What's In My Template Pt 4: Strings

Part 4 of my favorite libraries in my template: Strings!
0:00 Start
0:29 Full Strings Combo Demo
4:18 Intro
4:53 Cinematic Strings 2
7:08 Cinematic Strings 2 Examples
10:52 Cinematic Studio Strings
14:07 Cinematic Studio Strings Examples
17:52 CineStrings Solo
19:13 CineStrings Solo Examples
22:58 Cinematic Studio Strings Solo
23:41 Cinematic Studio Strings Solo Examples
27:26 Symphobia
28:14 CineStrings Runs
28:49 Spitfire
31:03 Other String Examples
35:33 Berlin Strings
36:09 Adagio Strings
36:49 LASS
37:36 Hollywood Strings
37:54 CineStrings
40:15 Conclusion
Libraries Mentioned:
Cinematic Strings 2 (by ‪@cinematicstudioseries2985‬)
Cinematic Studio Strings (by Cinematic Studios Series)
Cinematic Studio Strings Solo (by Cinematic Studios Series)
CineStrings Solo (by ‪@cinesamples.official‬)
Symphobia (by ‪@ProjectSAMCinematicSampling‬)
CineStrings Runs (by Cinesamples)
Tundra (by ‪@spitfireaudiollp‬)
Olafur Arnalds Series (by Spitfire Audio)
Mural (by Spitfire Audio)
Sable (by Spitfire Audio)
Albion Series (by Spitfire Audio)
CineStrings (by Cinesamples)
Berlin Strings (by Orchestral Tools)
Adagio Strings (by 8Dio)
LASS - LA Scoring Strings (by Audiobro)
Hollywood Strings (by EastWest)
More info about Anne-Kathrin Dern:
www.annedern-filmcomposer.com
imdb.me/annekathrindern
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne-Ka...
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/ equalitymusicprods
#samplelibrary #strings #template

[@kevinafflack]

thanks so much for taking the time to not only give your valued opinions but to add the sound samples as well. This will really save me a lot of time and option paralysis

[@Auddictaudio]

Great comparison/shootout

[@symphonist8707]

Thank you for sharing with us all this informaton so brilliantly! Coming from someone who is a composer, your perspectives seem highly convincing! Your videos are among the absolutely very best out there!

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

Thank you so much!

[@A.borealis]

i love cinestrings for the simplicity! and high string sounds is just magical

[@LeoRack]

I truly love the way you used the Cinematic Studio Strings samples for your musical demo. This is a rather underrated music library and I glad I have it.

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

I love it too! Though I never use it just by itself but it’s a great “bread and butter” type library.

[@alexmack7610]

Hey Anne, I spoke with CineSamples about your concerns with the CineStrings library, and they informed me that a major update is coming - "As for CineStrings Core - we actually do agree that there are many things about the library that are in desperate need of improvement. Because of this, I'm excited to let you know that we are working on a significant update for the library, CineStrings 2.0, with redone patches and a new user interface. This update will solve many of the problems and issues you're experiencing with the library. In addition, any current users of CineStrings Core will receive the update for free."

[@desoconnor7445]

Positive response to informed feedback is a plus in life well done for responding so effectively.🙏🏿🙏🎶

[@ObsessiveCostumingDude]

Thank you for these wonderful video about the various sample libraries you like and recommend. They're very helpful!

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

Glad you like them!

[@VHF.brunoverdoni]

Love your authenticity!

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

Thank you!

[@bobcarwell9172]

I don't know how I have somehow missed your presence, but THANK YOU for your tutorials. Strictly first rate, organized, and collectively something other composers are charging a fortune to access. I wish you continued success and please keep your tutorials coming !-

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

Thank you so much for your kind words! Providing free information from experience is my number one goal here.

[@TIBURON45]

Gorgeous

[@erhankolaycompositions]

Wow!!! This will be the most important episode of the series... I’m really excited to what I’m going to see!.. 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing your priceless information.

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

Thank you!

[@peter_xplr]

This is an extremely valuable video and series! Thank you very much for it!

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you for watching!

