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Orchestral/strings plugins/VST Recommendations

WG Plum

WG Plum

Gold Supporting Member
Apr 9, 2021
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#1
As the title suggests, I’m looking for recommendations for VST strings. This is for Logic Pro/Macbook use.

I’m guessing there is a large pool to choose from, so this is what I’m looking for:

1. Very real/natural sounding
2. An ‘old/vintage’ option
3. Options for chamber/small ensemble
4. Ease of use

Thanks!
 
#3
Kontakt is a sampler/sample player. Depending on the product, you might only need the free version (Kontakt Player). Others require the paid version (Kontakt Full). Some might run in a proprietary sample player.

I don't know if you'll find much that has a vintage option, there are only a few niche options that I can think of that have that specifically.

I would encourage you to poke around the websites of these companies to see what else they offer, and definitely listen to the audio demos. I've picked out ones that are smaller sized ensembles or offer divisi options.

Keep in mind that most of these products are recorded in sections - Violin 1, 2, Viola, Cello, and Bass recorded separately and therefore must be played in separately unless there is an ensemble patch.


Spitfire Abbey Road Two - string quintet. Has a vintage mic mix. Runs in their player. Upgraded version has more articulations and microphones.
Spitfire Chamber Strings Essentials - string sections. Runs in Kontakt Player. Upgraded version has more articulations and microphones.
Spitfire Studio Strings - string sections. Runs in Kontakt Player. Upgraded version has more articulations and microphones.

Orchestral Tools LA Sessions - string sections. Runs in their player. You can also purchase the strings separately from the full package.

Audiobro LA Scoring Strings - string sections with divisi options. Runs in Kontakt Player.
Audiobro Modern Scoring Strings - string sections with divisi options. Runs in Kontakt Player.

Pulse Audio Vivid Strings - string sections. Runs in Kontakt Full.

Invalid Link Removed - string sections. Runs in Kontakt Player.

Native Instruments Session Strings - string ensemble. Runs in Kontakt Player. Upgraded version has sections.


This is by no means an exhaustive list, but a place to start. Good luck!
 
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#8
WG Plum said:
Perfect. I’ve seen good things about a BBC pack too.
Click to expand...
Yes, that's Spitfire BBC Symphony Orchestra. 3 tiers on that one. There's the free Discover version that's pretty bare bones, Core that has all the proper stuff but only one mic mix and missing a few niche instruments, and Pro that has everything.

WG Plum said:
In terms I’ve storage, I’m guessing Kontakt gets stored on my laptop and all instruments/libraries get stored on my SSD, like Superior Drummer?
Click to expand...
Yes, that's exactly right. You can technically put everything on your internal drive, but you run out of space fast.
 
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#9
LightForce104 said:
Yes, that's Spitfire BBC Symphony Orchestra. 3 tiers on that one. There's the free Discover version that's pretty bare bones, Core that has all the proper stuff but only one mic mix and missing a few niche instruments, and Pro that has everything.


Yes, that's exactly right. You can technically put everything on your internal drive, but you run out of space fast.
Click to expand...
Excellent! And yeah, my laptop only has 500 gb, Superior Drummer’s libraries quickly got me to figure out proper storage routing.
 
#14
WG Plum said:
A new one, but no clue.
Click to expand...
I would encourage you to check. If you go to the Apple menu in the top left of your screen and click About This Mac, it should tell you all the important stuff.

The reason I ask is that the RAM and processor directly affects how much you can load at once. If you're loading 5 string sections, and each has 3 dynamic layers and 3 vibrato layers, that's 45 different audio files playing at once.
 
#17
You can get away with 8GB, depending on what else you're running, if there's other stuff playing in the Logic project, what instruments you're using, how many articulations you have loaded, how many notes you're playing, etc...

For instance, I just loaded up Abbey Road Two on the All in One ensemble patch. One mic loads 3.47GB on default load settings with all articulations. On the other hand, going to the individual legato patches for each section loads 1.87GB total in RAM. Of course, you can change the settings to load more or less into RAM, but then you have to balance that with how fast your SSD is...

On the other hand, Tokyo Scoring Strings loads 5.75GB for 5 sections with only the legato. But they also offer an ensemble patch which loads in 2.45GB total.

It really comes down to how you're planning on using it. Are you wanting to just slap your hands on the keys and a full string ensemble comes out? Or do you want to go into finer detail and orchestrate each section individually?
 
#20
The issue with solo strings is that they really don't sample well. You get lots of issues like bow changes at the wrong times in the middle of notes and phasing as you crossfade through dynamics. If you're willing to go with small sections rather than solo players, I'm going to reiterate my recommendation for Spitfire Chamber Strings. You would probably only need the Essentials version. It has an ensemble patch so you don't need to worry about the sections, but you can always add them in for finer detail.
 
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