Top 5 FREE Orchestra Plugins

[@orderd29]

Another great feature of the BBC Discovery plugin is how it still sounds SO good with just a tiny footprint - 200 MB! Go back five or ten years, and you would probably be paying hundreds for any one of the products featured here and be ploughing through a massive, dry user manual to find out how to operate your expensive DAW. What a great time we're living in to have a bedroom studio!

[@5ammy13]

Tip: while using Orchestra Layers, you can go to the Performance tab and set up layered articulations such that you can have the Major Chords trigger at low velocities, Minor Chords at high velocities and Sus4 Chords at the highest. You can adjust the range as you please as well. This makes writing on a keyboard so much easier. Highly recommend it, especially for layering.

[@eastercharles443]

Can You explain it in a video?

[@5ammy13]

@@eastercharles443 Sure, let me try whipping up a quick video and post it on my channel :)

[@darrenhirst9900]

The BBC Orchestra sounds amazing and that's why I love using it. Its good for any genre of music.

[@MeWreck]

Orchestral Tools SINE player lets you layer multiple patches. I like to combine both of their free pianos (Ratio & Spindle) with (also free) Helix Strings (sustain). Just for playing around.

[@Justin.Franks]

You can do some pretty advanced stuff in SINE too with the polymap feature. Morphing/crossfading between articulations, different articulations triggered based on note velocity or any MIDI CC (like staccatissimo for low velocities, staccato for mid velocities, and marcato for high velocities for automatic switching between short articulations based on how hard you hit the keys on your MIDI controller), and a lot more.

[@MeWreck]

I'll be the first to admit, that I've missed the possibility of moving the KS in BBCSO Discovery. Thanks Mike!

[@CreativeSauce]

Glad it helped!

[@ImNotFlawless]

This was actually helpful. Coming from me, a poor musician, free vsts that sound good go a very long way in the right hands. Thanks for this.

[@adg9042]

free vst’s are a godsend

[@rafik2910ify]

This is the video I was looking for so many years, can’t thank you enough !

[@LifeModeMotivation]

me too

[@amarug]

The instruments/sounds inside SAM's Free Orchestra left me absolutely speechless, as in "ready to out into a big bombastic feature film score quality" - good. That being said, the selection is really limited and you can probably never score anything with it alone, it's just a really great freebie to complement your other libraries. The BBC Discover is amazing, you really get a full orchestra and a selection of articulations with that. All for free, which is just incredible. But the whole orchestra, with all it's articulations is a bit over 200 MB, which is less than many single instruments within Nucleus, Ark 1 or some other popular library. Considering its all in all just 200 MB is mind-blowing and for that it sounds fantastic, but you still hear that it's just miles and miles away from the sounds like within SAM (which are just a few selected instruments of Symphobia, that is a paid library). Since I own Nucleus Full and all the orchestral tools essentials (which are also great valie imo) I never use Discover, while I use SAMs free orchestra (now there is a version 2 even) all the time.

[@timothythomasmusic777]

Did not know about the key switches being moveable. Learn something new everyday from you, Mike. Thanks!

[@alwaysaplanb3993]

Very useful overview. It could be my creative limits but the ProjectSam Free Orchestra definitely pushes people towards “epic” music, so I’m not sure it’s that versatile. I agree on #1 BBCSO Discovery is great. I would just like to be able to really tone down the built in reverb. You can turn it up but not take it off. But it’s FREE (and now you don’t have to wait to get it, like we did), so I should just be thankful, really.

[@stevenkaiser3837]

Mike, just want to thank you for all that you do to bring us such great info. You are not only a great teacher, but a great source of quality free and/or low-priced plugins in a sea of plugin choices that are on the market. Thank you, sir!

[@jettlethedragonpeeltheoran8915]

I love the BBC Orchestra. My only criticism of it is that some of the sounds can be rather "muddy" in a mix because they have a lot of room ambience that can't be removed. The tuned percussion suffers from this in particular. However, the horns, trombones and celli are magnificent.

