REQUEST : List of cheap/inexpensive sample libraries

[Gulaija Kektop]

As there already is a topic for free libraries.
Could there be a sticky topic with a list of inexpensive/cheap good sample libraries. I (and hopefully not only me) would seriously appreciate it.
The topic could have few light rules like :
- the cost should be (let's say...) under around 250$
- you can list libraries that you trust/used or think are worth looking at
- you must write a short description (reason why it deserves to be on this list or simple pros&cons) under each entry

I think it would be a good idea to make something like this. Tell me what you think.

[Mattias Westlund]

This is not a bad idea at all. I've actually been thinking about writing up a brief guide to some of the old/cheap libs I have in my arsenal, but I wasn't sure how useful it would be to people.

Are we talking complete orchestral libraries or basically any instrument libs that can be had for less than ~$250? If the former, the list is going to be pretty short so I'm assuming you mean the latter.

[bigcat1969]

Well Kirk Hunter Diamond can be had for 125 on sale.
Miro 2 is 300 and I'm sure will go on sale (this is IKM after all)
I got the Best Service Complete Orchestra for 100 and not worth it.
Garritan Personal Orchestra is 150 and Instant is 180.
Konakt comes with Factory Library with a long at the tooth orchestra and is 200 on sale.
EW Symphonic Silver is 200 and Gold is 400 and they have a lot of sales.
Our friend on this fourm should soon release VSCO 2 with 100 and 200 dollars editions.

[Gulaija Kektop]

Yeah I wasn't precise. I thought of both former and latter but scaled in price. Like 200$ is a good price for whole orchestral library but it's quite expensive for a single solo instrument or even some section samples. Still I don't want this topic to have some strict rules like solo max 20$, section 50$ and full orchestra 200$. Everything that can be considered relatively cheap should be allowed to make to the list. At least that's my vision of it.

About the guide : I would say definitely yes. I love your articles as every single one of them is both really interesting and helpful. Also looking at them and your studio page it seems like you're a guy with some serious experience in using cheaper/older stuff.

PS. Also sorry for grammar (whatever .-.)

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(06-20-2016, 06:10 PM)bigcat1969 Wrote: Well Kirk Hunter Diamond can be had for 125 on sale.
Miro 2 is 300 and I'm sure will go on sale (this is IKM after all)
I got the Best Service Complete Orchestra for 100 and not worth it.
Garritan Personal Orchestra is 150 and Instant is 180.
Konakt comes with Factory Library with a long at the tooth orchestra and is 200 on sale.
EW Symphonic Silver is 200 and Gold is 400 and they have a lot of sales.
Our friend on this fourm should soon release VSCO 2 with 100 and 200 dollars editions.

Kirk Hunter Diamond requires full Kontakt 5 (+400 euro)
I have Garritan PO4 and it just cannot sound full. I need something to layer it with.
The same goes for instant (based on official demos)
Kontakt, maybe one day
EWSO Silver maybe one day
Miroslavs Philharmonik price just went up as they released the 2nd editon, so i don't know if there's going to be a sale that fast
VSCO sounds nice, I will have to look it up a little more

Why is the Complete Orchestral Collection not worth it? I was considering buying it. What wrong?

[bigcat1969]

To draw an example. Sitcoms like All in the Family recorded on cheap videotape in studio look bad on modern TVs even on DVD or Bluray. Sitcoms like Dick Van Dyke recorded on film look good today.
The Complete Orchestral sounds to me the way videotape looks. It just sounds like it is the 1990s again. The instruments sound like synth patches rather than samples.

My very poor attempt at going between sustain (if possible legato) and spicatto. On 4 libraries.

Complete Orchestra - http://www.mediafire.com/download/e9l7o2...g_-_CO.wav
Kontakt Factory - http://www.mediafire.com/download/g125x8..._-_KFL.wav
Kirk Hunter - http://www.mediafire.com/download/n6ru8w...g_-_KH.wav
LDK1609 - http://www.mediafire.com/download/n3bt85...DK1609.wav

[Mattias Westlund]

(06-20-2016, 06:18 PM)Gulaija Kektop Wrote: EWSO Silver maybe one day

If you're going to get EWQLSO get Gold; if you count bang per buck it's actually cheaper than Silver.

(06-20-2016, 06:18 PM)Gulaija Kektop Wrote: Miroslavs Philharmonik price just went up as they released the 2nd editon, so i don't know if there's going to be a sale that fast

If I were you I'd spare myself some headaches and steer away from anything with the IK brand name on it, especially orchestral products.

(06-20-2016, 06:18 PM)Gulaija Kektop Wrote: Why is the Complete Orchestral Collection not worth it? I was considering buying it. What wrong?

As a longtime Siedlaczec library user I'm wondering this myself. Advanced Orchestra is as far as I can tell a part of Complete Orchestral Collection and IMO it's highly useable still today -- maybe not standalone, but for layering and as a companion lib for stuff that comes only with basic articulations.

