What's In My Template Pt 5: Choir, Keys, Plucks, and more

Part 5 of my favorite libraries in my template: Choir, Keys, Plucks, and more!
0:00 Start
0:36 Intro
3:01 Choir
6:23 Choir Examples
9:04 Pianos
11:55 Piano Examples
14:38 Harp
17:49 Ethnics
18:49 Artisan Instruments and Hybrid Tools
29:13 Synths
30:36 Conclusion
Libraries Mentioned:
Voxos (by ‪@cinesamples.official‬)
Olympus (by ‪@SoundironAudio‬)
Piano in Blue / CinePiano (by Cinesamples)
Cinematic Studio Piano (by ‪@cinematicstudioseries2985‬)
Alicia's Keys (by ‪@NativeInstruments‬)
Symphonic Gold XP (by ‪@EWQLTutorials‬)
CineHarps (by Cinesamples)
Silk / Ra / Voices of Passion / Gypsy (by East West)
World Suite 2 (by UVI)
Phoenix (by Orchestral Tools)
Steel String / Copperphone / Wrenchenspiel / Glass Marimba (by ‪@8dioproductions‬)
Harp Guitar / Circle Bells / The U / Imbibaphones / Lakeside Pipe Organ / Little Pipe Reeds / Steel Tones (by Soundiron)
CineBells / African Marimba and Udu / Handbells / Dulcimer and Zither / Viola da Gamba / Kalimba (by Cinesamples)
Signal / Substance / Movement / Portal / (by ‪@Outputsounds‬)
Swing! / Swing More! / Lumina / True Strike (by ‪@ProjectSAMCinematicSampling‬)
Leeds Town Hall Organ (by ‪@Samplephonics‬)
Trilian / Omnisphere / Keyscape / Stylus (by ‪@SpectrasonicsVIDEO‬)
LABS / Pianobook (by Spitfire Audio / Christian Henson)
Zebra (by ‪@uheplugins‬)
Synthmaster
More info about Anne-Kathrin Dern:
www.annedern-filmcomposer.com
imdb.me/annekathrindern
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne-Ka...
/ annedern
/ annedern
/ annekathrindern
/ equalitymusicprods
#samplelibrary #filmcomposer #template

[@daddydanny5588]

ive watch all yr vids .. i love u .. God bless u ma dear! thanx for sharing

[@emilgrepperuud1296]

I think to most people who are writing or arranging music your videos are wonderful, completely focused and to the point. Particularly the information about how well or not a library behaves in an orchestral or chamber-musical setting is highly appreciated. In addition, your comments on recording/sampling distance are extremely valuable; too often some libraries sound as if we sit on the musician's lap, instead of sitting among the audience!

[@jeffliebig]

Really appreciate you going through the libraries and sharing your knowledge/experience. Great series. I love Piano in Blue and always reach for it when the piece calls for that style.

[@gonzalozubillaga9341]

Very Cool Stuff Thank you Anne!

[@julianpartridge2802]

Thank you for this series, so insightful!

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

Thanks for watching! Glad you liked it!

[@chevjustchev]

Thanks for this, been a wonderful look into alternative libraries, thanks muchly!

[@benshirleymusic]

Thanks again for your time. Totally enjoyable and informative. All the best...

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

Thanks for watching! Really happy you enjoyed it!

[@xavijim]

Your videos about your favorite libraries have been very useful to me. I have learned a lot and I really appreciate it. Thank you!!!!!

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

I’m glad these videos were useful to you!

[@NeverduskX]

I'm really glad I found this series. It's really helped in informing my own understanding of these libraries, both with what they do well and how they're potentially used.

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

I’m glad this was helpful!

[@dmitrydestroy]

Thanks for this series, best libraries reviews i've ever seen

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

Thank you!

[@pyrosynth]

Really helpful video Anne! Thank you for your honesty :) Wish you the best. Take care

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

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

[@iancurrie3763]

I didn't know there was going to be a part 5, I'm so happy!

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

Well, we can't forget about our friends from keys, plucks, and vocals, can we? :-)

[@johnfraserlongley]

Great series, look forward to more suggestions as they come.

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

Thank you!

[@dinoschachten]

Great recommendations! Love the whole aspect of playing with unique and custom sounds, and the free Leeds organ (yes, it still is out there!). Thanks so much for these helpful insights into which libraries really hold up in real life use cases as well, how they behave and blend etc. Everybody has their favourites, but especially the Cinematic Studio instruments are definitely a pointer in the right direction, and the rundown of pros and cons, acoustic and technical quirks... Really, really helpful. Knowing these adds a completely different level of perception when listening to the examples and demos.

