• Software
  • Advice on kontakt 5 libraries.
2016/05/18 04:41:37
Soundblend
Hi i just got Kontakt 5 full version.

Need advice on a few libraries and not to expensive ones ( $200 - $300 ) each.

1. Strings
2. Acc Guitar strummer
3. Choir

The string library need to be "soft" cinematic sounding ( no harsh sound ) for all round purpose, and i do not need a load of articulations, just few basic common ones like sustain, staccato etc, what strings i want.... ! i am not quite sure yet.
need some suggestions so i can listen and go from there.

For the acc guitar strummer library, i need the option for ordinary nylon and steel string as well 12 string
the options for strum patterns need to be " a lot of usable patterns to choose from ", also i need to be able to
use ordinary chords on my midi keyboard, simple and ready to go as one play a Keyboard with rhythm on the left section.

Regarding the choir i have listened to Realivox blue, and like that one a bit, what options of libraries is available
close to that with better sound. I'll gonna use that Library for Vox backing like ahh, ohh , doo and similar.
mostly for backing to a main lead vocal. But word builder / phrases would be very useful too.

( Libraries need to sound good out of the box, with no need of much EQ etc ).

The genre will be " all round " simple cinematic, pop, ballads with a touch of rock'n roll.
2016/05/18 06:21:49
Kuusniemi
First off, before you go buying a lot of libraries get to know what's inside the Kontakt Factory library. There are pretty good strings, guitars and a basic choir there. But if those do not meet you're requirements then here's a few suggestions.
 
1. Sonokinetic Da Capo (https://www.sonokinetic.net/products/classical/dacapo/): It's not really a string library, but for basic articulations with good sounds it's hard to beat.
 
If that doesn't tickle you then Strezov Sampling has a wonderful string collection called Cornucopia Strings (https://www.strezov-sampling.com/products/view/cornucopia%20strings.html). They're smaller in section size, but the sound is very, very good.
 
Then you have LA Scoring Strings Lite (http://audiobro.com/la-scoring-strings/la-scoring-strings-lite/), which is a bigger set of stuff, articulations etc.
 
Also a decent choice would be London Symphonic Strings by Aria Sounds (http://www.ariasounds.com/kontakt_london_symphonic_strings_sample_library.html). Kirk Hunter Studios has sal -50% sale going on right now (with the code 50OFF) so you could get their Concert Strings 3 at a reasonable price (https://www.kirkhunterstudios.com/products/concert-strings-3/)
 
But if you're willing to invest a bit more on strings you could get Spitfire Audio's Mural Ensembles (http://www.spitfireaudio.com/shop/instruments/strings/symphonic-strings-ensembles/).
 
 
 
2. Ilya Efimov has good choices for acoustic guitars: http://www.ilyaefimov.com/products/acoustic-guitars/nylon-complete.html and http://www.ilyaefimov.com/products/acoustic-guitars/acoustic-complete.html. Both are priced at well under 200$.
 
 
 
3. Now, choir. This is a bit trickier.
 
An allrounder choir would be SoundIron's Requim Light (http://soundiron.com/products/requiem-light-kontakt-player-edition). It's big but the price is pretty fair and you have a wealth of stuff there to use. They also have a very basic choir Olympus Elements (http://soundiron.com/products/olympus-elements-kontakt-player-edition). It has it's uses, but is very limited. Have a big cinematic style to them.
 
If an operatic style choir would do then Strezov Sampling's original Storm Choir is really freaking awesome (https://www.strezov-sampling.com/products/view/STORM-CHOIR%201.html). But like I said, it has a distinctly operatic style to it.
 
If more solo voice style collections are what you need then SoundIron again has some fantastic bundles. First their Voices of Gaia (http://soundiron.com/products/voices-of-gaia-bundle) which is a bit ethnic sounding and their classical Voices of Rapture (http://soundiron.com/products/voices-of-rapture), which does cost more. Personally I Love the Voices of Gaia series.
 
Also Realivox does have their Ladies collection (http://realitone.com/realivox/).
 
And if you'd only need ladies voices then 8Dio has their Studios Sopranos (http://8dio.com/instrument-category/solo-vocals/#instrument/studio-sopranos-vst-au-aax-kontakt-instruments/).
 
 
 
Well, there's a few options.
2016/05/18 06:24:53
Kuusniemi
Soundblend

( Libraries need to sound good out of the box, with no need of much EQ etc ).



On a side note, nothing basically sounds good out of the box when put into the context of the song it's used in, since everything around it affects how things sound... Invest in a good EQ and doing drastic EQing doesn't take that much time... 
 
