After Your great comparison I immediately wanted to buy Amsterdam Sinfonietta, because it sounded like the real thing 😍 - well, I discovered, it IS the real thing, no VST. 😖🤣
I have seen at least 100 videos about the comparison of strings libraries, and this one makes me feel the most referential and professional, the most practical and the most helpful. Thank you Sergey
This direct comparison shows the legato of Apassionata is truly in a league of its own. I wasn't even really interested in that library but here I'm amazed, it makes all the other libraries sound really cheap (legato-wise). Another wonderful tool, for when you need that specific skillset.
While I agree that Apassionata sounds brilliant, I wouldn't go as far as to say it leaves others in the dust in terms of legato. Plus, the very reverby sound helps smooth out the transitions too (not that that's a bad thing). I have never actually used Apassionata so I'll happily be educated on this, but compared to, say, Cinematic studio strings, it doesn't seem to sound that much better, and the rebowing that I heard in CSS is leagues above SAS, in my opinion
Brilliant demo. I wish VISTA had been in there, but there are so many libraries, you can't have them all! Very helpful... but I still can't decide! lol
Great test! I liked Berlin Symphonic the most out the box, but this kind of slow arcing piece is actually where samples perform best. My bet is at least 5 of these libraries could be made to sound very close to the recording if one spent time adjusting mic positions, EQing them and customizing CC1/CC11 for each library.
I was most impressed with Cinematic Studio Strings. I just wish that they made one in an orchestral hall rather than a small studio. It’s the most realistic out of all of them by far. Appassionata would be second place for me
Thanks for this, I'm well impressed with the comparisons. For me, with the extra discount I get for owning 'Symphonic Motions', SAS really is a no-brainer and an instant purchase.
Well done! You have convinced me on Spitfire Symphonic Strings….which I’ve been contemplating for years. I’m surprised how thin Berlin Strings sound (which I own) and every time I hear CSS it sounds like someone put a pillow over the speakers.
Finally.. I've always felt like CSS is way overrated. Great interface and all around solid choice, but as you said, the sound of it just sounds..dull to me.
I don’t have an orchestral string library and don’t often need one but listening across the comparisons here, Spitfire Appassionata and Strezov Afflatus come across to me as the most clean, convincing and pleasant. Some of the others sound a bit too processed or “detuned” across the ensemble - and some of it sounds just plain artificial like maybe there was too much layering of samples trying to make it sound too “big”. I purchased Spitfire’s Eric Whitacre Choir almost on impulse when it came out because it matched up qualitatively with what I imagine when considering voices in my music. Thankful for this comparison before doing the same with Appassionata. Need to look into Afflatus a little deeper now…
After listening to all these samples I chose only two and it was the same than you. You can see the difference especially when violins one play alone on the high notes
To my ears symphonic strings suit the piece of music best-My top three picks: 1) OT Berlin symphonic strings 2) Spitfire Symphonic Strings 3) Cinematic Studio Strings
After listening to all the samples I chose only two: Spitfire Appassionata and Sterzov Afflatus. You can hear the difference especially when violins one play alone on the high notes it sounds more natural.
amazing work and fun how each of us has his own perception/sensibility...to me only afflatus "scene d'amour" (but in a radical way, not for any use) and CSS have the most touching "way of life" :-) but it's my own artistic perception off course.
To me, CSS sounds the best, there's just no beating that legato. Appassionata comes in at a close second, but I'd like it more if there was more vibrato. All the other libraries just sound stilted in comparison.
Thank you so much.This was a very comprehensive comparison. With the exception of Nashville strings I own every library and it was refreshing to see a comparison like this. I learned a lot about my existing libraries. Thanks once again. I have liked and subscribed to your channel.
dangit. i was thinking "wow, the amsterdam library clearly sounds the best. i was searching all over the internet for it and just realized it was the real orchestra you were comparing the rest too. dang.... CSS is pretty good though..
