That's worth researching.
Can't say I know much about the Symphony Essentials, as its sound is generally just not to my taste. I only have the SE solo brass, which I can't say I care for much.
Also the SE winds come only in large ensembles, which right off lacks quite a lot of what I love most about woodwinds, so hard to even make a direct comparison here.
There are definitely people around here who appreciate SE - though I'm not how likely you are to find them on this thread. Maybe the best thing is to search around for an older thread on SE, and revive it asking for comparisons with SStO?
Sorry if that's not very helpful.
If youre expecting symphony series to be on the same level as CSS or MSB or Berlin woodwinds....etc..etc....youre going to be very much let down
I was sure the Symphony Series Woodwinds also came in solos? Like the Brass?
Anyhoo, I'd check Cory Pelizzari YouTube as he's done several in depth walkthroughs with them. Might help a decision either way.
Could you elaborate? Any bad experience? That would be really helpful.
To be honest, in my "Essentials" experience, i didn't found them quite versatile.
Sounds more trailer/epic-oriented to me. For this big, epic stuff, i think i´m already covered with Arks (and the Essentials for layering).
With Spitfire's Studio Orchestra (Core), on the other hand, my first impression from the walkthrough videos was that this maybe is the perfect fit for me as someone needing something good for cinematic, but also good for pop, rock, songwriter, etc. Is this accurate?
I have so hard times to fit my orchestras in pop productions that requires an orchestra.
The only thing that goes smoothly is SCS. But again, they´re only strings!
I was sure the Symphony Series Woodwinds also came in solos? Like the Brass?
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Checked my price for Albions 3 and 4. Under $192 each with all the discounts. But I have to buy both.
On the other hand, the Aluphone will be about $30
If you're happy with SCS as strings, you could save some money. SStO core is (talking euro's here) 549x0,7 = 384,30. SStB core + SStWW core = 498 x 0,6 = 298,80. But then again, you might want strings recorded in the same dry space.
I have none of the Studio series, but I do have SCS, and I don't think I'd need (for my needs) the Studio Strings...Good idea! You have both? If yes, do you find difficult to make them blend well together?
I am pondering the Brass and maybe the winds, but then it just occured to me that there is a collection called SSO Chamber edition, which holds SCS, SSB and SSW.
are they as useful as SCS in contexts outside the orchestral realm?
I realized I may have messed up the price a bit. It may not be that low. But I have 3 Arks and CAGE from 8dio so I really don't need them.Had to check my price too for the three that I don't have. Not bad but...I think I'm fine with Albion V and One. If anything, I need another choir library and better writing chops.
The NI Symphony Series is good as a low cost/entry library (ie. at 1/2 price only, I'd say). To varying degrees that is -- the strings and percussion are actually pretty good even ignoring price, the brass and woods are just OK if you want something cheap. None of them are going to hold up against other more expensive libraries. I think they are a good entry point... BUT... I also think there are better entry points, like the Spitfire Studio series.Actually i have Essentials as part of KU11 (missing only their Essentials Percussion). I don't use it much (i only really like their Brass for layering) but i was thinking if this is maybe because of the lack of true legato, multi mic positions, and so on (which are included in Symphony Series)...