Hey what’s good fam?
Today I’m back with a review of an orchestral plugin by Garritan.
A few years ago I did a review on Personal Orchestra, it was one of the first orchestra plugins I had encountered.
Well I’ve seen a lot of libraries since then, so let’s see how this one stacks up
What is Instant Orchestra?
The concept behind Instant Orchestra is to provide you with ready to go sections, mixes, combinations, and orchestral effects.
So unlike Personal Orchestral, you’re not required to take the solo sections and build your own ensembles.
This is supposed to allow you to make fuller sounding orchestrations quicker, with less sequencing data required.
So you won’t find a bunch of solo violin or cello instruments in this library, it’s main purpose is to give you full sections that are mixed, blended, and ready to play.
I like the sound of that, as I find many orchestra libraries require too much work when it comes to making sections, ensembles, and large patches.
Quick Specs
- format: Aria Player
- price: $179.95
- product page: http://www.garritan.com/products/instant-orchestra/features-benefits-2/
How does it sound?
There’s some nice full patches in this library.
I really like a lot of the mixtures and blended patches that mix strings and winds, or strings and brass.
Some of the things like the harps and keyboards are just ok, nothing too special, but those layered patches are really cool.
They also have some ready to go ensembles that are organized by mood/style, I didn’t show them in the video but basically it’s a group of sounds with some layered and some on different MIDI channels.
The idea behind that is so that you can quickly pull up a group of instruments that fit a particular mood or musical style you’re working in.
Overall I think there’s a lot of good usable sounds in here, but I also found some things that weren’t that impressive.
So what’s the bottom line?
I think this library does what it says it’s going to do.
It gives you quick access to nice sounding ensembles, combinations, and layered instruments.
I give Instant Orchestra 4 out of 5 subs, it’s a good sounding library with lots of usable patches in a clean and simple interface.
I’ve seen quite a few orchestra libraries over the years, and they keep getting better and better. One thing you have to always think about as well is the price factor.
A lot of high end orchestral libraries cost a pretty penny, Instant Orchestra delivers a lot of usable content at a price that will not break the bank.
Though it’s hard to tell from their website how many instruments and ensembles are in there, I can tell you there are quite a bit!
Head on over to their site and check out their demos and more information on the instrument itself: http://www.garritan.com/products/instant-orchestra/features-benefits-2/
I disagree with the whole concept: a lot of film scores nowadays are all sounding exactly the same! You would have to blend instant orchestras! The harpist is Garry Garritan himself apparently! I like the GPO formatted for Reason, it is only 50 bucks from Time+Space so you can put some of the strings through Scream and mangle them lovely!
It’s all good 🙂 I just show what’s there so folks know and can make an educated decision. This would not be my first choice for orchestra sounds, but they are usable and I definitely heard some stuff in there I liked.
It all sounds good , but the price of this product should $99 bucks to $110 cost range to my evaluation lol.
Great vid Saint as always thanks.
Yeah, compared to other libraries the price is a bit more easy to swallow, though I agree I would have liked to see it around 99-149 for what’s there.
SJ: I agree with your score rating. Thanks for giving your viewers an inside look. The sounds are good. Garritan seems to have released a quality “Expensive” product.
thanks for checking it out man
This seems like a first attempt to build orchestrations. I listened to all examples and nowhere it came near the sound of an orchestra. On the contrary it still sounds as the early electronic organs. The strings are not strings the brass is even worse but NOT brass. So, I don’t know what one can do with this.
To use it one will have to see it as a kind of weird instrument but please do not think this sounds as an orchestra. It did never ever. The only positive thing is the medium price.
Garritan has been making sample based orchestra libraries for many years, way before vsts and such, back in the days of akai and other rack style hardware samplers. However I do not think it’s the best representation of an orchestra sound in my opinion, there are other options that sound way more realistic across the board.
I try to show all options as people have different needs, for some this will work, for others focused on super realistic orchestra sounds there are other options 🙂
Even with someone competent enough to demonstrate what an _orchestra_ is and can sound like, this is an embarrassment… I suggest you pull it quickly…
Why would I do that? LOL
I show options, this can save people from spending their own money to find out it’s not what they want, or it could be something in there that people want to use. Everyone is different and have different needs/wants, not sure why some people can’t seem to understand that.
