Strings Library Kontakt
Brinda
I downloaded NI session strings 2. It was not showing in Kontakt 5. I upgraded to Kontakt 6, still not showing. Instead, when I click on the library and try to add the software folder Session Strings 2 Library to Kontakt it tells me 'Session Strings 2' already exists within the Kontakt Libraries tab'. But it does not show.
London Symphonic Strings contains the standard five-section string ensemble (Violins 1, Violins 2, Violas, Cellos, Basses) recorded 24 bit / 48kHz with four mic positions (Close, Main, Rigs and Room) in a beautiful sounding hall.
The entire string section was recorded in the correct orchestral seating positions, so when you load up the library, each section is correctly positioned in the stereo image, according to how the players are traditionally sat. Multiple true legato patches are included for each section, providing realistic note transitions.
The United Strings of Europe is a London-based ensemble made up of young professionals from across the European Union and Switzerland to promote musical and cultural cooperation at the highest level.
Weighing in at 50GB with over 22,000 samples, this library was recorded in the format of a real scoring session with the best gear, in a world-famous concert hall, by world-class musicians.
Aviram Arabic Strings is a large collection of eastern samples that are perfect for situations when you need that genuine eastern flavor in your compositions.
Weighing in at 1.4GB with 9800+ sounds, this library contains the following string sections: Classical Violin, Baroque Violin, Baroque Stringed, Bass violin, Cello Rock, Stroh Violin, Modern Violin, String instruments, Electric Violin, Fiddle, Yamaha Korg.
Made for the Free Kontakt Player, Emotional Cello is the perfect instrument for film-scoring, pop production, songwriting, and classic and modern avant-garde cello compositions. This unique virtual instrument shines by its impressive number of articulations, direct and uncolored sound quality, unusual play techniques, and innovative rebowing.
Because of its powerful yet exceptionally emotional sound, it unlocks previously unknown dimensions in the realms of sampling.
Strings Boutique is not your classic string library; we turned recorded strings into dream presets, boutique-designed and inspired by our favorite soundtracks and composers. You can blend this palette with a dual-layer engine into endless timbres and colors. We designed orchestral, ensemble, solo and ethnic presets (4 octaves range) and went beyond classic string sound, blending subtle analog instruments to create even stronger sound images.
Brass Boutique makes it easy to create with solo brass instruments while giving a chance to layer and design a timbre that uniquely fits the emotion.
After the 2014 release of Spotlight Solo Strings, which included 4 individual players, the idea came to create a library that could address even more; up to 16. Enter Concert Strings 3 which is comprised of up to 16 individual, separately-recorded players. 16 1st Violins, 16 2nd Violins, 16 Violas, 16 Cellos, 16 Basses
The unique advantages of using individual players was easy to see; the ability to create various section sizes. For example, in the 1st violins, you can create anything from a small "studio" section of four 1st violins, or call up a large ensemble of 16 1st violins.
However, containing features for the individual players was not enough. So Concert Strings 3, designed with an easy-to-use interface, and programmed to provide a fast workflow, is stuffed full of the requisite features you would expect from a high-end string library, and then some.
Concert Strings 3 - You can create sections ranging in size from 4 - 16 players. You can control EACH player's volume, panning. Instruments are programmed for medium to larger ensemble sounds. Full vibrato control.
Chamber Strings 3 - You can create sections ranging in size from 2 - 4 players. You can control EACH player's volume, panning. Instruments are programmed for smaller ensemble sounds. Full vibrato control.
Spotlight Solo Strings - You can create sections ranging in size from 1 - 4 players. You can control EACH player's volume, panning. Instruments are programmed for a soloist sound. There is a bonus "ripieno" feature that allows you to add an ensemble behind the soloists. Full vibrato control.
Pop Rock Strings - Created from the most usable samples of Concert Strings 2. You can choose 4 different section sizes - "Whole", "Half", "Quarter", and "Solo". Recorded in a rather "dry" space. Programmed for more "pop" and "rock" music. Includes Easy String Arranger programming.
Concert Brass 2 - You can choose 4 different section sizes - "Whole", "Half", "Quarter", and "Solo". Recorded in a rather "dry" space. More "elegant" and "round" than the brass in Diamond.