[@CrankCase08]

I've just discovered that. The strings are absolutely useless for that reason.

[@rox1601]

I'm glad not to be the only one missing the movable keyswitches. Thanks a lot. Great video from the 5th to the 1st plugin. Nice job!

[@MenachemRosenberg]

Would also be great if you could make a video about how to compose a simple orchestra symphony, just the very basics, I mean how the single sections interract with each other, with which one to begin or whatever would be noteworthy for a beginner.

[@fredscaife6887]

Had 5 and 4, but got rid of them in favour of 3,2, and 1. Thanks for the tip on BBC Discover

[@roqueavellaneda]

Oh Cheese! I've been using BBCO Discover very much lately, with different instances per articulation... Great tip with the keyswitches... Now i can build articulation maps in CWbB for it! I'll try the versillian one too... Cheers!

[@CreativeSauce]

I knew people would have missed it. I did!

[@roqueavellaneda]

@@CreativeSauce it was a pain setting 4 tracks for every string, or be held to just shorts and longs. It's an amazing plugin, but the legatos on the long notes must be crafted to be believable. Be well Mike!

[@brianfileman]

I learned how to move the BBCSO key-switches after several messages back and forth with Spitfire. Obvious when know know. Not so much otherwise. Found some of the untuned percussion VERY quiet. And with my diminished hearing, the triangle is just about silent. But managed a workaround.

[@MatthewSwasta]

I just downloaded BBCSOD and haven't had the chance to get stuck in just yet, however, the enormity of Spitfire Labs is amazing as well. So many cool sounds!!! Foghorn is quite Brahms-y...

[@quatermass8]

Thanks for showing us these !!!!! Note that Synchron player uses up a large quantity of CPU juice.

[@red_m8624]

Oh, I actually didn´t know about the function in Spitfire Audio, thanks for the tipp.

[@ontrada]

14:09 Great tip! Thank you!

[@ployboy8587]

Spitfire has so much good free stuff! it all looks clean and is easy to use too.

[@zachary963]

Keyswitches in BBC Discover? Well my composition template just got 30 tracks smaller. Thanks so much for all the help and tips!!

[@raffaelesantabarbara1449]

Oh my goodness. I did not know about the key switches on the BBCSO, at all! 🤯 Thank you so much.

[@joegrint6280]

Great review Mike - like others I hadn't spotted the key switches in BBC SO Discover - probably because they are a bit hidden as you say! My only criticism of the BBC SO (which is great in many ways) is the baked in reverb. I have all the others (Project Sam Free Orchestra is amazing if slightly misnamed) apart from the Orchestools which I keep being tempted by but with Miroslav & Garritan (bought at huge discounts) in my armoury it seems a few Gb too far but I'd say it was essential for anyone without a full orchestra! Nice product placement at the end😉 Seriously, Mike's course is excellent for anyone getting into music production and there were things in there that I didn't know about Cakewalk after many years of use!

[@CreativeSauce]

I hear yah on the reverb Joe. I want that under my control. Miroslav is still excellent I feel. Very undefeated.

[@billcornish8131]

Have had the Core version of BBC for some time and still did not know about the easy way to move the keyswitches. Thanks!

[@jeremiahlyleseditor437]

I did not know about moving the key switches. Thanks Mike

[@zendakk]

I have only very occasional need for these, so reluctant to investment big. Great timing for this vid! Stay well and thanks, as always.

[@danepaulstewart8464]

MIKE!! You do such excellent work here. It’s amazing how much you bring to an immense number of people who are best helped by the level and the pacing at which you do your teaching. THANK YOU SIR! 😎🤚

[@VentureOffroadAustralia4x4]

Another great video Mike. Some fantastic free sounds that you've shared. Thanks

[@CreativeSauce]

Thanks man. I hope the weather gets warmer for your adventures soon! BTW - loved seeing all them dolphins at Bremer Bay!