If it’s not for you, cool, I’ve done what I aimed to do by showing that 🙂
I doubt _you_ would pull it, but the folks whose product you’re demoeing should! Yes, it’s an “option.” Yes, “everyone is different” with “different needs/wants.” Most folks “understand” that. No news there. Yet the _demo_ is still an _embarrassment_. That’s the real and only criticism worth addressing, not the paint-by number aspect of IO. I’m a long-time GPO user and composer with a 50 plus year career. The demo didn’t even come close to demonstrating orchestral colors. Or doesn’t that matter? The patches sounded like a 20 year old synth, even to a newbie. I strongly suspect IO is much more colorful and subtle – in the hands of someone competent to exploit it in an 8 minute span. Not diddling around willy-nilly. That’s what IO needs. I hope the powers that be at Garritan are listening. 😉
LOL… What you hear is what it sounds like right out of the box, and it’s the main reason I do things the way I do them here. Not everyone has a life long career in orchestration such as yourself, or even understands music theory for that matter, but many still look to or play with products such as this.
Everyone that’s interested in something like this isn’t looking to it for orchestration purposes either, sometimes users just want different textures to throw in their mix. You don’t need to be a composer with a 50 plus year career to know if you like a sound or not 🙂
I like to “diddle around willy-nilly”, that’s what this entire site is about, and it’s geared towards the many people out there that do the same when they first open a product. If you’re looking for orchestration examples or demonstrations I suggest you look to other sites for that, that’s not my aim or desire here. The demos on the GPO site should give you more of what someone with your expertise is looking to hear.
Thanks 😉
You seem to laugh an awful lot. Good for you. My mistake was thinking that I was talking to someone from Garritan, not from a site whose purpose is to “diddle around willy-nilly. Silly me. Diddle on. I won’t bother you anymore since we’re talking at cross purposes. And thanks for the advice to look elsewhere. I’ll take it. 😉
Yeah, I do, especially when people get worked up over what someone else is doing on their own time. Why would you expect to be talking to someone from Garritan on my site? I would think you’d go there for that. I’m just a regular guy that likes to play around with and showcase music stuff, it’s all in fun for me…that’s why I laugh alot 🙂
The Garritan site should have what you need man, good luck!
Joe I like the way you graciously, allowed Mr White to find his answers elsewhere. Nicely handled.
I have GPO4 which I updated from the original GPO which I bought in 2000? when it first came out.
Anyway, it seems like this ought to be an extension of that and therefore a minor upgrade/price point. IMHO
Since I have IK Miroslav Orchestra, too, I guess I’ll wait to go up a few levels …to the bigger leagues, so to speak.
Nice job as always.
Michael
Yeah I think the main thing here is the sections and combinations, etc. I like the pads/atmosphere type sounds moreso than the actual orchestral instruments themselves, gives a nice new tone to mess with. Thanks for the comment!
This is a quick “trailer-like” music i did entirely with GIO, 6 patches, done in 15-20 minutes.
i’m no-way a pro, just an “advanced” amateur.
https://soundcloud.com/bosone-2/orchestral-test-trailer
I think it sounds good man! I feel this library is geared towards this type of music, more action/movement than the slow, solo style pieces in my opinion. I think the sections, combos, and ambiences etc are the strong parts in this library.
Nice intro to this product. Saintjoe is the man! I have Miroslav Philharmonic but to be honest I haven’t got that far with it – this looks like a lot of fun though 🙂
thanks for watching bro!
I reckon this is one to wait a while and see if there’s a sale. I would get this if it had something like 30% off –
No doubt fam, I feel that
yes, in fact i got it with 30% discount. for about 100€ it is a really good deal.
cool man!
Hi Joe,
Thanks again for another great review bro.
I am starting out and on a budget I look to make hip hop rnb and ballads.Under $200 bucks what would you recommend? After easy to use and emotional, I was going to get the above but really take your opinion seriously.Money wise I can prob get this, the Garritan personal orchestra or Miroslav classic edition? Really don’t know what to do.
