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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2026
Posts: 8
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OP
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Joined: Mar 2026
Posts: 8 |
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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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,817
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Joined: Apr 2009
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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: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,910
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Super difficult question to answer because there are so so many options. Quality ranges from OK to pretty darn good to wow those are fantastic. And price varies from no brainer, to OK, to wow are you serious? In my case I stopped looking for new string libraries when I bought Appassionata Strings (for a "are you serious price). https://www.spitfireaudio.com/en-us/products/spitfire-appassionata-strings?srsltid=AfmBOoolXkbNMD4Zb5TFmftPDRDd8W-wiMurkUCJfHmuM8CX7ykYaRRvBrass is similar, however I never found my final brass sounds. I generally find something to fit from my large collection of Kirk Hunter libraries - for example: https://www.kirkhunterstudios.com/products/concert-brass-2/But, I still see Brass which I consider purchasing. Keep in mind, much of the fun with these libraries is the hunt.
Last edited by DrDan; 9 hours ago.
BIAB – 2026, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2026
Posts: 8
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2026
Posts: 8 |
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
Posts: 24,573
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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.
Back in my day the only time we started panic buying was when the bartender shouted "last call"!
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
Posts: 8
Newbie
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OP
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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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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,516
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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; Presonus 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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Joined: Mar 2018
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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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Joined: Mar 2026
Posts: 8
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2026
Posts: 8 |
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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