Menu
What's new
By:
Filters

Spitfire Studio Brass Core - Worth it?

Genki

Genki

New Member
Hey guys. I just got the Spitfire Studio Strings (standard version), and I would like to get some brass to accompany them. Now it should be noted I can and am making use of my EDU discounts, so I basically have 30% off of all of their libraries.

I don't really see reviews of the Core version of this library, outside of Spitfire's Walkthroughs and aside from that I read up on some topics about the library here on VIC, and people seem to be mostly...disappointed?

Can anyone here who actually has the library, best if the Core version, give their 2 cents and tell me if it's worth getting?
Click to read more...
 
I find the library bumpy on the longs. The dynamic layers generally don't line up well. The programming of the shorts defaults to a very soft response on velocities, so I find I need to use a completely different response curve. SF allows you to change this, but their method is very kludgy. You can also alter the response in the DAW or through a Kontakt script.

I will say that the added content you get for this library in the pro version is extensive, and if you decide you like the sound it is definitely worth considering pro because of the additional instruments as well as the additional microphones that allow somewhat more control.
 
jbuhler said:
I find the library bumpy on the longs. The dynamic layers generally don't line up well. The programming of the shorts defaults to a very soft response on velocities, so I find I need to use a completely different response curve. SF allows you to change this, but their method is very kludgy. You can also alter the response in the DAW or through a Kontakt script.

I will say that the added content you get for this library in the pro version is extensive, and if you decide you like the sound it is definitely worth considering pro because of the additional instruments as well as the additional microphones that allow somewhat more control.
Click to expand...

I would consider Core, as a go-to brass library, I am not really interested in the Pro version for now. But damn reading this and seeing Cory's take on it, it does seem it is kind of disappointing...
 
Genki said:
I did see that, and the thread, where there happen to be some conflicting views of how Cory describes the library vs. how it really is. So I'm still confused, to me it doesn't really sound that bad, hmm
Click to expand...

The key is to take all the opinions with a grain of salt, and use your best judgment based on all the information you take in. If you don't think they sound that bad, then go for it. I think the core version is pretty good for adding "flavour" to your compositions, but it's not ideal as primary brass library by any means.
 
mikefrommontreal said:
Interesting. I've scouring the earth looking for a decent trumpet and would consider buying this just for the trumpet alone. Did you hear it in Cory's walkthrough?
Click to expand...

You can hear the solo trumpet in Paul Thomson's video...



If you're after a solo trumpet in particular, I'd spend less money and look at other great options...such as Embertone or Hollywood Brass; there are a lot of good ones out there.
 
Wolfie2112 said:
The key is to take all the opinions with a grain of salt, and use your best judgment based on all the information you take in. If you don't think they sound that bad, then go for it. I think the core version is pretty good for adding "flavour" to your compositions, but it's not ideal as primary brass library by any means.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I can see how it might be good for that use, but I would use it as the main brass library that would carry the piece, hence why I'm skeptical after I saw Cory mentioning and showcasing the clunky legatos, jumpy dynamic layer crossfades, velocity problems, etc. I might still consider it though I will look at alternatives (nothing too expensive). I can get Cinebrass for 50% off, which would put it a roughly the same price as this SF Brass with the discount...
 
Wolfie2112 said:
You can hear the solo trumpet in Paul Thomson's video...



If you're after a solo trumpet in particular, I'd spend less money and look at other great options...such as Embertone or Hollywood Brass; there are a lot of good ones out there.
Click to expand...

Thank you for that. I will check them out. Sorry to the OP. Didn't mean to temporarily hijack.
 
Genki said:
I can get Cinebrass for 50% off, which would put it a roughly the same price as this SF Brass with the discount...
Click to expand...

Personally I'd then definitely go for cinebrass for a general use library... Also pay attention to the ensemble sizes and character/tone. Studio Brass seems more like an add-on library to me. To add some quirkiness or different style/sound or some detail. SStB will also probably be up for sale for 40% off around Christmas (judging by previous patterns).

Hollywood Brass is still good for a general purpose lib (just missed the latest Memorial Day sale for 50% off, but check back, they're pretty much constant around big holidays or season changes). Depending on your scope you can go from silver to diamond. It's not Kontakt though (note: check if some need the full Kontakt or the free one, if you don't have it; PLAY/iLok/plus drive for diamond). Can also be tried on Composer Cloud, along with the old EWQLSO Brass.

Another option is the Hein Brass which also has an edu version for the full pack which does give you quite a bit and is quite flexible (as main or add-on):
(broken link removed)
https://www.bestservice.com/education_program.html


I find the mutes pretty sexy. Not sure about timbre, but some good options anyhow.

Orchestral Tools will supposedly launch their new store somewhat soon, where apparently you'll be able to buy specific sections or articulations, so keep an eye out for that. Also, grab this:
https://orchestraltools.com/libraries/libraries/majestic_horn.php

Just some things to consider.
 
WhiteNoiz said:
Personally I'd then definitely go for cinebrass for a general use library... Also pay attention to the ensemble sizes and character/tone. Studio Brass seems more like an add-on library to me. To add some quirkiness or different style/sound or some detail. SStB will also probably be up for sale for 40% off around Christmas (judging by previous patterns).

