Library Spotlight - Studio Strings

Studio Strings: www.spitfireaudio.com/shop/a-...
Free Patches & Multis: www.dropbox.com/sh/dr4y3v1e9s...

[@CoryPelizzari]

UPDATE - I didn't actually realise that the Professional version provides ensemble, half and divisi samples. Knowing that, I think it's even more logical to purchase the standard version instead because the full library is over 200G whereas the standard is much more drive-friendly at 12G!

[@SkinnKilla]

Also worth noting that the pro version apparently contains larger ensembles as well (16.12.12.12.4 vs. the standard's 8.6.6.6.4).

[@mr_don_key]

200GB is not much these days, for a complete dedicated library. (especially considering the mics you get). And if you want to be complete, you want divisi options.

[@cyrilcalmes4208]

Well you can start with the standard version and if you like, then you can upgrade to the pro for just the price of the difference....

[@cyrilcalmes4208]

@@SkinnKilla Paul Thompson said that the bigger section are made of the original blended with the divisi... (not samples of a real 16 violins section...for violins 1)

[@ryanblaine5554]

Cyril Calmes could you achieve the same effect by creating additional instance on another track? I’m just wondering if the additional mics is worth it or if you can achieve blending and width with reverb. You can still make these dry, but it’s only tree mics, not close over top the player, right?

[@philippendletonmusic]

Probably one of the best demos I've seen of a sample library.

[@eylab1541]

'Spitfire audio seems to have more string libraries than they know what to do with.' Never has a truer sentence been uttered before.

[@daviddonaldson4808]

Brilliant Cory and thanks for the generosity of making your custom patches available!

[@FrancisBourre]

The walkthrough is great, and the gift is generous. Thanks for the both.

[@D20Music]

Thanks for this great demo - Just got this as a Christmas present to myself... Now you give me even more fantastic patches. Thank you!

[@gustavocoutinho3489]

I always watch your Sample Library reviews, even when I already have them (like in this case) because I always end up learning something else about it that I didn't know. That pitch wheel trick is great! Thanks for the regular awesome work, Cory, keep it up!

[@premikrusselltubbs8107]

Brilliant review Cory, and a billion thanks for the free patches. Those two things sold me on this library :-)

[@METAMORA6329]

The Patches and Multis are great, thank you!🤩

[@chapbot2023]

You have, seriously, the best library reviews on KZbin! You explain everything so well and I love your lovely musical examples. I prefer the pro version of Studio Strings because I love the close mics.

[@muddyblue]

Wow, great job ! Very detailed. Glad to find you :-) Thank you for the great Multis & Free Patches, like them very much !!

[@pittan86]

Really excellent walkthrough of the libraries possibilities here. Thanks!

[@lunao19]

thx for another great review! pulled the trigger on that one now and your spotlight helped me with my decision

[@laurencecramp5768]

Really appreciate you sharing those patches - thanks!

[@katanalevygames]

Wow, these patches are excellent, thanks so much!

[@OliKember]

Great walkthrough! Thanks for doing this, fun to watch along.

[@maxtofone]

Thanks Cory for this SF Studio Strings review... You clearly said that the professional version is not worth it for the extra mics and I agree on that, but you forgot to mention that in the Pro version you also have all the smaller divisi sections that are not included in the normal version, which to me are a very good addition nonetheless. Many blessings, Max T.

[@cinebient5343]

Thank‘s for the video. Finally bought also the space friendly standard version. Sounds so wonderful. Then there is also a way to upgrade to the pro version if needed.

[@Imagineyourmusiccom]

such fantastic and beautiful exemples, thank you so much!!

[@rjkral]

Superb overview and observations! 👍👍 Fantastic job on your custom patches!!

[@ThomsenTower]

Excellent walk through. I "blame" you for leading this amateur musician to buy this library (taking advantage of Spitfire's Xmas sale). I just downloaded your patches and multis, from which I expect I will continue to learn. Thanks very much and have a great 2019!

[@brainrussell6811]

Another great review. Paul's original walkthrough was too rushed and really shortchanged the potential. And your patches prompted me to get this library on the wishlist, lol! Good stuff!

