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The world of digital music production is one of the fastest-growing frontiers in the creative business today. From EDM producers to hip-hop beatmakers to pop stars, everyone is using computers to augment their abilities.
Get the 200 best free VST plugins ever made. From synth VSTs and drum VSTs to VST effects, this huge list has only the best of the best plugins. Mike here, with a quick guide on the Best Orchestral VST Libraries. =) The Symphonic Orchestra is the most versatile, expressive, dynamic and emotionally impactful instrument collection ever created. Ranging from the expressive strings, to the bold brass, all the way to the intimate woodwinds and powerful percussion. As an Indian, I realized that if you want to create some Indian grooves then this is the best VST plugin for you. You can arrange Bollywood style realistic grooves with it just with a few clicks. The best thing I like about it is, you can create your own library by sampling sounds and even sell those libraries to others.
One crucial tool on the belt of any respectable music producer in the digital age is their library of sounds, which they can plug into their DAW (digital audio workstation), commonly known as their 'VST' (Virtual Sound Technology) library. This library and which plugins a producer has chosen can make or break the way their production sounds.
So, what is the best orchestral VST out today?
Top 3 Best Orchestral VST Libraries:
| Image | Model | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Native Instrument Komplete 10 (Editor's Choice) | ||
| Garritan Instant Orchestra | ||
| Synthogy Ivory II Grand Pianos |
Native Instruments Komplete 10 (Editor's Choice)
In my opinion, there is no better single solution for general sampling and effects that Komplete 10. It is higher priced than the previous option, but there is an overwhelming amount of samples, synths, and capability that you get for your money.
Specifically, on the orchestral side of things, I find the samples somewhat limited as this is a product that includes a wide variety of other samples; it is not specifically an orchestra product. On the one hand, if you are looking for only an orchestral VST plugin, this is probably too much for you. But, if you are looking for a great way to expand your library, I do not think there is a better option out there.
The 'Session Strings' product is pretty incredible. As I said, it is somewhat limited if you are used to colossal orchestra sample libraries. This product includes a respectable library of very high-quality samples. Komplete 10 shines in the ability to customize these sounds with the different synthesizer products available within.
While Garritan Instant Orchestra has that mood layering capability, the various synths within Komplete 10 outshine any editing capability that IO has.
This is probably the single best VST plugin product in existence. But, if you are looking for something to complement an existing VST library with a huge amount of orchestral sounds only, this may not be the product for you.
Garritan Instant Orchestra
Perhaps a decent middle-of-the-road option for someone just getting into VST products and searching for an extensive collection of orchestral sounds is Garritan Instant Orchestra.
Generally, the product is described as easy-to-use and featuring good samples. Other features that stand out from this product are various mood options when using the samples themselves so you can create different textures on top of the same sample.
That is another advantage of VST products. You can edit the sounds than even the director of the orchestra himself by using powerful digital modeling tools.
Instant Orchestra has a good collection of sounds and a capable digital interface. It is an excellent place to start for people just starting with VST products.
On the other hand, some complaints about doing more advanced work within Instant Orchestra that may require reading the help materials is difficult as the help materials are tough to read.
So, while the product itself seems geared at beginning producers, the help material is not conducive to asking and answering questions. That is a big knock against the product. Doing things like layering multiple sounds together to create your own is very difficult to figure out because the documentation is lacking.
Synthology Ivory II Grand Pianos
If you are looking for a VST product that offers exquisite piano sounds, this may be one to purchase immediately. I will warn you from the outset that there is no point in purchasing this product unless you have a perfect MIDI controller that can replicate a high-end piano action.
This product is not for the faint of heart. It features a massive variety of quality piano sounds from all the legendary piano manufacturers.
One of the significant problems with this sort of product is that the technology is a little lacking when it comes to feeling like you are in a room playing a Bosendorfer or Steinway. Even with the utmost in audio equipment, the feeling may not be there.
Microsoft winscp download. Additionally, this is not an orchestral product, but it does feature great piano sounds if that is what you are looking for.
There are a few complaints about this product. Mostly, there are products better at this than Ivory II is. That is, the software provided by some other manufacturers is better than what is available here. Furthermore, the quality of your experience is determined by the quality of your controller. To get closer to feeling like a Steinway, it has to feel like a Steinway.
Another oddity is that you must use the iLok product with this software to access it. For whatever reason, Synthology decided that the iLok would keep the product secure and piracy-free. It would be best if you had the iLok in the USB port when you attempt to use this program to validate the license required to be stored on the iLok.