[@DCPImages]

Beautiful review, Anne-Kathrin. Thank you for taking the time to do this :-)

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

Thanks for watching! Glad it was helpful!

[@psbsynthmusic]

Absolutely helpful review and thoughts. I especially like your comparisons between various aspects of these libraries. Articulations, resonant characteristics, emotional and interpretive aspects of their sonic qualities, etc. etc. You definitely helped me to choose the library I've been looking for. Thanks for all these real-life examples. They definitely helped as well. Subscribed !

[@gonzalozubillaga9341]

Great Stuff!!!Thank you!

[@GertoHeupink]

FEARLESS .... Magnificent Composition. You're a Fantastic Composer

[@CrystiloMusic]

Thanks for making this video! Finding a good String Library is always very Hard. I also have Cinematic Strings 2, And i love the sound of its medium sized instrument sections, it works well with other libraries as well.

[@pulseobsidian]

What an amazing video! Thank you so much for sharing all these! have been looking for different libraries and this helped so much! i truly appreciate all the videos are you positing. they are helping me greatly to discover more than i could imagine! thank you! :)

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

Thanks for watching! I'm glad these are helpful!

[@TerenceKearns]

That was so cool. Thanks for sharing.

[@albertodelpuerto430]

3:21 I really love that. Anne, thanks for your videos.

[@Pianitara]

I am glad I found this. Thank you for sharing.

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

Thanks for watching!

[@danthoniwooten6890]

I love cinematic solo strings because of the warmth. Personally I love layering those with LASS and Spitfire’s Albion One, but honestly you’ve hit the nail on the head with Cinematic strings. They are gorgeous 💛 Thank you so much for making these videos and giving back to the scoring community, you have a true genuine heart for it! 🙏🏽

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

Thanks for watching! Glad this was helpful!

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

That a big heart or small heart? Lol

[@chessjames]

I've heard "travel far and wide" from the claus family soundtrack so many times that I immediately recognised the shorts at 3:33. Absolutely incredible and my fav piece you've written :D

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

Thank you so much! It was definitely a fun one to write!

[@jazzfirst6367]

Apart from your beautiful composing skills, you offer a ton of really useful info. Thanks for sharing!

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

Thanks for watching and for your kind words!

[@user-lh6rv3nn1w]

very emotional layers! Great! Really cool!

[@vintagepearlguitars]

I like the way you compose!

[@giscardrasquin4793]

Great video, thanks! Some amazing programming, sounds really good!

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

Thanks for watching!

[@danielg.2437]

I am a recent graduate in commercial music/film scoring. I cannot express how much I appreciate and trust your videos above every other composer and content creator. Your honesty and just like. Straightforward "what you use" "what you don't use" makes so much practical sense compared to other composers I've watched. Thanks so much

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

I’m glad this is helpful!

[@GroenalundMusic]

Amazing String Arrangements!

[@lattetown]

I'm going to have to checkout Cinematic Studio's Strings

[@HyperNova137]

I must have checked out every string library OTHER THAN Cinematic Strings before seeing this, but this really opened my eyes to what I've been missing... Even the old legacy version STILL sounds better than most of the more expensive libraries out there.

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

So many choices take a pick

[@gregorhuber758]

Thanks so much for your comments on string libraries. I also work with Cinematic Studio Strings among others, love the sound, but feel that with faster cues the short strings are not too accurate. I always have to add other strings, especially when I combine them with quantized percussive rhythms.

[@seanemmettfullerton]

Thank you Anne... indeed, finding sample libraries that actually work well via MIDI, have decent intonation and don't sound like feral cats in heat, is difficult -very difficult. If not for a couple of Spitfire things, I would have given up. Thanks for this! You're awesome :)

[@vicfirth1]

Your music is so good! Please do a video on how you go about writing!

[@Liberterry]

Vielen Dank für deine ehrliche Meinung, das war echt erfrischend in dem Wust an Marketing, das jede Bibliothek als das non plus ultra verkauft.

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

Haha, vielen Dank!

[@colinaiken]

Thanks!

