Acoustic Samples: VHorns Saxophones (Overview | Demos | Tips)

[@mikekloepfer7424]

I purchased both VHorns Brass an VHorns Saxophones, and I couldn't be happier.

[@garret.johnson]

As a jazz saxophonist, I was actually dying laughing at your genre descriptions during the 10 examples You've done some seriously great work here, seriously, well done!

[@simonpassmore]

Thanks very much! Haha, I only know them all from various films & tv shows really… mind if I email you before I get round to doing the brass ones? 😂

[@garret.johnson]

@@simonpassmore yeah, sure thing! Is there a way to PM on KZbin? I'm new to actually commenting and interacting (Sorry for the late response as well)

[@simonpassmore]

@@garret.johnson Good point... I'll just reply on here when I get round to it if that's okay :)

[@garret.johnson]

@@simonpassmore sounds great!!

[@shaunfinnegan6546]

I used these on a film soundtrack. They are incredible

[@MamaSymphonia]

This is actually an incredible video, from the demos to the tips. I just got these saxophones and it's positively daunting how much there is to learn. These really feel and sound like next-generation instruments!

[@vocalese]

OK! Well, this is probably the best demo video of any VI that I have ever watched. I have sat in a cart all of AcousticSamples V Winds, Brass, Clarinets etc.etc.etc. I am waiting for a password reminder to log in and buy them. As they have taken all day to respond to me, I saw that as a sign that I wasn't meant to add these to an already bloated collection of samples. Thing is, my Dad was a great sax player and I booked him for stuff I needed doing in the studio. Of course this sounded great until he left this planet! My go to horns are Chris Hein's wonderful instruments. Versatile and flexible. The AcousticSamples offering kicks the living crap out of anything else I have heard, particularly when demoed by Simon Passmore. Simon, you are brilliant. Thank you for the last 27 minutes of my life. You have convinced me that I do need to bug AS to send my password reminder and get these. I'm not afraid of playing with MIDI CC to get the best, and actually look forward to trying them with an old Yamaha windsynth - Happy New Year!

[@simonpassmore]

Thank you so much! Really glad it was useful. The saxes are probably my favourite VIs of all time. Sounds like you know the sound well, so that’s high praise for Acoustic Samples if they’ve convinced you. I know they work really well with breath controllers so hope you have lots of fun with that! :)

[@Redscape_]

The 9th demo HAS to be a real saxophonist. If that kind of articulation can be done with vhorns, I'd pay double - no, triple the price for it.

[@pensive_]

I really like your improvisation about halfway. Your description/subtle-troll of Jazz standards and form is just hilarious.

[@MeechalMoozyk]

A M A Z I N G !!!! I Also usy these sample libraries but the way How you can use it in musical way is amazing

[@Bashanvibe]

This is game changer for me!!! I can write dummy horn parts so the real players can get a realistic concept!!!

[@simonpassmore]

In my opinion that’s the best thing about virtual instruments! That they can give a really good impression of how something could sound played live (which can lead to people finding a bit more money in their music budget…)

[@charlottemcmillan9668]

Fabulous demos! You ARE a jazzer... Also, thanks for the great insights and tips.

[@BrentLeVasseur]

Dang bro! You are the mockup king! Nice job.

[@Kolinu2]

The talented Anne-Kathrin Dern brought to your channel. Instant sub!

[@StevieG777]

Holy cow, fantastic video. Maybe “not a jazzer”, but good God you’re one hell of a programmer (and musician in general I’d guess). Thanks for the tips.

[@EmilioNavas]

8:42 VWinds Clarinet? 🧐 Incredible video. Thank you very much for sharing all these tips and incredible mockups!

[@simonpassmore]

It sure is :) Still in trial phase but it’s already the best I’ve ever used. Thanks very much for watching them!

[@DominicSewellMusic]

Simon - mate - these are SOOOO good.What a wonderfully informative demo - so concise. Those contextual demos are insanely good!

[@DominicSewellMusic]

ps we should all buy a coffee every month...

[@robertohernansheridan]

Amazing video and library! Already own it and of course I agree that its the best on the market!

