Hi everybody!!

I am looking for a Kontakt library that features beautifully recorded pristine realistic strings. Hopefully under .. say 10GB? Which might be a big ask considering some of the options I have been looking at coming in at 100GB and up. So the smaller the better because I will only be using it once in a while on certain emo type parts of songs, background layering etc. (mainly dance music). What do you lot recommend?

 

- ProjectSAM Free Orchestra 2.0 -> Free. Fantastic Sul Tasto full ensemble strings. No articulations other than longs. ~2GB

- Strezov Afflatus Minimalist -> Free. Violins only, but it's Strezov, so it's quality. Full section/half section, legato/longs. ~2GB.

- Areia Lite -> €99. Full ensemble, most important articulations (longs, pizzicato, staccato, tremolo, trill). Patches for full ensemble, combined sections (violas & violins, cellis & basses) and instrument sections. Patches other than ensemble also give you legato. Optional Niente for all patches, optional Con Sordino for instrument and combined sections. ~12GB.

- Spitfire Originals Epic Strings -> €29. I don't have this myself, but I've seen it get recommended for compact strings. Longs, shorts, pizzicato and optional Con Sordino. ~3GB.

Everything else I know of is vastly more expensive / larger in size. If you need solo instruments rather than sections and ensembles - no idea!

 

It really depends upon a number of factors. For example: are you looking for an "epic" symphonic sound or for a smaller ensemble or string quartet sound? Do you want to have access to the individuals sections (violins first and seconds, viola, celli etc) or would a full patch suffice? Which articulations are you looking for?

I personally like the Spitfire String Quartet in Ableton Live very much, but as far as I know it's not seperately available as a plugin for other DAWs. There is also Spitfire's Intimate Strings lib for 29 bucks, which has it's own sound, which might or might not work for your purposes. I personally like it, but prefer the lib that is included in Ableton Suite for my purposes.

 

Perhaps the only one that comes close in terms of file size and quality are the Spitfire Studio series. If you want a bigger ensemble, though, I think there's nothing really at the 10gb mark.

Edit: it's a little hard to help if you don't specify what kind of strings you want, but you might also want to check the free Spitfire BBC Symphony Orchestra Discover. Perfect size for layering or adding some weight to the background where total realism is not fully important.

 

Thanks for the replies!

Im such a donkey Ableton has a strings library? I'm currently on Ableton Suite 11. Is it THAT good?

I mentioned 10GB only because I was looking at Vienna and another one and they both were over 100GB, way too large for my storage liking, so lets say under 25GB max? considering it isnt something I will be using daily or even weekly. I'm not making epic Hollywood blockbuster super intricate orchestral arrangements or anything, just some nice layered strings (3-6 piece/part?), long chords and plucks mostly I guess, to accompany synths mostly, occasionally as a solo section in a song.. long verbs and big spaces type of atmospheres. Just need something that doesnt scream FAKE strings, if ya know what I mean.

 

Last edited by a moderator: Oct 8, 2023

Have a look at Spitfire BBCSo Discover. Free and ridiculously small. it’s a great starting point.

https://www.spitfireaudio.com/bbc-symphony-orchestra-discover

 

Thanks for the link pal!

Just had a quick listen to the demos on that page, while some of it sounds decent within the context, I dont need a full orchestra, just some "pretty" sounding strings, violins, violas, cellos sorta thing I suppose.

 

You can use disco strings that works with dance music from Organic Loops, Samplephonics and Splice Originals. I have them all to use for my style of house music I produce.

 

Real sounding strings for dance music, something that is capable of stirring emotion in the listener (obviously melody, chord arrangement dependent), progressive house sorta thing.

 

Last edited by a moderator: Oct 8, 2023

Yes, indeed. Check them as they might be just what you're looking for. And the Ableton's String quartet is by Spitfire Audio anyway. (Also look at the other included instruments in Ableton first - some are quite good for a certain scenario)

Others already mentioned. Spitfire Originals are nice at 3GB (Intimate S., Epic S.) For dance I'd add NI Session Strings 2 ~10GB.

 

Anyone here have or try the Kirk Hunter Studios – Spotlight Strings 4D ? Listening to the demos now and sounds pretty damn good, although its not dance music so I dunno. It says 10GB required space, so that fits as well. Hmm

I'll dig around in Ableton to see if I can find the strings. Dunno how Ive missed those.

 

honestly, at 250mb, it’s hard to argue with the plugin, even if there is stuff you don’t use!

 

Bigfish Audio Vintage Strings should be good for what you're talking about. I'd suggest 8dio Intimate strings but it's closer to 50Gb

 

Orchestral tools - Berlín inspire 1 or 2, or both, their complement and 1 is more epic, 2 es more detailed
Total file size for the two, no more than 20 GB.
Cheers