[@jingleskhanaudioproductions]

1:45 that part is lovely!

[@Nick.Magnus]

Absolutely agree with you about CSS and CS2 - they've been my go-tos ever since they came out. One feature of CS2 that I really love is Runs Mode, which blends staccatissimo with half-tone trills to create a surprisingly believable 'blurring' effect, making fast runs and arpeggios come alive - great for those Harry Potter moments, and you're not restricted to pre-recorded runs. CSSS (solos) also provide excellent first chair 'focus' when carefully layered with CSS. I've also experimented layering CSS with Audio Modeling's SWAM solo strings. It's a lot more work to make them sit well - you can't just copy/paste parts like you can with CSS and CSSS, but with a fair wind (and a lot of patience) the results can be very good. Not ideal if you need to work quickly, though!

[@JoseOliveira-tl8jv]

LINDA VOCÊ! MARAVILHOSO STRINS!

[@roman_fedorchenko782]

Very nice 👍👍👍

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

Thank you!

[@dinoschachten]

My God! Cinematic Studio Strings sound REAL! Awesome.

[@Goldfishclown]

Watched, enjoyed, learned, subscribed. Thank you!

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

Glad you liked it!

[@damianwiecha8380]

8DIO strings COOL SOUND :) And LOVE hybrid sample library

[@fourier27]

Wonderful breakdown. Honest, straightforward and professional. As someone with very limited experience from composing dating back more than ten years, I've found it impossible to make sense of discounts and products when seeking to buy string libraries for this black week/day/month/whatever. I do find the sound of Tundra very appealing, but I'll hold off on that investment for now. Thank you for this, very helpful!

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

I'm glad you enjoyed this and found it helpful. Do keep in mind that it's just one person's opinion - other people might very much disagree with me.

[@MikeBurnsArrangedAccidents]

I had initial woes buying LASS in 2020. Then I ran it through C2 Audio's Precedence and that made it sound like it was playing from further away in a bigger room. Took the edge off the 1st violins. Working with it some more I found that it really shines with certain articulations like Marcato. And of course, it sounds much better, and IMO on par with the best libraries when sent to a really good hall reverb like Altiverb. You can mix it with anything and make it sound like almost anything. Haven't encountered any of the reported tuning issues in 2.5. One of the very few libraries that sounds at all good in mono because of the phase coherent recordings. I actually give Audio Imperia props for that as well. Areia is a wonderful library. Shorts in their all in one, Jaeger are supreme. I'm looking forward to Modern Scoring Strings, especially since I get a huge discount for owning LASS. MSS seems to have better performers than those who recorded LASS, with hopefully the same attention to detail regarding scripting and mic positions.

[@vincentnguyen537]

I am using CSS and CSSS too, hollywood strings and th whole Olafur Arnalds ... and I am agrree with all that what you said here, abolutely. Anne-Kathrin, thanks a lot for this Video!

[@stefankohl2703]

Danke für die Videos über die Kontakt Libraries und die Lord of the rings Mockups. Man spürt das sie das was sie tun mit Freude machen. Musikalitaet gepaart mit technischem Verstaendnis. Sie sind sehr talentiert. Wow!!! Good VIbes aus der alten Heimat!

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

Vielen Dank fuer die netten Worte!

[@scentline]

Thank you for all the honest and straight-forward library reviews, Anne! I just bought Berlin WW, Cineperc, and going to buy Cinematic Studio String series! I’ve spent so much money on some expensive libraries like HZ strings, Olafur Arnalds series, and Albion Series. I personally like them and really like their creative libs like London Contemporary Orchestra series, but didn’t use for my projects that much, because Spitfire libs sounds unique and it’s hard to blend with other companies’ libs. I’d like to get more core, practical, and fundamental libs: great sounding, CPU-light, expressive, and easy-to-use. I think those libs above that I purchased or will purchase are great choices! Thanks a lot for help again, Anne! Your videos ROCK! :)

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

I'm glad these were helpful to you. I think you'll have a great time with your new libraries - they really are the bread and butter of my template and are featured in all of my productions. You'll also find these 3 to blend very nicely, despite having been recorded in different rooms, and they are not too taxing on the system.

