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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,267
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OP
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,267 |
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?
BIAB – 2025, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud (Tip: No need to create a SC account to hear music - just hit ESC ).
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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: 20,328
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,328 |
Some incredibly rich soundscapes, no question.
Most impressive.
BIAB & RB2025 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,370
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,370 |
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: 732
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 732 |
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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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,267
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,267 |
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
BIAB – 2025, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud (Tip: No need to create a SC account to hear music - just hit ESC ).
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Off-Topic
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 732
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 732 |
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: 7,612
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Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,612 |
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.
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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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Off-Topic
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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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New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2025!
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
Check out all the 202 New RealTracks (in sets 456-467)
And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.
You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
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Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac!
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-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
- Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
- Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
- Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
- Playable RealTracks Set 4
- RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
- SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
- 128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
- Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
- Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
- RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®!
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
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Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 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.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 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.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
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