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I have an upcoming project that needs some killer brass samples. I am looking for two things. First, I am looking for a select group of samples that I can use with DP 5--not phrases but pure samples. Second, I am looking for a package that will not cost me a thousand bucks. I just want to write and trigger some realistic horn charts via sampled horns.

What products should I look at?

As soon as price becomes an issue it puts a lid on a lot of great libraries. This is a very important thing to keep in mind.

Some sub $1k libraries often require Kontakt, which is an instant four hundred-dollar consideration before you begin. If you have another soft-sampler, then Kontakt will only set you back about $250 for a cross-grade. At that point, you can begin looking at various libraries formatted for Kontakt.

Some libraries, such as Garritan Big Band come in at the $200 range and, I believe, has its own player. The question is whether or not that's the style and sound quality you want. GBB is good for a great many things.

Is it the perfect match for your project?
Is it the perfect match for your wallet?

Other members here will certainly make plenty of recommendations, but those two questions will be your barometer for choosing what will work best for you.

Options (without regard to quality or compatibility):

NI Bandstand $100
Garritan Big Band $200
East Quantum Leap Gold $500
Big Fish First Call Horns $250

There's no need to even put VSL in this list.

I know this is way outside your price range, but you should be aware of it. It's Broadway Big Band from Sonivox:
http://www.sonivoxmi.com/mp3/amitpoznan ... hemove.mp3

What sort of charts are you doing? Most of the brass libs or combinations of out there that have the most flexibility are probably going to be out of your price range. Do you need convincing legato? Recorded section patches? Realistic dynamics? Jazz or funk type effects? Mutes? Products with bundled players?

All of these questions will have a big impact on which lib(s) makes the most sense and keep you from paying for a bunch of features that you don't need right now.

Frodo wrote:I know this is way outside your price range, but you should be aware of it. It's Broadway Big Band from Sonivox

DAMN YOU BAGGINS! So I took a stroll over to hear that amazing VI and found this:

http://www.sonivoxmi.com/ProductDetail. ... Collection

Now I HAVE TO have it! That was the money I was saving for the trip to Amsterdam! ARRRRGH!

Seriously, the orchestral library package is very impressive. I'll have to look into that very seriously this year.

BTW, have you worked with it at all? (The Symphonic Package or the B'Way Brass.)

Thanks. Great lead.

Thanks for the ideas. Specifically, I have been asked to add a horn arrangement on top of a rock and roll tune, a la Chuck Berry. So, what I am looking for is horn sounds that would work with rock and soul type grooves. Not so much big band arrangements--just some sounds that would work well with rock, rock and roll and things like gospel, blues and funk.

The only sample player I have is Battery 3, which COULD be mapped out for various samples. I would prefer a stand alone app that would allow me to use AND play the samples as a virtual instrument.

While I have a bunch of Roland and Yamaha horn patches, I have never been that convinced by any of them--they sound like synths to me--even when I orchestrate the parts as a horn section would. I don't know if there is anything out there that will fill the bill for me, but if so, I would be grateful to hear what YOU would choose for what I am after. Thank you all so much.

MIDI Life Crisis wrote:

Frodo wrote:I know this is way outside your price range, but you should be aware of it. It's Broadway Big Band from Sonivox

DAMN YOU BAGGINS! So I took a stroll over to hear that amazing VI and found this:

http://www.sonivoxmi.com/ProductDetail. ... Collection

Now I HAVE TO have it! That was the money I was saving for the trip to Amsterdam! ARRRRGH!

Seriously, the orchestral library package is very impressive. I'll have to look into that very seriously this year.

BTW, have you worked with it at all? (The Symphonic Package or the B'Way Brass.)

Thanks. Great lead.

Mmm-hmm. You and your Angela Davis hairdos!! (I love 'em)

Mess with me and I'll mess you up!! We just need to get together. That's all.

Frodo wrote:You and your Angela Davis hairdos!! (I love 'em)

Mess with me and I'll mess you up!! We just need to get together. That's all.

Hey, that was in the School Office so I had to look neat and "combed (whatever that meant in those days.) Notice the nuclear fallout shelter sign behind me...! Ah, 1971 - still have my draft card

I'll PM you shortly.

The dashiki is kickin', dude.

Frodo--I checked out the Garritan Big Band and I think that will fill the need perfectly. You are worth your weight in gold for that suggestion. Thank you!

al carmichael wrote:Frodo--I checked out the Garritan Big Band and I think that will fill the need perfectly. You are worth your weight in gold for that suggestion. Thank you!

Al: The most important thing is that YOU are happy. If possible, I would try to find a music shop that has it installed so that you could play with it before spending any money. But there are few other worthy libraries out there in that price range, if any.

Garritan's Jazz Band is indeed a great choice. I have it and keep finding uses for it.

But if you want fantastic brass -- unprecedented in realism and control -- Wallander's WIVI brass are incredible, and in my opinion the best, bar none. Of course, I use a WX-5 Wind Contoller, which makes it seem like playing the real thing. You can also use a BC headset (breath Control) on a keyboard. Lots of advantages to doing it either way. On the keyboard, you can have it split the instruments into a chord, rather than multiplying them by however many fingers you have down. It's endlessly adjustable, absolutely ingenious, and more than convincing in about every respect.

Shoosh

Shooshie wrote:But if you want fantastic brass -- unprecedented in realism and control -- Wallander's WIVI brass are incredible, and in my opinion the best, bar none.

I think that Sample Modeling also deserves a nod in terms of realism and realtime playability. Both products definitely represent a shift from the normal "press and trigger" mode of sampling that we've all become accustom to over the past few years. I'm hoping either one of them figure out how to provide the same flexibility with section samples some time soon.

Shooshie wrote:-- Wallander's WIVI brass are incredible, and in my opinion the best, bar none.

You guys are gonna make me poor! Thanks Shoosh.

Frodo: re the dashiki. If I had it today I might mage to make it fit as a bandana... to cover the hair that has shrunk.

I was in the shower!

AMG's Kick A-- Brass is an interesting but not cheap beast at about UK£ 200.00 = 284.98 U.S. dollars as of today. With a little verb they kinda come alive

UK£ 200.00 = 284.98 U.S. dollars

Here's another one - Vir2's Mojo, coming soon:

http://www.vir2.com/4DCGI/vir2/products ... .html?1205

+1 for Sample Modeling's "The Trumpet" and "Mr. Sax-T" as well.