Chamber Strings Essentials by Spitfire Audio - Review

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0:00 Intro
1:02 Brief History of Spitfire Chamber Strings
1:41 String Section Size(s), and why it matters
4:27 Chamber music examples
5:32 Articulations Walkthrough
13:47 Don't forget about the Ensemble!
16:23 Chamber Strings Ess. Vs Chamber Strings
18:49 Verdict
20:43 Alternatives?
www.samueltornqvist.com
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[@huilustudio]

The baroque example was just what I wanted to hear to make up my mind. Thanks for this!

[@SecondTierSound]

Great!

[@randypiano11]

Very well done! Thank you!

[@newbreednet]

I like how you highlight not only the good things but also go into detail about the little other "quirks" in Essentials. Cheers!

[@SecondTierSound]

Wouldn't be fair otherwise.

[@newbreednet]

It's appreciated. It makes me think I could trust more of your reviews!@@SecondTierSound

[@Pax30001]

Thanks for sharing!

[@kingslaphappy1533]

Nice, comprehensive demo. I can hear them acting as the feature to a full orchestral loudout. The “closeness “ of the sound would stand front and centre as melodic focal point with a thicker full orchestral soundscape behind it. Great review with in depth commentary.👍

[@SecondTierSound]

Thank you!

[@DavideChiarello]

Very nice review and great examples on how to use it properly. I like to use SCS (I own the pro version) also to give a more detailed sound layered with bigger sections

[@1basketeveryday]

Which library do you prefer between SCS pro and LASS3? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this!

[@SecondTierSound]

SCS, I think is better, but I have less experience with lass.

[@DavideChiarello]

Two very different libraries. One has small chamber sections in recorded in a reverberant hall, the other has symphonc sections recorded very dry. Actually I prefer different libraries as symphonic strings (CSS, Pacific...), LASS3 is still interesting for divisi writing. If I had to go for one of the two I would go for SCS since I actually find more uses for it @@1basketeveryday

[@MartinJG100]

13:48 Agreed. Surprisingly vibrant dynamics for an ensemble.

[@SecondTierSound]

Yes, and the ensemble patches are pretty awesome.

[@MartinJG100]

Sam, the only thing I don't like is that, to my ear, the bass/mids sound a little muddy which is obviously down to the room. I know the close mics are 'relatively' dry but is it necessary to use some EQ to clear the air (which I don't like because you lose some of the integrity of the sample) to get that dry chamber sound which is where L&S excels? @@SecondTierSound

[@cmvb]

Thanks!

[@Justin.Franks]

Spitfire Chamber Strings is by far my favorite string library. Especially with the outrigger mics in the Pro version. It certainly has its quirks, many of which you showed, and the legato scripting is a bit dated and doesn't match what you can get in other libraries, but there is just something so special about these very small sections being recorded in such a large and reverberant space. And I think it has the most well-balanced ensemble patch of any string library, without any large changes in timbre when you cross the range of a different instrument. The small section sizes are a great asset here too, since you can play complex chords without it starting to sound synthy like an ensemble patch in a symphonic string library. One minor nitpick at 12:11 - there are 3 players, not 2, for the cellos. All sections in SCS have 3 players except for the 1st violins (which have 4) -and the basses (which have 2).- _Edit: The basses have 3 players as well. 4/3/3/3/3._

[@SecondTierSound]

Thank you for your input. Yes, sorry, three players, messed that one up. Cheers!

[@DavideChiarello]

Also basses has 3 players actually : )

[@Justin.Franks]

@@DavideChiarello Yup, you're right.

[@robshrock-shirakbari1862]

The V1 comparison sounds noticeably different to me. Samples may be the same; but it sounds like they've done some refinements under the hood. Essentials sounded more consistent and smooth in your example. Were you playing back a MIDI clip or playing live for both examples. That could explain the difference I'm hearing.

[@SecondTierSound]

Could be. I'm not sure.

[@user-sx1he1tt3q]

The baroque piece was tons better in terms of emulating a more natural performance. The legato joined up strings sounded much more vst in the behaviour . It's inherently more challenging to get natural sounding joins between notes

[@SecondTierSound]

I have to agree. The full version does better here, but also needs more work

[@user-sx1he1tt3q]

On another note are you able to tell me if the library in general sounds bigger deeper on full tree mic and zero close mic . I'm looking to get this library . Epic enough in other words

[@SecondTierSound]

@user-sx1he1tt3q it's a chamber library so it's not really an epic sound. Performance samples' chamber strings is better in this regard. It's better to get a bigger section-vst instead. Mics make a difference but not a massive one.

[@user-sx1he1tt3q]

Ok performance samples one looks pricier . Some ensemble patch demos sound fairly rich . I'm hoping spitfire might put this on sale sometime this year ?

[@SecondTierSound]

@user-sx1he1tt3q yes, performance samples is pricey and only legato, but it's more epic and sound fantastic. All companies have sales now and then of course. If it's a chamber sound you want, Spitfire is probably the best, and also the most flexible. You can upgrade to the full version later, which is really good. You can also layer this library to get a bigger sound. SSO is otherwise much more a big, epic string sound. And don't forget their 29 dollars versions. They have epic strings for example. Not bad.

[@charlesyateschalfant]

Chamber Strings is about there best library, other than Tundra. IMHO.

[@GEELASOUNDTV]

I aint sayin nuttin bad about those who sponsor me lol!

[@SecondTierSound]

For the price, and for what you get, I like this library. Also, are you saying I'm not transparent on what the library can do? My opinion is my own, you can still make yours based on what you see and hear. If you think I can't criticize Spitfire you should check out my review of their Abbey Road Orchestra Strings.

[@GEELASOUNDTV]

@@SecondTierSound Tbh it's very tough out there and Big Companies are very subtle in their approach. A mans livelihood is always top priority so one has to be careful not to offend. Very tricky. Keep pushing friend

[@SecondTierSound]

This isn't my livelihood. I don't care what they think about me. They contacted me.

[@GEELASOUNDTV]

@@SecondTierSound Bravo

[@music_creator_capable]

Hello ^^

[@SecondTierSound]

Hi

[@MartinJG100]

:)@@SecondTierSound

[@101xaplax101]

surely we can live without the dumb facials on the thumbnail........I honestly doubt your audience is mostly high school kids......otherwise great channel

[@SecondTierSound]

It's just that I'm seriously childish, and enjoy it.