMO

[Armadillo]

Cinesamples do CineSymphony Core bundle and CineSymphony Lite - CineOrch is just string ensembles.

East West also do Hollywood orchestra.

[Aryaroman]

Garritan Instant Orchestra also qualifies, IMO

That's correct Thank you.

@Armadillo they will be fixed, thank you

[theupgrade]

Great list!

I am in search of a contemporary orchestral kit that isn't drenched in reverb (especially percussions). Which one of these libraries satisfy this need?

[Aryaroman]

Great list!

I am in search of a contemporary orchestral kit that isn't drenched in reverb (especially percussions). Which one of these libraries satisfy this need?

EWQL-samples are recorded quite wet. VSL are recorded absolutely dry, so you can apply your own reverb. Those two are reliable and quality tho. You can also buy VSL component by component so that's a plus. The rest, I'm not sure. But I believe most have pretty expansive reverb-options, especially Kontakt-ones.

If the quality and options of percussion is important, I would ignore the low-price range; Miroslav, Peter's Complete Orchestral Collection, Sonatina and Garritan's PO/IO and look at the mid and high-price range. What is your budget?

Plug in your headphones or stereos and listen to demos and find out what sounds the best to your ear.

[theupgrade]

Great list!

I am in search of a contemporary orchestral kit that isn't drenched in reverb (especially percussions). Which one of these libraries satisfy this need?

EWQL-samples are recorded quite wet. VSL are recorded absolutely dry, so you can apply your own reverb. Those two are reliable and quality tho. You can also buy VSL component by component so that's a plus. The rest, I'm not sure. But I believe most have pretty expansive reverb-options, especially Kontakt-ones.

If the quality and options of percussion is important, I would ignore the low-price range; Miroslav, Peter's Complete Orchestral Collection, Sonatina and Garritan's PO/IO and look at the mid and high-price range. What is your budget?

Plug in your headphones or stereos and listen to demos and find out what sounds the best to your ear.

I will check out VSL. The budget is flexible, depends on what is offered.

[bigcat1969]

I'm not sure if these count, but here are two Kontakt freebies.

The Total Composure Orchestra is well scripted and won a big KVR contest.
http://www.kvraudio.com/product/the-tot ... tant-audio

The Iowa Orchestra is my attempt at using the Iowa MIS samples in Kontakt. They are digitally tuned and in WIPs or non-WIPs versions. The lack of decent strings is addressed by suggestions to use the free LDK1609 and Karoryfer strings.
http://bigcatinstruments.blogspot.com/2 ... tuned.html

Also as a side note you can find Kontakt and VST versions of the Sonatina Orchestra on my blog.

[evilantal]

Spitfire Albion I-IV
Cinesamples CineOrch
ProjectSam Orchestral Essentials I & II
ProjectSam Symphobia II
UVI Orchestral Suite
Steinberg HALion Symphonic Orchestra

Cakewalk Dimension LE with Garritan Pocket Orchestra

[Aryaroman]

I added a poll, so now you can vote for your favorite library.

[JonSolo]

As much as it might pain you, it might be appropriate to add reFX Nexus2 Hollywood 2 & 3.

So here is what I own and I thought I would comment (it seems to be on topic considering this is a "choice" category)-

East West - Symphonic Orchestra Gold
Incredible albeit a bit dated. The solo instruments are fantastic for an aging library. Lots of choices and great bang for the buck.

East West - Hollywood Orchestra
This is my new "go to" orchestra. Solo instruments are limited but the articulations and mic choices are HUGE! This includes the Diamond version of everything so it is the highest level and most complete of any EWQL orchestral libraries. Clean and very realistic (well, as close as you can get without the real deal...I have heard Vienna, and still love the richness of this library over it.)

IK Multimedia - Miroslav Philharmonik
While you can import the library into Sampletank 3 for 64 bit support, I still like the original interface. The sounds are good for the time frame and this is great if you are not creating pure "orchestral" music. Any of the instruments sit well within an arrangement and I use it often for "pop" tracks.

reFX - Hollywood 2
If you own Nexus 2 and want to easily enter the world of "pop" orchestration, this is a fantastic starting point. Even still I use many of the sounds along with EW Hollywood Orchestra to get a full sound. More powerful and varied than you might think.

reFX - Hollywood 3
A nice addition to Hollywood 2, though a bit empty on its own. It adds some world sounds to spice up the library. Not usable as an orchestral sound scape on its own.

Steinberg - HALion Symphonic Orchestra
Another good aging library. A bit limited but with some nice solo instruments...which is where I use it. Great for chamber stuff but I have not been able to achieve the richness I do with the EW libraries. Best when used side by side with other libraries.

UVI - Orchestral Suite
This library is in line with the Steinberg library. Usable for some projects but hardly convincing by itself. Uses more disk streaming (or something that makes it crackle) than I anticipated. Again, great in a mix...better when used with other libraries.

[Aryaroman]

As much as it might pain you, it might be appropriate to add reFX Nexus2 Hollywood 2 & 3.

Never heard of the Nexus before! I hope I'm not wrong, but as I see it, the Nexus is a software-rompler with exclusive preset-packs to expand it, like a Yamaha Motif or some other hardware synth. So I'll exclude the Hollywood-libraries on the same basis that I didn't include any Motif libraries. I'll list only the most common and independent sampler/plugin-formats (Kontakt, VSTi, Play, Aria, etc.) But thanks for your suggestions and your insight at the libraries!

[warfighter67]

I used to use Symphobia a lot but I've moved on to individual orchestra sections e.g. Bravura Brass from Impact Soundworks and Cinematic Strings Pro. I still use Cinesamples for my Woodwinds.

You can't really stick with just one, though. Especially if you want to layer (but good luck having enough RAM! I struggle to do this with even 32GB)

[Aryaroman]

I used to use Symphobia a lot but I've moved on to individual orchestra sections e.g. Bravura Brass from Impact Soundworks and Cinematic Strings Pro. I still use Cinesamples for my Woodwinds.

You can't really stick with just one, though. Especially if you want to layer (but good luck having enough RAM! I struggle to do this with even 32GB)

Of course. This list is intended as a straight-forward starting guide for people getting to orchestral composition or looking for new libraries.

[JonSolo]

As much as it might pain you, it might be appropriate to add reFX Nexus2 Hollywood 2 & 3.

Never heard of the Nexus before! I hope I'm not wrong, but as I see it, the Nexus is a software-rompler with exclusive preset-packs to expand it, like a Yamaha Motif or some other hardware synth. So I'll exclude the Hollywood-libraries on the same basis that I didn't include any Motif libraries. I'll list only the most common and independent sampler/plugin-formats (Kontakt, VSTi, Play, Aria, etc.) But thanks for your suggestions and your insight at the libraries!

I get why you would exclude it as it does not offer 3rd party expansions. But from a point of view it is a VST and loads sounds and libraries not much different than UVI. If the Nexus player were free, it would identical to UVI...ok not really as UVI plays raw wav files etc. But still...