[@alvarorodriguezfilmmusic]

Absolutely amazing work, well done!!

[@friedrichgattermann]

Awesome work, Simon! This demos really sell the library. Amazing how flexible it is regarding different styles. Well done 👏🏻

[@simonpassmore]

Thanks so much Friedrich! Yeah they’re fantastic instruments, and I’ve really only scratched the surface in this video… definitely ones to put on the November sales list :)

[@gepmrk]

Well, that's the first time I've heard a virtual saxophone sound indistinguishable from a real one. Maybe there were a couple of notes that were a giveaway but this is streets ahead of anything else I've heard.

[@simonpassmore]

Yeah, agreed, I couldn’t believe it when I heard them for the first time. This is only v.1 as well!..

[@ShiningHourPop]

This it a a really great video showcasing V-Horns Saxophones. Far better than Acoustic Samples own overview. The jazz examples were excellent and the descriptions were hilarious! (I know nothing about jazz styles 😊). Using different track lanes for various effects is genius. I look forward to the Brass video and demos combining the two would be great.

[@paulchapman112]

incredible demo's and explanations/tips!

[@mwHaup]

I was already extremely convinced by these V Horn Sax virtual instruments, but this impressive video pushes me to acquire these instruments. Seeking to have a high-quality virtual Big Band, I would really like to know all the instruments used here at 21:34. I aim to produce and create big band music in my productions. Thank you immensely, Simon. Looking forward to following you soon.

[@simonpassmore]

Thank you very much! 21:34 is: CSW Piccolo Infinite Brass VHorns Brass VHorns Saxes Simple Sam Signature Grand CinePerc Straight Ahead brushes Some free guitar & some free bass (I don’t remember but any guitar + bass will do fine!)

[@mwHaup]

@@simonpassmore I suspected that the brass came from "Infinite Brass," but I wasn't sure as I had never heard them in a jazz context before. Even happier to know that they work very well for a big band (when complemented with dedicated "jazzy" banks). Now, I just need to find a beautiful solo double bass worthy of a big band! Thank you very much.

[@TomMAF4]

Thankyou so much Simon. This will be a really helpful video! Please do more like this for the other 'V...' libraries please (or more on this too).

[@simonpassmore]

I almost definitely will once I’ve used VWinds in a few projects! I’ll put VHorns brass on the list too. They’re amazing instruments!

[@TomMAF4]

@@simonpassmore Awesome stuff : D

[@panamawedding]

This channel is a diamond in the rough. Thank you, Simon!

[@MonsieurVersatile]

Fantastic video, very tempted to buy this now. Couple of questions. On tip two, where you talk about legato and staccato articulations, how are you changing these? Are you going into each note after playing them in to choose the articulations for each one? Ditto for tip 3. Are you playing the modulation in as you play the part or are you drawing it in afterwards? It would be great to see a step by step tutorial for one of the examples. THanks very much!🙂

[@MonsieurVersatile]

PS Great to see Jazzzz Club from the Fast Show making a guest appearance. Niiiice.

[@magicoctopus8701]

Thank you very much for such great presentation of library, and your techincs!

[@zeno4088]

Thank you for the video, very useful and enjoyable

[@DarrinNoNAME]

I thought I left a comment a couple of days ago but I definitely want to say, these demos are truly remarkable. You really sold these VST instruments by showing their versatility. After reading the comments, I realized you did this all without using a Breath Controller which would really push some of the performances in real time. However, you've still manage to showcase that with some thought behind the midi editing you can improve the performances even without a breath controller. I do have a question though, @9:14 what do you mean by AATT Saxophones? Also, what strings are you using? they also sound great. Thanks for sharing your tips and tricks when using these instruments. I'm definitely adding these to my collection soon.

[@simonpassmore]

Hey, I saw the notification for that comment but couldn’t find it! Yeah, I think breath controllers would make it easier, hope they become a bit more accessible as the tech improves (it’s quite tricky to get hold of a good one in the UK). AATT = alto/alto/tenor/tenor, all playing the same melody (but an octave apart). Strings are CSS, the best around in my opinion :)

[@hansleonhardt7653]

Unbelivable... ❤

[@doobz5655]

Truly Mind Bending ! Great Work !!

