I’m about ten years late to the party of using software MIDI synths because I have a top-of-the-line hardware MIDI unit, a Roland Integra-7. This is the forth such Roland as I worked my way up. I mostly use it for horns (trumpets, trombones, saxes).

Last year, with time during the pandemic, I upgraded many of my music tools. My new notation program came with software sounds that were better than the Integra. That alerted me to a whole new opportunity to improve the sound of my composer demos.

The really good VSTi libraries cost hundreds, even into the thousands. So did the Integra, but how do you try them to decide what’s best? Everyone I’ve talked to says it’s a bottomless expense to find the right one. The vendor demos online seem highly tweaked, and it’s dreadful how companies use drums and other rhythm instruments to mask your ability to hear just the horns. In addition, to install one and try it, you have to register it and then the software is not returnable.

So, I did a quick experiment. I sent one of my big band scores to two friends. Each used their libraries to send back a demo. No tweaking of any kind, just the quick and dirty raw sounds. The winners and losers quickly became clear. I won’t name products because what is right for me might not be for you.

One of the two friends was our own MarioD, well known on this forum for his use and advocacy for the MIDI side. Thank you, Mario!! Your generous help is greatly appreciated.

BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.