Comparing 4 Brass Sample Libraries (Bach Chorale Mock-up)

In this video, I compare four brass sample libraries using a simple orchestration of a Bach chorale (Warum betrübst du dich, mein Herz)
0:00 Introduction (and Noteperformer)
1:39 BBCSO Brass
4:56 VSL Special Edition 1
8:12 Cinematic Studio Brass
10:49 Berlin Brass
You can find the midi files, music xml files, Dorico, Cubase, Studio One, and audio stems for this video on my patreon page: / alexheppelmann
Sign up for my free short course on orchestrating like Joe Hisaishi, and stay informed of future courses: course.alexheppelmann.com/
For more information about my music, or to inquire about private composition lessons, please visit www.alexheppelmann.com/

[@AnnexationMusic]

That was a fun comparison - Berlin sounding worth it's weight in gold, as always. Was pleasantly surprised at the older VSL library, though - it holds up quite well!

[@AlexHeppelmann]

Thanks! Yeah, I was pleasantly surprised as well!

[@Sploooks]

I believe that you could have gotten the CSB sounding much better if you used the sustain pedal, especially in your pauses around the end of 25.2 and 25.4.

[@VenomEmperor]

I guess I'm biased towards Orchestral Tools because Berlin Brass is my main brass library, but a Bach chorale like this plays to its exact strengths of having individual trumpet, horn, and trombone players. It's also the proper middle ground between the articulation choices of VSL and the mic choices of BBCSO. The VSL Brass is not bad despite its age and I still tap into the full versions of it, tho brass is something you want recorded in a room with multiple mics rather than bone dry.

[@GnuSCello]

Lovely! Thank you! I think the convenience of writing in the score on Sibelius and getting a first listen with Note Performer is a great advantage to get a first idea of the result. The sound of brass in general is much more believable than that of strings. Orchestral Tools for me remains the best choice if you want to use a VST.

[@AlexHeppelmann]

You're welcome! Yes, Noteperformer is a nice tool for notation software. Hopefully the next version will be even better!

[@evelynh2436]

Nice 👍

[@AlexHeppelmann]

Thanks!

[@trumpetcoach4115]

Really interesting video, and coincidentally exactly the thing I was researching the last few days since I'm thinking about buying a brass library. I settled on Cinematic Studio Brass because it looks slightly easier to use. Had a good look at Junkie XL Brass from Berlin Studios, but was immediately put off by the harshness of the trumpets in their trailer video. They sound quite narrow and I prefer the the trumpet sound of CSB. In your video definitely Berlin Brass is the better version though, especially horns and low brass. On another note, I was highly impressed by the solo brass instruments of audio modelling. Especially in terms of mere jazz articulation etc. Best wishes, Joris

[@AlexHeppelmann]

Thanks, Joris. CSB has a great sound -- at times I think it can be tough to mix, especially with the rest of the orchestra. But you're right, the trumpets sound really good. I don't own any of the modeling brass libraries, but I've heard good things!

[@trumpetcoach4115]

@@AlexHeppelmann That's good to know. CSB is also half the price I think. Will try and pick your brain during our next lesson.

[@rubenmolino1480]

excelent ¡¡¡¡

[@AlexHeppelmann]

Thanks!!

[@tylerpedraja6049]

Alex, do you have any thought on when to use legato vs sustains?

[@AlexHeppelmann]

It depends on the library. In some libraries, the legatos are exactly the same as the sustain patches, with added legato transitions (Berlin). But in others they are two entirely different recordings, and the long sustains may have more dynamic layers even (I think Spitfire may be that way).

[@MichaelSmith-on1ig]

I think VSL has more constistancy over their articulations and blend well together. I use the MIRx Synchron Stage plugin with it: and I think the brasss sound great, expecially for classical pieces.

[@henrik5284]

CSB really doesn't do soft very well