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

Glad you liked it and found it useful!

[@DJKennethA]

Thanks for doing these videos. This is really helpful with libraries and I think some good advice that "new" isn't always better.

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

Thank you for watching! And I agree, one of my core philosophies is truly to make the best of what you have and to really get to know your tools before jumping into another purchase.

[@ElliotWright]

Thank you SO much for this series, it's been really helpful to hear a pro with experience talk candidly about the tools they personally use or have used. And although I know it's not a review series, the audio comparisons and the honest talk really helped me to narrow the field of what tools I'll want to upgrade to next.

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

Thanks for watching! I'm glad you like the candor because I wouldn't have it any other way :-) I'm happy this was helpful!

[@landesmusikakademieochsenh6055]

Ganz herzlichen Dank für die wirklich sehr hilfreiche 5-teilige Übersicht! Wunderbar!

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

Sehr gerne! Es freut mich, dass die Videos hilfreich waren. :-)

[@musical_lolu4811]

An evergreen sound will always be evergreen. Also, composer creativity and uniqueness is where it's at these days where everyone has basically the same damn stuff.

[@danielpicard3994]

Thank you for that wonderful series. I appreciate your honesty. It is so rare to find a music related channel that is not sponsored or trying to sell us something! Keep on the great work!

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

Thank you so much! I very much try to keep sponsorships out of my channel. I will however always disclose if I got something for free or was paid to make a video.

[@petersvan7880]

This has been a wonderful series, and so well presented. Thank you Anne-Cathrin! Greetings from Sweden :)

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

I'm glad you liked it! Thanks for watching!

[@thisislance]

Completely agreed. Anne-Kathrin came out of nowhere for me, a bit hidden among the big (and loud) personalities of some composers on KZbin. I've very much appreciated this series. She's highly skilled and I'm happy that she is sharing her knowledge, especially since she knows a lot about what goes into making a virtual instrument. My only fear is that she's so good at sticking to the libraries that work for her that we may not get a lot of new impressions on big releases like Cinematic Studio Woodwinds!

[@PeterRoos]

Terrific review - as to EW, the Boesendorfer is my go to piano (I have the platinum version with the multiple mikes). Play has been very stable, never had major issues. You might want to give it another look. The close mikes in combination with reverb can sound a little weird, I think it's because the hammer action is prominent which can give audio artifacts.

[@TheMikeJr2001]

Great vid! Big fan!!

[@eds5709]

Just a positive remark: My first Choir Library was "Micro Choir" by Sound Iron. It is the little brother of Olympus. The Sound Iron Team offers great personal support, even for starting composers (like me). Now I use East-West's flagship "Hollywood Choirs". A great library but it eats Ram for breakfast! Anyway thanks again for taking the time to create your video's which are very useful and motivating ;-)

[@matrixate]

Honestly. I totally value your opinion greatly. So much so, that I bought a few of your recommendations and yes...they were stellar choices and exactly what I expected.

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

So glad to hear that! Thank you for the kind words!

[@paoloagostini1407]

Great Anne. Thank You

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

Thanks for watching, Paolo!

[@everratic]

Although I have very different library preferences, I always learn a lot from your videos and find them entertaining. I really enjoyed this series :)

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

I'm glad you're enjoying the videos!

[@halvardlund4782]

I am so grateful for these videos. You are gift to the composer world, Anne-Kathrin ;)

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

Thank you!

[@sourcefor]

Your music is so good, would love to see a walkthrough of some of the Fearless music if you have time! Thanks!

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

Thank you! I have plans for that actually but I need to communicate permissions with the production and Netflix first before I do such things. :-)

[@aldo34]

Great stuff, really useful overview - thanks! I'd 100% recommend Embertone, particularly for their Joshua Bell violin and the BEST piano out there...their Walker Steinway. Amazing. Also recommend the Mountain Dulcimer, huge fun.

[@peterlynchmusic]

I joined Marc Jovani's Cinematic Composing (Momentum) just resently and listened to your informative film music workflow talk there, as well as several of your always helpful other videos. I nearly jumped out of my seat when you said the best organ was in Leeds Town Hall, since Leeds is my home town and where I did my initial music studies. I've attended loads of concerts there and other events, as well as playing there myself in College Orchestra and choir etc. I also heard my excellent teacher from those days , Tim Gray, play the whole of Messiaen's "La Nativite" on that same organ. So I downloaded it from SamplePhonics. Yes, it still is free and once I'd worked out how to extract it, got it working in Kontakt and now it's in my template. Thanks again for this really fantastic and personnaly relevant "nuggett". I did want a decent classical organ for those Saint Saens 3 type moments and, thanks to you, I got one ... and also for nowt - as they say in Leeds!

