Suggestions for high quality Sax instrument VST?

Hey folks. I really would like to get a decent sax sample library. I have no idea what to get and was hoping that I could get some decent recommendations especially since maybe I could get it cheaper today for Black Friday.
I have the full version of Kontakt 5 so stuff that needs that is definitely an option for me. Alto and tenor sax are most important. If it could also play like Cannonball Adderley and Paul Desmond that would be an added bonus :-)

All help greatly appreciated.

Check out samplemodeling's saxes... http://www.samplemodeling.com/en/index.php They're sample-based, and use a special harmonic alignment technique to make transitions between sample articulations seamless. The trumpet and trombone are excellent as well. Also, Chris Hein Horns vol. 1 (actually it's volume "1.5") has solo instruments that are very good. Actually, all 4 volumes are good, if you have the doughnuts. You can actually get alto and tenor as individual instruments via soundsondemand: http://www.soundsondemand..._service_chris_hein/en Actually he recently released a special "CHH Compact" version of his horns... Could be a good deal for $200.

samplemodeling's offerings are top notch.  If you want realism and are willing to learn the system there is none better.

That is true what you say... you need to master the samplemodelling instrument, like any "real" instrument. Same is true for any sample/hybrid/modelled instrument of any complexity -- horns, woodwinds, guitars, basses... you need to know how to play the real thing before you can play the fake thing, then on top of that you need to apply what you know about the real thing to the complex control system of the fake thing. Gak! 

Grab the soprano for $37 or whatever if you have kontakt full. It's very playable. In fact, base your decision to go with CHH based on your thoughts of the soprano, as the control system (keyswitches, realtime scripting, etc.) for alto and tenor will be very similar.

As far as the individual CHH instruments via soundsondemand, or directly from the CHH site... the deal is for any one of the 4 volumes your first instrument in that volume costs X, then each subsequent instrument in that volume is discounted significantly (30%? can't remember). However, if you think you might need more than alto and tenor solo instruments, it would be more cost effective to just get the whole volume 1 either via download or on disk.  


As far as bit depth, I believe all the CHH content is 24-bit, at either 44.1 or 48, can't remember. Not sure about the CHH Compact product... my guess is 24-bit as well. In any event, a properly dithered 16-bit sample is every bit as good as a 24-bit sample, except in very special conditions.

keith


That is true what you say... you need to master the samplemodelling instrument, like any "real" instrument. Same is true for any sample/hybrid/modelled instrument of any complexity -- horns, woodwinds, guitars, basses... you need to know how to play the real thing before you can play the fake thing, then on top of that you need to apply what you know about the real thing to the complex control system of the fake thing. Gak! 

Grab the soprano for $37 or whatever if you have kontakt full. It's very playable. In fact, base your decision to go with CHH based on your thoughts of the soprano, as the control system (keyswitches, realtime scripting, etc.) for alto and tenor will be very similar.

As far as the individual CHH instruments via soundsondemand, or directly from the CHH site... the deal is for any one of the 4 volumes your first instrument in that volume costs X, then each subsequent instrument in that volume is discounted significantly (30%? can't remember). However, if you think you might need more than alto and tenor solo instruments, it would be more cost effective to just get the whole volume 1 either via download or on disk.  


As far as bit depth, I believe all the CHH content is 24-bit, at either 44.1 or 48, can't remember. Not sure about the CHH Compact product... my guess is 24-bit as well. In any event, a properly dithered 16-bit sample is every bit as good as a 24-bit sample, except in very special conditions.

Thanks that was helpful. I definitely was thinking of getting the soprano sax even though I truthfully don't have it on my need to have list cause it was so inexpensive and, like you said, it gives me a cheap way to test drive the software.
 
As far as knowing how to play the real thing...yea that is not going to happen as well as a real player. I can play keyboards but have no working knowledge of how to really play a sax. I do understand what you are saying though in that it would be very helpful to be fluent in the mechanics of playing the sax.

If you are looking for a full-featured sax VST that is extremely user-friendly with an intuitive interface, I would recommend CMusic Productions recently updated Solo sax. I own it and have found it easy to create realistic tracks. At its price-point, (currently on sale for about $40 USD) there is nothing on the market to compare in a solo instrument.
For the record, I am not an employee of CMP - just another composer/musician who appreciates sharing info. on quality instruments - especially when bargain priced. If you haven't, check out their overview Youtube video. It is a small developer I hope succeeds. The music community could use more of them.

I like the C Music products too.  I have been buying their instrument when they have sales.  So far I've purchased all the saxes - baritone, tenor, alto and soprano, as well as their solo trumpet.  I might pick up their flugelhorn as I see it's on sale at the moment.
Their instruments give you control of the mic positions so you can vary the sound and how they fit in the mix.  All the standard articulations are available.  

This thread is nearly 6 years old. I hope the OP found what they were looking for.