What Makes An Orchestral VST Better Than Another?
Several features can set VSTs apart from one another. It would behoove us to have a brief discussion on what exactly a VST is.
Like I said, VST stands for 'Virtual Sound Technology' which literally means a tool that is comprised of a library of virtual instrument sounds. In this case, the term virtual denotes that these sounds are not like recording the studio's instrument as the production happens. Rather, it denotes a pre-recorded or produced file that can then be slotted into the production at hand.
The way the sounds are created is fundamental to the overall VST quality.
In my opinion, the very best orchestral VST will feature the sounds of real instruments recorded at the utmost fidelity with equally great care and precision. A good VST will allow you to truly replicate a violin's sound played by a great player in a great studio and given very detailed care in mixing and production. In comparison, the very worst will feature shoddy recording or be poor digital recreations of acoustic instruments.
While some people may want digital recreations of instruments, it is essential to note your intentions with these products before buying them. If your intentions are not to replicate a massive orchestra or legendary acoustic pianos, you must consider when building your library of sounds.
Your intentions and the quality of the actual production concerning those intentions make a VST better or worse.
Other Considerations When Purchasing VST products
Computer Capability
As you probably know, if you are getting into digital music production, your computer must be ready. Most importantly, these products are the capacity of your hard disk. These products are large.
You are purchasing high-fidelity recordings of instruments in most cases that are uncompressed. Do not be surprised when you download one of these products and they are asking for 100+ gigabytes of space just for the library.
Software Bundles
Some VST products come bundled with complete DAW and MIDI controlling solutions. If you are starting from scratch, it might be a good idea to compare the prices on products bundled together as, in most cases, you can get a better deal going that route than otherwise.
MIDI controller
An essential part of your home recording system will be the MIDI controller you choose. These VST libraries are made to work with MIDI controllers. Check compatibility before buying.
So, What's the Best VST Library Out There?
I would recommend that the funds be available to purchase Komplete 10 and a great MIDI controller. That will give you an expansive library of sounds, with a decent selection of orchestral samples. The MIDI controller will provide you a way to play those files in a pleasing way to your sensibility.
Komplete 10 is simply the best product on this list and the best orchestral VST on the list by far. If you are looking for better piano sounds down the road, you can look into Ivory II as long as your MIDI controller is up to the task. If you attempt to use Ivory II on a substandard MIDI controller, I think you will be disappointed.
So, use Komplete 10. Master it and master the ability to add effects to the samples. I think you will find all of the orchestral bases covered until your needs grow more specific. But, unless you are film scoring, I think there is enough here to keep you occupied for a lifetime of digital music production. With a quality MIDI controller, your experience will be nothing but joy.
Stay away from Garritan Instant Orchestra unless you are first striking out and have a firm dedication to figuring out lackluster help documentation. I think that Komplete 10 provides more value and an experience that is far above what Garritan offers.
Related Posts
In the world of digital music production, there' a whole universe of VST plugins to choose from.
Best Vst String Library
Most VSTs are really good at one thing, or suited for a specific genre. But there's a select few out there that are total workhorses.
They do a lot of things really well no matter what your project sounds like.
The VSTs on this list offer heaps of possibilities in a single plugin.
Whether you're making sweeping ambient drones, experimental prog rock or wall-shaking techno, you'll find yourself coming back to these plugins track after track—no matter what genre you're working in.
Here's our 7 favourite versatile VST plugins that belong in every production toolbox.
Massive by Native Instruments
Massive is (rightfully) described as a ‘sonic monster'.
It's an unbeatable synthesizer for basslines and leads. There's over 1300 presets to choose from and an easy-to-use browser that sorts presets by type and characteristics.
Even though Massive has become known as a popular VST for dubstep and EDM producers, one look through the enormous and diverse library of presets shows that this plugin can do a lot more than create wobble bass effects.
One look through the enormous and diverse library of presets shows that this plugin can do a lot.
Each preset has 8 customizable macro controls to allow you to dramatically change the sound of each preset, and if that wasn't enough, you can also go in and alter any of the 3 oscillators or their filters and envelopes to further shape your sound. With so much room for customization, you can tweak almost any sound in the plugin to suit your personal preference and work across a variety of genres.
Even though Massive shines for window-shattering basslines, it also has a huge selection of beautiful soundscapes and pads for those softer passages, making it one of the most versatile and widely used VSTs on the market.
