Having an arsenal of fantastic sample libraries, and VST instruments help me to compose for music for TV and film.
I spend a lot of my time in the studio in front of my computer and having every instrument that I would need helps my workflow and remain creative.
With thousands of libraries to choose from I stick to two rules… I have to love how it sounds and be able to use it in my compositions.
Sample libraries should be thought of as an investment, much in the same way as purchasing a new instrument.
I spend time researching, listening, and understanding how each instrument works to get the most out of the libraries. Truly understanding how each instrument works helps with my workflow, as I spend less time messing around with the technology, and more time doing what I love… composing.
It’s also crucial that you have a unique pallet for projects, and I spend a great deal of time creating my own libraries as well as using off the shelf products. I also process quite a few of the off the shelf products as well – this means that I have sounds that are unique.
This blog I’m focusing specifically on instruments, not to worry though, I also talk about the sound effects every TV and film composer should have.
Spitfire Audio
I would regard Spitfire as one of the leading companies that create sample libraries. They put a great deal of thought into what is needed, how they sound, and how they function.
They are continually releasing new products that are relevant and have produced some brilliant supporting tutorials and demo videos.
I’ve found that their products integrate brilliantly into Kontakt, and if you do have any questions their support team is, in my opinion, the best in the industry!
Some of the Spitfire products that I use are:
- Albion I
- Albion II
- Albion III
- Symphonic Strings
- Symphonic Woodwinds
- Symphonic Brass
- Hans Zimmer Percussion
- Spitfire Percussion
- Ambient Guitars
- British Drama Tool Kit
I also use Spitfire Labs instruments (which are free):
- Pedal Pads
- Music Box
- Dulcimer
- Scary Strings
- Modular Piano
- Peel Guitar
- Frozen Strings
- Synth Pads
- Choir
- Electric Piano
- Charango
- Amplified Cello Quartet
- Drums
- Soft Piano
- Strings
8Dio
I use a large variety of the products 8Dio create. I’ve found the solo instruments to be particularly exceptional.
8Dio always has sales, which make these products affordable to everyone.
Here are some of the 8Dio products I use:
- Adagio Violins
- Adagio Cellos
- Adagio Violas
- Claire Flute Virtuoso
- Claire Clarient Virtuoso
- Claire Oboe Virtuoso
- Claire Bassoon Virtuoso
- 1928 Legacy Steinway Piano
- 1969 Legacy Piano
- Adagietto
Arturia
Arturia makes some of the best software synths. I couldn’t recommend their products highly enough. I’ve found their software emulations brilliant.
The Arturia product that I use is part of the V Collection:
- Jup-8 V
- Vox Continental V
- Matrix-12 V
- Synclavier V
- ARP2600 V
- CS-80 V
- Mini V
- Modular V
- SEM V
- Prophet V
- Stage-73 V
- Solina V
u-he
Like Arturia, u-he make incredible software sythns, and almost every film and TV composer is going to be using their products.
They are jam-packed with a vast variety of presets to get you started. But, I would always recommend that you spend the time creating your unique palette of sounds.
All their products are all excellent value for money, and you can’t go wrong investing in them.
The u-he products that I use are:
- Ace
- Bazille
- Diva
- Hive
- Zebra
Cinesamples
Cinesamples product great string sample libraries. I find their product very functional, and they sound great.
These are the Cinesample products that I use:
- CineBrass Pro
- ConeStrings Solo
- CineWinds Pro
- CineBrass Decent
- VOXOS Epic Choirs
Native Instruments
Native Instruments have changed the way that almost every (computer using) composer creates music.
Not only do they provide Kontakt, but they have an extensive selection of great products. I like their pianos, drums and bass products.
The Native Instrument products that I use are:
- Kontakt 5
- Session Strings Pro
- Symphonic Series Woodwind Ensemble
- Berlin Concert Piano
- New York Concert Piano
- Vienna Concert Grand Piano
- The Maverick
- Upright Piano
- The Giant
- Alicia Keys
- Vintage Keys
- Vintage Organs
- Action Strikes
- Drum Lab
- Abbey Road Modern Drums
- Abbey Road 60’s Drums
- Abbey Road 70’s Drums
- Abbey Road 80’s Drums
- West Africa
- Scarbee Pre-Bass
- Scarbee MM-Bass
- Scarbee Jay-Bass
- Scarbee Funk Guitarist
- Damage
- Rise and Hit
- progressive Metal
- Evolve Mutations
- Evolve Mutations 2
- Shevannai
Project SAM
Based in the Netherlands, Project SAM has a range of brilliant libraries. The functionality you get in the products makes them easy to use, and their tutorial videos are extremely helpful.
I use the following Project SAM products:
- Organ Mystique
- Concert Harp
- Orchestral Brass
- Orchestral Essentials
- True Strike 1
- True Strike 2
EastWest
EastWest has an unbelievable product offering. For around £20 per month, you get 66 full products. Which is over 40,000 instruments, and 3 million samples, phrases and FX.
As this is a subscription-based service, you also get the added benefit of regular updates and new products releases.
I think that this is the best value for money for anyone, particularly students or aspiring composer.
As there are so many products, I don’t use them all, but I have found the choir, percussion, and sound design libraries to be useful.
These are the libraries that I use:
- Voices of Opera
- Voices of Soul
- Spaces II
- Voices of the Empire
- Hollywood Choirs
- The Dark Side
- Fab Four
- Ghostwriter
- Goliath
- Gypsy
- Symphonic Choirs Gold
- Symphonic Choirs Expansion
- Symphonic Orchestra Gold Percussion
- Voices of Passion
- Adrenaline
- BT Breakz
- BT Twisted Textures
- Drum n Bass
- Electronica
- Hypnotica
- Ill Jointz
- Aerosmith’s Joey Kramer Drums
- Percussion adventures 1
- Percussion adventures 2
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