[@cadenzapetestudios]

Thanks Mike, I had most of these but I always learn something new and your usage tips are very helpful too!!! 😀

[@bdawg123]

ive never felt more compelled to need to give my gratitude as much as i feel now. thank you very much mike for this very informational and beneficial video

[@nigelcarren]

Very interesting mate. Been using BBCSO for two years and I didn’t know I could do that with it thank you! Also… I love your Welsh accent! 😉👍🇬🇧

[@nickellis9251]

Missed the key switches trick - Thanks yet again Mike!

[@STEPHxCA]

Nice! I think the key to making good tracks with these is combining the best elements from them, I like how the strings in the VC Orchestra sound a lot more than in BBCSO

[@gordh5953]

Thanks for the info o the key switches. always chalk full of helpful information. love learning with you.

[@Did-You-Hear-About-This]

I was just thinking about this question, did a search, and of course Mike did a video. I shoulda checked here first.

[@ileryon4019]

One of the best channels out there. Certified.

[@CaptainPhilipMusic]

My search has brought me to your page and truly you have given me the answers I was seeking with respect to orchestra plugins. Thank you and Thank you and Thank you so very much indeed.❤🎉

[@Marco-HidalgoMusicRecords]

GREAT VIDEO AS USUAL MIKE!!! THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO SHOW US!!! BLESSINGS FROM URUGUAY ✌🏻😍

[@streamingvideo6654]

Wow. This is so awesome! Thanks for the very informative and useful video.

[@RobertoFassani-bt8nx]

Amazing Mike,thanks

[@clemenshartung6961]

Cool! I used to have an instance of BBC Discover for each articulation. :D Thank you for the great video!

[@dafingaz]

Yep. Didn't know about the key switches in BBC SO Discover! :)

[@NoamStudio1]

The key switches!!!!! 🙏

[@KarryConway]

thanks again Mike i always learn something new from you cheers!

[@Trapsoul8457]

Man Thank you some much a blessing your tutorials are great and helpful.

[@RikusLategan]

Your research is invaluable and I love your content

[@24hrMusic]

Love BBCO Discover! Yup... missed the ability to move the articulations. Thanks Mike

[@Artur_Chernyavsky]

Yes, yes, yes!!! I've just wanted to ask Spitfire support about KS!)) Mike, thanks a lot!)

[@nickeddowes2629]

Thankfully I found BBC Symphony a few weeks ago. If anybody knows how to expand the Tubular Bells range there using the "Tune" feature I would be so thankful (I literally need a note to finish my track). It works with semitones, but for some reason it uses decimals, which makes it impossible for me to set it to the tone I need.

[@nickeddowes2629]

@mika L I actually tried many things so I reached out to Spitfire and they told me I can fine tune the plugin from -3 to +3 octaves from the default tuning point, in cents, holding Shift while using this Tune control, as otherwise, this will be in sts. The exact value is not possible to enter. I still have to try this but I think It'll do the job. Thanks for the help tho!

[@tdismusic57]

I had Discover for a while. Then they had a sale on Core. Cool. But then they had sale on the full Professional version. Well, who can resist a sale? Right? 😂

[@CefinBeornMusic]

Thank you for this video.

[@Vockalibre97]

Makoto, viper and sean. I don't play them but I want to see how good they would be in SF6. And my favorite character of all time, M Bison!

[@vewilli]

Thank you. Very good overview, but I don’t need to react as I‘m happy to have the number 1!

[@ronnyjuliette3699]

Happy New Year for you Mick

[@tornado7002]

Excellent video. Thank you sir.

[@outalingamcrap9366]

WHAT? How DID I NOT see the adjustable Keyswitch map on BBC Discovery until I rediscovered this video - ?????

[@Onemanband410899]

14:10 So THAT’S what that button is for! From someone who never reads instructions… Thank you!