[@igelkotte]

Amazing walkthrough as always, every company should do it like you. And free patches?! THANKS! Just bought studio strings for 50% off

[@xxMohamedElBatrawyxx]

Hi Cory, thanks for the review which clarifies a lot! Just a correction worth pointing is that the Pro version also contains additional divisi sections and not just extra mics as you mentioned

[@alainthiry3965]

thank you ! great library, i really like the dry sounding ,i use the pro for the divisi possibility

[@filipjonathan]

What a great review! Awesome job!

[@RLeaguer_Saint]

Wow, just realised you added the free patches and multis - fantastic! Thank you so much. I don't have this library yet, but will be back here in case I make the purchase. Incredibly generous of you.

[@5ammy13]

I listen to all these libraries and the one library I can't get off my mind is Cinematic Studio Strings. That sound is pristine. Granted the vibrato level and get a bit at times, but it still sounds so wonderful ❤️❤️❤️

[@landonp629]

My problem with Cinematic Studio Strings is lack of interesting articulations. They have no Sul Tasto, Sul Pont, Flautanto or even real Con Sordino. It's just basic longs, Legatos and shorts.

[@5ammy13]

@@landonp629 valid point. Yeah it's only a bread and butter string library that has most of the articulations you'll need on a regular basis. I actually love the legato but not as much the sound of CSS. My new go to string library is Pacific Ensemble Strings. I can't wait for the update on that to hopefully solve that portamento-esque transition on higher dynamics, but the sound is just amazing.

[@gordonmurphy4321]

Great walkthrough - thanks!

[@MePeterNicholls]

Just bought this on the summer sale offer. Thanks for the guide!

[@METAMORA6329]

Nice walkthrough, thanks!

[@OliKember]

Hey Cory, I very often watch but don't always take time to comment (apologies), but man this is your best yet! Thanks so much for not only giving us the insight into your orchestration tricks up your sleeve, but for providing the multis too, for free. Super kind of you. I have no idea how you make a complex multi involving 9ths, and honestly would love a tutorial at some point if you get time! Seems like a great way to save combos that work nicely. Thanks again.

[@MustacheVerra]

Damn you! An other String library on my wish list. Like i need that. And it's all you fault Cory!

[@landonp629]

I don't purchase libraries based on their size. 200Gb is 200gb - it's not the end of the world, and is a simple hard drive upgrade that might cost you $50. Frankly, the pro version is worth it over the studio version. Larger section sizes, divisi options, more mic positions.

[@marcodisto]

Great work ! Thank you !

[@artemi-music]

thanks for the demo

[@RLeaguer_Saint]

Really like the way you do these videos - great format. Gives a very thorough review of the library. Thank you for taking the time and effort. I'd mainly been considering Spitfire's Chamber Strings, but you make a very good case here for the Studio version. Would love to hear the exact same as you have here, but using SCS - it would make the comparison incredibly clear. Also, I thought that the studio version would sound too dry without added reverb, but assuming you didn't add reverb here, it sounds surprisingly good. Would be good to hear with/without using a standard reverb (I typically only use the reverbs available within the DAW, which seems fine to me).

[@ericfischer5605]

I only have the Chamber Strings, so can't compare by experience, but the Studio Strings seems like it would be more a specialized sound, especially considering the standard version only comes with one mic position. So it's pretty dialed in to a particular, dry sound - which is great if that is what you want in the moment. But if you are looking to buy just one at first I think the Chamber Strings would cover more ground as an overall tool for more styles. The three mic positions give a lot of versatility to the Chamber Strings without being near the hard drive buster that the Professional versions are. You can get a quite intimate sound by using just the Close mics in SCS if you want a dryer sound, and you have the other mics if you want that million dollar ambience of the big room at Air studios. You can certainly add reverb to the dry Studio Strings, but that ain't going to match the recorded ambience of such a great sounding room. Then again, Studio Strings cost a lot less, so it could get you off the ground for a lot less if the budget is tight. So you pay your money and make your choice, but after checking out Studio Strings as best I can without owning it I do believe it's use is a substantially narrower focus than SCS. Also, SCS is arguably Spitfire's single best library. Can't go wrong with it.

[@cyrilcalmes4208]

I just bought them... gorgeous !!!!