[@thesauruswrex]

Super helpful, you’re a pro!

[@theashen]

Are you using a bite/breath controller? These are amazing, the level of realism is just incredible

[@simonpassmore]

I wish! Too expensive to get in the UK now :-(

[@marclarcher7908]

Outstanding video! 🙏

[@astrei]

Thank you for very useful tips!

[@YankInches]

This is a wonderfully made video. I don't own this product but it definitely pushes me toward it since I have been in search for the right sample libraries to make similar types of music. Something that would be on a Sinatra track. Thank you for this!

[@simonpassmore]

Thanks! These instruments would be absolutely ideal for that sort of thing. So far I’ve done quite a few varied projects with them from 30s stuff to present day & they haven’t let me down once. The only thing they’re lacking are extended techniques or true ‘growls’ - there’s a sort of mixture of flutter/growls on a dial, but other than that they’re pretty much perfect in my opinion :)

[@harvestnutrition]

Awesome tutorial!

[@dlbcomposer]

I'm wondering if this could easily map to a Roli Seaboard. That would be so much fun to play. Great demos, man.

[@matthewwhitaker4849]

well, it does support MPE, so I think it might work. You should try it. ☺️

[@jeranx1]

Hi Simon. Congrats for the quality video. I was just waiting for a longer part of this piece, at 10.19 (Gerry Rafferty)

[@simonpassmore]

Maybe on the next video :) I thought the first two bars would give the gist! It’s a very easy one to do with VHorns if you wanted to make a version yourself, just go for the more classical-sounding instrument and add reverb :)

[@jeranx1]

@@simonpassmore Thanx Simon. But I'm not really on this kind of music. It just reminds me some good times. I'm more in the classical/orchestral stuff, and still a bit shy using the brass. 😊 Anyway, thx a lot for your walkthrough/tutorials. Bye.

[@liambrownpianoproductions3445]

I would love to hear some old style big band with these

[@simonpassmore]

Actually I did have a go at that! kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3uco6CXqq5_gZosi=4JIQIL3c0BpUm-zj

[@HiLoMusic]

Not fond of the product but you showed them in their absolute best light with these demos

[@semproser19]

Marvellous, thanks!

[@Carlos5thPro]

Hello! Great video .. please what about articulations like Fall, sforzando , staccato, etc !! ?? I will love to buy the whole library..

[@simonpassmore]

Technical details should be available on acoustic samples’ official walkthrough videos, but they can definitely do all those articulations 👍

[@aleksandarstojceski3139]

My mind is blown by what you have presented here! The Detective stuff is real sax right?

[@simonpassmore]

Yeah well done, that’s one of them :) the VHorns can fool you, on their website they have live player vs MIDI performance & it’s near impossible to tell the difference… and even in these short demos where it’s just basically played in, it’s not immediately obvious it’s fake (except the beginning of the classical one, those opening notes shouldn’t all be tongued) :)

[@allenholloway7096]

Hi Simon, great video which leaves be determined to get my program to work. Do have or know where a newbie, like myself, can find the settings to get a decent sax sound? I am using V Horns Tenor and Alto within the UVI Workstation but the sound is nothing like a sax. Great work and thanks for any reply.

[@simonpassmore]

Hi, not sure to be honest - the first part of this video should be the sound you get out the box, does it sound different to what you’re getting? Feel free to send audio examples if you need

[@MarcelKordylak]

Grat video! What drums plugin you have used in demos?

[@simonpassmore]

Mostly Straight Ahead drums - the Acoustic Samples ones are good but they’re made for people who know what they’re doing

[@blackorangegraphite]

11:00 What sample libraries you used here?

[@simonpassmore]

That is: (From acoustic samples) - VHorns Tenor Sax 1 Old Black Grand VibysM The Upright (From straight ahead samples) Brushes & Mallets Hope that helps!

[@seventhtower]

Any alternative to these? Are they the best virtual saxophones on the market?