[@richdewhittaker1746]

I’ve found the harp in the BBC S.O Discover (Spitfire) plug-in to be quite useful- without sounding too close 🎶

[@GoOKuSj33]

i agree, and that library is free, hooray!

[@veronikx6022]

Strezov sampling has pretty neat ethnic libraries such as the Jade ethnic orchestra as well as choir libraries like storm choir ultimate

[@TuzXMr]

Well you sold me on Trilian lol can’t wait to try it out!

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

It truly is worth every penny, you'll have plenty of fun with this! :-)

[@GamingNostalgiaRemastered]

Thanks for the tip on the free Leeds Town Hall Organ. You were right it's gorgeous.

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

Glad I could help!

[@Utanonomba]

You re soooo helpful thanks for all your advices

[@dfizzbom]

Hi Anne- you should check out Performance Samples Vista that just came out for the included harp. It indeed is recorded in the room as placed, not up close. I remember you mentioned that harp having too much detail makes it hard to sit in the mix. This library might be just what you're looking for- and the legato strings are quite amazing as well.

[@sequentia2]

Qué hermosísima!… 🙃😍🙃

[@cardinal3395]

Спасибо за видео!)))

[@mountainorchestra6254]

I love you !!!

[@MustacheVerra]

Thanks Anne

[@__orangejulius]

Try the harp in Red Room Audio’s Symphonic Sketchpad? It’s harp is recorded in context with an orchestra like you’re wanting, and it’s very dry so you can mix it in how you see fit! Enjoying your channel so far!

[@thesaint7380]

Hi Anne-Kathrin, thanks so much for your videos, highly appreciated ! I also like the intro a lot :) One suggestion if i may for a really nice harp is the Project Sam Concert Harp, it comes with different articulations and preparations and usually always fits well. Another thing...you sometimes seem so serious, so i hope don't mind me telling a joke to brighten you up: Kommt ein Neutron ins Gasthaus, sagt der Wirt "Heute nur für geladene Gäste"...Cheers from the Heimat :)

[@SolsticeBeatsComposer]

Hey, ich hab grade erst deinen Kanal gefunden, vielen Dank für diese tollen Videos! Weiter so! :)

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

Danke!

[@kzms]

Pianist Jim who played My Funny Valentine was good! I like Harp included in Iconica by Steinberg (recorded with Orchestral Tools)

[@5050tmk]

Love your approach to your videos! Would it be possible to show how how you would go about fixing specific sample issues in kontakt? Say if a certain library needed some "improvements" lol how would you go about editing that in kontakt? Thank you for your videos!

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

Yes, I can put that on my list of potential videos. Thanks for watching!

[@Ayush-ig2mv]

You should try Spitfire Harp or Spitfire BBCSO harp😍😍😍 those are awesome

[@maxalaintwo3578]

Your video series has just been the equivalent of looking at a mall front with all the mannequins and clothes, knowing that you can't buy them at the moment. Certainly not a knock on you of course, thanks for illuminating all the options out there!

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

Haha, I'm sorry! I totally know the feeling. I spent many years on just the EW Gold XP Symphonic Library, always craving something better. This collection was built up very slowly over the span of 10 years so don't despair :-) Sometimes I had to save up money for a whole year to be able to buy what I wanted or needed - and it was all the more rewarding.

[@sequentia2]

Bellos sonidos… hermosa música…👍🏻👏🏻👌🏻 … 🥐🥛

[@mofateam1]

Pianobook is great. Especially for Decent Sampler Libraries for ipad.

[@anonimoanonimo1296]

Please I want more reviews! you can do a review of the choirs Dominus Choir Pro and Insolidus? I love you

[@MikeBurnsArrangedAccidents]

Storm Choir Ultimate is probably the last choir library I'll get until they come out with something with a 100 syllable word builder. STU has a very large word builder and you can morph the syllables to create more sounds. It can handle speed and fast, percussive runs. The vowel legato transitions beat anything on any instrument. It's 100% phase coherent even with the hall mics on. I didn't think that was possible. You can hear it in action on a song called Fall of the House of Batiatus.

[@MikeBurnsArrangedAccidents]

Caveats: I EQ out a bit of the gravel in the male vocal syllables. I Melodyne the extremely high notes on the female vowels as they can take a bit too long to reach the right pitch. Very easy workarounds. It does not time the syllables to have the vowel come down on the beat like Voxos did 11 years ago or like Performance Samples' Oceania (utterly perfect except for the lack of syllables) does. I don't mind extending left the MIDI notes.