Diamond - Two (2) string and brass orchestras with included woodwinds and percussion. For strings and brass, you get "Symphonic" and "Concert" for larger sections, "Studio" and "Chamber" for smaller sections, and "Solo". In newer programming (TVEC3, TVEC4) you can choose 4 different section sizes - "Whole", "Half", "Quarter", and "Solo". Most samples were recorded in a large space.
Orchestral strings are widely used in a multitude of contexts from pop music to television, film scores and game audio. You may need a string sample library to create a MIDI mockup for a director before sending the material to an orchestrator or the MIDI version may be intended as the final result.
In some situations, realism is the goal, and numerous deep sampled libraries are available with a variety of articulations and extended contemporary techniques (look for my upcoming article focused on string articulations coming soon to The Pro Audio Files).
Other times, you might want a string-flavored sound, where a heavily processed or hybrid sound fits the situation better than a realistic simulation. Described below (in no particular order) are some of the best string-based libraries offering a variety of approaches to get you the sound and texture appropriate for your particular musical context.
Spitfire instruments, in general, have intense functionality and offer the user significant control. Referencing the manual is essential to take full advantage of what is available. This collection is perfect for creating contemporary textures and transitions as well as precisely defined ostinati.
This library focuses specifically on Violins from an expressive Solo player to a 16 player section. It excels at producing various flavors of vibrato including what the developer calls: Classical, Romantic, Baroque, Celtic, Lush and Western.
The front end has an attractive wooden look with dials that indicate the current Vibrato, Dynamic level and Velocity. Popping the settings hood give you additional control over Key Switches, Envelopes, Attack Style and other features. There is even a way to control vibrato rate via repeated key presses which I have not seen before. The presets cover a range a ensemble textures, but where this instrument really shines is with the Solo Violin sound.
NOVO Modern Strings goes beyond acoustic strings samples, offering a rich effect section, sophisticated sequencer and the ability to layer three channels of audio in its String and Loop Designer instruments.
Also included is a Traditional category of string instruments by section, and high and low ensembles. Articulations are key switchable and include long, legato, tremolo, spiccato, and pizzicato. There is a nicely designed section for adjusting Round Robin playback of staccato/spiccato and up/down bowing modes. As with any feature-rich instrument, it is essential to read the manual in order to discover all its potential.
While this library does not have the same level of control found in some of the others talked about here, it does offer the possibility of creating beautiful organic textures by combining traditional string sounds with non-orchestral sounds such as bowed guitar, tape effects sounds and vintage harmonium with a clean and intuitive interface and a small storage footprint.
Morphestra 2 is a full-blown sound design engine that has significant string library content based on their association with Kirk Hunter Studios (see Kirk Hunter Solo Strings library) as well as other orchestral instruments.
This library operates differently from others mentioned here and it is most certainly skewed towards sound design as opposed to traditional orchestral scoring. The main interface uses a four core system of playback engines, each cable of playing two sound sources for a total eight possible layers. For a detailed discussion of this instrument see my full review here.
No discussion of String Libraries would be complete without mentioning Hollywood Strings by EastWest. This iconic collection of samples recorded at renown EastWest Studio One has been heard in a multitude of television and film scores and is still widely used by many A-List composers. The company recently celebrated its 30 year anniversary.
If you are a little confused by the terminology surrounding playing techniques for strings, watch for my upcoming article on string articulations and playing indications; what they mean and how they affect the sound.
Whenever sophisticated string instruments and uncompromising sound quality are needed,
Chris Hein - Strings Compact is the exact right choice.
This library offers high quality solo instruments and ensembles with all essential articulations to realize authentic sounding string arrangements in your DAW efficiently.
Chris Hein - Strings Compact is the compacted version of the renowned libraries
Chris Hein - Solo Strings Complete and Chris Hein - Ensemble Strings. It contains all instruments and functions of its larger siblings and is solely reduced to the nine most common and important articulations. Certainly, this Compact version uses the very same high-quality samples as the Complete version.
Hence, Chris Hein - Strings Compact offers the full sound of the large Chris Hein String Libraries at an unbeatable price. In addition, you may of course upgrade to Chris Hein - Ensemble Strings or
Chris Hein - Solo Strings Complete with up to 49 articulations at any time.