[@simonpassmore]

There are alternatives, but for me VHorns are the best. It’s all taste at the end of the day though! Worth checking out VI-Control (music forum) if you’re interested in hearing the others

[@TheOnlyRiktor]

11:50 Marion Brown eat your heart out

[@gamirs]

Nice❤ How can I change the master tuning to 441 or 442?

[@simonpassmore]

You can do this in the UVI interface I think :)

[@paulwilson4594]

I wonder your Thoughts on Soundpaint and their HAL Technology

[@simonpassmore]

Haven’t tried it, sorry!

[@liambrownpianoproductions3445]

wow wow I was impressed until you got to laurel and hardy style and as a very avid watcher of those you blew that one out the park!! congrats on your skills I love the vintage sound you got for that.

[@WayneDawkinsThePartyMan]

How does it compare to the Audio modeling Swam sax. Do you think the V horn is better

[@simonpassmore]

I’ve used both & prefer VHorns, SWAM is fully modelled I think so there’s possibly more flexibility there, but VHorns uses recorded samples so it sounds a bit more realistic to my ears :)

[@WayneDawkinsThePartyMan]

Thank you for responding as I have been on the Fence after they split with Sample Modeling. I can tell you are a true professional so your point is well taken. For me if I am suppose to spend my few years left learning something I would prefer it to be closer to the real deal.@@simonpassmore

[@linusolssonmusic]

Hey Simon, Excellent video, just wanted to ask. What libraries are you using for the double bass and drums in these demos?

[@simonpassmore]

Sorry for slow reply - it’s a mix of Straight Ahead and Acoustic Samples for both, including brushes and drums. I prefer the AS bass (Upright), Straight Ahead brushes and drums are slightly easier for me as they have MIDI loops (and I’m not a drum programmer at all haha). If you know what you’re doing though, AS drums are fantastic

[@BrianIglesiasROT8records]

Quick question: Did you load 7 different instances for each style of playing / articulation? New to this and still trying to catch up. I hope you can help.

[@simonpassmore]

Only for very detailed solos that have lots of different sounds! Otherwise you only need one track per instrument - playing-wise the articulations are all there already.

[@andyhyner9467]

I have seen a slow note rise demonstrated in another video but have been unable to replicate it. It has something to do with velocity but regardless of how softly I strike a key the rise is always very fast. What am I missing?

[@simonpassmore]

I’m not a saxophonist sorry, not sure what rise means - if that’s a pitch thing, it could be pitch bend? If it’s a note attack thing, could be that CC1 is too high?

[@andyhyner9467]

Thanks Simon. I'll check that. The note rise is triggered by a keyswitch but apparently the speed of the increase in pitch it causes can vary according to velocity. I'm new to aousticsamples. A video by Ann-Kathrin Dern sparked my interest in the VHorn Saxes and she commented on your very impressive use of them..

[@simonpassmore]

@andyhyner9467 Ah, I didn’t know velocity affected that keyswitch, that’s great! Also, you can just use pitch bend (if you have a wheel on the keyboard, great, if not you can draw it in on the piano roll) - then you can make them any speed you like :)

[@andyhyner9467]

It remains to be seen if I can replicate the slow glide. It could be I need to adjust the sensitivity of my keyboard which is an ageing Roland Fantom G. Your video is excellent. I hope you do one sometime for the VWinds Clarinets.

Can you use these with Audio Modeling Swam? sorry. total noob here

[@simonpassmore]

I’m sure they will work fine together! They’re separate instruments (if that’s what your question was)

[@mmaybrown]

Hey there. Are you using a breath controller or just a keyboard

[@simonpassmore]

Just a keyboard, breath controllers are really expensive to ship to the uk!

[@mmaybrown]

@@simonpassmoreWell this is amazing just with a keyboard and faders, if faders were also used! I subscribed by the way!

[@simonpassmore]

Thank you! Yeah it’s just mod wheel - velocity & modulation are 99% of the important info so nothing too fancy needed really :)

[@ALMAR-Music-Ltd.]

maybe I'm missing something but why is the software limited to 3 CC adjustments?