[@scentline]

@@AnneKathrinDernComposer Thanks, Anne! I an sure I will be super happy to put them in my template and play under my fingers! :) My another agony has been this question: How can I get rid of EW Composer Cloud subscription? Excpet the Hollywood Choir, Symphonic Choir, and several ethnic libs, I don’t feel much merit about it. And it takes so much room in my main drive and backup drive even though I don’t use most of the outdated sound and browsing/control concept. I’ll might get Fluffy Audio’s Dominus Choir standard, EW’s Silk. Ra, and Voice of Passion before the Cyber Monday sale will be over this week. Blessings to your music, business, health, and life, Anne!

[@cachelesssociety5187]

Some of that Cinematic Strings 2 stuff at around 9-11 - such great writing and editing!

[@ricardoayala2023]

A very nice and useful video for those like me that are learning about these libraries. I subscribe immediately. Big thanks.

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

I’m glad this is helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@ricardoayala2023]

@@AnneKathrinDernComposer....one question.....Have you tried the Audiobro Modern Scoring Strings library?

[@jaketanner109]

I love Cinestrings solo. Did a violin solo in verse 2 for a tune I have as part of my reel...Sounds damn good...(Egyptian inspired...perfect for this).

[@fazilsha77889]

i still use cinematic strings 2 ...FUll sus feels so good ... such a great lib

[@vadimmartynyuk]

LASS is my favorite for Legato Portamentos

[@alexandersparf]

I eyed CineStrings Core closely when it was released so many years ago, yet always avoided it for the allure of other string libraries. In the end, I wound up buying CineStrings Core and it turned out to be love at first sight. I just love the performances captured during the recording sessions for that library, warts and all. With an extra gold star for the "Spot" mics.

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

I actually want to give the latest update another test run. I've always liked the airy sound quality of it. My main gripe was always playability and the fact that it's such a heavy library.

[@diglyd]

@@AnneKathrinDernComposer I wanted to say thank you for your amazing, professional and honest review videos. They were really helpful in helping me come up with a roadmap of what to eventually get. NI is having a Cinesamples sale for the next 11 days and this was what brought me here as I was wondering who to go with for Strings, Brass and Percussion. Luckily you answered my questions. E/W is also releasing their next big update to their Play engine and Hollywood orchestra called Opus on the 20th of April so I was trying to figure out whether going the Composer Cloud route was a good option as well. Plus now there are also libraries like Abby Road by Spitfire and BBC Complete. Plus vendors like 8DIO have a bunch of stuff now as well. The market is getting kind of crowded. I've been trying to figure out what would be the best libraries to invest in to get as close as possible to that traditional Williams, Jerry Goldsmith or Basil Poledouris (Conan the Barbarian) epic score (but not trailer music) "feel". I've heard BBC and Abby Road are good for this but then I saw the Cinesampels sale and wasn't sure which direction to go in. Anyway thank you again for your informative videos and honest industry retrospective. I really appreciate it.

[@loudest-silence]

Additional information: When Anne talks about BML Mural (30:02) => this is now Spitfire Symphonic Strings. (BML) Sable is Spitfire Chamber Strings now. I have both. Tuning issues are present here and there but not as serious as in Spitfire Symphonic Brass in my opinion. I love the warmth of the ensemple patch in Spitfire Symphonic Strings and often layer it with Berlin Strings.

[@aleksamrkela831]

CSS is king. :D They have it all! Same goes for CSSS, natch. Another neat set of libraries are Adventure Strings and Soaring Strings from Musical Sampling. They're very well programmed and don't take up too much hard drive space, which can be a bonus for some!

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

Thanks for watching and for chiming in! I haven't had the opportunity to try out Adventure Strings and Soaring Strings but it's good to know they are also well programmed and not resource heavy. Thank you for the additional info!

[@rumar4u]

I considered Orchestral Tools and Cinematic Studio Strings, but went ahead with Audio Imperia, later with Spitfire Audio and now I finally found home in Vienna Symphonic Libraries.

