For those that have been around here for a few years, you may remember my review of Cinematic Strings.
That was very early in the days of my reviewing and was probably the first if not one of the first “high end” libraries I ever reviewed for Kontakt.
Fast forward about 3 years and thousands of products later, and today I’m checking out Cinematic Strings 2
I feel I have much more of an idea in terms of what I look for in a library, what sounds good compared to other libraries, and overall product concepts.
So let’s just jump into this thing!
What is Cinematic Strings 2?
This is a professional grade orchestral string library geared towards film, tv, media, and video game composers.
Of course…you know I feel you can use any sound in any situation when producing music, but this is definitely made with professional composers in mind.
Compared to the first version they definitely streamlined the interface, much to my delight, as you only have one patch for each section.
What they did is put all the articulations into the same patch per section so you can easy switch between them on the fly.
Though having all articulations in one patch does make for longer load times, there are always ways to get around things like that.
Quick Specs
- content: 21.1GB, 5 section patches with all articulations for each section, 2 full ensemble patches
- format: Kontakt and Kontakt Player 5
- price: $499.00
How does it sound?
This library has a really smooth and very rich tone to it.
I absolutely love how smooth the legato is, really makes for a realistic sounding string part.
I also love that you can adjust the envelope on the ensemble, as well as the attack/release on the short samples.
Being able to add or remove a staccato layer on the sustain patches is also really cool.
The overall sound isn’t too big or wide, not too much ambiance so you can still adjust to tastes.
The included reverb sounds good and having the control right up front with a big knob makes dialing it in very simple.
Overall I really dig the sound of these strings, they have a nice warm vibe to them.
So what’s the bottom line?
At the end of the day, Cinematic Strings 2 sounds and plays awesome.
I love the fact that they simplified the interface as well, even though it still takes a while to load the full patches.
I give this library 4.5 out of 5 subs, it’s a great follow up with many improvements as well as a down right great sounding library in it’s own right.
If you really need a good collection of high end orchestral string sections with smooth legato these are definitely some you want to take a look at.
Of course they have way more information on their website where they showcase a lot of the features and functions of the library so make sure you go over and check them out.
http://www.cinematicstrings.com/
Leave me a comment below and let me know what you think
I always loved cinematic strings but because of its loading time, I never want to buy it. Instead, I am using LASS. But for legato patches, cinematic are best imho. Thanks very much for the review and efforts you put into your work.
Hey! Good review, thanks! Nice product!
Yeah it sounds pretty good, thanks for watching!
I have the MM bass and have listened to the demos for all of the other Scarbee basses. I agree–the Rickenbacker is by far the most convincing Scarbee bass by a fair margin.
Idunno. That’s 500 bucks. I’d rather spend twice as much for a full bundle from EastWest that would include something great even if not AS great as this one. You know? I mean, for 2-300? Sure. But 500?
To someone like a composer that makes that money back with a few seconds of music, it’s worth it. Sometimes you have to splurge if you want the high end 🙂
Though this isn’t something “just to grab” you definitely have to be looking for this specific toolset to justify it. It’s cheaper than the first version though and it’s vastly improved.
EW isn’t always cheaper, though they always have sales. This would be comparable to their “hollywood strings” which is not cheap either.
It’s all a matter of what you’re doing and what you’re looking for, stuff like this isn’t gonna be a general buy for everyone.
Dope, but out of my price range right now. Maybe after this “Pure” album, but these sounds got me salivating.
I hear ya man, yeah they sound nice
i like these a lot – just watched this twice… and then listened with the monitor off…these sound sick….
the interface is nice too – the look of those envelopes are nice – when i expand my strings, i think this is the winner…. what do you think compared to hollywood strings?
Yeah I dig the interface alt and they sound really good. I haven’t messed with Hollywood Strings so I’m not sure how they compare bit I know they are highly regarded.
It sounds great. Maybe a comparison with LASS would be more acurrate? There’s something about EW that just doesn’t fit to me….
thanks for the report, SJ
Yeah LASS is nice to. EW usually has a very roomy sound to my ears but I haven’t messed with the hollywood ones just the symphonic Orchestra. Thanks for watching.
