Spitfire Symphony Orchestra: Performance Patch Improvisations

Spitfire Audio just re-released their Symphony Orchestra as one new comprehensive library, giving it a new user interface and re-editing the original sample content. In this short video I wanted to give some of the performance patches (that allow you to play various articulations without using keyswitches) a quick spin. The video contains improvisations with very little editing afterwards. The patches are used at their default settings (I just mapped dynamics and vibrato to the same controller to make live playing more convenient) with some volume adjustments and a little bit of external reverb (Cinematic Rooms Professional).
As always I'm happy to read your questions, feedback and sugestions in the comments! If you like this kind of content, please consider giving the video a like and subscribing to my channel. Also check out my main channel if you want to hear my original compositions: / @c-m-laurin-lenschow
...and consider following me on Instagram for more music content: / laurinlenschow.music

[@c-c-laurin-lenschow]

As always I'm happy to read your questions, feedback and sugestions in the comments! If you like this kind of content, please consider giving the video a like and subscribing to my channel. Also check out my main channel if you want to hear my original compositions: www.youtube.com/@c-m-laurin-lenschow
...and consider following me on Instagram for more music content: instagram.com/laurinlenschow.music/

[@andrewmusician]

I don't know exactly which type of audio magic Andy Blaney did with editing but the brass in general and performance legatos are noticeably improved. I popped the new patches into old sessions I was having problems in and bam, most of the problems are gone. There are a few tweaks still needed to get a good sound on some legato lines but this is normal level with every sample library. All the weird random script glitches I got on certain lines disappeared. No more random "whooshing"

[@Bashanvibe]

Beautiful realism!!! I may have to pull the plug and buy this!!!

[@kyveriver4316]

do you think this would be an appropriate first library for the style of FromSoftware music? (soulsbourne, elden ring, dark souls, bloodbourne etc) Im thinking if the close mic is enough for that

[@Metalpazallteway]

Is this a one patch with all articulations and microphones available in a one performance or is there any form of additional maneuvers in the keyboard? Nice preview btw

[@c-c-laurin-lenschow]

Thank you! Yes, what you're hearing was done with one patch per instrument with no keyswitches. However, not every performance patch features every mic position and you can't play every single articulation that comes with the library (but every articulation you'd need in a normal performance).

[@Noctarilfate]

Wow, those string runs sound very nice to me! And the tone of the strings and brass sound really good to me. I do feel like I can hear some bad crossfades but nothing that ruins the sound. In a mix I think it would be fine.

[@jamietreacher8524]

May I ask which Cinematic Rooms Pro preset you use here, and how you apply it? I'm just curious how best to apply CRP to an already wet library like SSO. Also, have you used the solo oboe performance patch much? I'm finding it very inconsistent and difficult to use. Thanks.

[@c-c-laurin-lenschow]

I used the "Rich Medium Hall" preset at 0/-7.6 dB. No, I haven't spent much time with the solo oboe performance patch yet, sorry.

[@Gardener7]

Hi Laurin,
Since this upgrade has improved legatos, and the price has dropped I am considering buying it this year.
Would you recommend it as a workhorse library?
Are there any weaknesses in your opinion?

[@c-c-laurin-lenschow]

Hi, here are some thoughts on this library:
With the improved legatos and the lower price this is a fantastic deal and well worth consideration. Especially if you don't have many or even any other orchestral libraries this is going to cover a lot of ground while being relatively affordable. That said, I don't think it's a flawless library. Here are some potential weaknesses:
- Spitfire's short notes have notoriously inconstent timing and the update did not fix this.
- AIR studios sound great, but you can't really get rid of the room sound. Even the close mics are still somewhat wet, so if you're looking for a dry orchestral sound, this is not the way to go.
- The articulation list is inconsistent across different instruments. Even just within the woodwinds one instrument may have significantly less articulations than another one.
- Depending on your personal taste and the music you're writing you may find that this library doesn't cover the high dynamics well enough. There's quite a bit of debate around this, but a significant portion of users is unsatisfied by the top dynamics (in most Spitfire libraries actually).
- The last time I checked this update broke the time machine patches. This is especially sad because the strings don't have Staccato and now the workaround of stretching the Spiccatos has become unusable.
I hope this helps - let me know if you have any further questions!

[@Gardener7]

​@@c-c-laurin-lenschowThank you so much for your detailed reply.
I already have HOOPUS, but I don't find the longs of the strings to be emotionally grabbing on swells.
I have the Originals intimate strings and this sounds closer to what I'm after.
I was looking at Albion One in the recent sale, However I don't like being limited to ensemble patches, and prefer individual sections.
I don't worry so much about shorts, as I'm doing slow background music.
I prefer a wet sound so I don't have to add reverb.
Are you happy with the legato now that they have updated it?

[@c-c-laurin-lenschow]

@@Gardener7 If you like the sound of AIR and you want to use it for slow background music SSO should work well for you I think. The updated legatos are nice - not the very best I've ever heard but certainly very usable. If you like Originals Intimate Strings you could also look into Albion Loegria, which is where the recordings from Intimate Strings were sourced from (iirc). It only has ensemble patches, but it would be like having more of Intimate Strings at a significantly lower price than SSO.
...I also don't like (most) ensemble patches though, so if you want to go for SSO I could completely understand that :)

[@Gardener7]

@@c-c-laurin-lenschow Thanks! Loegria does sound good, so I will keep it in mind.
If SSO goes at 40% off this year, I will get it.