[@cyrilcalmes4208]

After 4 days playing with these strings... I'm shure to like them that much. The dry sound is maybe a kind of Graal for sound ingeneers, but I found that library finally difficult to make it sound good. When adding reverb, It sounds muddy. I need to had a lot of EQ to clean the sound.... I was looking for an easy to use library. Not sure it's the good one. I waste to much time trying to mix it instead of making music... Also, the basic sound is very low. I still have to had around +6dB on each section to ear something.

[@ArtemiTV]

@@cyrilcalmes4208 thanks for your observations

[@dare2win215]

Wow!

[@vaiman7777]

This is gold! And just listen to 12:53

[@VishnuAnil]

Nice Detailed review.....

[@yasseralbanna7102]

best reviews Cory.. i just got the pro version.. it would be nice if you share the midi files.. thanks for the great videos.

[@da5idnz]

Thanks for this. I am a very new DAW owner, and the first orchestra samples I have ever owned is the BBCSO Discover. I was a bit disappointed with the lack of realism due to no legato though. SO I am tossing up whether to buy this library as pretty much a first Strings purchase....

[@CoryPelizzari]

It would be good as a first string library. Another choice would be L&S Chamber Strings which you can get for $150 right now and would be a great starting point at an affordable price.

[@da5idnz]

@@CoryPelizzari Thank you so much for your recommendations. Am watching your video on it now!

[@da5idnz]

@@CoryPelizzari I ended up buying Studio Strings, thanks. Trying to work my way through it now...lol. I like the sounds you have a 5:40 and at 12:55. This is like 4 different layered tracks of each instrument playing legato? Sometimes with the other long strings I don't like the attack at the beginning when changing notes. Makes it sound more unrealistic even with the expression wheel. But I guess that is what the legato notes are for. ps, I am a total noob at this. I think I am going to come back and refer to this video often. I downloaded your patches, thanks! Not sure how to load/apply them yet.

[@cyrilcalmes4208]

I really would like to know your thoughts about Spitfire studio strings vs Century Strings

[@evenios2831]

really sounds nice i might get this next month then if i really love it upgrade to pro

[@eylam9690]

Dude, I was watching your vid and suddenly thought 'Gee, it's half 3 already!'. Then I realised it was your own monitor (3:06AM here). Kinda amusing to think you were making this at 3 in the morning. I can totally relate, obviously. Just to double-check, the performance legatos here are not like BBCSO or even CS where they kind of encompass some sort of shorts as well, do they? Basically, how flexible is it compared to Light and Sound Chamber Strings? Undecided between the two (price is almost the same for me, as I get an EDU discount with Spitfire).

[@Mu1974]

Such a musically sensitive review! Thank you for that. I have a question about the pitchwheel modification: is that configured within the spitfire instrument itself or is that Kontakt scripting? Especially the varying attack on the shorts, what did you do there? I would like to really understand what you did there, and if I downloaded that patch, I still wouldn't really know where to look under the hood

[@CoryPelizzari]

I tweaked some of the group settings in Kontakt. For the short attacks I applied an eq and attached the pitch wheel to increase/decrease the chosen frequency for all the samples.

[@Mu1974]

@@CoryPelizzari well that is an elegant thought! Really inspiring, to think about these libraries that way.. makes them truly your own. Thank you very much for this quick reply! Aaaand subscribed 😊

[@collinthurman3465]

Hello @cory pelizzari -- thanks for the review. I own the NI Symphony series strings - do you think these are worth picking up for more variety in the Spitfire sale, or too redundant to the NI Symphony series? Cheers.

[@CoryPelizzari]

Symphony Series Strings' legato is nowhere near as useful as Studio Strings, and Studio Strings has the flautando, sul tasto, sul ponte... All articulations that make really great pads.

[@dare2win215]

Please, give tips on arrangement!

[@alexandrebaroni1057]

Hi Cory. I love your chanel. I just bought this Chamber based on your review. Do you have a list of the libraries that you like the most (all kinds) ? Thanks.

