KVR Audio

danbroad · Post by **danbroad** » Tue Sep 07, 2021 12:49 pm

Hi folks, looking for 2021 recommendations for an instant gratification, jus’-playing-for-the-hell-of-it orchestral library. Kontakt player or similar included-wrapper instrument please, not an add-on if possible, don’t really need or want the Kontakt factory library. I have huge respect for those who compose huge symphonies by individual instrument, but I’m just not after that. I want combis/multis where two hands, and expression pedal and a mod wheel can summon up whole genres [with a decent amount of realism, but overall emotion is probably more important]. The sort of thing where playing velocity switches articulations, adds instruments for impact, the mod wheel rides swells and crescendos, where various sections are keyranged across my 88 note controller.

So, it’s 2021 but I’ve obviously been looking at ProjectSAM Symphobia 1 vs Orchestral Essentials 1+2. Similar price nowadays around the $350/£300 range. Seems pretty relevant even 13 years after it was released. But, before I go down the SAM route, are there any others I haven’t considered?

DSmolken · Post by **DSmolken** » Tue Sep 07, 2021 1:25 pm

Berlin Orchestra Inspire.

danbroad · Post by **danbroad** » Tue Sep 07, 2021 1:46 pm

many thanks! I’ll have a look. How does the Sine Player function compared to the Kontakt player?

telecharge · Post by **telecharge** » Tue Sep 07, 2021 2:12 pm

I suggest checking out VI-Control for orchestral sample library discussions. Here's a good place to start - https://vi-control.net/community/thread ... ries.49450

EastWest currently has a sale going on, and they also have a subscription service you can try for a month - http://www.soundsonline.com/labor-day

danbroad · Post by **danbroad** » Tue Sep 07, 2021 2:38 pm

All good stuff, thanks, I’m checking out the links now. Spitfire and now Berlin are both on my list, but I’m keen to know how easy these sections are to combine into realtime player combinations. This isn’t for recording or scoring, it’s for simple ‘playing in a soundtrack style’ for my own pleasure, and so whilst I want to appreciate realism I’m not really too fussed on sheer depth of articulation choices etc, more about broad brush strokes and emotion. What these libraries achieve within a single instance on a single track played with only two hands, if that makes sense. I’ll have a good nose around VI-Control, so thank you for that!

jancivil · Post by **jancivil** » Wed Sep 08, 2021 1:46 am

VSL BBO

agharta · Post by **agharta** » Wed Sep 08, 2021 10:42 am

Best Service The Orchestra!

ThoughtExperiment · Post by **ThoughtExperiment** » Wed Sep 08, 2021 11:28 am

If you're just getting started with or orchestral stuff, Spitfire BBC Symphony Orchestra is a great introduction. Only very basic articulations but still a great, inexpensive (free if you're prepared to wait a little) way to get your hands dirty

jancivil · Post by **jancivil** » Wed Sep 08, 2021 4:05 pm

VSL BBO Basics is free and gives you the Synchron Stage (incl. surround, high (mics pointed up), and high surround and all the effects which come with Synchron, which are great).

BBO Basics surround to st.jpg

evilantal · Post by **evilantal** » Wed Sep 08, 2021 5:26 pm

I'd go for VSL BBO modules
or Spitfire BBC Core if you want to deeper into orchestral writing

danbroad · Post by **danbroad** » Wed Sep 08, 2021 6:01 pm

Thanks for the suggestions. I have the BBC discover, which is great for individual instruments but doesn't seem easy for multiple layers by velocity/MW/keyrange without using a wrapper around several instances. VSL and Best Service look interesting, thanks! Anyone with the ProjectSAM stuff who might offer some comparison?

jancivil · Post by **jancivil** » Wed Sep 08, 2021 9:21 pm

The BBO basics is pretty shallow in terms of articulations, but it sounds fantastic.
some of the modules from it are pretty deep; Kopernikus, trumpets for instance.
Also see Smart Orchestra, which isn't free but isn't very expensive.
VE Pro comes with Epic Orchestra 2 (which even has a drum kit from "Power Drums", and a really good one for a lite).

SHall1000 · Post by **SHall1000** » Wed Sep 08, 2021 9:29 pm

Maybe Garritan Instant Orchestra

https://www.garritan.com/products/instant-orchestra/

telecharge · Post by **telecharge** » Wed Sep 08, 2021 10:20 pm

Doesn't VSL BBO require a dongle?

danbroad · Post by **danbroad** » Wed Sep 08, 2021 10:50 pm

As I read it, yes, but I assume the Steinberg eLicencer is OK?

Garritan is interesting... it started all this thinking off. I've had it since it was released - can't resell it - and I like the ideas but the sound leaves me cold. Plus, on my new controller the aftertouch is always triggering an awful whole-orchestra vibrato, and I can't seem to be able to turn that off in the Aria engine. Installed and removed at least twice now on my latest Mac, though I will give Garritan credit for the easy reauthoriaation using the keycard. So... I downloaded the ProjectSAM free orchestra and was blown away, hence the start of my looking around at what else was out there.

Quick and dirty orchestral in 2021, which library?