What Orchestral Libraries I Would Buy if I Started Over

[@michaelhollman9470]

Thank you for taking the time to make this video. I find it to be very helpful!

[@DIDCHOI]

You're welcome! Glad it helped!

[@csm120]

Thank you for this video! I personally like the Spitfire Studio Orchestra. In addition to those orchestral libraries I's add Project SAM's Swing! and Swing More!, they sound great for jazz and many other purposes

[@DIDCHOI]

Yeah, for jazz stuff, I've heard great things. Sample Modelling is also awesome for jazz stuff. How do you find the Studio brass and strings? I have the winds and thought they were okay, but not super either. Curious about the divisi patches and stuff though

[@StevenVrancken]

thank you, very informative! You talk about Berlin Woodwinds as the best vst you ever played, for woodwinds. But you never mention their string libraries. I'm looking to buy a string library, symphonic, and when I study the walkthroughs of different one, including 8dio, Spitfire, VSL, Strezov Sampling (they do amazing stuff!) - but what seems to stick out to me is Berlin Symphonic Strings - they seem so versatile, with many different mic setups, and a fairly dry sound as well if you know how to mix and produce/integrate/layer it with other libraries. So I just wonder, what you think of the string vst's of Orchestral Tools. They also offer a 40% EDU discount, which is generous I think. Cheers and keep it up!

[@DIDCHOI]

Hey! I don’t mention Berlin Strings only cause I haven’t had the opportunity to try them! But judging from the winds and the one horn patch I bought, I’m sure it is quite awesome! I’d love to layer them with CSS if I get them in the future. They’re definitely on my watchlist (though I have too many strings to justify the purchase for now). Though I think I’d go for the regular strings over the symphonic for some more versatility and layerability personally!

[@StevenVrancken]

@@DIDCHOI thank you for answering my question! I appreciate. Their regular strings are even more expensive I believe (over 800$), so I might go for their Symphonic Strings, for about 540$ - with EDU discount there's a 40% off. And these have amazing legatos, and several other amazing capabilities, like transitions towards different articulations without the need of having to program key switches. When I have them, I'll let you know if you are interested.

[@DennisCaunce]

I did BBCSO Pro + Cinebrass Core and Pro. I added a few other supplemental libraries like Abbey Road One, Palette, Spitfire Studio Woodwinds and Chris Hein Compact Orchestra.

[@DIDCHOI]

That’s a pretty good set!!

[@PeterRosaDK]

What an excellent video! I wish that it existed when I started out. Luckily, my current setup is almost identical to your ideal orchestra, but sadly, I’ve picked up a lot of mediocre libraries along the way. I especially got way too many choir libraries before I settled with Strezov. I’m missing the perfect woodwind library, though. Like many others, I was hoping that CSW was the library to end all libraries, but it looks like I have to start saving for Berlin. Hoping for a deal when OT converts BWW to SINE.

[@jameseverett4976]

OT rarely has sales, and never on most libraries. I waited years for a sale on their string runs, but never happened, so I finally plunk down my hard earned money and turns out it's not as easy as the video makes it out to be. The volume is sorely missing as well. I guess I need a volume booster of some kind to make it loud enough to play with other libraries.,

[@maplefoxx6285]

Altiverb 7 can fix those dry libraries to have them sit in a mix with wet libraries. It is in my wishlist for next winter's purchases. It is the most expensive reverb, they travelled the world to record famous spaces to create this plugin. It is the best. I know someone that has this. Nice video, I notice there are not many ppl using Forzo, but it sounds amazing from the reviews I have seen, maybe because it has less instruments? It was recorded at Skywalker Studios, it sounds really good. was thinking of getting it next week. Also, A lot of ppl forget that BBC discovery free orchestra has a good percussion section. I use that for now with Timpani from VSCO and Taiko Drums for Sforzando by Christian Collins, they are free, There is a free cymbal woosh library also for Sforzando player. And i can't forget, Sine player has a free percussion library that is really good. It has Gran Cassa, Toms, cymbals, and lots of other stuff.

[@DIDCHOI]

Yup totally! Altiverb will do wonders. BUT, I don't know if I want to spend more than the amount of the dry libraries on a reverb. But even then it doesn't sound quite as nice as a real space. Yup lots of great free stuff out there!