[@CoryPelizzari]

(Takes a deep, deep breath) - Abbey Road Drummer, Alive Underground Drums, Apocalypse Percussion, Belarus Piano, Cineharp, Cinematic Studio Strings, Cinematic Studio Solo Strings, Cinematic Studio Piano, Cinematic Studio Brass, Colossal Toms, Cryptar, Damage, DM307, Drums Of The Deep 2, Electro Acoustic, Evolution Steel String, Flying Hand Percussion, Haunted Spaces, Jubal Flute, Konkrete, LFO Piano, Macabre Solo Strings, Master Sessions Percussion, Repetitive Bass, Session Horns, Shimmer Shake Strike, Strikeforce, Studio Drummer, Super Audio Cart, Surdos & Snares, Taiko Creator, Texture Mozaik, Thrash DI, Tupans X3M, Union Chapel Organ, Walker Steinway, Xtended Piano. That's just the workhorse Kontakt stuff I swear by.

[@alexandrebaroni1057]

@@CoryPelizzari Thank you so much Cory. I sent you one email. Thank you.

[@batelgroun]

Wow, that's a very good walkthrough and reviuw. I have a question though. What exactly is the "run" articulation? Is it good? I've been searching for it but I haven't seen it in any video and Spitfire says that this product has it.

[@CoryPelizzari]

They're just pre-recorded fast runs up and down scales for the violins and celli.

[@RLeaguer_Saint]

Would love to see you do a review of Spitfire Solo Strings. For me, I've never been able to get past Albion One - it was my first proper library, and every time a new ensemble strings library comes out, I compare it to Albion One, which I think is just wonderful, and think I can get close enough to it with Albion One that the difference isn't important enough to me. But solo strings, that's a different matter - whichever ensemble library you're using, you're going to need solo strings to add the detail on the top, and there I'm very torn. Spitfire's solo strings sound wonderful, particularly with the updates since launch, but there are MANY good alternatives, so how to decide? Would love to know what you think of it, and to watch your video of it if you're inclined to review it.

[@wardy2783]

hi there Cory great video just brought studio strings based on your video...how do I add your patches and multis too studio strings? also do you recommend a reverb thats good for orchestration...cheers

[@CoryPelizzari]

You just download the multis and patches to where you want, then click on the save icon in Kontakt and choose "batch re-save" and point to the folder where you downloaded the files. It'll ask you to locate the Studio Strings sample folder then it'll re-save all the patches for you to use. When it comes to reverb these days I use Seventh Heaven. It's $70 and one of the best reverbs available.

[@wardy2783]

@@CoryPelizzari thanks alot for that and yes ive checked out your review on seventh heaven and I may grab that as well thanks man

[@tb6265]

that review is awesome. what are your thoughts. does CSS beat SF studio strings or are they on same level & is it just a matter of taste?? cheers

[@CoryPelizzari]

CSS is the better library when it comes to fluidity, reliability and discipline, but Studio Strings is still desirable for its con sordinos, flautandos, sul tastos and brushed shorts. For a serious professional workflow I'd choose CSS.

[@tb6265]

Cory Pelizzari nice,thank you for your thoughts...😊i hope CS will release there winds library very soon.. cheers

[@timclayton8214]

30 % off till 29th July!

[@cyrilcalmes4208]

Heu question ? Did you mix your strings in this video or are you using them out of the box ?

[@CoryPelizzari]

Out of the box. All of my videos use just the sounds from the patches.

[@a123386]

Hi Cori, would you say that this library blends well with Spitfire Symphonic Strings?

[@CoryPelizzari]

If you use the close mics with both libraries, yes. If you're using far mics it's best to put some reverb on Studio Strings so it blends with Symphonic Strings' hall sound.

[@a123386]

@@CoryPelizzari Thank you for letting me know about it!

[@jj53368]

Can I use the Patches & Multis in Studio Strings Professional? I have the other set of patches but curious if I can use these too.

[@simonleesax4788]

Hey Cory, I own this library what would buy to complement it in terms of Brass, woodwind, percussion library’s for making cinematic style scores. I don’t own the full Kontakt yet and my full budget is £200 for all sections. I was think of the new Spitfire core, what’s your thoughts ?

[@CoryPelizzari]

That library will certainly compliment the strings, but in terms of deep sampling and playability it won't be anywhere near the same quality - with your budget you'll just have to settle with making the best of that limitation. It's not easy to find a reliable collection of cohesive orchestral libraries without spending a lot of money so you'll have to lower your expectations in preparation for that.