I have as well, check this out and tell me what you think if you wish: watch?v=LpNQWuyCzw8 this was a song My friend and I made for a competition.
joint is nice man for sure!
right, that’s why I can say one is better than the other, they are made for different purposes, thanks for the comment!
This is Library review what I consider good!I fucking hate those endless talks about features.. IDGAF for features if sound quality is shit! This Library is DOPE! Thanx man for the review! Please, continue reviewing this way! ALL THE BEST!Subscriber
thanks man, I just want to show what’s in there and how it sounds, appreciate the support!
What impresses me the most with CS2, must be the articulations. I’ve been through a whole bunch of string libs over the years. Okay there are a few pointing out, but very often so does the price. CS2.1 comes close to LASS2, but it’s less heavy to load, yet it doesn’t drain quality a bit! I will for sure use CS2.1 in my new cinematic soundtrack! By taging along this tutorial/overview, yes I am more than convinced! Peace out 🙂
cool man, glad to help, it really sounds good!
FINE DONE !!
@MrFreeway11 Thanks for watching!
SJ: These strings are pure in sound. The sound quality really delivers that “Wow” factor. The price is steep,but the layout and quality justifies the $$$ amount. Another great video review.
No doubt man, thanks for checking it out!
That would be great. Appreciate what you do.
check my channel for the other video I posted last week
Nice to see that you gave this library such a good review. I think this will probably be my next purchase.
BTW, re: price. The price of this library doesn’t seem too high to me at all – the quality is apparently great, and furthermore I started buying sample libraries twenty years ago, and let me tell you – EVERYTHING today is cheap. Considering that MOST soundware and music software developers today are struggling to get by, I think the price of these products is the last thing to complain about. We’re incredibly lucky as musicians to be making music in these times when amazing tools are available for very little money.
Indeed man, it’s really cool and yes the price is relevant with the product and target market. It’s all about what you’re used to for sure, I do remember the early sample libraries for akai samplers and such, they could get expensive simple for a drum cd! lol.
thanks for the comment!
nice review ! but somehow i still not know which library i should get haha
LOL depends on what you’re looking for
looking for a big and powerfull sounding library which also is easy to handle with ….
what type of library? lol….strings? Have you checked out orchestral essentials for projectSAM
not yet … and im looking for strings of course lol …. i see you made a review about, gonna check this out !
nice 🙂
In my opinion, if you’re looking for a well produced library and ease of use, Cinematic Strings is the way to go. I’ve had the library for about 5 months now and it has never disappointed 😉
indeed man, it’s nice
Having ram problems when I run Cinematic Strings. How do I save a lite version of a patch?
I just unloaded all the articulations and kept a single one, then saved that as a patch
I’ve never saved settings in Kontakt, not sure how to do it. So I unload the articulations, but then how do I save in Kontakt?
in the file menu, you can save the patch
I couldn’t fine that ‘files’ menu on Kontakt, so little, but I found it and everything worked. Thanks for your help, dude!
no problem man, glad to help!
man, you really need to learn how to play keyboard properly, if you showcase these kinds of plugins…
Hey, thanks for the clarification & timely reply. I had hoped that was the case. Off to check my balance …..
no problem man!
I hear ya man, I try to cover all types of angles man
To hear some songs that use Cinematic Strings 2, check out my channel! The songs “Hope Amongst the Ashes” and “Road to Victory” use this library! Hope it helps! 🙂
In the same MIDI file with Sustain LONG NOTES (Arco), I want to put more volume in just some notes and vary the volume of the other notes. Controlling the dynamics with the Modwheell this looks impossible! What should i do???
Yep, it’s the background loading feature in Kontakt, I do it with all of my libraries.
hi , legato transition?????????
the sound is very very bad..=/
Nice sounds.
Joe, how did you get that lite patches? Violin 1 2 Viola Cello and Bass lite, that lite patches don´t come with the library.
I was told I needed a quad core processor to run this correctly on my 2010 iMac (dual core). However, they said the dual core could be used if notes are used sparingly. Thoughts?thanks for the great review! BTW does streaming sound on You Tube do the patches justice? Just wondering….
Which is better cinamatic strings or cinestrings?
To me CineStrings comment is based demos. But this level (=pro level) libs i think all depends taste. Old queston but helps maybe someone.
Definitely all about taste