[@MikeBurnsArrangedAccidents]

If I could go back in time, I'd have shelled out the 4K for the Vienna Borg Cube and called it a day. I do like Audio Imperia. Pan it however you want. Mix it with whatever you want. Areia and Jaeger just sound great. No Talos for me until trumpets get recorded.

[@celthyan-music1118]

I use most of the time Afflatus by Strezoz Sampling and it's, to me, by far the best sounding and playable string library. And it sounds a bit warmer and brighter than Cinematic Studio Strings but so close to it! Great video and comparisons ;)

[@georgeadel]

8Dio Anthology is a good library.. I blend it with CS2 or CSS it has a different character than both premium libraries CS2 and CSS.

[@focuspixvideoaudioservices68]

Love cinematic strings....auzzi guy...

[@Dandiel_]

Love layer albion 1, LASS, and symphone for those strong stacc sounds they sound so beefy! In the end CSS is king lol

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

Yes, I'd always advise people to layer string libraries in general, especially when going for a more produced "beefy" sound as you say. Thanks for watching and for chiming in!

[@ASX2001]

Die Steigerung ab 3:22 ist der Hammer - mit diesem Atmen/Break immer wieder, ziemlich genial, bevor es dann Wagner wird - das hätte ein eigenes Stück verdient, das sich noch weiter steigert, statt zu früh "zu kommen".

[@Dzineboy]

Vienna Symphonic Library is in a league of their own and the benchmark I judge all other orchestral sample libraries to regarding quality and realism. Audiobro’s new Modern Scoring Strings and Brass are amazing too. I agree with your thoughts on Spitfire. Their traditional sample orchestral libraries ( e.g., Symphonic, Studio, BBC, Abby) are ok, but nothing special. However, their specialty libraries like Alternative Solo Strings, London Contemporary Series, Fragile Strings, etc., are outstanding.

[@ScoringStageDe]

thanks for the nice comparison Anne. I might point out that Spitfire BML is an old library and has evolved to Spitfire Symphonic Strings. It sound great and has a very cool "performance patch" where you do not need to trigger the articulations but interpretes it from your playing style which is a great timesaver imho. So worth mentioning :-)

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

Yes, I'm aware of all of their current and discontinued libraries (and re-packaged libraries) but I can't comment on what I haven't tried. As mentioned before, I'm only going over what I have in my template currently and what I have used in the past as an assistant at other studios. People wanted to know what I use so I'm showing them before going over my template.

[@mofateam1]

I´ve become addicted watching your videos...and I´m not even working with orchestral libraries...

[@TalmoTheSell]

You should try out the Opus edition of Hollywood Strings then, I think it sounds pretty awesome

[@bonuebonue]

Danke sehr Anne-Kathrin, I am enjoing every of your video! Such a deepness of technical and musical skills, a clearness of explanation, and a very kind art of presenting it! Wonderful! I would pay you to have some lessons about Cubase and all the themes correlated with virtual instruments compositional workflow. Only looking at your videos I have seen so many little details on your setup that helped me very much to understand many things that was waiting for an answer a long time :-) Thank you very much and keep the good work and most important stay safe. Christian

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm really happy to hear that you like my content and that you find so much use for it. :-)

[@davidneale2366]

Amazing channel Anne-Kathrin thank you. I'm a beginner and purchased Spitfire's Albion a few years ago but did not realize it contained no solo instruments. Am I better off purchasing just the Solo Strings from Cinematic and continuing with Albion or would it be wiser to just switch to Cinematic String 2 now and get the Solo Strings a little later staying within one Brand? Thanks

[@Milan____]

Not to be That Guy, but genuinely VSL string libraries are top-notch. The pianissimo sound in Strings Pro is my go-to texture for almost anything that needs spicing. They have authentic legato for an octave up and down for each note. Dimension Strings can specify which string to play on, and have individually mic'd players. To this date, my biggest gripe with string sample libraries overall is that none of them have authentic double stops. One day, one day... ALSO! All VSL libraries in VST3 format using their free Synchron Player, together with Studio One, have pioneered a new standard in plugin communicating with the DAW, so it auto-populates ALL articulations into the DAW, so you can just select a bunch of notes, right-click, and then change the articulation for them, without awkwardly adding MIDI keyswitches, or manually importing them into the DAW.

