Spitfire Audio's BBCSO - Still Worth It In 2022? (Review)

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My review of the BBC Symphony Orchestra sample library by Spitfire Audio.
www.dylanmixermusic.com

[@LongshanMusic]

I enjoyed this, as BBCSO Pro is my daily driver. But I think I disagree about the brass. I think the brass are fine if you aren't trying to recreate a Hans Zimmer 80 piece horn sound. Sometimes it seems to me that folks think an orchestral brass section should sound just like a movie soundtrack. But that is a very particular sound, and I wouldn't want it for, say, Beethoven's Eroica.

[@DMIXMusic]

Yeah as I said in the video, I don't necessarily mind it not being loud or hyped, as I too use brass in a warmer orchestral setting. I just don't think it's programmed particularly well as the crossfades are quite janky and there are patches that produce a really ugly sound.

[@LongshanMusic]

@@DMIXMusic Yeah, I agree about the crossfades. I think there are only 3 dynamic layers, so you kinda have to automate somewhat within the pocket of each-good point.

[@PeachesChrenko]

Been considering upgrading from Core to Pro so I found this very helpful Thanks :)

[@kleinconcert]

I hesitated to upgrade to profesional. I agree, the brass sucks. But the violins en woodwinds are great. Thats worth a lot. So I go for it. Thanks for your review. I Liked and Subscribed!

[@DMIXMusic]

I didn't think I would use the mic mixes until just this last year they became integral to my blending of other libraries. Those and the string leaders are worth the upgrade to pro imo. Thanks for the sub!

[@Tyrell_Corp2019]

I recently got Abbey Road One plus the new add on modules. I really love it for the overall sound. But... it's similar to Albion in that it's strength is pre-orchestrated sections ideal for mockups or a ready made music if you like it. However, I do need solo instrumentalists. I'm considering Berlin, but they are just so damn expensive. For $950 the BBC Pro gives you the entire orchestra plus all the soloists. I'm thinking this may be the better value. Any thoughts?

[@DMIXMusic]

There are more libraries for individual sections out there that are better, but no combination of them will be a better bang for buck than BBC on a sale day, in my opinion.

[@thomasvinelli]

I agree the brass sucks. Especially the French horns. I also use Abby road one French horns or some other library. I hope there a update in the future but that depends on enough community voicing there opinion.

[@JoelEverettComposer]

I still use libraries that are over a decade old; like all jobs - you need to know your tools and which tool works best for which job. Libraries are tools and just because something isn't current year doesn't mean it can't be effectively used. I think as an overall starting point - and great mix without a fuss - you can't go wrong with BBCSO; if one needs beefier brass then you can always augment with a secondary or tertiary library.

[@DMIXMusic]

Agreed. I could change the title to "Still Worth It In 2024" and the opinion would be the same!

[@zorkmarble]

Thanks, very helpful. I was considering buying BBCSO in the imminent sale, chiefly for the brass and woodwinds (I have enough strings) but if the brass is disappointing it’s not worth it.

[@nyanko2077]

The imminent sale? I don't know much about it, could you elaborate? Cause I am on a fence into buying it too so I would wait a bit if there was a coming sale. Thanks.

[@zorkmarble]

@@nyanko2077 I've heard that the sale runs from tomorrow (23 May) to 29 May. 40% off nearly everything, including BBCSO. Don't shoot me if I'm wrong!

[@DennisCaunce]

I use BBCSO Pro, close mikes going through Virtual Sound Stage 2, but I use Sample modeling brass and century brass in place of the bbcso brass.

[@subarnathapaliya3474]

thank you for your music

[@guilhem8052]

Despite the wonky timing of the violin spiccato, the kinda weak sound of the brass and the low amount of dynamic layers in the brass (3), is this library worth the asking price of 999 euros as a first and one and only orchestral library package or should I look into the Spitfire Symphonic Orchestra for the exact same price (at least, in France, that is)?

[@DMIXMusic]

The Symphonic Orchestra has a ton more content and flexibility. I'm surprised you are able to buy it for that price. As for the BBCSO, I would recommend getting it on sale.

[@guilhem8052]

@@DMIXMusic right. Thank you for your answer!

[@wm1573]

Wait what? Isn’t symphonic orchestra like 2400 euros

[@xyirx]

You mentioned using your foot to control the dynamics. Could you elaborate the tool/control surface you use your foot with, please?

[@DMIXMusic]

Just an expression pedal. Any of them will do. The one I use is the Moog EP3

[@dbo514]

@@DMIXMusic It sounds dumb but after spending years with faders I just recently realized that you could use an expression pedal in an orchestral context :\

[@DMIXMusic]

@dbo514 Not dumb at all! I only came to this realization less than a year ago. It's a total gamechanger at least for me, though. I'm a drummer, so being able to use my foot along with my two hands feels super natural.

[@dbo514]

@@DMIXMusic Yeah I feel like I would like to use the expression pedal for dynamics and the modwheel for expression, that'd be a natural feeling combo. I've ordered a pedal on Amazon, will give it a go!

[@Thadnill]

I know that there is better options for Solo instrument, but for a complete orchestras, is BBCSO the best that you can get today?

[@DMIXMusic]

Complete orchestra as in one pack? Yes, I believe so. I can't think of anything else that has better value.

[@bartmuz]

13:00 why so many people wasting time using pencil to put 16tn notes, instead of record it with use of midi keyboard

[@DMIXMusic]

Oh that's easy. That's because I suck.

[@Mistygio]

BBC solo instruments absolutely suck. The woodwinds are pretty good but the flute sucks. Really the only thing good about it is the strings and percussion

[@DMIXMusic]

Don't know about that. Till this day, that solo cello is featured on nearly every one of my tracks. Often times even over dedicated solo libraries like Bohemian Cello.