[@artphinney8830]

HI Anne, I’m new to your channel and respect your professional approach and information. I will continue. I’m also a VE Pro user and really enjoy your insights for that workflow. So here is my question. Do you offer any one-on-one instruction/help for us newer to the composer and multiple computer systems? Perhaps the Q and A’s could be handled through emails? I have some specific set up questions and my system will be similar to yours. Jus a question. Thank you.

[@cyrilcalmes4208]

I'm ok with your thoughts on Harp Library. I have the BBC SO Core from Spitfire, the EWQLSO Gold (Play version.... sorry !) and even the ones in Kontakt from VSL. I hate the BBC SO one mainly in the low register. I think I will re-install my good old EastWest Symphonic Orchestra.

[@Mikejkcjla]

After such work, you have definitely deserved a coffee. 😂

[@Pax30001]

I haven't finished the video, but just listened to the first demo of Olympus. It sounds really good!! Still watching. :) Please was the demo of the Olympus converted to a certain quality? As i'm using my headphones and it sounds different from if it was a full quality. I can be corrected if i'm wrong. Great to hear the Dulcimer libray you made! That's Awesome! Lol. Your funny! Trillion: The bass engine to end all Bass engines! Lol!! Thanks for sharing your takes on the libraries! Great video!

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

Yes, I did notice a quality decrease as well. I think the download they offered wasn't full quality and then it was decreased again by the video encryption. But you still get the idea I think - it's a gorgeous sounding library. :-)

[@Pax30001]

@@AnneKathrinDernComposer ok :) Thanks for verifying that. I appreciate. (Goes to get two pizza for headphones.). Lol. And just want to just quote your super statement: "Trillion: It's like the bass engine to end all bass engines". Lol! That was awesome!

[@retttte7179]

Hello, Thank you very much for these videos about libraries - For the harp library i'm using Elysion from soundiron - if it could help you...

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

Thanks for watching! I have tried the Elysion harp at someone else's studio but it wasn't quite what I was looking for. It's still quite nice though. Thanks for chiming in!

[@retttte7179]

@@AnneKathrinDernComposer You're welcome !

[@Igor999007]

I think Berlin Harps blends very well

[@wnios]

Just in time for BlackCyberDays... Thanks a lot... Grüße aus München.. Der Grieche..

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

Indeed! That's why I wanted to get this out asap. :-) Grüße aus LA!

[@ravenmusic932]

I was surprised when you said, you can't really go wrong with pianos. Maybe it's because I am a professional piano player, but apart from the NI pianos and a few others I felt blatant horror with most sampled pianos. Mostly either strange spacing which honestly might make sense in context with certain other instruments, or absolutely unnatural responsiveness (8dio is really good at messing up this aspect).

[@lartisan6274]

what do u think of keyscape ? what is the best for u ?

[@ravenmusic932]

@@lartisan6274 keyscape is awesome, apart from the size. I also like ravencroft, addictive keys and pianoteq (took a while to find some good vsts). But I currently talk as a player who prefers a close sound. For soundtracks other options might be better.

[@lartisan6274]

@@ravenmusic932 thank you, its always interresting.

[@nathan_hades]

Vielen Dank für deine Videos! Ich nutze viele Bibliotheken von East West. Als Hobbymusiker bin ich aber auch nicht so sehr auf bestmögliche Qualität angewiesen. Hast du schon die neue Engine Opus ausprobiert? Möglicherweise könnte diese einige der Probleme von Play beheben. Soweit ich weiß, erhält man diese mit jedem neuen Kauf und die einzelnen Flügel kosten recht wenig im Moment.

[@Zhazha2009]

Dear Anna-Kathryn! What you think about Berlin strings library?(and Metropolis arc 1,2,3,4 series)Why do you dos'nt use this library's? And what you think about Berlin brass?

[@lattetown]

I was able to download the freebie Samplephonics Leeds organ, so it's still available.

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

Awesome! I’m using it on a score right now - it’s really amazing!

[@michaelkelly4055]

Curious to hear how You use Signal and Substance.

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

What would you like to know? One is a pulse engine, the other is a bass engine, so there's kind of only one way to use them in a piece, I think.

[@elvennet9972]

I'd like to ask your opinion about the All-in-One orchestral libraries such as Albion, The Orchestra (by Sonuscore) and Amadeus. Do you think they are good enough to make the professional movie score?

