String Library Comparison: CSS vs. Berlin Strings

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[@soundsilence1872]

Chris, I think your left headphone is in your right ear and your right headphone is in your left ear ;-) Only reason I noticed is because in this video you mentioned the violins being panned right, when they are panned left. That's when I looked at your headphones and noticed the volume slider on your right side. Volume slides almost always indicate the left headphone :)

[@23Alchemist23]

Hey Christopher, i own First Chairs by Orchestral Tools, i have been looking at CS Solo Strings. Is it a worthy addition that will get a lot of use. I like the seamless integration with FC with Berlin strings and other libraries. The legatos sound great with CS solo which is pushing me to the purchase

[@ChristopherSiu]

Hi Peter, great to see you here! I think that naturally, the solo strings recorded in Teldex should blend seamlessly with Berlin Strings, while CSSS has no trouble blending and giving more detail to CSS. Hope that helps! And yes, the legatos in both libraries are very good.

[@craig8059]

Peter, did you ever end up buying CSS and or CSSS and if so, how do you like them for producing your fantasy style music?

[@HugoPaulo]

Hi Chris! How do you think Cinestrings compares to these?

[@mikeymusic_rm]

I'm looking to pickup one of these soon. Thanks!

[@gkgyver]

Berlin Strings is brilliant for realistic sounding divisi. I thought at first Berlin Strings was just a really good ensemble library, but when I realized it had smaller sections for more nuanced writing, I instantly wanted it.

[@ChristopherSiu]

Good point!

[@mr_don_key]

for the css legatos you need to use the advanced legato (like you wrote in the text too :P ), it's much better than the standard. Also for fast runs, you need to use the mercato legato: no overlay)

[@grumpymonkey2168]

Nice. Has the CSS legato delay been an issue? I'm a Logic user looking at getting CSS, but worried that the legato delay could be a drag on my workflow.

[@ChristopherSiu]

Herdnore Bontflex Honestly it’s never bothered me. I just try to compensate by playing before the beat, and whichever ones I didn’t do right are an easy drag fix.

[@grumpymonkey2168]

Thanks Christopher.

[@MikeBurnsArrangedAccidents]

I know I'm supposed to notice, but I never do.

[@robertbarner7626]

Nice comparison. I actually used to just use the mix setting for CSS. But now I do more dramedy, so I like more of the close mic in the mix to create more intimacy.

[@joanna439]

Is dramedy better than horredy or do you think epicedy would be more interesting than romaticedy? I love dramedy! Thanks man.

[@Dirk_Ehlert]

Nice overview Christopher. Actually Berlin goes to silence as well, when you activate the Niente function in the patch settings. Cheers

[@ChristopherSiu]

Hey Dirk! Thanks for the correction; I realized that shortly after recording. My bad!

[@gabrield.cstoica1832]

Hey Cris...muy buen video...y muy buena comparación entre las librerías...bravo. Tengo una pregunta para ti y me gustaría que me hecharas una mano..cual entre tantas librerías de cuerdas me puedes recomendar? Berlin strings,spitfire symphonic strings o otras de las que hay...? Muchas gracias

[@nine96six]

Nice Overview. Keep in Touch.

[@damiangarcia285]

string ensemble is better?

[@kurttomlinsoncompositions1067]

One thing that really bugs me about css is the vibrato can be sometimes too overpowering, especially in the high dynamics. I know you can turn it down with cc2 but as soon as you transition to a new note, it’s as if the vibrato turns up all the way again. I’m going to try what you are doing here but with Hollywood strings and see how that sounds!

[@ChristopherSiu]

Kurt Tomlinson | Compositions Good point Kurt. That’s really what makes CSS more of a specialized library; it’s known for its strong and lush vibrato. Good luck with HS!

[@Nicdehouwer]

Again. Good stuff

[@hansm.andersen2542]

Okay so you using a Mac in this video, but you also got a workstation Mac right? Is it the Mac Pro? How nuch Ram you got on that and how much would you say someone should have?

[@ChristopherSiu]

Hans M. Andersen I use an IMac, with 64gb RAM. I think 16gb is the minimum you should have to work comfortably.

[@YoungBlaze]

@@ChristopherSiu 32 would ideal if you are really gonna go hard!

[@ardieson4542]

awesome overview!

[@J-A-Music]

Great comparison! For runs in CSS I use the marcato articulation. Works great with that in my opinion.

[@ChristopherSiu]

Jonathan Altenmüller Music Thanks Jonathan! I’ll try that from now on.

[@robertbarner7626]

Great, and I'll try that also.

[@YoungBlaze]

I really love 8dios strings adagio strings i think its called

[@RogwinMusic]

Can they be used with MOTU Digital Performer? Thanks for the video.

