High Quality Sample Banks

Capricorn

Can you guys recommend me some high quality orchestral sample banks?
I came across EastWest and their stuff seems very good, and expensive. Are there any others that are of similar or better quality?

AlanRatcliffe

All depends on how much you want to spend... Prices below are all from www.sweetwater.com

The Vienna Symphonic Library (VSO) is the industry standard, but will set you back $5,100 for the full collection .

East West have a few different sized (and priced) Symphonic Orchestra collections (EWSO). Forget Silver (not great), but look at the Gold ($250) or Platinum ($500).

You might also look at Garritan Personal Orchestra, which is probably the best bang-for-the buck orchestral collection at $149.

I've got EWSO Gold and Garritan Personal Orchestra. I've also got Edirol Orchestral, which is good for quick stuff and is easy on your processor.

guitarboy2828

What are these things? Sounds for a midi controller?

AlanRatcliffe

Yes. High quality sample-based softsynths of orchestral instruments to produce orchestral arrangements. I've seen bigger studios with entire server racks dedicated to running VSO for their composer/arranger.

Capricorn

Thanks alan. I already have the edirol orchestra. I think I'll be looking into either Eastwest or garritan. VSO a bit expensive :'( and also in general, which manufacturers make good quality samples for all types of music. eastwest seem to do it all?

AlanRatcliffe

Yup. EWSO has enough different articulations to do just about anything.

guitarboy2828

Alan Ratcliffe wrote Yes. High quality sample-based softsynths of orchestral instruments to produce orchestral arrangements. I've seen bigger studios with entire server racks dedicated to running VSO for their composer/arranger.

Oh, cool! ? Sounds like fun.. :?

Capricorn

Oh and another thing. Who are the main manufacturers for sample libraries? East West seem to cover a wide variety of sounds. are there any others that provide everything?

AlanRatcliffe

There are dozens and no one does everything (or everything well). Sample logic, Garritan, Big Fish, Sony, Best Service, Spectrasonics, etc., all have titles worth having. Don't just look at sample libraries though - also look at sample-based softsynths, many of which do an excellent job.