Solo Instruments & Extras
Producer Chris Hein has been in the sample game since 1986, creating a complete, detailed and highly playable collection of solo strings, brass and woodwinds. The strings and brass titles also contain virtual ensembles of layered solo instruments.
Flagship Collection: Chris Hein Orchestra Complete.
Budget Solution: Chris Hein Orchestra Compact.
Embertone are a sparky young US company operated by Alex Davis and sidekick Jonathan Churchill. Their solo strings and woodwinds namecheck the performers (Friedlander Violin, Herring Clarinet etc) and score top marks for authentic realism and playability.
Flagship Collection: Joshua Bell Violin.
Budget Solution: Friedlander Violin.
Freebie: Intimate Strings Lite.
Founded by Giorgio Tommasini and Peter Siedlaczek in 2007, Sample Modeling uses innovative proprietary technologies to create stunningly realistic, ultra‑playable and expressive instruments. The company’s range includes the newly updated Solo, Chamber & Ensemble Strings and third‑generation versions of The Trumpet, The Trombone and French Horn & Tuba.
Flagship Collection: Solo, Chamber & Ensemble Strings.
Budget Solution: Solo brass instruments.
The similarly misspelled Audio Modeling’s instruments are also startlingly lifelike. Developed by Stefano Lucato and Emanuele Parravicini, the company’s SWAM range delivers a complete suite of woodwind, string and brass solo instruments using physical and behavioural modelling to control expression and dynamics.
Flagship Collection: SWAM Solo Woodwinds v3.
Budget Solution: Solo string instruments.
James Thompson and Dan Powell’s Soniccouture have a hot line in pristine deep-sampled tuned percussion, with Grand Marimba, Vibraphone, Celeste and Orchestral Chimes Collection winning rave reviews. By way of contrast, the nervy avant‑garde articulations of Threnody Strings enter the realms of sci‑fi and horror.
Flagship Collection: Threnody Strings.
Budget Solution: Orchestral Chimes Collection.
Another veteran of the GigaStudio era, Kirk Hunter remains a productive orchestral creator. His current roster includes the Lyric Series String Quintet, Front Row Violin solo strings and Virtuoso Ensembles orchestral package.
Flagship Collection: Lyric Series String Quintet.
Budget Solution: Kinetic: String Motion Engine.
Miscellaneous
Versilian Studios Chamber Orchestra is genuinely distinctive, and though the sound isn’t as opulent as some of the major collections, its 90 individual instruments and percussion section provide a near‑complete instrumentation along with useful extras and ear‑catching textures. This Connecticut‑based company also have some insanely inexpensive orchestral percussion instruments.
Flagship Collection: Chamber Orchestra 2.6 Professional Edition.
Budget Solutions: Classic Series tuned percussion.
Nostalgia corner: Garritan’s Personal Orchestra, reviewed by Mark Wherry and myself in 2004, lives on. Though lacking the technical features and lavish sound of contemporary libraries, Personal Orchestra 5's complete instrumentation, small footprint and affordable price is ideal for beginners.
Flagship Collection & Budget Solution: Garritan Personal Orchestra 5.
Postscript
Most of these products have in-depth reviews on the SOS website. Apologies to developers of products we’ve omitted — it’s not possible to include every title, but our readers will no doubt find your wares on the Internet. In the meantime, I hope this guide will be useful for those engaged in the noble art of MIDI orchestration, and maybe also inspire a few others to join the party.
Some parting words from Peter Siedlaczek, whose 1997 Advanced Orchestra collection helped kick-start the orchestral sample revolution: “Sample libraries and virtual instruments are more affordable today than ever before, and the choice is huge. Though the most rewarding and educational experience is still to work with real orchestras, virtual orchestral instruments are a great way of learning how to deal with orchestral arrangements, sounds, acoustic instrument performance and phrasing, etc. A wonderful way to learn and experiment as much as one wants, without time constraints. The complex instrument called ‘orchestra’ has become more democratic and affordable, available for everybody willing to learn more.”