[@maplefoxx6285]

@@DIDCHOI ikr, Altiverb is a big decision when purchasing a reverb plugin.. Eventide Reverb is on a very good sale right now, another one of the best reverbs. Thank you for the replies. I will stay watching all your videos, I just want to keep learning all I can.

[@MartinBergnerGuitar]

Brilliant review! I'm doing an extensive research for quite a while now and agree with a lot you say! Honestly when it comes to writing and notating then Noteperformer is absolutely simple and brilliant. I was trying to use the EW Composer Cloud but the entire thing was pretty much unusable for me cause it's way to complex when you first start out and maybe dont even have a template... additionally the volume of the patches is inconsistent so working via keyframes is a real pain in the butt... after about 2 months of tryharding and not really getting anywhere i gave up on it (not to mention the mediocre sound & terrible Play interface). However the extra sounds and choirs you get with the cloud are def worth a thought for the pricing and some people really like the brass too!

[@DIDCHOI]

For sure. I just got a EW subscription for school and I’m finding it pretty good and comprehensive for the price, but lacking compared to other libraries. NotePerformer is by far the easiest to get decent results but it isn’t quite a pro sound either

[@tomaspalazzi]

I know it's not your preference, but what DRY libraries would you recommend or you like the sounds based on demos and reviews?

[@DIDCHOI]

VSL and LASS are some of the best I can think of. Sample modelling recently did a live strings vs their strings comparison and it was difficult to tell which was which too. Video about that coming soon.

[@jesussaddle]

@@DIDCHOI I would like to see you talk about Sample Modeling's string libraries.

[@welchomestudio]

The VSL libraries are so good I'm surprised you hardly mentioned or actually use them. They're dry, yes, but that means you can wet them to your liking with good reverbs. And their Synchron Player is by far the best I've ever used. So much better than Kontakt (in my opinion, of course). Otherwise, good choices in your list.

[@DIDCHOI]

Oh yes! Did I not mention them at all? I probably did at some point in passing, but it's cause it's a fairly different route. Dry vs Wet. It's for sure a valid and excellent set up, but as I mention in the video, I personally prefer the wet setups and I'm not a fan of mixing dry with wet. Using 100% dry would probably be fine, but it's also more work and potentially heavier on the CPU so I just find it easier to stick with wet ;)

[@jesussaddle]

@@DIDCHOI And I think when something starts out life that dry, maybe it lacks the harmonic content that can be enhanced by reverb later (vs something that doesn't need reverb like Albion / Air Studios. I've listened to the new Synchron stuff and the older stuff and it reminds me a bit of Kirk Hunter in that respect - the dry made wet path isn't my cup of tea for symphonic stuff - violins are just too cat-scratchy to not be considered tonally (acoustic considerations, not just reverberation but also absorption).

[@HOBBITSODYSSEY]

@@DIDCHOI the Vsl Synchron Woodwinds are wet....all the Synchron series are, and the brass is the best I heard.😃

[@marknyberg1884]

I don’t use Rosetta all native on MacBook Pro 14 getting 105 midi tracks

[@eylam9690]

If you are going to get BBCSO, do get the core version. You mostly likely won't need 1450 different mic positions that will take up 600+GB on your disk, speaking from experience.

[@DIDCHOI]

I agree. This was made before there was a CORE, PRO, and Discover I believe, but I think Core is amazing for the price (especially on sale) and is a great starting point, then build out from there. Pro is only really needed if after expanding and really using core a lot, you find that you love BBCSO's sound and want a little extra. Otherwise, you can find better leader strings, aux winds, and colourful articulations in other libraries

[@michaelft78]

The Shawshank mock up was fabulous…. I have been struggling with CSS and Tableau Chamber strings in terms of getting them to play in time….. and using keyswitches messes everything up. Do you have a favorite library where keyswitching doesn’t create some playback issues?

[@emanuel_soundtrack]

6:08 i feel like this

[@grailgnosticism2342]

One trick might be to use the library you most regret buying and write a piece using only that library, as if it was the only one in existence. To deliberately restrict options. But i guess you could allow yourself the use of Sound Toys VSTs to mangle and distort, which is a real big cheat, if you think about it.