[@simonleesax4788]

Cory Pelizzari thank for taking the time to reply. Maybe I’ll just save my pennies for something that will. It seems like most decent section libraries start at around £500.

[@CoryPelizzari]

@@simonleesax4788 The best quality affordable libraries you can get are the Cinematic Studio Series libraries. The brass is $400 and the woodwinds and percussion will be coming soon. You can also get Hollywood Brass Gold at a similar price. Meanwhile Spitfire's Studio Woodwinds are a good match for the strings and is only $200. For percussion you can pick up True Strike for around $150.

[@simonleesax4788]

Cory Pelizzari I was just reading a post on vi-control, comparing CSB with Spitfire studio brass. The conclusion seems very mixed, But yeah I think I’ll save up for CSB.

[@a123386]

Hi Cory, have you ever experienced this problem where your CPU usage is overloaded when you load too many vsts on your daw? I am using logic, and the strings libraries I use are mostly spitfire. So I wonder what settings do you change in order to alleviate this problem? Because freezing and unfreezing too often is not going to work well for me, since I need to do a lot of trial and error by changing notes frequently. Thank you!

[@CoryPelizzari]

Spitfire's libraries tend to eat up heaps of processing power when you load up multiple patches of their libraries, even when they're idle. Must be the scripting.

[@a123386]

Cory Pelizzari Pardon me, what does scripting mean in this context. How do you tackle this issue when you compose?

[@CoryPelizzari]

@@a123386 I have to load only a few of their instruments at a time and render the audio before I open more instruments. The Kontakt scripting in the Spitfire instruments (the coding) seems to be very complex and uses too many computer resources so having multiple of their patches active at one time seems to exponentially increase CPU usage. Depending on how streamlined or lean the coding is inside different instrument patches, they can use low CPU or can hog your CPU. With the libraries that hog CPU the only thing you can do is work with a few patches at a time, render the audio when you've got the performance you want and move on to the next few patches. There's no real easy way around it outside upgrading to a 10 core computer with 4ghz per core. Fortunately there are still plenty of developers who program a lot of their libraries with low overall CPU usage in mind. Spitfire definitely isn't one of them.

[@a123386]

@@CoryPelizzari Alright, thanks your your reply Cory!

[@AGAU1022]

How does this compare to Cinematic Studio Strings?

[@CoryPelizzari]

Cinematic Studio Strings is more expressive and capable of precision scoring for critical composing. It's better programmed, more disciplined and its legato is top quality. Studio Strings is more suited to dark earthy sounds and has slight imperfections, but it has articulations like flautando, sul tasto, sul ponte, short harmonics and extended trills that are better for a characterful warm sound and for padding. I use Studio Strings for varied long and short performances and dark fantasy pieces, then Cinematic Studio Strings for serious dramatic and romantic pieces.

[@AGAU1022]

@@CoryPelizzari Thanks! Do you know if it's the same for Spitfire Studio Brass vs Cinematic Studio Brass?

[@CoryPelizzari]

@@AGAU1022 Cinematic Studio Brass is way more disciplined and has much better legato. Studio Brass has a lot of quirks and dynamic imperfections that make the library hard to work with.

[@cyrilcalmes4208]

I tried the Seventh Heaven (not the pro one) reverb on these strings ... I haven't been that impressed. I prefered the LEXICON MPX Native. But It's my own opinion...

[@CoryPelizzari]

It depends on what kind of sound you're trying to attain. If you have a pre-conceived sound in your head that you want to achieve it becomes very hard to find that sound unless you go for a live recording and choose sound engineers that know how to get the sound you want. With libraries and plugins you have to take on their sound and work with it because each one has its own flavour and vision determined by the developer.

[@cyrilcalmes4208]

@@CoryPelizzari absolutely. We also have to deal with personnal tastes...

[@xianning]

I just wish it wasn’t so dry. I feel very uncomfortable listening to it without reverb.

[@ridgero]

Your PC fans are really annoying, besides that you did a great job in reviewing this library! thanks for sharing

[@seok84]

man.. I really wonder why a company like Spitfire cannot make shorts sound good... none of the spitfire strings shorts sound good...

[@tristanting6323]

Now New Abbey Road 2 's shorts are good.