I just visited VSTBuzz after a long time and discovered that Diamond Symphony Orchestra by Kirk Hunter is on sale for only 20$. I am just wondering if it has anything of value or will it be just sitting on my drive and wasting space.I am particularly concerned about the woodwinds though.If anyone has experience with this library ,please share your thoughts.

 

i had that long time ago. pretty good but a bit weird gui to work with

 

Well, a the current price, if you don’t own any more modern sample collections, this can be considered a fantastic offer. The package includes a lot of content, and the sounds are above average (far superior, for example, to Garritan).

By today’s standards, it works well as a solution for sketching, arranging, and intermediate level productions, especially if you don’t yet have a solid orchestral library. I used it quite a while ago, and remember the sounds being nice, but over time they started to feel a bit left behind compared to the "majors".

I also recall the interface being somewhat clunky, some instruments having scripting issues, and that it wasn’t always easy to get good results when combining Kirk Hunter libs with others. In many cases, it required more manual tweaking to sound convincing, especially when compared to Spitfire, Orchestral Tools, VSL Kontakt-based and 8Dio, which were the darlings of that era.

That said, if you can invest this amount, you’ll be getting a library that sounds above average without spending a fortune. Just don’t expect it to replace the "cherries on top", 'cos that's not going to happen, but at this promotional price? it’s a no-brainer!

 

Wouldn't Musescore be better?
It's been a very long time but even long ago that Kirk Hunter library sounded quite a joke compared to more modern libraries, even 10 years ago. And since there has been free options with better sound and better execution, it seems wasting time, money and disk space.

 

So, SF3 (basically SF2 + compression) doesn’t compete with any orchestral lib (neither old nor new). It works very well for score playback, study purposes, quick mockups, and basic readings, but MuseScore SF3 (which covers few articulations and, as far as I know, doesn’t offer real legato) does not replace a dedicated orchestral library. SoundFonts don't really match a full orchestral collection like this one (the DSO is dated, but not useless: it offers a variety of articulations derived from original samples and has a functional legato of acceptable quality). Apart from that, calling it a "joke" is the kind of exaggeration forums are famous for...

To wrap it up, if I didn't already own any official, purchased libraries, at this promotional price, I would buy it.

In this video, you'll find some bugs that Dan Bodin even points out, asking if anyone else is experiencing them!

 

Last edited: Dec 18, 2025 at 9:06 AM

I have NI Symphony Series ,some 8dio String libraries ,Sonokinetic sordino strings,Steinberg Iconica Sketch ...I am just unsatiisfied with the woodwinds I have and am looking for some decent ones.What do you think about the woodwinds in this library ?

 

After hearing the demos and watching the review, I think I shall pass ..

 

For real cheap, Garritan Personal Orchestra is VERY good ... if you know my personal trick to improve sound.
Use an aural exciter like BBE Maximizer or Thrillseeker.
Simple : it will make the bass more "compact" AND treble more open.

You will basically get the sound of a bank costing 3 to 4 times more.
You only need to know if you like the articulations and content.

PS : check miroslav too

 

Last edited: Dec 18, 2025 at 11:10 PM

KH orch stuff is laughable, avoid it.

 

Nice demo at the end

You ear the potential from GPO :

Biggest problem with a lot of demos (from maker AND other ppl) is they are generic MIDI track with NO good articulations switching.
And of course, it is the key to a good composition.

I don't even speak about MIDI demos with static dynamic AND quantised to the grid ... horrible with ANY bank.

 

Woodwinds:
Solo - 8dio stuff is good enough;
unless you want max virtuosity, then maybe try modelled instruments..

Big Ensemble - Cinewinds > problem solved.

Cinematic Studio Woodwinds also interesting.

Or maybe you can go the Spitfire route if that's your thing;
or even VSL in the opposite direction for a more realist/academic result.


-Otoh EastWest Hollywood series will give you all you need,
but it's said the Woodwinds part is not on par with the rest.

(A bit like Cinestrings whose development got fuskered along the way..)


-For a smaller ensemble sound, and in a Cheap All-in-one format..

Instead of GPO or KH I'd reccomend > Halion Symphonic orchestra

But yeah,
some of the NI Symphony Series stuff you mentioned, already sound more Epic/Cinematic than that..

 

Last edited: Dec 19, 2025 at 1:34 PM

Like a lot of ppl, you will end with several sound banks "on demand".
If you want better woodwinds mainly, getting an "all in one" is not the best solution.

Check audio demos from Cosmic post above

 

because sketching is such an important part of orch composition, I am now a bit curious about this KH library.
KH libraries aren't bad like people say, they are just not (imo) made to finish a mockup. they are made to start one.

my sketching libs of choice are actually infinite woodwinds and brass... lightweight, sound great and are so much more easy to program than most... i then use iconica for the strings. percussion is easy enough to program on almost every library so that doesnt matter.