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Joined: Dec 2002
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,096 |
This new release from SpitFire is gathering rave reviews over in the VI Community. It took me a long time to come to the understanding and appreciation for different piano sound libraries and that each has their own voice and place. Some you buy just because the specific instrument speaks to you. While I am not quite of the same mind with other instrument libraries, apparently this is an identical case for String Libraries. Open and Clear your mind and listen to some of the demo offerings on this site for the new Appasonata Strings. https://www.spitfireaudio.com/shop/a-z/spitfire-appassionata-strings/A bit down the page listen carefully to "AS THE DUST SETTLES - BLAKUS (CONTEXTUAL)" If I thought for one minute I could sit in my home studio and come even close to capturing and creating these sounds I would be downloading this package now. As it is, I need to listen and study. Is it only me?
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 271
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 271 |
No Dan... it's not only you. Just listening to these sounds is very humbling when compared to my lame attempts to record strings. Which brings me to the fact that even if I were to buy these instruments my attempts would still sound lame in comparison.  /Bobby
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,142
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Joined: Jun 2012
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Some incredibly rich soundscapes, no question.
Most impressive.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
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Joined: Apr 2009
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I like strings when they are done right..... which seems to be a problem of mine.
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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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 735
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 735 |
Spitfire offers some very fine products. My skills never do them justice. But this sound is magnificent.
My wife asked if I had seen the dog bowl. I told her I didn't even know he could.
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Spitfire Appassionata Strings (SAS) remains on sale for $179 for only one more day (Feb 10 2022). If you have not listened to any web demos it is likely you have no interest at all. No problem. But if you are on the fence, tomorrow is last day. I can tell you that my friend Simeon has Unified the entire library. This fully replaces the Spitfire Player. The free Unified Patch for SAS includes All Factory Presets Individual Articulation Presets Ensemble Patch All Microphone Mixes Mapped To Macro Knobs It allows you to layer sounds/articulations and assign kbd ranges for all different instruments. Each instance is assigned to a different thread. I know all this talk of SAS and Unify may be a bit too advanced and cutting edge. But your kids are going to love it. By the way, here is BIAB and SAS. https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=702588#Post702588
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 735
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 735 |
Spitfire Appassionata Strings (SAS) remains on sale for $179 for only one more day (Feb 10 2022). If you have not listened to any web demos it is likely you have no interest at all. No problem. But if you are on the fence, tomorrow is last day. I can tell you that my friend Simeon has Unified the entire library. This fully replaces the Spitfire Player. The free Unified Patch for SAS includes All Factory Presets Individual Articulation Presets Ensemble Patch All Microphone Mixes Mapped To Macro Knobs It allows you to layer sounds/articulations and assign kbd ranges for all different instruments. Each instance is assigned to a different thread. I know all this talk of SAS and Unify may be a bit too advanced and cutting edge. But your kids are going to love it. By the way, here is BIAB and SAS. https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=702588#Post702588 Nice Back to the Future reference.
My wife asked if I had seen the dog bowl. I told her I didn't even know he could.
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,347
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,347 |
No, it's not only you.  Writing for strings is a specialty skill, and writing for pop strings even more so. Appassionata Strings are a medium section, much larger than you'd find in a pop song. Because of budget constraints, a typical string section from the 60's or 70's was just a 6 piece violin section. If need be, they'd overdub the section to thicken the sound, although it never quite gave the same sound as a full section. Motown had a fuller section of 9 violins/4 viola/3 celli and a harp. Even "Eleanor Rigbgy" is just a string quartet, overdubbed to make it an octet. So although there are some fantastic sampled string sections that came out in the last couple years, I can pass most of them up because they don't really fit in with a pop sound.
-- David Cuny My virtual singer development blogVocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
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Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 280
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 280 |
I started buying Spitfire products some years ago, starting with British Drama Toolkit. Not being a fan of Kontakt I was pleased when they began using their own plugin. These days their libraries seem to be moving away from Kontakt.
The Originals series is well worth looking at, all priced at 29, dollars, euros, GBP.
Appassionata is stunning and was discounted for a while, I think that has ended now though.
They also recently released Gaiko - War Islands. Again for 29 dollars, euros, GBP. This is more suited to people doing film, TV and game material.
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Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 1,362
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 1,362 |
Those strings sounds beautiful.
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
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Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
XPro Styles PAK 11 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 11 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 22.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 22 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Peter Gannon Talks Band-in-a-Box with zplane
zplane recently interviewed Peter Gannon, the founder and creator of Band-in-a-Box, about the software's early days, what sets it apart from AI, how zplane's audio algorithms are used in Band-in-a-Box, and more!
Special thanks to the team at zplane for their continued support.
Check out the full interview here: https://products.zplane.de/blog/peter-gannon-interview-pg-music
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