Just a side note. :)
2016/05/18 08:25:55
Mesh
Although I don't have this (yet), NI's Strummed Acoustic does sound good and apparently very easy to use within Kontakt 5. It's on my "to get" list.
 http://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/komplete/guitar/session-guitarist-strummed-acoustic/
 
A very inexpensive ($46) and quite good acoustic strummer is Strummaker IV from Indiginus......I do have this and it's very easy to use.....very easy to get good results quickly.  
http://www.indiginus.com/StrumMaker4.html  
 
 
2016/05/18 08:30:51
dcumpian
I would somewhat mirror Tapsa's suggestions, but I'd also recommend that you take a look at these as well:
 
1) Strings - EastWest Hollywood Strings and/or Kirk Hunter's Concert Strings
 
2) Guitars - Ilya Efimov's Nylon Guitar is quite good, and I highly recommend Orange Tree's Steel Strings Acoustic
 
3) Choir - What Tapsa said, although EastWest's choir library is also quite good.
 
Regards,
Dan
2016/05/18 08:45:54
Kuusniemi
dcumpian
I would somewhat mirror Tapsa's suggestions, but I'd also recommend that you take a look at these as well:
 
1) Strings - EastWest Hollywood Strings and/or Kirk Hunter's Concert Strings
 
2) Guitars - Ilya Efimov's Nylon Guitar is quite good, and I highly recommend Orange Tree's Steel Strings Acoustic
 
3) Choir - What Tapsa said, although EastWest's choir library is also quite good.
 
Regards,
Dan


At the moment Eastwest is good choice since they're selling their boxed stock at low prices. I only recommended Kontakt libraries since it was stated that he just got Kontakt5. :)
2016/05/18 10:36:02
Glyn Barnes
For strummed guitar Orange Tree Samples and Ilya Eftimov are probably on a par, which you prefer will depend on the sound and workflow, which is personal preference. Myself, I prefer OTS.
 
However the OP says " i need the option for ordinary nylon and steel string as well 12 string" - only Inginus offer this in a single package. Indiginus is very good value for money but nowhere near as good as OTS or Ilya Eftimov if you want very versatile strumming.
 
 
In the OTS Steel Strings strum sequencer for example any beat in the bar can be assigned as sustain, palm mute, mute (fingered or picked), rest or any number of effects such as body hits. The strings being strummed can be selected so even arpeggios are possible. The fretting position can be varied and automated, as can the pick position.
 
There is a library of patterns but it’s easy to create your own using the intuitive graphic interface. Triplets and odd time signatures are catered for and there is a swing function.
 
 
Automatic chord detection is just one mode available will change your keyboard player fingering of a chord into proper guitar voicing.
 
The OTS Nylon has different articulations but works in the same way. Both also are very good in solo mode or manual strumming.
2016/05/18 10:43:38
dcumpian
Kuusniemi
dcumpian
I would somewhat mirror Tapsa's suggestions, but I'd also recommend that you take a look at these as well:
 
1) Strings - EastWest Hollywood Strings and/or Kirk Hunter's Concert Strings
 
2) Guitars - Ilya Efimov's Nylon Guitar is quite good, and I highly recommend Orange Tree's Steel Strings Acoustic
 
3) Choir - What Tapsa said, although EastWest's choir library is also quite good.
 
Regards,
Dan


At the moment Eastwest is good choice since they're selling their boxed stock at low prices. I only recommended Kontakt libraries since it was stated that he just got Kontakt5. :)




Agreed, but there are deals around like you pointed out...:)
 
Regards,
Dan
2016/05/18 13:20:47
bitflipper
The Indiginus collection is an excellent value. I had the Acoustic Guitar Collection (my usual go-to for steel 6- and 12-string), Strummaker IV for strumming, Delta Blues Slide, Renaxxance classical nylon, and Renegade (Telecaster). All five can be had for about $250. Synthesized strings aren't on your list, but have a listen to the wonderful Solid State Symphony library while you're there.
 
 
2016/05/18 14:13:04
Kuusniemi
dcumpian
 
 
Agreed, but there are deals around like you pointed out...:)
 
Regards,
Dan


I know. If I hadn't spent money on a lot of things I actually need, I'd jump on the Eastwest collections myself, even though I loathe the PLAY engine. But luckily I don't need another orchestral collection since I've already trodden that path with Spitfire, Vienna, 8Dio, Strezov Sampling, Sonokinetic, Orchestral Tools and Kirk Hunter... :D
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