[@dafingaz]

What a time to be alive!

[@mimi-000]

super helpful stuff, thanks mike!

[@AlenFekonja]

Big up for BBC command key tip!!! 👋👍🙂

[@divi1700]

Thank you 👐

[@haoshuaizhou6167]

Thank you so much dude.... Helped me a lot

[@heckensteiner4713]

Awesome reviews! It's amazing that these companies are giving away such great quality libraries for free. LABS usually comes very highly recommended, but I found that their library artificial sounding. Especially the strings. It comes with of ton of stuff, which is great, but if I had to rate realism/sound quality only, I would put LABS last on this list.

[@user-vy9ll3jl3v]

There were no LABS here, it’s BBCO Discover. As for realism, I would recommend you to go to your local philharmonic and listen how a real orchestra sounds like in real life, not in all those Hollywood soundtracks. You would be surprised.

[@outalingamcrap9366]

Fancy MIXING UP instruments of Orchestools/Versilian and Spitfire's BBC Discovery - VOILA!

[@rainsound5811]

Used BBCSO Discover for a while and I really like it, in case I need to address some of the inconvenient, that is this version of BBCSO doesn't have legato articulation and the long artics are just pretty slow, so this may not be fit to pretty fast song while didn't want to use other artics (at least for my prespective)

[@97guitarzan]

Great information Mike!

[@abdessamadben2025]

There's also Orchestral by Edirol also a good one

[@ukerrorlogg]

Thank you! Great video!

[@mr88cet]

Great topic, and demos! Thanks. Can any of these play microtones?

[@mikenaughton4298]

Thanks! What excellent help.

[@CGMusicProduction975]

I've had the Spitfire BBC SO Discovery for a few months now the only complains I have is the bass drum just doesn't deliver the power i'd want and all the strings in the long setting have such a long build up it's really noticeable in faster pieces you feel like you have to slow down to compensate or over layer the midi to tray and get a "natural" note change with starting another long build up.

[@hbrmetal]

Thanks

[@SohaldSpike]

Can't believe Spitfire hid us the keyswitches on Discover all this time

[@LARRYBEAR]

Thanx!

[@brianbatie6650]

I am a Cakewalk user from ever since the MIDI-only "Twelve-Tone Cakewalk" DOS days. Over the years it grew more powerful, adding Cakewalk ProAudio, then it became Sonar, one of the top DAWS in terms of "bang for the buck". Then it went bankrupt, to the horror of thousands of users. To much surprise and celebration, it was bought out and resurrected by Bandlab as a free DAW. For that price, nothing even comes close, even Reaper, FLStudio, or any of the mega-dollar DAWs like ProTools, CUBASE, Magix, Sadie, and of course anything from Apple.

[@JonathanKoops]

Thank you for this comment, I was looking for a new DAW, I’ve haven’t composed since Acid belonged to Sony. But I knew there had to be a DAW out there that supported 64bit VST3, and wasn’t a major gouge to your pocket book.

[@GMTunes]

Have you come across a double bass where a bow can be used? Been looking for one that can give me a nice low bass sound (more like a now on a bass guitar) BBCSO is awesome but realised note velocity cannot be controlled which Studio One could. Speaking of which I got one free with my Presonus Audiobox Go. Had great features but then realised it wouldn't let you use third party VSTs unless you paid for it which was a major disappointment. So Cakewalk it is 😊

[@PeterPopoola]

Hi, Mike. Thanks for the great list! I couldn't find the card to the full review for Project Sam, though. Not sure why...?