[@NebulonRanger]

Does Digital Performer support the VST spec? Kontakt, the plugin that hosts these libraries, is a VSTi.

[@philippeheritier9364]

Normally you can't use the same articulation for fast movements.

[@kyfisher3662]

can you do a Amadeus vs Cinematic Studio Strings?

[@ChristopherSiu]

Ky Fisher Hi, unfortunately I don’t own Amadeus, so I can’t make that comparison.

[@thomasvinelli]

Have you checked out the Hans Zimmer strings from spitfire

[@ChristopherSiu]

thomas vinelli Hey Thomas, no I haven’t. No need for those so far!

[@bolozulabolozula2934]

Chris and what do You think about CS2 vs CSS? Why did You buy CSS not CS2?

[@saboo_tage]

That Kontakt sidebar is suuuch a flex

[@ChristopherSiu]

XD

[@martinh.4660]

Legato, as interpreted in CSS, is like glide on a synth, so it wouldn't make any sense to play fast runs with legato on as some have hinted at in the comments.

[@woodsguides]

Use the Marcato patch instead for fast passages / runs

[@RickyMoss]

Is CSS a product of Native Instruments? I see it in the Kontakt Player

[@ChristopherSiu]

Nope, from Cinematic Studio Series!

[@HSTRTGMS]

Can you plug in notes on a digital music staff to compose with either of these, rather than using any kind of midi device whatsoever?

[@ChristopherSiu]

Hi Adam, I don’t have experience with that, so I cannot say, unfortunately.

[@HSTRTGMS]

Christopher Siu thank you so much for your reply!

[@marvinschluckauf6783]

No! Sorry. :(

[@NebulonRanger]

Alex Wallbank (author of the Cinematic Studio Series) specifically says in the library FAQs that they aren't designed for notation use.

[@krzakson8]

would you choose CSS over CineStrings?

[@nandoflorestan]

Definitely. CineStrings uses all available CPU for no reason at all. It is also incapable of a firm attack on the violins, so you cannot play something alternating legato and staccato such as the Carnival of Venice... The sound is beautiful in both, but the programming in CineStrings makes it unusable. I wish I could sell it to you.

[@krzakson8]

@@nandoflorestan Thank you very much for answer, however if i would buy any string library now, 1 year later it would be either Berlin Strings or stuff from Performance Samples

[@conforzo]

My non-legato patches in CSS are really buggy. They only work when start playing a sample with full vibrato and then switch to non-vib with midi controller, and legato playing falls apart with non-vib. Are these bugs or are they supposed to work this way?

[@YoungBlaze]

If you change your profile picture, ill tell you

[@markdavenport2613]

Is it just me or does it seem like at 8:03 the Berlin cello loses it's ensemble sound when playing faster phrases and more like a solo instrument where CSS retains it's ensemble sound? I'be been considering orchestral tools, and this throws me a little.

[@aiden_macleod]

If there's too much RAM being eaten by the library, then purge the unused samples. Simple.

[@DS-fi4hf]

Hey Chris! You can actually unload the articulations in CSS to save some ram. Great comparison video, btw!

[@ChristopherSiu]

m fox Hey Mike, thanks for sharing!

[@ThePublimark]

CSS is great, with warm sound and very cinematic, but with high strings, -they're good- Berlin library is better and natural. When you played by sections, I think Berlin is more realistic as a symphonic. Depends on the project you're working on. Both are great, and I can see you're in love with CSS.

[@steverobinson9965]