[@stizan9185]

CineStrings is my favourite out of those

[@christycm5946]

SO SO SO SO SO SO helpful, thank you Anne! Trying to decide where to spend my Black Friday dollars, lol.

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

Hahaha, I'm in the same boat as you. This year my purchases were dedicated to little artisan instruments though which thankfully don't cost an arm and a leg.

[@mateythegreat1399]

For solo Violin I definitely recommend to get virharmonic Bohemian Violin V3 its just beautiful and it's on sale

[@MeasAgun]

The Cello too!!! :)

[@DavidKudellMusic]

Been looking forward to this one! Great in-depth video. CSS and CSSS definitely my go-tos. I don't have CS2 but for me Berlin Strings serves a similar role in blending with CSS as Berlin is brighter and is perfect for making parts stand out. I also like Berlin Special Bows. :) Albion V and Olafur Arnalds are great! Don't have Symphobia but I use Metropolis Ark I to layer in forte stuff and Ark 2 is great for quieter low dynamic layering. The only one I'd still love to try someday is Afflatus by Strezov.

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

Yes, I can see Berlin Strings fulfilling the role of CS2. I remember them being rather on the bright side. I also haven't tried Afflatus but it has been recommended to me several times. Would love to try it but then again, I really don't need yet another string library, haha. :-)

[@loudest-silence]

David, it seems we have the same taste when it comes to strings! Burkhard 😁

[@YeahBan]

cs2 and css amazing libraries! But, Vln1 high position notes is so synthtic. It seems to be a phenomenon because vibrato is very small. I thought it would be better if I layer it in detail with the solo strings and that part is supplemented.

[@kareemarafat-composer6164]

Hello Anne, amazing vidso as usual...! I would suggest to try the new Spitfire libraries.. I fully agree with your remarks about their older string libraries.. But the new ones? I think they did a really good job at making strings so realistic with so much control on almost everyrhing

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

Nice

[@martinbacker7677]

Thank you for sharing your invaluable insights - and as always for your tongue in cheek comments ;). Gorgeous examples, by the way. Gosh, I'm already fully invested in Spitfire as I have their Symphonic and Chamber Strings. So easy to get lured into buyer's remorse when listening to the other stuff. But I've made a vow to make that which I own work - before I get another string library. Oops, Black Friday coming up... 😁

[@michaelheck6919]

Hey Martin. Just saw that CSS will be 25% off - Black Friday Sale! 23 Nov-3 Dec. :-)

[@martinbacker7677]

@@michaelheck6919 Yeah, I saw it too. Thanks. 😊🙈

[@composingtips]

Ha... the famous buyer remorse feeling 😂 I have 63 strings libraries (I made a comparison on my channel for about 50 of them) and my most used is still SSS layered with SCS. Because they are easy to program, and of course, the sound of Air Studios. Added to that, they blend perfectly with the rest of the Spitfire Symphony Orchestra whereas CSS requires a ton of work to blend nicely.

[@martinbacker7677]

@@composingtips Hach, thanks Nico, already feeling much better. 😅 60 libraries?! Goodness gracious! But then, I am beginning to understand how that happens with time. Some people collect old cars - this is still cheaper (and more fun).

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

@@martinbacker7677 It's mainly a question of taste and workflow. I wouldn't say AIR is a massive selling point for me if the library is too flawed. It also never plays well with others since AIR has so much character of its own. I always have that problem as well when I record there. Much harder to blend with other stuff than say Abbey Road. So it's not the other libraries that don't blend, it's in fact Spitifre / AIR that doesn't blend. I haven't had issues blending CSS or CS2 with literally any other library that I own. But always bear in mind that I'm coming from the perspective of someone who needs their tools to work well in a real life setting. A lot of libraries can sound great if one spends plenty of time on their programming but most professionals don't really have that kind of time on a production. I also wouldn't say that one needs a large collection of libraries. My collection is fairly moderate - I only buy what I love or need - and I'm 100% booked until spring 2022 so there's not really a requirement to have a massive tool collection to be a professional. I also don't recall a lot of studios I worked at to always use the latest shiniest toy. They would often get that stuff for free but it wouldn't necessarily find its way into their templates if they already had tools that they liked and that worked.