Very nice work! I have listened through this great comparison a few times as I did it with classic orchestra's live recordings of the Adagio from Bruckner. The programming could be better here and there like in bar 5-6, which is a bit too loud and too fast. I understand the logic of the fact that you didn't changed the programming/automation and therefore the result not even throughout the different libraries, some of them sounds more balanced, responds better for the same actual programming, however I'm 100% sure, that all libraries could be optimised just as the actual programming to each library, than would be very interesting to do the comparison again. 🙂 I listened the music on my Iphone13 first, ( two times ) than via my studio equipments ( with studio monitor ). There are libraries with big 'yes' and there a few I would not use until they not improve for better quality, flexibility etc. I would only list out my favourite ones here: Spitfire Symphonic Strings ( sound most realistic, rich and balanced and flexible enough to use artistically ), Spitfire Apassionata ( best realistic legato ), Berlin Strings Orchestral Tools, Cinematic Studio Strings ( beautiful tone overall ) Audio Impera Areia ( needed better adjusted programming for best result ), 8dio Adagio/Anthology ( lush, rich rounded tone overall, powerful sound, need to adjust ) Strezov libraries sounds beautiful, but a bit annoying the accent at the beginning of every single note, same with Audioollie Nashville also here is the legato is not obvious. Fluffy Audio Venice Modern Strings has really nice tone, but a bit sounds weaker than other libraries. Audiobro Modern Scoring Strings Library sounds rounded and darker than other libraries, lovely soft, even balanced sound though. The bass in other libraries has more character but maybe it can be changed by a bit more suitable programming/automation. All these libraries must be very useful, and adjust the arranging - programming - automation optimally to each of the libraries. Need to understand and know strings, how they work in real, if someone really want to get out the best out of digital music programming.
Great stuff, it's funny I was looking for the Amsterdam Sinfonietta VST plugin and realized it doesn't exist... LOL... anyway I was looking at the original score and the instruments are first and second violins then 1st and 2nd violas (violas are just incredible, what an intimate timbre it creates!), then just cello. In the demo, you added the basses, guessing this was deliberate. In any case and just for fun, it would be interesting to use these 3 instruments (excluding the basses) and perhaps use different libraries combinations. I am thinking 1st and 2nd violins and violas from "Appassionata" and perhaps use a cello from CSS... I'll try to experiment and share. Cheers!
BSS, Appassionata, CSS, Venice (that was surprising) for me here. I like the tone of the Afflatus Lush but it has volume bumping every single note, I think there is some programming problem, because I just tried lush from there and it sounds smooth. NSS has attack on every note, sounds weird, hope that it could be fixed too, I would try them, in other user demos there was good legato actually. MSS here sounds dull, but I like legato, I think it has potential, if you spend some time with eq and mic adjustments, plus auto legato is not the best option, there will be better results if you change it manually. SCS, SSS - great tone, legato - meh. SStS - it's good, I think one of the better options, I would just add some reverb and make some CC adjustments. CineStrings - too noisy, odd volume surges, I'm not sure it could be fixed. Hollywood Strings - ok, but there are no drastic dynamic changes and it's too quite in comparison. BS - good, but not my peace of cake. Areia, Jaeger - punchy sound, I don't think it fits this adagio, plus not the best legato. 8dio sounds weird, something with stereo field, I don't like portamento here.
They all sound really good. Some better than others. IMO, Jaeger was my least favorite sound of them all.....and I actually own it. All the Spitfire products stood out to me, as did 8dio Century Strings.
CSS is just king for a writing style like this. I'm a bit disappointed by Appassionata's dynamics. For 5 layers I expect a pp layer to actually sound like one. 🤔 Also thanks for this demo, it's really helpful and one of the few with actually proper programming.
Update: I bought it and it's so dissapointing, it's hard to make it sound real and it's lacking any passion, which is what I would expect of library called APPASSIONATA. What a letdown...
I think the thing I learned most from this is just how inexpressive samples sound compared to the real thing. As much as they sound "realistic", they're not communicating meaning through the music, other than a very basic 'this part is loud, this part is soft'. Thank you for this comparison!!
