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Seeking views on NI Symphony Series & Brass

dman007

Active Member
What do you think of the NI Symphony Series (Essential or full edition) - worth the money? In particular for Brass

Better alternatives?

How the alternatives fair against the EWQL Symphonic Library?

Thanks
 
They're a bargain if included in some sort of crossgrade/upgrade deal (like the current Summer of Sound special.) Better options at full price.
 
In brief, I have the Essentials as part of Komplete 11U, but am sad to say I am not fond of them, especially when I compare them to other libraries such as Spitfire, OT, CineSamples etc. So, basically I don't use them. Just my personal opinion of course.
 
If you can get the brass cheap, they can be worth a look. But don't expect anything as good as their competition. They have a very washy sound that even with all the mics you can't get rid of. The short articulations are actually pretty good I find. The rest is pretty ordinary, unless maybe you want to use the low brass for epic style.

Better brass libraries include: Orchestral Tools, CineSamples, EW Hollywood, Cinematic Studio, AudioBro, Spitfire, VSL, Auddict... you get the idea.

For the rest of the series:
Woodwinds are bad. The strings are quite good but take some work, and there are good alternatives for a similar or better price that you may find easier to use. Percussion is very good, but don't expect lots of articulations for the tuned percussion. You get what you get. Some of the tuned percussion is bad (the Celeste).
 
Go pro or go home. The essentials library undersell the potential that’s available in the full edition. Multiple mics, articulations and other features make it better, and maybe even sufficient. As others have stated, it’s best if you get it as an upgrade/crossgrade because I don’t know anyone who would continue to use this library as anything but filler when they have better. And at its cost, you really could easily buy better.
 
Would be foolish, as Essentials owner, to disagree.
Gets tougher when Upgrade (to Symphony Series) differential is $94.
No contest with 'issues', but lotsa 'decent' content for those small $$.
Still wrestling over next few days.
 
I have the full version of the Brass, ensembles not solo. I absolutely love it and have always believed it is incredibly underrated. It has a big warm full sound. It’s not going to fit every piece but really no library can make that claim. It’s a different color and I appreciate that. Highly recommended from me.

Also, I think NI has a summer sale, so you might want to wait and pick it up then.
 
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Like all libraries, they are definitely a matter of taste.

I have used them in many things but would not call them my goto's. I have the K12CE so I have pretty much everything. Like any library out there, each segment has strengths and weaknesses...and even that would be a matter of opinion.

My view is that the String Ensemble (Audiobro) is good. Missing are String Solos. Brass Ensemble (Soundiron) is also good, but needs to be tweaked. Brass Solo feels a little synthy to me. Woodwind Ensemble (Soundiron) also can be great in context with some tweaks. Woodwind Solo is good but has some big misses. The idea to add saxophones is interesting (maybe a more modern symphony orchestra), but they don't really work, at least not to me. Percussion is pretty good (Sonuscore) because while most of the percussion there is really good and seems to work (there is a lot there), a few things (some of the tuned percussion for example) feels lacking in sound detail. But overall it contains much more content and variety than you might imagine.

I use the String Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, Woodwind Solo, and Percussion the most out of the libraries.
 
I should give some context here. If you're getting the Symphony series as part of a Komplete package or upgrade, there is value in getting this library as some filler. If you're considering whether to just buy the symphony series fresh with no cross grade or upgrade, then I'd say you're probably better off avoiding it. I got the ensembles version when I bought komplete 9 or 10, and upgraded to the full edition when I upgraded to komplete 12.

Honestly for the price, (sorry i only know the price in yen) you can get a sufficient and better more complete alternative easy. for example if buying the symphony series is over $300, then you might as well just go for cinematic studio brass which is $399 and much better. I'm sure most of the best developers have competitive pricing with better quality. The symphony series is something I think most people just kinda end up getting because its part of a set.
 
when you say the differential is $94, what do you mean exactly?

Sorry for ambiguity! I use K11U. $94. is difference between Upgrading to K12U or K12U-CE.
$94. is not chump change (for me) but seems decent cost to gain Series versus current Essentials.
OTH … takes a nice chunk out of LASS or CSS /CSSS.
 
Would be foolish, as Essentials owner, to disagree.
Gets tougher when Upgrade (to Symphony Series) differential is $94.
No contest with 'issues', but lotsa 'decent' content for those small $$.
Still wrestling over next few days.
How? I own Ultimate 11 and get the crossgrade price of $299...
 
In brief, I have the Essentials as part of Komplete 11U, but am sad to say I am not fond of them, especially when I compare them to other libraries such as Spitfire, OT, CineSamples etc. So, basically I don't use them. Just my personal opinion of course.
Same.
I'm still looking forward to the upgrade sale which is currently running, mainly though because of the percussion.
The Symphony Series has lots of articualtions though, very unique once as well. In terms of general sound... hm, I'm torn myself, which isn't a good sign for that price.
 
Yep, agree with the general consensus on the (non essentials) library.

I think the series is best thought of as separate libraries to be used as extra options. They're recorded in different spaces, positions, mics, engineers etc etc. So you won't get the sound "out of the box" in the same way as, say Spitfire. If you want to use the libraries as a complete orchestra, you'll have to get busy with mixing, balancing and the rest of it.

There's lots to love about the collection though. It can be nit-picked to death, but there are a ton of useful sounds and textures to be had. Brought as part of a Komplete upgrade sale, they're an amazing bonus. But if you have the funds, go straight to Spitfire/OT/VSL etc.
 
Any thoughts on these vs EWQL Symphonic Library or Miroslav Philharmonik 2 ?
 
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