Recording - December 2017 - 35

to make up a pattern. There are eight
patterns available to set. Switching between patterns, along with playing either
solos or chords (this depends on how
you set it up), could yield anything from
mildly interesting to utterly inspirational
results. Your results will vary, but that is
the intent of this particular panel! When
used within Masse, for example, some
very moody string ensemble results were
achieved in very little time (Figure 3).

Conclusions

The British Modular Project was, and
is, a very ambitious sampling effort which
resulted in an immense amount of very
high-quality material. The SSO modules
present absolutely topnotch quality sampled
instruments, performed by London's best
musicians sitting in their proper orchestral
positions; the 1st violin chair does not
sound like the 2nd violin chair, the
trumpet section sounds oh-so-very-much
like individual players in a section...
The presence of specialist instruments
such as contrabassoon or cimbasso
is an attention to detail which, if you
understand how to use them, will add

many unique touches to your arrangements.
The range of styles is near universal.
This enables the composer to tap into
not only the best styles but the best players.
I've probably heard this material used
on television and film spots (and so have
you), without ever realizing it wasn't a
from-scratch recording.
There's a catch, though. None of
these libraries are inexpensive, and getting them all together (even before you
add Masse or ask for hard drive delivery)
adds up to a sizable investment, even
though a bundle purchase is a significant
discount over separate buys.
On the other hand, you get what you
pay for. If you are working in film scoring
or any production requiring accurate, realistic, emotionally catching sounds, the SSO
is a sure way to achieve that. There are
cheaper ways to acquire orchestral samples,
but the limitations of such libraries in general
may well prove more frustrating than using
the Spitfire libraries. This contrast becomes
even more evident when you consider Spitfire's aftermarket support, which includes
instructional videos, FAQs on the website... and you can actually talk to their

staff. Spitfire even sponsors regular events
to help artists to better use these products
and to show off their capabilities.
In short: I have simply never heard
any better orchestral samples, nor have
I used any with a shorter and easier
path from inspiration to completion.
Paul Harriman (harriman@recording
mag.com) is a composer and recording
artist living and working in London.
Delivery: Download or shipped hard drive

($79 extra); see above for download sizes

Formats: Windows 7+ or macOS 10.8+,

Native Instruments Kontakt or Kontakt
Player (latest version recommended)
Copy Protection: serial number
authorization via NI Service Center
Licensing: Sounds can be used
royalty-free in original music recordings;
no resale or repackaging in products for
resale permitted
Documentation: inline contextual help,
online user manual and resources
Prices: Symphonic Strings $789,
Symphonic Woodwinds $579,
Symphonic Brass $689, Masse $349;
Symphony Orchestra (all four), $1699
More from: Spitfire Audio,
www.spitfireaudio.com
http://www.spitfireaudio.com http://www.cloudmicrophones.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recording - December 2017