You're absolutely right. Vst is for demo recordings only. And for study. No money can be spared for a live recording. Medium quality recording is better than the best VST
ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-EsUhUMuH6nc.html Here is an example of a not very good recording - they do not play cleanly. but the vst will never be able to.
I bought Berlin Symphonic based largely based on this video. So lush and beautiful, while mainting a lot of detail as well. It's a perfect comparison video. Is there a place where I can download the midi for this Adagio?
I have several of these libraries. Use them for different reasons. Interestingly for Romantic strings I found the Appasionata the best sounding next to the live elements. EW sounded fake. I have that one. I usually mix it in with others and come up with a huge mock that sounds wonderful, but on its own, EW doesn't compare to Spitfire Chamber or Appass. Berlin strings sounded pretty clean though.
MSS is quite a bit less loud than the others, and there are other volume differences between the files. Keep that in mind when you compare the files. By the way, your freebie download links don't work.
I got prank Amsterdam Sinfonietta is the real :P btw i own all spitfire orchestra strings series and the new purchased are BBC core, they also good deal.
Afflatus sounds great I only wish they would have a softer dynamic (ppp) sometimes. Jaeger sounds good as well as several from Spitfire. I guess with all these libraries it is hard even starting to think what to pick lol.
Amazing comparison set, thank you! Appassionata really sounding beautiful here. Many of these libraries do a great job. Only Air studios sounds like Air studios though!
I feel like css hasn’t been used at its best there, it’s strength is the legato and here it felt a bit sloppy and the sound isn’t exactly what I remember it being, but ofc you can’t just reprogram the same midi clips for EVERY libraries you own that’d be a waste of time, other than that this comparison video is awesome and my gawd that composition is incredible and I loved the live version so much
Great comparison Sergey! Berlin Symphonic Strings is the only one that convincingly recreates the 0"50 rebow (at 11"07 ). All the others, including Appassionata fail there.
Very impressive effort - very interesting comparison! There certainly are differences, but I’m surprised how similar they sound on my little iPad speakers.
You worked hard working on your music. What's a little disappointing is that each instrument has its own characteristics, so it may be meaningful to copy and paste the same Region. Originally, what was made based on Applicationata should have been applied to each new instrument. I understand that because it is also a hard work that takes time.
Less be frank …most part of the libs here sound very well and would be difficult for me to know that the first was a life recording if placed in the middle of the selection . Today sampling technology has reached levels of excelence that is dificult to distinguis from real and fake in the hands of an expert musician programmer.
Great comparison! But every library reacts to dynamics differently and is usually needed to tweak by ear. Is this tweaked to Apassionata and then just copy/pasted to other libraries?
The demo is written with the consideration that the library cannot. I myself notice that I compose a lot just like that because VST knows how to play it well.
Awesome, very helpful! Can I ask, which library did you use for your initial mockup, and then did you make any adjustments for the other libraries or just kept the exact same MIDI?
Thank you. made a midi for the first library. I just installed the rest of the libraries. I think it's honest. You can immediately hear the specifics of different libraries.
To me several of the libraries sound good to great EXCEPT for the solo part (bars 17/18, 29/30...) -should that passage be better done by SOLO libs? More modulation/vibrato?
It would be embarrassing if it wasn't. Afflatus is 400 euro (when on sale) and comes with dozens of articulations and various other ensembles. Appassionata is almost 200$ and only comes with legato and sustains for one ensemble. You cannot compare the two libraries as a whole, they aim to do very separate things. For legato alone, Appasionata will obviously win.
@@-Meric- Price =/= quality, especially with Spitfire (and Berlin). To the OP, Afflatus is absolutely fantastic - I wouldn't worry because someone ran the same midi file through various libraries. In fact, Afflatus might even be better if you apply the pixelpoet trick so the legato transition samples don't get cut in as much. Afflatus is also one of the few patches with repetition legato.
