What are the Best String Libraries of 2019?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 พ.ย. 2019
- What are the BEST string libraries of 2019? Composer Guy Michelmore puts three top contenders through their paces - Spitfire Audio's Symphonic and Chamber Strings, Berlin Strings and Cinematic Studio Strings.
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Crazy you got John Williams to be in this video.
12:31 This library is so amazing it gave Windows an orchestrated error sound.
@AdversaryOne 😂 so true!
Good old Windows XP and its scaring life out of everybody disclaimer sound :D
hahahaha absolutely!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA xD
Appreciate the humour and sharp editing. A joy to watch!
Thanks - editing by Hugh!
Through my interest in spitfire, I got a youtube vid recommended to me by some bloke on a channel called ThinkSpace. Where he talked about the BBC SO. Turns out that bloke was Guy Michelmore and the channel is now one of my favourites. So thanks, spitfire, thanks ThinkSpace, and thank you most of all Guy, you're inspiring and great fun to watch!
Thank you!
Very active these last weeks...Always a great pleasure to hear and see you! thank you for these delightful moments
You're so full of energy, it brings me hope. Great points btw.
Can't believe John Williams stopped by. Haha love your videos Guy. Thanks for putting a smile on my face 😊
It's always a pleasure to have your advice on what libraries to buy. Thanks for all the effort!
This is by far my fave making music channel - utter brilliance
Thanks - :)
I love this guy! Must be my warm memories of being co-raised by my British grandparents. :)
Thank you for this video a million times. I honestly mean that. I haven’t even watched it yet, but just from the description its exactly what I need. I’ve been bashing my head over these libraries the last couple of weeks... I thought I was going to get a seizure watching every walkthrough, but couldn’t find any comparing them all together... It’s not like I can buy them all right now... This video came at a perfect time!!! Also with Black Friday and all that. Thank you!!!!!! For a while now I’ve been wanting to upgrade my strings and move away from the Frankenstein mishmash (libraries I won’t mention but have spent quite a lot on)... They’re not bad on their own but requites tons of mixing to fit together. Plus my musical taste has changed since then. To simplify things and get a more or less cohesive natural sound the only logical way that is possible (in my mind) basically comes down to sticking with one company that records their samples in the same hall, having the same mindset for programming their libraries... Plus, not just offering one good library e.g solo strings, but the whole lot - big orchestral strings, con sordino, divisi (chamber) to solo... the best possible choices with enough variety and articulations and great sound for me seems like Spitfire or Orchestral Tools... but many people are raving about cinematic studio strings... all the one’s you present here seems to fit that... so lets see... Once again thanks!! Will comment again after watching and let you know on which I decide to go with!
Thank-you sir.
Always a pleasure and a treat to watch your videos.
you're welcome
great to see John...
Every video this guy makes is instant charisma.
incredibly helpful !
Usually when im deciding what to buy or choose and Im trying to get a showcase its a very unplesasant and lenghty process until im confident in my decision but this has given me such a good overview, I cant thank you enough !
Your playing alone is very inspiring. Thank you
Cheers for the video! I am personally a massive fan of the Spitfire Chamber Strings, the moment I started playing with the Ensemble Flautando and Spicato patches I was blown away. I haven't picked up the Symphonic Strings yet and have been 'making do' with the Albions for that larger sound, maybe one day.
I feel like this video is due for a 2021 refresh :)
Lots of great libraries in the last 2 years!
Like what? Nashville Scoring Strings?
Not really there hasn't been. Everyone is still using Spitfire or Orchestral Tools or Cinematic Studio Strings. New samples come out all the time, but none of them have been as complete as these libraries.
It's still relevant even in 2022.
@@landonp629 hopefully pacific changes this soon
OMG this one touched me so deeply. Thank you!! The Spitfire Chamber Strings are so amazing, they're like from another planet ... so good!
Brilliant review. Thank you for taking the time.
I composed a film project using solely Hollywood Diamond libraries. When you struck the keys at 19:09 that really caught my attention. The fluidity and aural transition from note to note sounds near superb given the speed at which you rolled from one key to the next. I've known of Berlin Strings for some time. I suspect the price tag is less than that of the Hollywood Diamond series. In any case, Berlin sounds wonderful (and Berlin Brass, too:)
Love your videos! :) Looking forward to hear comparisons with Spitfire Studio Strings
Fantastic, funny, and inspires me, thank you.
I've been considering Cinematic Studio Strings. Currently working with Albion One and Studio Strings Pro, which work well enough combined, but I'd prefer to have more individualized sections than what Albion One has in the box. Thanks for the comparison video: it helps!
Super insightful video, many thanks!
John is so lucky to get a chance to visit Guy's studio
I absolutely love this channel bro keep up the great work
bro, he is not a bro, he is an English gentleman. Show some decorum, please ;-)
Fantastic sounds..
Looking into getting a new string library, thanks for the video.
Awesome review and summay, thanks so much.
I have a number of these libaries, and you summarise them very well. I love Spitfire most for my purposes, but the only thing I would emphasise is that for slow/expressive legato, Cinematic Studio Stings is incredible. That's one reason it's so well liked... the amazing legato.
