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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2026
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I'm looking for recommendations on quality string and brass vst3 collections. Thank you,
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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check out Native Instruments and Kontakt with it's many and varied sample libraries and third party sound sets available.
Many of those are quite nice and realistic.
I see a bunch of new companies trying to sell product on Facebook that also sound really nice. Many of those work with Kontakt Player and are quite affordable
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2026
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Thank you. I'll take a look at the ones you listed. I'm okay with, "WOW! are you serious", for the right sound. They are currently offering 20% off if you signup for their mailing list.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2003
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I'm looking for recommendations on quality string and brass vst3 collections. Thank you, We really need what your price range is and how much do you want to get into the VST yourself to make it sound great. As Dan said the price range is from free to I'll have to mortgage my house for that one! How much you want to get into the VST is another issue. Many have key switches to change articulations. Modeling VSTis like the Swam instruments do not have key switches and you actually have to play the instrument. Another topic you should clue us in on is what kind of sound are you looking to emulate? Motown strings and brass? Pop strings and brass? Orchestra string and brass? etc. All are different and there are VSTis for each with some VSTis covering more than one genre. Dan, myself, and others have large VSTi libraries and we all are willing to help but we do need more information so we don't suggest something that you don't need, want, or can afford.
OK, a random thought;
Why does toilet paper need a commercial? Who's not buying it?
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2026
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WOW! Those are by far the best ones I've heard so far. Looks like the deeper I go into this I may to need to sell a kidney.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Yes, the answers to the questions above would really help us to help you.
This question involves hitting an ever-moving target. As recently as around ten years ago, I posted here requesting the best hardware synth, and I bought it. Now I've moved to software sounds.
I make composer's demos, so my interest is reasonable quality sounds without a lot of effort to produce them. If I create something with serious production intended for release, I'm more willing to spend a lot of time to get just the right sound and make all the tweaks in Kontact etc.
Another consideration is that many musicians find more fault with a synthesized sound of an instrument they play. I play brass and woodwinds, so I'm harder to please with those sounds than I am with a string library. You could be the reverse, so take recommendations from whence they come. But right away you have great advice from Mario, who has helped me a lot, and Dan, another of the most knowledgeable members of this forum. Tell us more about your music. And welcome to the forum.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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jaycallahanart,
In my view, it depends on usage.
A) Will you be fully playing virtual instrument yourself on keyboard?
B)Or you want a hybrid VST that has a decent phrase library (with articulations, etc) that you can adopt to your composition and have the ability to play instrument parts yourself?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I appreciate your reply. Considering the prices and my lack of experience, I believe I'll be starting with the Native Instruments horn and string bundles. I'm encouraged to learn that there are people willing to help on these forums. I'll probably be posting for more help in the future.
Thank you,
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Thank you. I'll take a look at the ones you listed. I'm okay with, "WOW! are you serious", for the right sound. They are currently offering 20% off if you signup for their mailing list. You might look at the Audio Modelling offerings. They're excellent and, because they're modelled rather than sampled, allow much control. A downside, of course, is that one does need to control them. Another vote for Appassionata strings.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful.
AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11
BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software.
Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Yes, the SWAM instruments by Audio Modeling that Gordon just mentioned are what I use when I want a lead instrument in my quick demos that sounds better than the stock instruments and is still relatively easy to connect to my notation program. See my signature for details. Mario gave me the idea, by the way.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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....Considering the prices and my lack of experience, I believe I'll be starting with the Native Instruments horn and string bundles... Good call. Way too easy with virtual instruments (and plugins in general) to buy something you don't actually need. Many of us have acquired libraries that FAR exceed our requirements. I know *I* have... With a bit more experience you'll be able to triangulate the market against your requirements with better accuracy.
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I appreciate your reply. Considering the prices and my lack of experience, I believe I'll be starting with the Native Instruments horn and string bundles. I'm encouraged to learn that there are people willing to help on these forums. I'll probably be posting for more help in the future.
Thank you, Exactly which bundles are you looking to purchase. Most require you also purchase the full version of Kontakt so be aware of that if you don't have the full version of Kontakt.
OK, a random thought;
Why does toilet paper need a commercial? Who's not buying it?
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2026
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Thanks for mentioning this I was considering "Session Horns" and "Session Strings2" neither description states they come with VST3 or that they're compatible with Band in a Box\RealBand.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Thanks for mentioning this I was considering "Session Horns" and "Session Strings2" neither description states they come with VST3 or that they're compatible with Band in a Box\RealBand. You are in luck as both of those will run in the free Kontakt Player. Kontakt Player is the play only version of Kontakt while the full version of Kontakt allows editing to a certain degree. It is up to the various third party manufacturers to determine what can be edited. If you get Kontakt Player be sure to look very carefully at any other patches you might want to purchase. Some are for the full Kontakt version. All patches will indicate the Kontakt requirements. Note that I have the full version and a ton of patches for it. Kontakt is one of my go to software programs. Here are some free VSTis you may want to look at: https://plasterbrain.com/guides/best-free-vsts/brass-horns/https://hiphopmakers.com/best-free-horn-vst-pluginshttps://midination.com/vst/free-vst-plugins/free-strings-vst-orchestral-sample-library/https://richardpryn.com/41-best-free-string-vst-plugins-that-actually-sound-good/As with all free software be sure to scan for viruses and anti-malware prior to installing. Most all good software is free of bugs but I still like to be sure. Note that I still get and use some free stuff. Another free and/or inexpensive option is Soundfonts. Note the options I have listed probably isn't as good as the ones you choose, however some may be as good. With the exception of Soundfonts I have not DLed any of them. I just thought that you may want to start cheap to see if you like using VSTis in BiaB. I do not, I use them in my DAW, but others do use them in BiaB. If you need help I have been using MIDI since the mid 1980s. Others here, like Dan, also have been using MIDI and will be willing to help. I hope this helps.
OK, a random thought;
Why does toilet paper need a commercial? Who's not buying it?
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2026
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Thank you, this is very helpful. I appreciate everyone's time responding. What beginner DAW do you recommend. I've downloaded Ableton Live Lite. I would like to start with the DAW I'm going to be with long-term then add more advanced feature$ as I go.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Thank you, this is very helpful. I appreciate everyone's time responding. What beginner DAW do you recommend. I've downloaded Ableton Live Lite. I would like to start with the DAW I'm going to be with long-term then add more advanced feature$ as I go. Asking for what DAW should I use is like asking for what car should I buy as you will get every car on the market, i.e. everyone has a favorite. I use Fender Studio One 8 but many here use other DAWs. I would DL trials of various DAWs and see which one works best for you. BUT, if you are on a Windows machine you have a DAW called RealBand. I strongly suggest starting with that one. If that one doesn't fit your workflow then look for another DAW. The basic functions of all DAWs are similar so if you learn one the learning curve on another is not as steep. The one exception is that RealBand can except BiaB files as is whereas other DAWs you need to drag and drop BiaB MIDI and WAV files. PS - the term long-term-DAW is a dream. I have been through a number of DAWs since the 1980s. I didn't change because I wanted to change I had to change because they either went out of business or had major upgrades that changed a lot of things! The latest was just last year when Fender purchased Presonus. The major upgrades that I have been through were major improvements well worth the small new learning curve.
OK, a random thought;
Why does toilet paper need a commercial? Who's not buying it?
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
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XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
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