[@jesussaddle]

I think 2 months later in April they had Opus and East West Hollywood Orchestra Opus Edition. Did you ever hear from anyone who tried it? If not I'm a guinea pig now.

[@marknyberg1884]

I have a lot of spitfire library’s bbc core studio orchestra and all originals plus SA and native instruments

[@janvanek_3yy3]

Regarding solo instruments: what do you think about Chris Hein Solo string instruments?

[@DIDCHOI]

Haven’t had the opportunity to try them unfortunately. Would love to though, have heard great things

[@janvanek_3yy3]

They seem fantastic. One thing I am afraid of is playability...

[@michaelft78]

Great stuff… love your honesty and delivery…. No mention of VSL …. Any reason?

[@DIDCHOI]

Just cause I’m mostly using wet libraries and I believe I mentioned that I found it hard to blend the artificially wet libraries with true wet ones

[@TheCoolj1212]

I'm curious to know what you think of the Berlin Woodwinds Soloist 1 library. I've been trying to decide to either buy the berlin woodwinds soloist bundle now or wait for a black friday sale for CSW (since it'll likely be 30-40% off). Nice video btw. The presentation was very good and I always like to hear other composer's thoughts and processes in making music.

[@DIDCHOI]

I was in a pretty similar situation last year around this time actually hahah. CSW hadn't been released, but I was debating if I should get the Soloists as an upgrade from SStW. You should understand that the Soloist library is built specifically for solos. It can definitely be used as a wind section, but because it's only one dynamic layer, you might find it limiting. The one layer works great for soloistic writing, but might lack the intensity and variance for section writing. I had the Studio Winds so I could have used a mix of the two to get the sound I wanted. Do you have another wind library? If not, I think I'd go with CSW at Black Friday. Love the CS series, just heard some phasing issues in the winds occasionally, but hopefully a future update will get those kinks out soon. Last year, I was fortunate to have Berlin Winds at 50% off for Black Friday, so I pounced!

[@TheCoolj1212]

@@DIDCHOI OK, thanks. Yeah I'll likely just wait. I do have BBCSO Core but feel like the woodwinds are a bit lacking in my taste. So, I would need something for more solo approaches as well as ensembles. I'm now realizing that this library comparison thing will be an unending battle lol. Thanks for the response.

[@JL-ol9rh]

The garritan is the best piano vst.

[@DIDCHOI]

Haven’t tried it before. Happy with CinePiano myself though~

[@davidnelson3602]

the woodwinds in the new east west opus engine and platinum are amazing try it out

[@DIDCHOI]

Haven’t tried the platinum, but the gold stuff is decent. Think Berlin and CSW are better, but EW is totally usable too

[@michaelft78]

Great stuff! Love your honesty and delivery…. You don’t mention any VSL libraries… any reason why?

[@DIDCHOI]

Thanks! Guess they're too dry for my tastes as I mention, I prefer the medium wet libraries.

[@davidnelson3602]

do you have the east west diamond platinum library ? it is amazing all mic positions and it is a subscription which is great because it so bloody expensive

[@DIDCHOI]

I don’t have it. Been using some of the opus stuff recently and it’s pretty nice stuff for the cost. There are definitely some weaknesses, but in the hands of someone experienced, you can get some amazing results for sure!

[@riosdeaguaviva721]

Saludos desde México Gracias por el aporte.

[@tomaszbilecki4388]

What do You thing about Bohemian Violin from Virharmonics?

[@DIDCHOI]

Hi, I haven't used it so I can't comment. But I've heard great things!

[@jesussaddle]

I have the Cello and it really is pretty amazing. I can't quite control it for rapid fire passages though, but its "Bohemian" so its more of an expressive instrument. It plays wonderfully (the thing choosing articulations is called the Performer)..

[@milkteaoftheyear]

If I can go back in time I would buy btc/doge and just no brain buy every plugins..

[@DIDCHOI]

LOL, true

[@edwardmacnab354]

Wet ? Dry ? I have no idea what you're talking about .

[@rowegardner9673]

He’s talking about how much reverb a library has baked in to the recordings due to the space it was recorded in and the way it was recorded. Hope this helps!