Yes CSS have done a great job on that
You have a life-sized John Williams who speaks? I like how this is going, you got me subscribed!
I purchased Spitfire Chamber Strings in the Black Friday sale. Only just getting around to playing with them and they really are gorgeous. ‘More articulations than you’ve had hot dinners lad’ comes to mind!
Your videos are always a pleasure and informative!
thank you!
Boo! I found you haha
Great video! Thank you!
You have fantastic videos ! Thank you for doing it . In this video I’m surprised you didn’t mention Synchron Strings I from Vienna Symphonic Library . I thing they are fantastic .....
Second video from you that I've watched this Christmas morning and thoroughly enjoyed the laid back inspiration. Your voice sounds so familiar, forgive my ignorance, did you ever present on television way back in my Homelands of good old England ? I left 18 years ago. Thank you for a wonderful presentation here and a very happy Christmas to you.
Completely new to the channel, saw this video in my recommendations, asking myself "What does this guy do?" and this mad lad just have a real-size John Williams cardboard standee. Subscribed
Thank you!
Fantastic video! Only thing I am missing are the Zimmer Strings and Spitfire Studio Strings. What do you think about those?
thank you for this. Love!!
I have the Spitfire Studio Strings and love them.
Me too
Hi nice to meet you. I am Ray (Floatwithme) a Dutch composer. Keep up that great work. Thanks for sharing the information. Glad that i have subscribed to your channel. Cheers Ray
Damn, I really want Spitfire chamber strings. It sounds amazing!
Its my go to
This is so brilliant!
Great video-very entertaining and natural! Question: Why do you prefer running Cubase on a Mac? I've heard it runs significantly better on a PC. (I'm currently running Logic Pro on a Mac but have considered switching over to Cubase.)
Hello! from France. You are crazy and you seem to be a happy man, I love that. Your video is really very useful and very explicit. just for that thank you very much.
A review of the new JXL Brass would be wonderful. Love your content. Keep it comming ;)
Yes it looks promising
Thank you, sir!
great video! thanks
Great humor in here and you do a good job of discussing the libraries.
Personally, my favorite string library is Berlin strings, despite it having extremely harsh frequencies towards the higher end. I love the control and dynamics and the techniques for embellishing arrangements and pieces. It's really fun and, for me, inspires more creativity. The CSS are also a favorite.
Anyhow, thanks for this! It was entertaining.
Good choices
Genius. You are a really nice guy!
thanks for your comparison, gotta know my strings
Great video, i love your approach!
What are the Best Choir Libraries of 2019?
I normally use 8Dio's choirs plus EWQLSymph Choir for word builder
The John Williams part is Fantastic
You are oooooozzzzzzzzing in creativity!
Stumbled onto your channel a couple of days ago. Wonderfully entertaining. Very enlightening. This video with a comparison of libraries is particularly useful to me at this point. So, thank you for that!
Great video! Do you use any specific stand for your midi keyboard? I also use an M-Audio Oxygen 88 as my main weighted midi controller, though I have always found it a bit tricky as to fitting it flush with my desk in a way that I can still fit my legs under it due to the sheer thickness of it.
Can you make a video walk through of your midi/DAW controllers. I'm not looking to mimic your setup but I believe good ideas come through understanding a good rig outfit
The Spitfire and Berlin (symphonic) strings complement each other wonderfully. I mostly use Berlin now, but it's very true that by using them you sacrifice ease of use and speed for realism. That said, the tweakability and not least the IMO absolutely unmatched legato patches are what makes Berlin the top string library for me. Stuff like the fast runs and the playable glissandi are simply stunning. For just going in and writing your mock-up I'd absolutley recommend Spitfire, if you want to get the maximum emotion and realism, you need Berlin. (And then there's Andy Blaney.)
I was very impressed and it is a very deep library that would take a lot of time to get into properly
Hi, appreciate your channel and the passion you have for what you do. I am not a composer, but a producer who requires strings for rock and pop projects. I've always been slightly overwhelmed by the many options of strings libraries - the various articulations. I want to have convincing strings, convincing arrangements as would be required for pop, rock and folk. Can you recommened, which articulations I should always be prepared to audition and also, perhaps a library you think I might find most useful, that has an instantly useable, musican friendly point of access? Many thanks Jon
You had a legendary film and television composer with you and he got in exactly one word at the end: "phenomenal". You did all the talking. We'd frankly like to hear more than one word from John. May I also suggest cutting back on the caffeine?
A fine video. Berlin is my favorite. Spitfire a close second.
how about doing a video about the akai device - how to set up the articulations?
Spitfire strings were the best sounding strings ever!
Hi Guy,
Awesome comparison thanks! I currently have CSS right now and am looking to upgrade this year. In my situation, would you rather go for:
1. BBCSO?
2. Or Spitfire Chamber Strings? (And if so, do you think the Professional are worth the price mark up on the regular Chamber Strings?
Thanks for your answer!
Will have to check out the Spitfire offerings. Am very happy right now with Sonuscore The Orchestra.
I like em
Could you please have a look at Nucleus from Audio Imperia?