[Mattias Westlund]

(06-20-2016, 09:24 PM)bigcat1969 Wrote: To draw an example. Sitcoms like All in the Family recorded on cheap videotape in studio look bad on modern TVs even on DVD or Bluray. Sitcoms like Dick Van Dyke recorded on film look good today.
The Complete Orchestral sounds to me the way videotape looks. It just sounds like it is the 1990s again. The instruments sound like synth patches rather than samples.

My very poor attempt at going between sustain (if possible legato) and spicatto. On 4 libraries.

Complete Orchestra - http://www.mediafire.com/download/e9l7o2...g_-_CO.wav
Kontakt Factory - http://www.mediafire.com/download/g125x8..._-_KFL.wav
Kirk Hunter - http://www.mediafire.com/download/n6ru8w...g_-_KH.wav
LDK1609 - http://www.mediafire.com/download/n3bt85...DK1609.wav

TBH I think KH was by far the worst example of these three.

I mean I see your point, but I don't think it's fair comparing how old libs that weren't created with keyswithching in mind stand up to modern ones that are. The Siedlaczek stuff was (AFAIK) designed to be used with articulations on separate midi tracks so you have some control over how they blend together. This is still how I work BTW so maybe that's why I haven't noticed these problems. Sure, the Kontakt version from Best Service may come with KS programs but that doesn't change the fact that it's a tacked-on feature to make it more appealing to today's users, with little regard as to whether the samples will work in this context or not.

Also, rendering the same midi part with different samples tells you virtually nothing. All libraries are different in terms of note attacks, velocities and overall feel and sound and you would need to compare them by actually playing the part once for each library, taking into account their individual characteristics. You could play back a GM file with VSL but that won't make it sound like Boston Symphony Orchestra

Having said that, yes, the Siedlaczec libs are old and you can't expect wonders from them. No disrespect meant bigcat, just disagreeing with your conclusion.

[bigcat1969]

Good input, thanks. To my ear just messing around the orchestra stuff just doesn't sound 'real', but it comes with a string section set that I think sounds better.
And yeah you are definitely right, you need more than just a GM midi file to plug stuff into to sound like a great orchestra. If you ever get bored, I'd love to hear what you can get out of it since you are known for your abilities along those lines. Hum maybe I should click on that soundcloud link at the bottom of your post...

[Mattias Westlund]

(06-20-2016, 11:53 PM)bigcat1969 Wrote: Good input, thanks. To my ear just messing around the orchestra stuff just doesn't sound 'real', but it comes with a string section set that I think sounds better.
And yeah you are definitely right, you need more than just a GM midi file to plug stuff into to sound like a great orchestra. If you ever get bored, I'd love to hear what you can get out of it since you are known for your abilities along those lines. Hum maybe I should click on that soundcloud link at the bottom of your post...

Well to be clear, I don't have the Complete Orchestral Collection from Best Service, I have the old Advanced Orchestra sample CD's from waaay back. And not even all of them, just the strings, winds and brass. I guess that's the Incomplete Orchestral Collection?

Looking at the Best Service page now it says 26 GB and that's kind of mind-boggling... the Advanced Orchestra folder here weighs in on around 3GB, and that's all 44kHz/16 bit stereo samples with at least half a dozen or more of articulations for basically ALL orchestral instruments, solo and ensemble. Sustain samples have two velocity layers, staccato ones have 2x RR, which must have been seriously cutting edge in 1997. Point is, I don't really understand what else is in the COC package that inflates it to 26 gigs? Percussion, yes, but that doesen't account for an additional 23GB. Must be a ton of other Siedlaczec stuff in there that postdates Advanced Orchestra.

Anyway, $100 for all that is a steal IMO, if that's what you paid. If it's any comfort I paid 1500 SEK for three of the CD's a decade ago which amounts to I don't know what in today's exchange rate... maybe $300? And that was a steal back then.

[Mattias Westlund]

(06-20-2016, 06:18 PM)Gulaija Kektop Wrote: Yeah I wasn't precise. I thought of both former and latter but scaled in price. Like 200$ is a good price for whole orchestral library but it's quite expensive for a single solo instrument or even some section samples. Still I don't want this topic to have some strict rules like solo max 20$, section 50$ and full orchestra 200$. Everything that can be considered relatively cheap should be allowed to make to the list. At least that's my vision of it.

Yes, this goes along with my thinking as well. I wouldn't pay $200 or more for a solo instrument library, no matter how meticulously detailed it is. But that's me. From my perspective: I don't write for solo violin, flute, tuba or triangle. I couldn't care less if the samples I use are not a 100% believable representation of the real thing. I strive for approximation, not emulation.

So in a nutshell: your mileage may and will vary. Please read every word I write with that in mind.