Steinberg & OT create Iconica for VST3-based orchestra

[mhschmieder]

https://www.steinberg.net/en/products/v ... ayers.html

This could be a game-changer. I never spent the dough on Berlin from Orchestral Tools, and it's a bit unclear whether this is a repackaged version for HALion vs. Kontakt, but the VST3 Expression support may be the first in the industry for a deep-sampled orchestra library?

There will be integration with Dorico at some point (it's being worked on). Not sure if they will try to play friendly with the other notation apps or not.

[Elektroakoustika]

This is an interesting development in the sampling world as none of the big DAW players have stepped into the in-depth sampling business in many years, especially when competing with the dedicated sampling companies like Orchestral Tools, Spitfire, and Cinesamples.

This is a brand new library though. Orchestral Tools recorded all of their "Berlin Series" libraries at Teldex where these are recorded at Funkhaus Berlin. So no repackaging here.

I think, overall, the library sounds very good. I was especially impressed by the percussion. I own all of the Berlin series and can see a lot of parallels between the two. There is an obvious "cutting costs" factor in a lot of the woodwinds and brass though as many of them are only two velocity layers. But the VST3 support is really interesting and really neat in Cubase.

Being a composer that still composed in DP, but notates in Dorico now, I'll be interested to see how the integration will work in the future.

[mhschmieder]

Thanks for that info -- I didn't have time yesterday to look up where the Berlin Series was recorded. I love both of those recording chambers.

I was quite impressed by the woodwinds (haven't listened to the others yet) -- even the clarinet sounded realistic (it's my main orchestral instrument from childhood on), and I'm really picky about clarinets!

I guess now I'll need to dig further into what VST3 Expression means in terms of workflow, original note input (e.g. if I set up a WX5 Wind Controller), and how the sound compares vs. regular Berlin Series and then relative to cost.

It's funny, I always delete the Logic and HALion sampler presets in any library that I buy. I just figure neither is at the level of Kontakt, UVI/Falcon, or Engine.

But HALion certainly took a giant leap forward recently. Even so, I have no regrets over deleting my HALion presets from all of my sample library purchases. I may end up using it just for stuff done specifically for HALion, if it comes to that.

[Elektroakoustika]

I was most impressed by the percussion. The sound of that hall just speaks very well to percussion.

I thought the woodwinds and brass were decent, but I can't say they're better than my existing Berlin libraries (with a couple of small exceptions). And the lack of the dynamic layers in a lot of those instruments really restricts what they can do.

But I'm right with you. I'm really amazed at what HALion is doing these days. They must have overhauled that in recent memory to catch up with the abilities of Kontakt. I'm really curious how it compares performance-wise. Kontakt, when scripted right, really works efficiently.

Let me know if you have any questions on the Berlin series. I own all of the main libraries (Woods, Brass, Strings, Percussion) and use it frequently on my projects.

[mhschmieder]

Yes, my most important question is prerequisites. Their website sort of hints that you need the main libraries before buying the add-ons for the less common instruments, but I am most interested in the latter -- especially initially.

I have the same issue with Cinesamples. I almost bought their Descant Horn several times, but was afraid it wouldn't work without having bought their larger collections/libraries. Their specifications are vague on that point.

[Elektroakoustika]

I"m pretty sure you can get them without the main libraries, but don't quote me on that. The only add-on library I have is the Additional Brass, which shares nothing with the main brass so it can be used without the main library.

I think the only time you need the main library is if it shares samples with it. And I can't think of any of their libraries that share samples. But I would e-mail Orchestral Tools and just ask.

[mhschmieder]

Thanks; that makes sense. During "hot sales", there usually isn't time for turnaround with inquiries, so it's best to make them when there's no sale going on, to be prepared. Especially due to the time zone difference between here and Europe.

[nk_e]

Yes, my most important question is prerequisites. Their website sort of hints that you need the main libraries before buying the add-ons for the less common instruments, but I am most interested in the latter -- especially initially.

I have the same issue with Cinesamples. I almost bought their Descant Horn several times, but was afraid it wouldn't work without having bought their larger collections/libraries. Their specifications are vague on that point.

Descant functions as it’s own library.

[mhschmieder]

Thanks -- I'll buy Descant Horn the next time it's on sale. Still the only library for that, as far as I know, even if one includes a few where one emulates a Descant Horn through the choice of valves on a Triple Horn. The timbre is still not the same due to bore.