Hollywood Brass is still good for a general purpose lib (just missed the latest Memorial Day sale for 50% off, but check back, they're pretty much constant around big holidays or season changes). Depending on your scope you can go from silver to diamond. It's not Kontakt though (note: check if some need the full Kontakt or the free one, if you don't have it; PLAY/iLok/plus drive for diamond). Can also be tried on Composer Cloud, along with the old EWQLSO Brass.

Another option is the Hein Brass which also has an edu version for the full pack which does give you quite a bit and is quite flexible (as main or add-on):
(broken link removed)
https://www.bestservice.com/education_program.html


I find the mutes pretty sexy. Not sure about timbre, but some good options anyhow.

Orchestral Tools will supposedly launch their new store somewhat soon, where apparently you'll be able to buy specific sections or articulations, so keep an eye out for that. Also, grab this:
https://orchestraltools.com/libraries/libraries/majestic_horn.php

Just some things to consider.
Click to expand...


Yeah I'm really considering Cinebrass.
I'm not a fan of EW's PLAY and iLok, so yeah, still considering Cinebrass. Now I see that Core and Pro are the same price, and are both a bit different in focus it seems (I thought Pro was the version with more features in general). Apparently the big sounding ensembles are in Pro, so I'm leaning towards that.
 
WhiteNoiz said:
Another option is the Hein Brass which also has an edu version for the full pack which does give you quite a bit and is quite flexible (as main or add-on):
(broken link removed)
https://www.bestservice.com/education_program.html
Click to expand...

I don't mean to derail the conversation but do people actually like the euphonium in the Hein? It sounds pretty bad to me, euphoniums are not meant to be overblown and "brassy" like that. I suppose the tone of the player is also playing into my dislike of it as its much more British, but the second half of the passage in the showcase of the euph just doesn't sound good to me.
 
Sean said:
I don't mean to derail the conversation but do people actually like the euphonium in the Hein? It sounds pretty bad to me, euphoniums are not meant to be overblown and "brassy" like that. I suppose the tone of the player is also playing into my dislike of it as its much more British, but the second half of the passage in the showcase of the euph just doesn't sound good to me.
Click to expand...

That's why I added the little comment about the timbre. It seems a bit weird to me (also considering the ensembles are combos of the solo ones, not separate unison recordings and the mutes are simulations), but I appreciate all the extra options it has.

And there's also this:
https://impactsoundworks.com/products/orchestral/bravura-scoring-brass/
 
Wolfie2112 said:
The iLok dongle is no longer required, you can use a machine (soft) license.
Click to expand...

Yeah I'm aware I've used their stuff with their subscription before. I just dont like their stuff in terms of intuitiveness, I know it can be made to sound fantastic after a lot of tweaking, but it's just not for me. I also do prefer to keep it all under Kontakt if possible.
 
two more cents worth - I started with their Studio Winds, and ended up getting the brass and strings as well, on some kind of deal which seemed very fair to me.

It is (they are) not, at least for me, a one-stop solution. But they are far from useless.

For reference I have the core versions of CineBrass and CineWinds, Cinematic Studio Brass, and Chris Hein's Orchestral Brass. Yup, that's a lot of brass<G>! As a recovering brass player I find myself wrestling with brass libraries. (also for reference, I am a guitarist, and I really struggle with guitar libraries!)

Which means I am probably more critical of brass libraries than I am of strings, winds, even percussion or keys. Truth is I should probably develop the chops to be equally critical of all, but there is only so much time.

On top of that I am old enough to remember recording smaller sections in studios. Magic it was! And I'm not sure I will ever replace that experience with a computer, not even sure I should...

But I digress...

There are issues with the Spitfire Studio series, and they have been well hashed out here and elsewhere. I hope they fix them, the libraries would become even more useful if they did.

None-the-less, I do not regret the purchases. The Studio Brass adds a color/timbre to my palette that I did not have. And it is a very pretty timbre. I tend to write for smaller ensembles, so it fits in well.

Only time will tell if they are willing to revisit and fix the well-documented issues.

If I were in your shoes? (pointless, I know) I'd listen to lots of demos of the Spitfire Studio Brass and Alex's lovely Cinematic Studio Brass. I haven't tried that combination, but instinctively I think it would be nice, and interesting. But I also think the Spitfire libraries fit together nicely. So in your shoes I would probably get the Spitfire Studio Brass, and learn to "use", or at least work with, the limitations.
 
one last thought (I was just re-listening to Paul's demo) - when I first listened to it I thought the ensembles sounded almost synth-y. Listening on decent monitors made that effect go away, and I've not really run into that with my own playing. So do listen to demos on decent monitors if you can (yeah, I know, captain obvious!)
 
wst3 said:
one last thought (I was just re-listening to Paul's demo) - when I first listened to it I thought the ensembles sounded almost synth-y. Listening on decent monitors made that effect go away, and I've not really run into that with my own playing. So do listen to demos on decent monitors if you can (yeah, I know, captain obvious!)
Click to expand...

I find the "horn" patches sound very synthetic, I can't even use them. I love everything else, though.
 
Wolfie2112 said:
I find the "horn" patches sound very synthetic, I can't even use them. I love everything else, though.
Click to expand...
I also find the horns weak, especially the legatos on the solo patches. (Horn 2 is a bit more useful.) All the stopped horn patches are good, however, as is the horns up patch and some of the other “decorative” patches.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom