So... who's got the best timpani?

[NoamL]

Hey all,

I'm assisting a composer who uses HZ01 Timpani as their go-to. We both love the sound of this timpani especially with the soft (felt?) mallets:



I've been trying to keep up with the timpani from Hollywood Orchestral Percussion, which I've got through ComposerCloud. It just doesn't sound as cinematic and dramatic:



Not just because of the room, but also the performance (it's lacking in lower dynamics).

I don't really want to buy HZ01 however (I'm all set for epic perc with lots of other libraries).

I've been thinking of making the QLSO Timpani my main timpani just because it has those nice lower dynamics:



But surely there is some standalone library out there that has a nice, cinematic, dramatic timpani with wide dynamic range, good "roaring" rolls, and suspenseful felt-mallet hits. Right?

So what are you all using these days?

Click to read more...

 

[markleake]

I have a few libs with Timpani, but none does the low dynamics like HZ01. Especially sustained rolls at very low dynamic, HZ01 is amazing. So yeah, sorry, no help from me except to just get HZ01.

 

[Land of Missing Parts]

So what are you all using these days?

Here's a sample of the NI Symphony Series Percussion timpani.
[AUDIOPLUS=https://vi-control.net/community/attachments/ni-symphony-series-timp-mp3.18790/][/AUDIOPLUS]

As well as ISW Rhapsody (which I picked up a few days ago on flash sale).
[AUDIOPLUS=https://vi-control.net/community/attachments/isw-rhapsody-timp-mp3.18791/][/AUDIOPLUS]

But surely there is some standalone library out there that has a nice, cinematic, dramatic timpani with wide dynamic range, good "roaring" rolls, and suspenseful felt-mallet hits. Right?

The standalones that come to mind are Orchestral Tools timpani and VSL. Personally, I've been trying to decide if I should go for HZ Perc, in part for the timpani, or maybe Orchestral Tool's timpani.

 

[xguitaristx]

Not a big fan of the timpani in HZ01. Don't get me wrong, it is one of the better ones, but TS1 and Cineperc's timpani are the best in the industry, imho.

The timpani in HOP is one of the weakest I've ever heard.

 

[sostenuto]

Audiobro /LADD /Tonal Perc /Tympani Cresc /Hits + Rolls /Hits w-ModWheel Rolls

NI _ Symphony Essentials Percussion / 2 Tuned Perc Percussion / Timpani

 

[Kuusniemi]

My favorite Tympani is Modwheel's Timphonia: https://www.modwheel.co.nz/timphonia

Though it's more on the weird side of things...

 

[StillLife]

Modwheel? Their Timphonia seems awesome.

 

[babylonwaves]

HZ1 is my go to timpani. sorry, i know, it doesn't help you.

 

[Calabraccio]

https://vi-control.net/community/threads/symphony-series-percussion.64359/page-3

WindcryMusic does some great direct comparisons here. I think it might depend on what role the timpani plays in the mix, even the less detailed stuff sounds like it could he handy.

 

[Mason]

If I don't use HZ Timp I use Evolutionseries' Europe. It has mallets and sticks and 4 mic positions (close, overhead, room, far) and here are a few of them:

Mallets: Mixed mics
[AUDIOPLUS=https://vi-control.net/community/attachments/timp-test-evolutionseries-mallets-mixed-mics-mp3.18792/][/AUDIOPLUS]

Sticks: Mixed mics
[AUDIOPLUS=https://vi-control.net/community/attachments/timp-test-evolutionseries-sticks-mixed-mics-mp3.18793/][/AUDIOPLUS]

Mallets: Room mic
[AUDIOPLUS=https://vi-control.net/community/attachments/timp-test-evolutionseries-mallets-room-mic-mp3.18794/][/AUDIOPLUS]

Mallets: Close mic
[AUDIOPLUS=https://vi-control.net/community/attachments/timp-test-evolutionseries-mallets-close-mic-mp3.18795/][/AUDIOPLUS]

Mallets & sticks: Mixed mics
[AUDIOPLUS=https://vi-control.net/community/attachments/timp-test-evolutionseries-mallets-stick-mixed-mics-mp3.18796/][/AUDIOPLUS]

 

[Emmanuel Rousseau]

Strangely I'm not a fan of the timpani from HZ01. It was a relief when I got Ark3 and could replace them. Just a matter of taste maybe.

The Berlin Series timpanis from OT (Standalone) are probably one of the most detailed out there.

 

[ScoreFace]

NI Symphony Series Timpani is my absolute favourite - sounds beautiful and very playable with the drum head simulation.

 

[Guffy]

CinePerc

 

[OleJoergensen]

For a long time I used Hollywood timpany. I recently bought OT Timpany and it sounds great and more realistic I think. I have not yet tested it with the very loud dynamic thou. Maybe its a bit like Berlin brass, it does not play really loud.

 

[xguitaristx]

Strangely I'm not a fan of the timpani from HZ01. It was a relief when I got Ark3 and could replace them. Just a matter of taste maybe.

The Berlin Series timpanis from OT (Standalone) are probably one of the most detailed out there.

Ah, man! How could I forget the timp in Ark3?! I also like that one waaaay more!

 

[NoamL]

No offense to the other developers but these comparisons are really driving home how high-quality the timp is in HZ01.

Out of all the options mentioned so far, I think I like the Berlin Series Timp (aka "Expansion A") the best. I still have a 50 EUR voucher from BOI1 so it would be just 75 EUR.

 

[Land of Missing Parts]

Strangely I'm not a fan of the timpani from HZ01. It was a relief when I got Ark3 and could replace them. Just a matter of taste maybe.

Ah, man! How could I forget the timp in Ark3?! I also like that one waaaay more!

CinePerc

If you get a chance, would one of you mind sharing a sample?

 

[Emmanuel Rousseau]

If you get a chance, would one of you mind sharing a sample?

It is bed time here but I’ll be glad to upload some samples tomorrow morning if nobody did it

 

[erica-grace]

CinePerc

Yes, best sounding tympani.

 

[erica-grace]

These sound great:

https://www.ftsamples.com/