[@Shivamtiwarijackie]

thank you

[@jnelson508]

Sadly, I have read that the free version of Cakewalk will be discontinued and 2 paid DAW's will be released under the name Sonar

[@imbailing]

thank you Mike

[@thevinhnguyen2462]

Hi Mike can you shows us how to use komplete kontrol 13 please ...your video is very usefull

[@peterwaringofficial]

Yup! I missed the key switching tool 😶

[@JustineAndrew]

am i the only one who has a problem with Sine.When i'm using it,it's decreasing the volume whenever i playback until it's gone.If there's someone who knows how to fix it,please let me know 🙏

[@roopekivimaa]

Thank You for these amazingly grea t videos and tips! About those keyswitches in BBCSO: When I add them to my tracks with Piano View, they don't usually work (for example, switching from violin long to violin spiccato C0 and C1). I just wonder, what am I missing? I've noticed that many people create separate tracks for different articulations, but is that necessary?

[@dafingaz]

Great list. The top 3 are the top 3 free ones for me too! LOL

[@universeofmovietrailer5260]

Hi thank you for the great video Just one thing. With what software I can play this plugin?? I'll be very thankful If you could answer me.

[@VintageFlowers]

Awesome video!

[@wojciechjastrzebski5572]

Hi Mike, I'm just looking for a free orchestra, but I don't know if I need a DAW. I'm looking for something in exe format. I had the free Vital Text to Wavetable plugin in exe format, but I couldn't figure out how to enter text for singing. I uninstalled it. I also have Alter / Ego, which does not require DAW, but I can not configure.

[@darrenhirst9900]

This video is a little too orchestrated. Loved watching thanks.

[@chumi2012]

Is still this plugin for Free? I can't download it 😭 need help

[@henkbiesterveld7248]

Thanks Mike! No we will make some great metal with Orchestral parts!

[@GeorgFreese]

Mike! You Rock!!! :D 😃

[@CreativeSauce]

Cheers George :)

[@sankenaz7282]

In the setup, appreciate the videos! Maybe a dumb question but is there a way to export content in mono in soft20?

[@blackcitadel37]

BBC spitfire is awesome

[@maxiesley]

Hey Mike, does the Versilian Chamber Orchestra Community works with Kontakt 7? Thanks for this video!

[@AlexeyFilippenkoPlummet]

To be honest Spitfire Discovery, while having super convenient interface, sounds very muddy. The sound isn't good enough even for sketches imo. I once showed an old lady who never wrote a note in her life how music is done on my laptop, via built-in speakers (not the best ones, I forgot to bring headphones that day). And after listening to how this library sounds she said there's something off about it, but when I loaded same instrument from another library she said that it's much better. Yeah I know Spitfire gave something for free and I'm criticizing. But all I'm saying is I wouldn't put it on top-1 place, something like Palette would be much more fitting for it. And also Spitfire already has the most rich and absolutely great sounding free instrument there is - LABS - and their commercial libraries sound good too, so the company is great, and the product has amazing interface too, but I just wish it sounded a little bit better for the 1st place.

[@StephSancia]

My problem here on KZbin and the web with learning the fine arts of music production is that there's SO MUCH TO CHOOSE FROM IT'S INSANE in conjunction with EVERY SINGLE CHANNEL has different Faves and Different Ideas it's just MIND OVERLOAD !! It reminds me of walking down Carnaby Street London in the late 60s as a young teen when EVERY SINGLE BOUTIQUE HAD DIFFERENT TOP 50 SONGS BLASTING OUT THEIR SHOP DOORWAY to the public. Every Single KZbin channel is TOUTING for their produce to download and try and it's Mind boggling DETRIMENTAL to actually moving forward and getting $H1T done with Music 🎵🎶 I'm pretty sure that many people will agree or know what I mean and I don't mean this as derogatory to your channel Mike but one spends all day every day chasing their own musical tail around KZbin and the Gazillion Differing Opinions. Actually, I've found the most easiest DAW to use is Acoustica Mixcraft Pro 10, it's one of the cheapest and it's pretty cool and works straight out the box. Anyways, rant over. Any tips for the Black Friday sales ? LOL

[@ivankojunalta]

14:11 now i know, thanks!