[@spiral-m]

I am a newbie to orchestral sample instruments and you seem to be doing a very good job. Thanks very much for the video which I find very helpful for choosing the right products. It generally sounds pretty natural I do note a few issues of artificiality: passage of swells (was this done with modulation, or is it built in to the particular samples used?) at 8:14 where the crescendo ends rather abruptly. Is that fixable? The vibrato in cinematic solo strings sounds unnatural and is much better in cine strings solo. Is it possible to modulate the vibrato in CSSS in those samples? What is your experience with layering Cinematic strings Solo with CSSS Thanks in advance!

[@chilykees]

5:48 Hahaha customers decided they will ask you so why not just go with the flow. The composers have spoken Anne-Kathrin. You are the chosen one!

[@BNC593]

CSS sounds the best to me here. It really nails the cinema sound. I like it over CS2, but I certainly see why you mention they work great together. CS2 does sound a little to distant for myself, but I do like it’s airy quality.

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

Yes, that's a very good description. CS2 definitely has more room on it than CSS and sounds much more airy / bright.

[@pioupiou2885]

Hi thank you very much for your advice and review. I just wonder what do you think of Berlin Symphonic Strings ? Do you find them more expressive and warm / big sounding ? Thank youuu ^^

[@JCMagsalin]

Hi Anne! Thank you for the informative videos. I very curious as to how you set up you Cinematic Studio Strings in your template, having them on a “per articulation” setup rather than using keyswitches. Also curious how you set the two legato tracks. Thank you again for your awesome videos!

[@filips3987]

Hi! I really appreciate these reviews, they are very helpful. I'm going to get a few libraries possibly this BF, do you think that it would be easy enough to blend CSS and CSB with Berlin woodwinds (unfortunately I don't have much experience in mixing different orchestral libraries, I guess that using some reverb could help matching them? However I own only Valhalla Room and the default reverb from ableton, so I'm not sure if that would be enough to blend them realistically)?

[@filips3987]

I was thinking about adding Cineperc to that too, would that also make it difficult to blend together? Best regards!

[@PeterHarket]

Great stuff! But I am quite puzzled by the statement that divisi does not work in LASS. To my ears, it sounds absolutely beautiful, and the playability is the best of any library I own.

[@matrixate]

RIP Hollywood Strings & LASS

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

I mean... if you or others love those and make them work, then go for it! I'm not here to tell anyone what to use. I've heard great results achieved by either one, I just don't enjoy using them myself, especially on tight deadlines.

[@MrWayneJP]

Hi Anne-Kathrin, really enjoying the videos and learning a great deal. Have you ever done a video on digital orchestration that focuses on panning and reverb (to simulate real orchestra seating, etc.)? I use Sibelius and any pointers on this would be greatly appreciated.

[@crouge]

Beautiful, thank you! How do you manage to perfectly sync all the strings with the delay issues? Its something I am having trouble with :)

[@PlottingTheDownfall]

I laughed a little when you said you were dating yourself...I started scoring with 4 PCs running Gigastudio libraries 20+ years ago--now that's dating oneself! Nevertheless, I am glad I ran across your video as I am looking for a new orchestra library after being away from symphonic scoring for the past decade; and like you said, my EWQLSO library is dated and fraught with issues. I think CSS is what I am picking up. Now to watch your other vids for brass and woodwinds. Thx!