[@simonpassmore]

Basically, the instruments are built to be as playable and easy-to-use as possible, and 3 CCs is probably about the maximum anyone can manage whilst playing (I think!). There are loads of customisable things in the preferences, but these generally wouldn't change mid-performance, so once they're set to your liking you can just play :) It may be possible that you can assign CCs to some of the sliders in the preferences - I haven't tried this & I can't imagine a scenario where you'd need to adjust any of them continuously, but it might be possible. But even just controlling the airflow is generally enough for a realistic-sounding performance for me anyway :)

[@ALMAR-Music-Ltd.]

@@simonpassmore when you're going to use the Roland AE-30 pro which has many programmed articulations you're going to need more CC control in my humble opinion if you're going to rely on the midi keyboard that's another story.

[@simonpassmore]

@@ALMAR-Music-Ltd. That's fair enough, my little keyboard only has one mod wheel haha. I've actually just had a quick look for you - it looks like you can indeed assign a CC to any of the sliders in the preferences tab, so that's at least an extra 20, if that helps :) Although I'd be interested to know which ones you feel you'd need other than the main 2! (vibrato & airflow)

[@beatbyvincitonydavinci]

Are they VST plugins or kontakt Libraries?

[@simonpassmore]

They run on UVI player (which is free with your VHorns purchase)

[@beatbyvincitonydavinci]

@@simonpassmore hw much is it

[@simonpassmore]

€199 for the full set of 8 saxes I think, but November sales are only a month away so worth waiting - www.acousticsamples.net

[@squeakD]

Is this a CPU intensive VST?

[@simonpassmore]

Not that I’m aware of! I think one of the big advantages of these instruments is that they’re super light

[@Ulibert]

pls share the vst i dont have mnoney

[@simonpassmore]

I don’t have any copies to give away I’m afraid, you could try contacting acousticsamples directly?

[@LittleRichard1988]

There are plenty of decent free saxophone VSTs like Saxophia. Piano book even made a free saxophone for Decent sampler.

[@seyisland]

Wait...Vwinds clarinet? This was released a few days ago but you were using 4 months ago??

[@simonpassmore]

I got beta copies to make the demos :)

[@seyisland]

​@@simonpassmore Got it. Nice demos by the way:)

[@simonpassmore]

@@seyisland thank you, there are some spectacularly good user submissions popping up on VI-C as well, worth a look!

[@OneroomBeatz]

Does it have flutter?

[@simonpassmore]

Good question - yes, but it's a sort of combination of growl & flutter (definitely more flutter than growl). It's in the general preferences, and the 2nd demo on this video has a baritone sax with growl/flutter enabled

[@MrHermanRinger]

amazing video, thanks Simon. Btw, not to be a jazzer you fake it rather well... 😅

[@simonpassmore]

Haha, thanks :)

[@Po1itica11yNcorrect]

Do you think these sound more realistic than Audio Modeling SWAM Sax, 8dio saxophones, MOJO 1/2, Glory Days Big Band Horns, or Hollywood Pop Brass? They're okay to my ears after adding reverb, but this sounds like a cheap synthesizer trying to emulate a saxophone straight out of the box. That's not a negative critique of you. You're very talented. My criticism is strictly about the library.

[@simonpassmore]

I haven’t really used the others sorry so can’t comment! There are bound to be some videos for the others if you wanted to hear them side by side :)

[@Po1itica11yNcorrect]

@@simonpassmore With your talent, I bet you could really make them sing. Especially the 8dio Sax Trio.

[@simonpassmore]

@@Po1itica11yNcorrect talent aka years and years of hard work :)

[@friedrichgattermann]

I actually think the vhorns sound much better. The best big band vst I have heard regarding the flexibility of styles. I think only the straight ahead samples soloists are even better. But just the soloists - the big band sounds a little more artificial than the vhorns in my opinion

[@Po1itica11yNcorrect]

@friedrichgattermann8280 I'll give'em another listen from multiple sources. Perhaps my opinion will change the more I listen.

[@aceaudiohq]

Too bad they can’t do loud