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Real orchestra sounds - any recommendations?
Looking for “real” orchestra sounds like a desktop rompler, but in AUv3 app format for iOS. Especially looking for good strings sounds.
In desktop world I have the Hyperion Strings micro library that plays on Kontakt, which I find is ideal. Not a huge library, but certainly all I need. The “swell” dial on that plugin adds a level of realism, so a similar feature on an app would be welcome, plus a range of staccatos, spiccatos and pizzicatos, crescendos etc.
Any favourites?
Comments
To me, only 2 ways to go for realistic orchestra sounds on iOS:
SWAM apps, they either require a MPE midi controller for live playing or time and dedication to create CC automation. Have a learning curve but these are the most flexible since you have access to all possible articulations for each instrument. They use physical modelling so no samples which means they are very small (100M).
Staffpad. Very impressive app which I also strongly recommend. Sample based. You need an Apple pencil and you need knowledge in musical notation. But it can also import MIDI files. You can purchase libraries from some of the most renowned library makers on the market. Pricey but totally worth it if you're after realistic orchestra sound. I am working on a @McD piece which is almost complete. I'll post a link here in the coming days to let you judge by yourself.
There are other alternatives, the best being in app purchase inside Beathawk. Good sounds but extremely limited compared to the two previous options.
So it really depends what you're after. But if you're after extremely realistic sounds SWAM or Staffpad are your best bet.
For ensembles :
1/ AudioLayer with the free orchestral VCSL downloadable directly from the app (several GB)
2/ Beathawk IAPs
3/ other apps like iSymphonic Orchestra but never tried
AudioLayer is the most powerful to setup your velocity layers, modwheel expression, strings keyboard splits.
Sorry but I think the apps mentioned above - though great - are not ensembles or mono (SWAM) or not AUv3 (Staffpad).
Oups I didn't read the OP requirements well. You're right, SWAM auv3, solo instruments (ensemble are on Audio Modelling roadmap). Staffpad is its own beast so no connectivity with other apps. Sorry for not reading well
AUM + SWAM + Eventide QVOX = Ensemble 🤩
Harmony eight with pitch modulation is not bad either 😉
I would think iSymphonic would have what you’re looking for.
Korg Module with KaPro Expansion + iSymphonic + Audiolayer (Sampler)
I use KAPRO from korg module. Load up multiple instances, and map the cutoff and the volume to the same knob on your midi controller, and you’ll get some good results.
Yes, I forgot about that beast!!!
+1
The NFO shorts and longs strings and Micah's choir on pianobook in Decent Sampler.
All free, beautiful and simple.
Since you said "orchestral sounds" and not individual instruments, I have to agree that AudioLayer is the way to go.
As mentioned by someone else, AudioLayer with the free vcsl library is a good option.
This is the holy grail of IOS for me and I tried them all.
ISymphonic and it’s IAP’s of various packsges…. Well over $100 invested and I found it to be buggy trying to record in Cubasis. You have to do each track one at a time and freeze to audio. And it crashed with Cubasis 2 and 3 came out. But I had moved on to #2.
NanoStudio with the massive orchestra sound set from patchstorage. It scales to support many channels that render but I didn’t click with NS2 and it doesn’t have any audio tracks.
ROLI Noise has great romper packs and I bought many. Hydrid acoustic is the best. Slim on articulations. Legato and some type of pizz I think. Good layered string and choir and full orchestra.
Staffpad: require the Apple Pencil to input notes on a score. Great extra libraries and a solid default orchestra. All the articulations using setting per instrument. Not a romper but a miracle for batch producing film music which is my jam. No live MIDI… but MIDI and Music XML imports.
Oops Korg module too. I own almost everything and it’s a software rompler by design. Lot’s of rompler stuff with IAP’s for orchestra, choir. Probably the best answer. Scales across a handful of channels depending of iPad CPU. Works on iPhone too but tricky with small text. Best on iPad of course but once you get a project you can play on the smaller device. Newer phone… better CPU.
No SWAM solos to pitch shifter?
The best I've used is KAPro IAPs in Korg Module. Module used to not be AUv3 and was Gadget-only, but it's now AUv3 as well!
I created this 95% in Gadget 2 with the other 5% being mastering it in Cubasis 3. The brass, strings, and choir are ALL Module (which is called the Glasgow gadget in Gadget 2)!
In second place is Beathawk's IAPs. Beathawk also has a ton of "world" instrument packs as well as heard here...
The harp and plucked are from the Celtic pack, and the violin is from another pack (I forget which...the Balkins one? Bah, I'll look it up later.)
Thanks guys. Having a look at the above I think AudioLayer might be my choice. It’s a bit of an investment (by iOS standards), so I’ll pop over to YouTube land for some further clues.
All above (especially Module) and PureSynthPlatinum.
How many instance of SWAN can you run at one time? The idea of using a Harmonizer is a new one in my journey. But the orchestra needs about +$200 in product and you must freeze tracks in Cubasis.
The Staffpad orchestral options are recorded by actual orchestras and not phasing copies of the same individual instrument.
SWAM is for solos and it can’t beat Tina Guo’s Cello for expression without a expensive controller.
It’s a tough problem but I’m done with my journey:
Nice thing about AudioLayer is it works as an audio unit on both iOS and macOS, no additional purchase necessary.
Just watched Doug’s video demo of PureSynthPlatinum - the IAP of the Factory sample content is £17.99, but it sounds mind blowingly good! Surely this is a no brainier? I’ve a 2021 iPad Pro with a ton of space so should run smoothly?
That plus Korg Module inaps Kaypro orchestra, monumental choirs, and supreme cellos could easily be enough. I would add BeatHawk Total Bass, Mallets and Baroque (harpsichord, acoustic guitar, Celeste) BASSalicious 1 is free and has decent acoustic basses.
But is you want some superior acoustic leads you would have to add SWAM Tenor Sax and Trumpet (or flugelhorn).
Also Thumbjam is $7, I think, and highly praised with many features (tho interapp not AU). Check that out for sure.
Are you sure?
I'd love to get around the annoying iOS file management by preparing AL instruments on the Mac but the Mac App Store says there's no Mac version of it available.
Edit: Oh, the iOS version works indeed on M1!
I think that'll keep me busy for a while
Yes, it performs quite well. For a while it was crashing on me but that has been fixed.
Makes sense, I’m a novice 😂
The main ones I use are Korg Module, Pure Synth Platinum, Thumbjam, and the Taqsim apps. All very serviceable. Roli is good too but kind of abandoned.
Decent Sampler has some pretty good ones as well. GeoShred too.