An advanced physical modeling technology by Audio Modeling which has attracted some people. Do you really use their products in your projects? Some of them don't sound bad, but some are unreal.

 

Some instruments sound great but you need wind or expression controllers and the skills to use them convincingly.
I heard a string section demo that sounded like a cross between samples and Wendy Carlos' Switched On Bach???

 

that probably sounds way more amazing in my head than it does in reality

 

The issues I have with SWAM is that the tech is supposed to be less system invasive and easier to use than regular sample libraries. They have toned down the RAM usage with the tech, but sacrificed extreme CPU usage in the process. Extreme CPU usage in many cases to the deal-breaker stages where there isn't enough CPU power to play even one instrument.

Personally, I find the sounds of the instruments plasticky and contrived. Sort of defeats the whole purpose of using realistic synthetic sound technology in the first place. If I am using sampled (or algo) synthetic (or sampled real world instruments) instruments in a project my general intent is to sound as realistic as possible to the real thing without having to print scores, hire, and pay actual players to record the piece. I find the SWAM tech lacking in this department. Just MHO...

 

there's no magics or trick to achive the best result in orchestral emulation: mix everything you have at disposaal

I mean SWAM, then different libraries of samples or even live musicians in certain cases.It depends on the production and the budget obviously. In a small budget situation you go for the quick solution so basic libraries or SWAM. More money? Ok, you can start working with complex keyswitches and realize a 4 trombones section with 4 different libraries to achive that "mixed sound" of the real thing. Even more money? Record 1 live musician playing trombone and the result will be very very good*

I used trombones as example, but it works for any situations, even for a small strings ensamble, like a 4tet or 6tet: use swam+a couple of different libraries+1 real violin AND/OR 1 real cello or whatever and the result will be good

SWAM alone is only for basic situation or for "sketches" of the composition, to render the first midi file coming out of Dorico/Sibelius, or only for solo instruments but that needs a special ambience. Example: you need a trumpet or a solo cello playing a distant, slow melody full of reverb, delay in an unreal space, well in that situation SWAM alone can do the thing. But if you need a chamber ambient, emulation a live situation, like a concert or whatever then SWAM alone it is not enough. But definitely something to have ready to go.

*NOTE: here talking for "modern cinematic sound", not for "pure classical emulation".

 

The brass needs work to stand alone, if they could at all, but the reeds sound excellent IMO. Bass Clarinet and Bassoon being stand outs.