I own Afflatus too! For others reading these comments, you might think the Afflatus legatos sound bad. Sadly, with the overlap option enabled the legatos can sound jumpy and bad when notes are overlapped. That is what is happening in this video. With it disabled, Afflatus has some of the loveliest and smoothest legato patches of any library I own. With it enabled, notes will continue if they are held and not end when a new note is played. This is a nice mode for improvising with the ensemble and combination patches but not ideal for programing mockups. I believe Sergey was right to leave it enabled though as I believe he's showing each library with their default settings.
Hey thx for this. Are you riding the dynamics controls for each instrument? What is the line underneath the midi representing? Is that dynamics or volume?
Hi, I’m 19 and just got into music last year. I have a budget and I want to be careful with my first purchase at spitfire. Can anyone please help me decide which would give me more for my money Abbey Road Two or Appassionata Strings? Please let me know! Thanks
I don't have abbey road. both libraries do not have a complete set of articulation. they are made for specific purposes. choose what will match what you want to compose.
@@IvanovSergeyMusic Thanks for getting back to me! Great content:) I still need to learn more about libraries and spitfire has amazing products. Last year I got Albion Neo during sales but right now I’m on a budget but both products sound amazing. I was thinking on working with different sounds that’s why I mentioned Abbey Road Two. I’m still looking. Any suggestions in general would be great and I’ll sub to this channel to see more libraries.
@@inspisiavideos8542 I strongly adise buying Cinematic Studio Strings, alongside with CS Solo Strings, CS Brass and CS Woodwinds. They still don't have Percussion, but you could go with most orchestral percussion libraries, as percussion is easiest to sample and put out as a library. I have them all and they are AMAZING. Not too much RAM consumed, stellar legato, simply UI that fits all articulations in one window without submenus, extremally simple to use. If you are startiing out, these will be a blessing for you. And the sound is great, pro enough to carry these libs into the future, when you will develop as a composer. Sure, CS doesn't offer too many unique articulations, no Spitfire's famous "flautando", but what they have is like 80-90% of you would use in classical and cinematic music. And with time you can buy specialized libs just with those unique sounds. I think it's safe to assume that before composiong lines with Con Sordino Sul Pont, you'd want to feel good with bread and butter of string composing? :) Besides - lack of specialized articlations in CS is easily forgiven when they offer 4 (!) different types of shorts - spiccato, stacatissimo, stacato, sforzato. No other librari gives me that choice where different shorts truly sound different between themselves. I wholeheartedly recomend CS libraries. I come back to them all the time, despite having different options. They are THAT user friendly and sound so good. Cheers!
Thats a hard one. Appassionata is on offer right now so that might be a good idea to start. I think Spitfire have also got some epic lower strings (with legato) which are a good deal at around $50. Those are two good student buys in my opinion, but they are only strings of course. Your’e going to want PADS, brass, woodwind, percussion etc. It’s a very clever market designed to bleed you dry financially. Be careful. (I know of people spending in excess of $3000 per year just on these libraries.). My advice would be to wait for the deals. Get on all the companies mailing lists (not just Spitfire) and be patient. Decide what else you need and pick them off one by one. Good luck.
Just a quick thought. Don’t forget, if you’re in education you might be eligible for an education discount. I was also thinking for you what about BBC Symphony Orchestra Core. With an edu discount that could be quite good. It will give you the whole orchestra and all the tools to get going. After that you can build on it or even replace it. The most important thing is it gets you going without having to buy anything else right off the bat.
Awesome!!!! Sounds really good!!! Beautiful composition!! Beautiful dynamic expression!!! Well done! Keep up the great work!!! So it seems Amsterdam sinfonietta is a live recorded performance? Or is it a libray please? I tried to check on youtube for the libray but I didn't see a video about it. If it's a libray it sounds really good!
It's a live performance! If it was a library no other company would even have a chance!... it's just way more alive and emotional. Appassionata and Venice are really good tough