[@nicolasvigh]

@Anne-Kathrin - may I ask you to have a listen to 2 short pieces and suggest a choir library which might approximate the size, sound, style? The first is "In memoriam" by Bruno Coulais, performed by Les Petits Chanteurs de Saint-Marc - I was thinking about Genesis by Audiobro, Liberis Angelic Choir by 8Dio or the aforementioned Voxos by Cinesamples. The second is "Just" by David Lang, performed by a vocal trio - here I do not have too many ideas, I might think about The New Studio Sopranos by 8Dio. Your advice would be much appreciated. (if you happen to use Spotify then the pieces can be easily found, links are not allowed to be posted here)

[@iancurrie3763]

Did you cover DAW software plugins like reverb anywhere, Anne?

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

Not yet, no. Maybe I mention it in my first video with the Jurassic Park mockup but I don't quite remember since that was a while ago.

[@producewithjt]

I find my Cineharp to not blend very well with my other libs (lots of Orchestral Tools stuff). Something with the tone doesn’t quite do it for me as well :(

[@kaafaa5944]

like " carton " yeah too dry, need to put reverb and delay

[@totizedger]

Have you tried the Elysium Harp ? i have it and find it blends well but it is not for those who want to hear all the small details of a harp

[@johnx9774]

Had to giggle when you explained that people were 'upset' that you didn't like the library they were using. I say people, I mean men obv. I have seen men practically hiring hitmen after getting into an online argument about shaving brushes or tai chi (which is supposed to be about positive energy). Anyway keep up the good work.

[@henrik5284]

Could the Chocolate Audio harp library blend well perhaps? You can listen to the different microphones here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXWsm2xjjKqemKc

[@sequentia2]

Oooh!… 🙃 … 🙋🏻‍♂️🇲🇽

[@AlvinSWongMusic]

Hah yeah I still use the Kontakt Factory Library Harp the most.

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

I'm glad I'm not the only one using super old stuff when it comes to harp. Makes me feel less crazy. :-) I had forgotten about the Kontakt harp... gotta dig that out again and see.

[@KrystofDreamJourney]

@@AnneKathrinDernComposer I still use an old VSL harp from 2010s. It blends very well with the orchestra, just like EW, which I also have and use. I’ve tried several other newer harps from various developers, and my observation is identical to yours : they do NOT blend well. BTW : your videos are the most accurate and informative out of almost anything else in our niche business.

[@KrystofDreamJourney]

Kontakt Factory Library harp is an old VSL.

[@OliKember]

Really enjoyed this whole series, thanks! I'm personally using the 8Dio Century Harps which I find have a really beautiful stage sound, and not just close but decca and ambient mics to set them back. There are two of them included with different tones, and they have tons of Glissandi patches. Just a thought in case you hadn't heard about them. (Be aware of their 55% of sale at the time of writing!)

[@jayneubauer3401]

so based on your comments about synths, and using World Suite 2 by UVI, do you use it in Falcon or Workstation?

[@BillyPalmerMusic]

I'm guessing there's no way to buy the SO Harp as a standalone in 2020?

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

I don't believe so but maybe reach out to East West and ask them if there's a way. Sometimes companies can be accommodating to special requests (but not always).

[@BillyPalmerMusic]

@@AnneKathrinDernComposer Good shout - worth a shot...

[@djfull4442]

What do you mean by "deep sampled"? Bit depth, sound having many frequencies, or something else?

[@bulentkamali]

Hello Anne, I have Omnisphere and Trillion. How much do these synths differ from Signal, Substance? They can do the same I believe.

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

If you have Omnisphere and Trilian, I think you're all set. Signal and Substance have some really cool layered stuff in them and the engine is very creative but I don't think there's anything they can do that Omnisphere and Trilian can't also do. The Output products might get you to the destination faster than the Spectrasonics products, simply because the latter is so extensive and the former is more limited in its approach. I'm very happy with the products of both companies though, and I use them very frequently.

[@raphaelcosta6006]

YES, I also don't like EW stuff but I still have the SO Harp as my go-to harp. Haven't find anything better yet

[@AnneKathrinDernComposer]

You are the third composer I know now how is still using that harp due to not finding anything better. There must be something to this EW harp... :-)

[@raphaelcosta6006]

@@AnneKathrinDernComposer I bought the BBCSO thinking that might be it but no, the SO still blends much better.

[@aydenperkins2005]

Ethnic stuff from Sonuscore? Yes/no?

[@rogerhobden7670]

Like +++++

[@benhaim2098]

are you the one playing my funny valentine ?

[@revertmusic]

But you didn't mention... :)

[@mateythegreat1399]

Give best service ethno world 6 a try

[@rdru2ner82]

Why are they upset?

[@Notmehimorthem]

Anne_Kathirn, have you ever tried TruePianos? Free v30 day trial. A model piano with a crystaline grand sound. Small footprint