So emotional strings/real sounding/easy to use
Instant orchestra
Miroslav
Personal orchestra (garritan) or any other options? on FL studio 10
Thanks for what you do
having both, i must say i enjoy a lot garritan.
miroslav (i have the complete edition from IK total bundle) may sound good and maybe better but on win7 64 bit the sampletank interface is just horrible.
miroslav does not have keyswithch and is much more “static” than garritan.
but neverthelss it sound good.
if you are not so much on “classical realism” maybe it’s a good choice but be prepared to fight with the interface! 🙂
instead GPO is much more usable (and can sound good, too!)
Totally agree here
I like the sound of miroslav but I’m not a fan of the sampletank interface in its current form. I would say instant Orchestra is a good way to go. Or projectsam orchestral essentials if you could save up a little more.
Thanks Joe, I may wait and see if project sam goes on offer, thanks for your advice as usual :O)
BTW
this is my review on garritan instant orchestra
http://www.timespace.com/product/view_reviews.php?SKU=SU8tMTIw&list_value=&list_type=
Thank you both for your comments I will check out your review matteo.
The East west stuff sounds awesome but being new to production and having a little girl recently I cannot justify their costs.
I am just doing it as a hobby and plan to make a track for my daughter so want some nice sounds strings for the best price possible.
Thanks again
Thanks again for your comments.
I play by ear and am not classically trained so IO seemed like it would be easier.
In your opinion guys if you were me (making hip hop rnb and ballads)
would you for for Instant orchestra or Personal.
Matteo I see you gave IO 3 stars, what would you give Personal orchestra?
Great review by the way.
GPO for me it is 5 star. i have it since it’s birth.
exceptional quality for its price tag.
it’s very versatile, indeed. you just have to learn how to use it, it will maybe take some time to get used to it.
IO does not have solo patches. but maybe for pop it may be better suited.
if you are about classical music i would say GPO.
for your need maybe (but i’m not so sure), IO can be a wiser choice. you will be use it more or less like a synth with orchestral sounds, not trying to mimic a classical composition.
Thanks for the advice matteo, The IO seems like its ready to go but for some emotional tracks just a violin and cello itself is a beautiful sound. I love the strings in a track called neon cathedral by macklemore.I may oneday get both.
I play the guitar and want to try and make emotional music and hip hop for some friends to use.
Have you heard of damien rice, ed sheeran type of vibe.love the guitar and piano combo with strings.Considering price and the your comments I think GPO may be a better option.Thanks for your help guys.
Yeah that’s a good point, if you want solo stuff too you may want to go with GPO over this, as this one is more for the big ensemble/orchestrated sound and no so much solo/intimate imo.
i agree!
actually, i made decent, expressive and intimate solo cello and violins lines with GPO.
i also feel that the piano is one of best i ever used. very intimate, romantic and with a “round” sound. (just be sure not to play it at maximum velocity!)
Thank you both for your advice and taking time out of your day, I appreciate it.
You have changed my mind but for the better, GPO it is, the demo’s I have listened to on Timespace is EXACTLY what I am looking for.
Thank you
Cool, have fun!
I’ve been preparing to try some orchestration, I have Miroslav but it’s 32 bit only. I was told it will work in the new SampleTank – what I’m thinking though is getting GPO and GIA as there is a tutorial available from groove 3. I also have Kontakt, as well as Olympus Elements. Orchestrator and Orchestral Essentials from Project Sam, and Logic X’s EXS-24. My plan is to construct the piece using GPO, then put in some overlays.
I recently got the book ‘Acoustic and MIDI Orchestration’ which has got me started into MIDI CC messages – lots of ways to make stuff sound more real with automation.
Thanks for the great reviews, opening up all this great stuff man!
Nice man, glad to help!
Just getting this now, 40% off! And GPO.
Now please can you find me instant Tom Scott? LOL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCJZZ2sOt6g&list=PLYSM29hDd7qFiPW4Wt9cWDwmYv0KabWGV
Hahahahahaha, nice man 🙂
Man I would love that plugin LOL
Indeed lol
Would this be compatible in a 64 bit environment in windows 7 ?
Should be fine
That’s my system. It Works!