[@robshrock-shirakbari1862]

Great series... thank you. I haven't read through all of the comments; but are you opposed to sharing your Lex verb and EQ settings? Random Hall and minor midrange cuts (?)... or do you have any add'l insight to share on processing to blend the libraries? The sound is really fantastic. Cheers

[@nine96six]

YEAH BERLIN STR. THIN. AGREE DIFFICULT TO MIX STUFF

[@mariamolinariscreencomposer]

Hi Anne. Do you have any experience with the SWAM libraries and/or Divisimate? Also, have you ever used a breath controller? Thanks in advance!

[@martin-raison-music-composer]

Hi Ann-Kathrin, would you like to do a video about how to deal with reverb when using multiple libraries? How to make all the instruments blend together? Do you use reverb on each individual tracks or do you put it on a buss? I would love to have some insight from you about that. 😚 Have a good one! 💃

[@SolsticeBeatsComposer]

Hast du die Stradivari Solo Violin von Native Instruments? Ich hab vorher immer die Solo Violin von EastWest benutzt (ich hablt das ganze Hollywood Orchestra inklusive der Solo Harfe, des Solo Cellos, der Solo Geige und der Chöre obwohl ich die Symphonic Choirs immer noch mehr als die Hollywood Choirs mag, gekauft und bin auch sehr zufrieden), aber seit ich die Stradivari Solo Violin habe benutze ich keine andere Solo Geige mehr. Ich kann dir nur empfehlen dir mal das ein oder andere Review oder den ein oder anderen Demo Track anzuhören, mich würde deine Meinung sehr interessieren! LG Levi

[@daviddln1987]

I really like your channel. I've just discovered it. Thanks for all the great videos. Have you ever tried VSL libraries?

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

Glad you like the channel. Yes, I've played with some VSL woodwinds a long time ago but found their dryness to be rather counterproductive to my workflow.

[@KrystofDreamJourney]

CS and CSS are best. Layer them together, + CS Solo strings as an ingredient (less than 5 percent of overall volume) = BINGO 🙂

[@Pax30001]

I'm still watching and ive just listened to the first and second strings libray. Gosh!! I really liked the second Cinematic studio strings! The realism of the string instrument samples is so really good!! It felt like they were real violins and the other sections playing! I wish i had these type of libraries!!😭. Lol. Still watching. Great video!! :) Just curious, if you can, would love to hear a mockup of Elgar's 'Nimrod' with Cinematic studio strings (the second one you used). If it's not possible that's ok. I like the Cinematic studio solo strings, based on what i heard. I noticed there was quite an amount of vibrato to each (maybe if it was reduced it would be cooler. (Just my thoughts). Keep up the great work! :)

[@erhankolaycompositions]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bIOseaqqetGpadk

[@Pax30001]

@@erhankolaycompositions Thank you. I've listened to that particular mockup. But i dont know, i maybe wrong, but there were some notes i didn't hear in the beginning that i expected to hear based on the original music. I can be corrected if i'm wrong. Thank you for sharing. I appreciate.

[@kevinpiquemal]

CineSamples is updating all they Symphony products! The Strings Core may finally become the string library to end all strings libraries! 🤩

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

Yes, I'm really excited to try it out once the update releases!

[@danakaproff]

Thanks for taking the time to make these excellent videos. You make a compelling case for CS2, CSS & CSSS. I've watched so many string library comparisons and I'm still on the fence about what to add to my setup. Can you share how you deal with the significant legato delays in CSS? Alex says that the Slow Legato is off 300ms, the Medium 200ms, Classic 150ms etc. I've also read that the short notes will feel off, too, because he purposely includes the very start of the note prior to reaching its peak. Your thoughts?

[@danakaproff]

Ahh. Sorry for being repetitive. I just now read your reply to a previously asking similar question. Cheers

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

@@danakaproff Haha, no problem! But thank you for reading the comments. I feel like I've copy pasted my answer 5 times now :-)

[@Ravez77]

What do you think about Audioimperia Areia? It has been often compared to CSS but with that brighter tone CSS is missing and to my ears it sounds amazing, it’s also on sale and i am torn between the 2 libraries.

[@aleksandarstojceski3139]

I'm not fan of CSS but Areia sounds way worse.

[@jaketanner109]

BTW, not really related, but can you comment on the software and camera you use for the videos?