Yo what’s good fam! Back with another Big Fish Friday!
Today I’m checking out a string library
I was on the hunt to find some different solo string libraries to showcase, and Big Fish happened to have one.
Works in Kontakt or Kontakt Player
Let’s check it out!
What is London Solo Strings?
This is a solo string library for Kontakt focused on violin, cello, contrabass, and viola.
You get multiple articulations and playing styles in each category as well as some fx and quartet patches.
There are even some multi patches ready to go into your sequencer.
The interface is straight forward, allowing you to tweak reverb and eq quickly.
Quick Specs
- format: Kontakt or Kontakt Player, Gigasampler
- content: 3.77GB
- price: $149.95
How does it sound?
It has a real close and natural sound to it.
It’s not too big, not too much reverb and it doesn’t seem to sit too far back in the audio field.
There’s almost a “woody” sound to them if that makes sense, really natural sounding.
I do wish there was a basic sustain patch and I wish legato playing was implemented but even still, the patches that are here sound great.
There’s even some stuff like “richocet” in the violin section that I personally wasn’t familiar with, seemed more like an effect playing style but it’s all good.
I didn’t much tweak with the eq or reverb, I just played them as is.
What’s the bottom line?
This is a really straight forward library that will give you a nice collection of solo string sounds without taking up enormous amounts of hard drive space.
I give London Solo Strings 4 out of 5 subs, the patches sound good, can easily fit into a wide variety of music, and the load really quickly.
One thing that would take this library to the next level would be at least one legato patch or an update to the scripting for legato play-ability.
I also missed having a basic sustained patch, but that didn’t take away from the playing styles that were included.
I liked the sound, seemed very close and “real” while it may not have all the greatest scripting and automated playing/switching it does sound good.
Go on over and check it out: http://www.bigfishaudio.com/detail.html?845
Leave a comment below, let me know what you think
Great Review fam great library I have it and Converted it in wav to Reason NNXT for better processing In Joe We Trust!!!
@Reggie Swan (Elo The Source Music), no doubt fam I hear that, do your thing! Thanks for the comment.
This is a great addition for all who enjoy the strings genre like myself. Using these sounds across the keyboard is simple awesome. Another great “Peep” from SJ.
@Baddboy2000, no doubt fam, that’s what’s up, definitely a useful library.
SaintJoe does it again! Thanks! I am wondering which way to go with my orchestral VSTi’s. This sounds very nice. I haven’t upgraded my GPO, which I probably will do, anyway,but SOLO instruments ????
So, your timing is in the pocket! and the money for this, is in mine! HA!
Well done,once again Joe!
Michael
@Michael Parson-McNamara, cool man, I’m always looking for the goodies, got some more strings coming in the future at different price points. Stay tuned.
these are real nice sounding – they sound more real than a lot of other libraries including the kontakt factory….
@richard, they definitely have a very real sound to them
Hi Saintjoe.
I already have Kontakt 5 which has some nice strings, Project Sam Symphobia Colours and Orchestrator, also Big Fish Orchestral Themes – and whatever is in LOGIC X’s EXS-24 (someone said some VSL stuff supposed to be in there, and in Kontakt?)
Also Embertone Intimate Strings Lite, so you can see I’m really into string sounds – as I used to play upright bass.
These here have a great natal sound to them though, I’m definitely interested.
Can you suggest any others also for orchestral study purposes? (I was thinking of Garritan, not sure though)
You may want to checkout Spitfire Audio, or Cinematic Strings
Will do – tnx
Thanks, they look good! Have you tried much VSL stuff? I’m fascinated by the Ensemble Pro 5, which I believe will let you use your old 32 bit plugs etc with Logic X? Even says you can use plugins on another PC/OS – sounds like witchcraft to me lol
I haven’t used it much myself but I know many people enjoy it.
Ah well, I’m gonna spring for these, I reckon layered with what I’ve got already this will really help get those strings sounding real 🙂
Cool man, hope you enjoy em!