[@CraigRodmellMusic]

I have BBCSO Core. It has given me my own private orchestra, whose sole job is to play my music. Not even Beethoven had that luxury. Many kudos to Spitfire for recognising that there is a market in hobbyist composers like myself who have no need of umpteen mike positions and cannot justify the expense of Pro, and they made a product to fit that market. On the whole it does that very well. It's a pity there are no string soloists, Cor Anglais or Bass Clarinet (I would consider these staples rather than extras) but these can be added from other sources as need and/or budget permit. I am very much enjoying learning to use Core.

[@JamesWatsonComposer]

I thought about this too... it's a bummer if you get core, but if you consider that most string quartet libraries are sold separately, it's sort of fair at the end of the day.

[@skadoosh1204]

I'd like to share my comments on the BBCSO Strings 1. The Violins and Violas are beautiful, they offer neat legato and the sustains offer rich sound for chord progressions. 2. Celli & Bass section sounds synthy when you play chords, legato is great though. 3. Overall strings spiccato is not tight enough, it seems that it's not suitable for fast ostinato passages. Woodwinds 1. I have no negative takes on this, it's beautiful and absolutely gives you that realism in their playability. Brass 1. I don't understand why they have to separate the fortississimo dynamic of the entire instrument, they had to transpose it into the cuivre articulation. That's a big problem, if you play legato, it can't go anywhere near FFF and you have to switch to cuivre to get it. They should put that missing FFF dynamic in the legato and sustains, especially in marcatos, they sound weak in terms of dynamic power. 2. I think they should've had 6 horn ensembles instead of 4, it sounds too weak to carry out that heroic melody that modern film composers use. I prefer their symphonic brass library compared to this one, that one had A6 patch. Percussion 1. Absolutely great, timpani is superb, and the way the instruments are laid out in one group gives comfort in terms of midi arrangement.

[@easonyanmusic]

"They should put that missing FFF dynamic in the legato and sustains" Can't agree more!!

[@MrHestichs]

@@easonyanmusic I don't think a trumpet player can play tripple forte without is sounded brassy...or cuivré as you say. That's like physically impossible.

[@GoOKuSj33]

​@@MrHestichsTrue, and I believe they did that because it's supposed to imitate a real orchestra, trying to make epic trailer with it could work if your layer some powerful brass library, but it will not give the same results as using something more cinematic. As Mike Patti from Cinesamples said years ago, a bunch of beginner's mockups have extremely high modwheel for brass, and players don't blast their instruments all the time, they do sometimes, but not all the time. a6 horns playing a melody rarely happens in symphonic music, Mahler and Bruckner definitely did more than that, having the horns switch to bells up, stand up, and even use them offstage or in galleries, BUT they would do that in maybe 1 or 2 passages in a 1 HOUR piece. We have to be extremely careful with brass and percussion in orchestration, otherwise it'll just forever be computer music, I don't know about you guys, but I WANT my work to be someday performed by real players, and not to just live in my DAW. I do also want to make music for film, but in Indie, you don't need that much power, and I don't think Holywood is for me. I know that switching articulations is boring, but there's a meaning to it.

[@jesussaddle]

Appreciate your sharing this. Ouch - the BBCSO spicatto isn't tight even when tightness is turned fully up... I wonder if you've ever tried strings from Audio Modeling or Sample modeling to tighten up string ostenato, or Aaron Venture's make the brass ostenato sound more punchy and modern? I just purchased EastWest Hollywood Orchestra because a few people said it can do fast runs, but the download is taking awhile. As far BBC, I got it because it sounds more 3D than some other libraries, and I picked up Albion One for the same reason, I favor a nice sense of depth in the music I listen to as well. I have used Aaron Venture Infinite Brass as an effect on a soundtrack thing I was working on, and while not as convincing as Junkie XL, it was fine placed in the mix with my master reverb (which is Breeze 2 and Precedence by 2C Audio)

[@Markrspooner]

Really good video. I do own BBC SO Pro, but I do find it useful to now how others use it.

[@septemberwalk]

i agree about some of the brass but i think the horn legato sounds awesome

[@arnaudg1832]

Great review, great video. What pedal do you use to modulate by foot ?

[@DMIXMusic]

I use the Moog EP3.

[@MePeterNicholls]

I like the trombones. The brass is more reserved than many libraries, it works for me but I do augment with spitfire symphony brass.

[@Doty6String]

anyone feel like this library is cool, but kinda fake sounding? im on the fence about it. the value is huge and the gui is awesome! but some of these legatos are kinda too smooth.

[@joelzigfaria]

Hi there. Is this the Professional edition? Thanks.

[@DMIXMusic]

Yes it is.

[@joelzigfaria]

For 2024 is it better than Vienna's? Thanks and Happy New Year. @@DMIXMusic

[@wizendweaver]

Are the microphone positions editable as it plays or are they fixed once slid in position? If so, how?

[@DMIXMusic]

They are editable as it plays, however when turning microphone signals on you need to give it time to load in to RAM.

[@dbo514]

I really like your vibe man you should make more workflow type videos like this

[@DMIXMusic]

Thanks - I definitely want to!

[@robertrust]

I actually think the solo viola in the BBCSO Pro is one of the best parts. The tone is excellent.

[@DMIXMusic]

Yes - The leaders are surprisingly good!

[@bean27ish]

I'm curious what do you use for brass if this isn't your first choice 🤔

[@DMIXMusic]

I use a combo of JXL and Century Brass.

[@bean27ish]

@@DMIXMusic thank you very much 😊

[@nathandingle3565]

@@DMIXMusic does synchron brass, strings, woodwinds not rate high for you ?

[@DMIXMusic]

@@nathandingle3565 Never tried them! Usually too expensive and I always miss the sales.