NI Massive: $149 USD
Serum by Xfer Records
What makes this synth really special is the ability to import your own recorded audio or outside samples—making the possibilities truly endless and versatile for any project.
Serum is a 2 oscillator wavetable synthesizer with fully user-editable wavetables. What makes this synth really special is the ability to import your own recorded audio or outside samples—making the possibilities truly endless and versatile for any project.
Serum also features a Remap Mode, which allows for you to draw your own wavetables and customize the presets or your own imported audio.
The effect rack also includes 10 different modules making this synth even more useful than most synth VSTs.
Xfer Records Serum: $189 USD
Decapitator by Soundtoys
When it comes to saturation effect plugins, Decapitator shows up in a ton of top lists—And for good reason…
With 5 different analogue saturation models, Decapitator lets you create subtle, extreme, or anywhere-in-between hardware-modelled saturation.
With 5 different analogue saturation models, Decapitator lets you create subtle, extreme, or anywhere-in-between hardware-modelled saturation.
Decapitator's tone control allows you to shape your sound how you want it, and it's mix control allows you to blend in dry signal without the need to use routing and sub-mixes.
The flexibility of this VST makes it the perfect choice for adding character to every instrument in your mix, no matter what those instruments might be.
Soundtoys Decapitator: $199 USD
Toraverb by D16 Group
When the engineers at D16 Group set out to create Toraverb, they wanted to make a reverb VST that was unlike any other. Marketed as a ‘concept algorithm reverb', Toraverb has easily accessible parameters for creating your own type of reverb—forget your classic room, hall, etc.
Toraverb has two independent, single band parametric equalizers, one for early and one for late EQ reflections—a feature that allows for full user control.
Toraverb sounds lovely when used on pads, synths, and guitars, but also adds depth to rhythmic patterns.
Because the sound shaping in Toraverb is so flexible and high-quality, it's useful on any component in your track — it sounds lovely when used on pads, synths, and guitars, but also adds depth to rhythmic patterns.
The best fl studio. D16 Group Toraverb: $39 USD
CamelCrusher by Camel Audio
CamelCrusher is a free VST (!) featuring two different distortion tones (which can be used separately or blended together), a silky smooth low-pass filter and user-friendly compressor. All of these options combine to make CamelCrusher a go-to VST for all situations and a great place to get started with distortion on any project.
CamelCrusher will beef up any component of your track—but where it really shines is on drums of all types. The infamous ‘Phat Mode' ensures your kick will cut through even the most heavily-distorted basslines.
CamelCrusher will beef up any component of your track—but where it really shines is on drums of all types.
Unfortunately the company that created CamelCrusher, Camel Audio, does not exist anymore, but CamelCrusher is still available for free here.
Camel Audio's Camel Crusher: Free!
Movement by Output
Movement features over 300 presets and allows you input any sound, instrument, or track—making it the swiss-army knife for effects.
Other highlights of the plugin include analogue modelled effects, 76 modulation knobs, and state-of-the-art sidechain modulation which allows you to modulate up to 38 parameters using a single input source.
Movement features over 300 presets and allows you input any sound, instrument, or track—making it the swiss-army knife for effects.
Movement also allows you to adjust your sound in realtime using Movement's XY macro pad, which lets you to control up to 152 parameters at the same time.
These features and more let you completely transform any instrument or track, making it an invaluable tool for any producer.
Output Movement: $149 USD
MXXX by Melda Productions
MXXX is pricey but worth it…
It gives you every Melda Productions effect (all 94!) in a simple, user-friendly interface. Echo, reverb, delay, distortion, compression, saturation, flanger—I mean everything.
This VST has more than 70 processors and over 500 active presets, each with their own set of processors and controls allowing you to completely customize and create new sounds.
This VST has more than 70 processors and over 500 active presets, each with their own set of processors and controls.
Best Vst Sound Library
An especially impressive feature of this VST is the automatic routing matrix: Insert any of the FX processors and the VST will do the routing for you by putting inputs and outputs in the most probable locations. This of course is fully editable, but is definitely a nice feature.
The folks over at Melda Productions really put together the complete package with MXXX that is sure to please everyone.
Melda Productions MXXX: $1218 USD
Ready for Anything
With an overwhelming selection of VSTs available on the market, it can be hard to know where to even start.
By choosing VSTs that can do a lot for you you'll get the most bang for your buck.
Best Vst Sound Library Music
Having a small but solid collection of plugins that can adapt to different tracks, instruments and genres will help you have an effective workflow as a producer, and your RAM will probably thank you too.
