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On the Fence About Spitfire Studio Woodwinds

Apostate

Active Member
I really want an excellent, higher-range ensemble woodwind library (I have the Hein and EW for solo instruments, and I don't count the Albions).

I'm not sold on OT Berlin woodwinds, since I already have killer low woodwinds in Metropolis Ark II, so I could be wrong but that seems like a bit too much overlap for the price (and yeah, I've heard BWW are amazing).

I'd be super grateful for any help. I have the cash for the pro SSW now, so buying the library is definitely good for me right now.

By the way. I should add that whenever I ask my music friends these things they tell me to just start a topic on vi-control lol!
 
I remember seeing mostly negative reviews on here. Also wasn't impressed with the dynamic range..

Thanks! I gathered mixed reviews from the earlier topics regarding the library.

I guess I'm a bit flummoxed that Spitfire would fumble at this point in their existence.
 
Sonokinetic's woodwinds ensemble is actually pretty good. The only negative is they only have flutes, clarinets, oboes and bassoons. But if you have Met Ark, you probably have a number of the missing instruments.
 
I like the studio woodwinds and use the instruments in my template as my default woodwinds. I ended up upgrading to Pro after a week or two.

I'm guessing the Pro added microphones are at least part of the reason for the upgrade? Very interested in this.

Sonokinetic's woodwinds ensemble is actually pretty good. The only negative is they only have flutes, clarinets, oboes and bassoons. But if you have Met Ark, you probably have a number of the missing instruments.

This is another one I'm considering. A bit more expensive.
 
If you already have options for exposed, hyper-expressive solo parts, like the Chris Hein woodwinds, then I think Studio Woodwinds is an excellent addition.

It's comprehensive and sonically honest, sitting very well with the rest of the Studio orchestra, and I'm sure with any others if you have the patience to mix and match.

It probably won't satisfy you for super detailed solo performances, but that's why you have those other, more soloistic libraries. These are definitely orchestral ensemble woodwinds, although the occasional solo in a larger symphonic will come across just fine.

As with the rest of the Studio series, I would recommend going for Pro unless you *really* don't need the additional instruments and are completely satisfied with the single Tree 1 mic.
 
I wouldn't be too concerned about BWW overlapping with any of the Arks. The Ark winds, while good at what they do, are pretty specialized and specific in their uses. I mean... 3 bass clarinets spread across the stereo field ain't exactly standard.

BWW is pretty deep, and I find it is pretty programmable for writing convincing phrases. There are a few oddities within the library but it's nothing I haven't been able to work around.

It is, however, very expensive. And after this last christmas time sale OT did, it would be wise to wait and see how the wind blows on their future chances of doing another big sale. I personally felt a bit burnt after buying into their "we will never slash prices on the berlin series" bit and then cutting them by what... 50%? Maybe it was 40. But witcher way, ouch...
 
I wouldn't be too concerned about BWW overlapping with any of the Arks. The Ark winds, while good at what they do, are pretty specialized and specific in their uses. I mean... 3 bass clarinets spread across the stereo field ain't exactly standard.

BWW is pretty deep, and I find it is pretty programmable for writing convincing phrases. There are a few oddities within the library but it's nothing I haven't been able to work around.

It is, however, very expensive. And after this last christmas time sale OT did, it would be wise to wait and see how the wind blows on their future chances of doing another big sale. I personally felt a bit burnt after buying into their "we will never slash prices on the berlin series" bit and then cutting them by what... 50%? Maybe it was 40. But witcher way, ouch...
40% on the orchestral stuff. The Arks, Inspire, and a couple other things got 50% plus (if you bought bundles) It was a great deal, especially because I was looking for a woodwind section that had more instruments than Sonokinetics. I like the sound, but I'm not sure it is worth full price to me.
 
Man these are some mega-helpful posts, I'm really grateful!!!

I can see where I'm probably going to want the Professional right off.
 
I don't have Spitfire Studio Woodwinds, but I would strongly suggest taking a look at OT's Berlin Woodwind Expansion B and C. Not the main library, but the expansion sets, for which you don't need to have bought the main library. These are solo windwinds, and are fantastic. Less expensive than the main library, and in my opinion, better recorded with wonderfully expressive sampling.
 
I don't have Spitfire Studio Woodwinds, but I would strongly suggest taking a look at OT's Berlin Woodwind Expansion B and C. Not the main library, but the expansion sets, for which you don't need to have bought the main library. These are solo windwinds, and are fantastic. Less expensive than the main library, and in my opinion, better recorded with wonderfully expressive sampling.

Sounds great! But I'm looking for an ensemble library...and to be honest I am crazy about Hein solo woodwinds (and to a lesser degree the EWH).
 
Sonokinetic Woods have fewer instruments and only the a3 ensembles, but they do have a large number of useful articulations (including alternative takes), and most importantly, they sound great. The tree mic will be a lot wetter sounding than Spitfire Studio Woods, but they do come with close mics also. I don't have SStW to compare the close mics to though.

If you want something fairly dry that covers most bases for orchestral work, including ensembles, then SStW would be a good choice. Be aware that some people are not a big fan of the hall they're recorded in though.

For ensembles in particular, if you want wetter (recorded in a large great sounding hall) and only want the "main" orchestral wood instruments, Sonokinetic is IMO up there with the best. It doesn't have much direct competition really.
 
Tending to add CineWinds Monster Low Winds @ $99. and use with Sonokinetic Woods …..

Always time to add SStWW __ Core or Pro if better choice.
 
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