Watched, subbed and liked, great work. Now, for my review (Muhahaha) Now, I know I might get some flak for this but despite what everyone says I find CSS to be one of the most useless libraries on the market. And because of this I don't even think it comes close to Berlin Strings. Here's why, CSS sounds amazing there's no doubt about that BUUUUUT, the thing is, with legato that luscious, it should only be used in small passages every now and again because if it is not then after awhile it will get really annoying. It's like that one cellist at a recording session who insist they play slur or portamento on every single note only to find themselves quickly out of a gig. But seriously, it should only be used in short passages as to not overbear the listener. Now this brings me to the second reason of why it can't stand against Berlin strings. Reason number 2. CSS is so wet even with reverb turned off that the only way it'll really blend is if it's volume is turned down lower than the lib or recording it's trying to blend with. OR you can drench the other libs in verb to try to match CSS. Thus giving your mixing engineer a nice pile of mud to play with. It'll run excellent for underscores tho. Now, Berlin strings has many advantages but in this instance i'll only state one. Berlin Strings comes with non legato patches aswell as legato...... CSS was $400 I spent on a special bow library. Berlin strings is 840 which is more expensive but it comes with much more articulations thus allowing you to score in many orchestral styles. CSS, I feel robbed because I can only use it in one style lol. But this concludes MY findings I had from my own experience. CSS is awesome but not 400 dollar awesome. Berlin is awesome but will eat your ram to hell. Neither library hold a candle to what I run now. I use Auddict's united strings of europe as a underlayer if I have layered more than 5 viola, celli, ect. USOE runs quietly like glue in the background as I layer it with Embertone's solo strings, Cinesamples solo strings, Josh bell violin, Chris hein solo strings, Spitfire solo strings, Berlin Strings first chairs, Spitfire string Quartet, EW Symphonic strings (Believe it or not lol) I make my own ensembles as big or as small as I want from these solo libs. I create whatever articulation I may need in divisi and ensemble. Large or small. Cello section, Violin 1 section, Violin 2 section, Viola section, Double bass section, longs, shorts, ect. And add a bit of Altiverb and EW Spaces 2. I sometimes use Parallax audio's virtual soundstage in case there is any phasing issues. Normally it's the Chris Hein solo's that will have these phase problems when doubled or something but it's no problem after Vsoundstage. NOW, I do not recommend my setup unless you have thousands of dollars to spend. The results will be unreal but it's no good if your wallet can't handle it. I'd recommend any 96gb ram or higher workstation server.

[@almalaga3924]

css give a lot of problem loading patches consuming 100 per cent of hd even in the best ssd...wich is the one ive got..so useless...nothing compared with berlin strings

[@rjkral]

Heck with faster runs it sounded like CSS had NO legato. Sounded terrible here

[@woodsguides]

The technique is to use the marcato patch instead.

[@cylehendricks8892]

I find CSS to be unusable when using sustain/legatos because of the hissing noise that builds up. The shorts I love though

[@jpilot07]

The bass hate has got to stop lol

[@vahnnehyda]

Run string on legato mode ? On CSS you have to change to Marcato mode when you play fast, please Always learn your VST's before you start making music or video.

[@ChristopherSiu]

Yep, recorded this before I was aware of it! :)

[@soundsilence1872]

Both libraries sound unnatural in different ways. CSS is too edited and is dull. Berlin is sloppily edited and harsh.

[@bengsynthmusic]

This is just a quick riffing. Quick riffs don't show how much capable they are. Orchestral libraries are super delicate. They need to be handled by a proper expert to bring out the best in them.

[@Noneoftheabove]

you keyboard knocking sound is annoying.

[@chrischoir3594]

Good video but not impressed by these at all

[@ChristopherSiu]

Chris Choir Thanks for watching Chris. Are there strings you prefer?

[@chrischoir3594]

@@ChristopherSiu Well lately I have been using Bohemian Violin and Cello as well as VSL solos and layering in Various other libs like LASS and NI Session. This allows faster more responsive performances. I like Berlin but it is too sluggish and laid back

[@aiden_macleod]

@@chrischoir3594 Berlin's are too sluggish and laid back? You mean, compared to Native Instruments' library?

[@chrischoir3594]

@@aiden_macleod Which NI lib are you referring to ?? there are several.

[@aiden_macleod]

@@chrischoir3594 The same one you mentioned in your comment. I tried them and found them to be a buggy mess, eg: when using double bass I had to reset the audio engine everytime I used any notes below C2, because the sample would continue playing after the other instruments stopped. I'd call that pretty damned sluggish if you ask me.

[@thegoodgeneral]

Taking audio advice from someone recording using an Apple EarPod microphone? No thanks. Use some of that crazy library money for at least a Yeti or something.

[@ChristopherSiu]

Yeah, who does he think he is? Sheesh.

[@The300ZXGuru]

this sounds midi for both. sounds computerizzed, you need real strings like Spitfire. But Spitfire is very expensive.

[@The300ZXGuru]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/b563o5RonpuGeJI

[@handznet]

Spitfire? Meh...

[@bengsynthmusic]

Keep in mind he's just doing a demo here. When properly orchestrated they sound pretty real. These two titans are better than anything Spitfire.

[@user-hv3ku4nn7u]

看起来像个中国人啊

[@GratDuForloradeArgumentet]

I have CSS, I don't like it because of the delay :) It's so annoying to me, so I don't use them anymore. They sound very good though, but a bit too dark for my taste. Berlin strings sounds awsome, but I cannot afford it. Maybe in the future i'll buy their pack with all of them 😄

[@ChristopherSiu]

Fair!

[@GratDuForloradeArgumentet]

@@ChristopherSiu But if they fixed CSS delay in the new version, maybe it's worth!