What do you think of SWAM plugin? Wonderful video as always.
makes me want to get my rondo veneziano albums out !
Have you tried the Spitfire Studio Strings yet? I got them recently and I'm still not sure whether I love or hate them (great definition and texture, no ensemble patches, weak legato patches).
gr8 vid ..thanx for sharing ... Did you use your Akai APC mini in Cubase as a DAW Controller ..
Thanks for this, much obliged! I also use an old Oxygen 88, do you ever miss aftertouch?
What is the unit that You are using for midi controls? Volume, and other stuff?! Great videos and etc.! Best! Michal Urbaniak & UrbSymphony & Urbanator
nice john Williams "Cameo" lol
Thank you
thank you! of course it is the very first time you try berlin since you don't know even select an articulation etc.. but it is useful to compare libraries with your playing style.
I often layer CSS with spitfire chamber and I love those two together! 👍
Ill give that a go!
great video!! Will you make another video comparing the brass?
Good idea
I've lusted after SCS for a long time, but after buying BBCSO this year, I don't think I need another string library for some time - totally happy with it, and I think THIS library answers the question of your video.
Oh I didn't see your comment before posting my question, I was asking if I still need a strings library if I choose BBC ^^ This is good news, I especialy like how roomy this library sounds !
Hello Michel
What do you think between the new Spitfire BBC SYMPHONIC ORCHESTRA CORE and the EWQLSO or the Hollywood series. Thanks a lot for your very instructive vidéos ! I really love them !!
Very informative. Thank you so much.
A couple thoughts. Everyone waited for BBC and you did a wonderful review and I wondered if it was competitive in this shootout.
The other thought. I’m always trying to find ultra intimate small strings with personality to comp my arrangements. When you have time I’d love your thoughts about what is out there right now.
My current strategy is usually performing with audio modeling instruments through the EWI and stacking 16 performances- very much a time suck.
BBC is great but it doesn't have the depth that some of these libraries do - yes I like small strings as well
you ever tried Novo and forzo and other stuff from Heavocity their sound is awesome not knocking spitfire BTW
SCS is by far the most complete library, which Spitfire has ever released. A big contender to be the best Strings library out there.
Agreed
I don't own any of these libraries but I've heard countless demos. Spitfire's stuff is just so beautiful, covers soooo many bases. The orchestral tools stuff sounds like it edges the Spitfire in terms of being more grand sounding in general. The scripting on the CSS, unbeatable. Really, feel like you could own all three libraries and be happy.
True!
Little surprised Vienna Symphonic Library wasn't mentioned. It's a PITA to use, in fact probably my biggest drawback with it is the complexity, but it sounds amazing.
Nice overview, thank you!
(As a learner,) Generally I'm happy with EastWest stuff because I can use a lot of libraries for a low subscription price. However, once you start pushing quality up, they don't always do the job well. Right now I'm hunting for good solo strings. I have BBC SO Core, which is handy, but it doesn't try to be a solo instrument library. I have 8Dio Anthology Strings, which is a joke - the solo violin uses one sample for several octaves, and is just pitch shifted. Embarrassing. I'm deciding between 8Dio, Spitfire and VSL solo violins, they're 100-145 EUR each. From the sound demos, I'm leaning towards VSL. Anyone's got any experience, or advice?
Also: are there ANY libraries that have any real double stops at all?
Awesome 👍👍
You should have checked out the CSS legato, the standard and advanced legatos. They are exquisite too 😁
Lovely walk through. (' Lovely '; the cardboard John Williams looks stiff but unersponsive but it keeps the conversation with him moving forward).
Some say: Potato
Guy says: 18:19
xD
Come on Guy... It is time to get yourself a proper composing throne ;-) Thanks for the video and your humor as always... Kind regards, Max T.
On my to do list :)
I like this guy😍
berlin strings ❤️ and Spitfire Chamber Strings
Could you also do an updated brass for 2020 review?
Great video :)
Thanks!
Did you try NI Cinematic Symphony Series Strings? Seems like it could be a contender maybe. Their have auto divisi which is rare.
I would like to see a review of that too!
Thanks for the review. I use Steinberg Dorico Pro and I use / develop a playback template for each instrument for articulations normally works with key switches or cc values programmed such that if the note has a particular articulation attribute it picks the right sample for playback in real time. I was trying to figure out how sforzando or other variables allocated to mod wheel or buttons (in case of cinematic studio strings) can be programmed in notation. So it made me think that programming wise perhaps there are some libraries that may not be as user friendly. Do you happen to know that aspect of comparison between string libraries? Thank you. 🙏🏽
Loving Spitfire as much as Guy does, and seeing that they have a number of different offerings (Complete Orch., Albion, BBC Orch., Kepler, etc...) Can anyone say more about those choices? Are they meant to be complimentary? What's my best all around choice (for under $499?), or do I buy smaller libraries of higher quality and buy more later?
Been primarily an acoustic musician and I'm on the cusp of finally buying myself some pro sounds but don't want to blow it all on an orchestra... thanks.
Great video :) @8:42 almost James Bond :D
I'm literary blown away from my seat.
Careful now... :)