Spitfire BBCSO Core In-Depth Part 1: Strings & Interface

[@confuzen-su4oq]

Thank you so much. I own this library and have watched tons of content on it, but you highlight and explain things nobody else have done - including spitfire. 🙏🏻 Liked. Subscribed. Notifications = on. 👍🏻

[@SamuFL]

Thank you very much for the feedback. I do my best to share my experiences with you 😅

[@MartinJG100]

One of the best BBCSO Core reviews I have watched.

[@SamuFL]

Wow! Thank you so much. There are quite a few good reviews out there ... 😊

[@CraigRodmellMusic]

Hi Samuel. It was interesting hearing your take on Core. Me, I find the biggest nuisance in Core is the different volume levels in some of the articulations. However, no library of this sort (especially at this price level) is going to be perfect. To me, Core is no different from any other instrument: you have to LEARN to play it, learn what it can do and what it can't do. Personally, I cannot say enough good things about Core, despite its shortcomings. It has given me - a hobbyist composer - my own private orchestra, whose sole job is playing whatever I tell it to play. What a luxury! Even at the normal price, it's still very good value for money, but as you said, the trick is to get in when they have the sales. I got it August last year in their Winter Sale (I don't call it a Summer Sale if it's the middle of Winter!) It is making possible the dreams of a lifetime. One of those dreams is to play Bartok's 3rd Piano Concerto with an orchestra. I did get to play it, when I was in my 20s, but not with an orchestra. Now that I have my own orchestra (Core), I'm doing it. It's a massive undertaking. I've been working on it - off and on - since February, and I'm probably only about half way through. But it's been immensely satisfying, and along the way, I've learned a lot about using Core, and a lot about my DAW (Cakewalk by Bandlab). I look forward to the upcoming episodes on the other sections.

[@SamuFL]

Hi Craig. I cannot express how thankful I am about BBCSO Core. It's an affordable yet pristine product. And, as you said, it allows me to have my personal, great sounding orchestra at command to express myself and be creative with (almost) the full emotional impact of a symphony orchestra (almost, because live performing musicians will always be better than any midi mockup). Still, I can't get my head around the string legatos at higher velocities 😅 -- Spitfire Audio must be aware of this, right? Just like the volume differences across the articulations. In this light, I think it's important to understand what it is great at - providing a full symphonic orchestra with a pristine sound - and where you have to live with some draw-backs, such as volume inconsistencies and "playability". It makes me go into the midi roll and spend quite a bit of time tuning things until I'm actually happy with the sound. Hence, my relationship with BBCSO: It's the best investment into a library I've made - by far. But, there are also some things that keep annoying me. I guess, as with any good relationship, one has to learn to adjust to the mannerisms of the "partner". I wish you all the best with your project. It's indeed a big challenge -- I would love to hear you play. So, let me know in case you have something you feel comfortable sharing!

[@CraigRodmellMusic]

@@SamuFL Don't worry, I will when it is finished. I myself have been deliberately seeking out and listening to music that other people have made using Core. (That's how I found this channel). I have heard some wonderful music, most of which would not have existed at all without Core. Yes, a live professional symphony orchestra will ALWAYS sound better than a MIDI mockup. But that's the thing - 99% of composers don't have access to a symphony orchestra, and this is where products like BBCSO Core come in. My theory is that a very wise person at Spitfire saw a marketing opportunity in hobbyist composers like myself that (at the time) was not being catered for, and they brought out a product - Core - that filled that opportunity. It's not perfect (it lacks things like a Cor Anglais, Bass Clarinet and String Solo players) but it fills that marketing opportunity very well. The day after I bought Core, I wrote to Spitfire expressing my heartfelt thanks, and how Core was making possible the dreams of a lifetime.

[@lawrencewebster3420]

Some really useful tricks and tips here. You’ve picked up on quite a few things I didn’t know. As a hobbyist producer of orchestral mock ups, I can’t justify (nor do I need) the extra mic positions and instruments of the Pro version. I agree with your comments on the irritating attack on the legato patches and the inconsistent levels between articulations but quite enjoy the challenge of trying to work around these issues. Thanks for putting this video together.

[@msoundz]

Great presentation. I'm beginning to understand it's important to spend considerable time with a new library, as if learning any other instrument. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

[@charliemcgrain]

Gotta use the volume fader to take the front off that violin attack.

[@danielrennie8444]

You earned yourself a new sub, sir! I really want to get this library myself, but unfortunately lack the funds and sufficient hardware to run it (I need a newer MacBook first lol). I’ve watched tons of reviews on this library, but this is definitely one of the best I’ve seen. Much appreciated and thank you!!!

[@SamuFL]

Wow. That is really nice feedback. Thank your very much - very glad you appreciated it!

[@eagletown8977]

Great video. I’m really considering getting Core. Sounds like a great option for a fairly comprehensive library

[@SamuFL]

It is a very good library. If you have a chance to get in on sale, I think it's also a very good deal - as in value for buck. It's a great starting point for orchestral sounds. Some alternative you might want to look at is e.g., Audio Imperia's Nucleus and/or Spitfire Audio's Albion One. Nucleus has a bit more of a "cinematic" sound while BBCSO has a more symphonic sound. Albion One has a different philosophy: Instead of giving you full control over instrument sections, it gives you ensembles and pre-orchestrated patches. That is very useful for quick media compositions.

[@adammassacre4715]

I have this library and it sounds incredible my only downside is the attack is way to long. When using long strings sometimes i like to have a faster attack to play notes that are tight and close but its slow and to me there is no way to adjust this. EDIT: After watching more on this video a lot more has been made clear on how to better use this library :)

[@charliemcgrain]

Yes, Core is good as long as you buy PRO. You have got to have good leaders, legatos and close mics to make something sound real. I use the Symphonic Strings, Brass and Woods that I already owned to augment Core, so Core is fine for me. And the free templates are brilliant. However, if you are just starting out and you are serious then you need the Pro version. But, don't forget, once you buy Core, they take that money into account when you upgrade so you can do it in steps. Get Core, enjoy Core, save up another 500, then upgrade to Pro. The you do not need anything else for orchestra composing.

[@SamuFL]

Thank you very much for sharing your insights. Always good to share experiences with the community. Thank you very much.

[@lexlexlex007]

Hi. How do you deal with timing in high velocity (over 90) spiccato/staccato? The samples play a weird rhythm even when the notes are snapped to the grid. Adjusting it manually by ear takes a lot of time.

[@SamuFL]

Yes, one of the biggest weaknesses of BBCSO is the lacking consistency in the programming. I don't know why, but Spitfireaudio just doesn't get the consistency of their libraries at the same level as some competitors. So, I do mingle with the midi quite a bit. It takes time to craft a midi file that will make the mockup shine.

[@lexlexlex007]

@SamuFL Thank you for your response.

[@rhymevara]

Hi Samuel ,great video , i own this library BBC CORE, but im a beginer composer ,im still learning, coul you give us the chance to download the midi data(stems) in that way we can study and analise the orchestration in the DAW.

[@SamuFL]

Hi. I am afraid these specific midis would not be super useful to you, as I am using a bit of a custom set-up since the demo is taken from one of my projects. But, I am thinking of creating some sample projects using BBCSO only, that would rely on standard configuration. Still rather an idea, though, no fixed release date.

[@EnrizeStockMusic]

Am i the only one but spiccato and staccato on the celli in this library sounds exactly the same?

[@SamuFL]

The staccato IS a bit lucher than the spiccato. But you are right, they are very similar. In other libraries you will find a bit more of a distinction. The "play feeling" is a bit different, though.