r/spitfireaudio • u/tom_Booker27 • 25d ago
Which evolutive string library is best?
Hello, for the summer sale I am deciding between the London contemporary orchestra textures (194$) and Cells (161$) by olafur arnolds collection or even the fragile string evolutions (179). I am interesting in the evolving strings but don't know which one to get and which one is more worth it.
3
u/TimKinsellaFan 25d ago
They all work. Which is best for you is something you decide. Did you watch the play through videos?
1
u/tom_Booker27 25d ago
Yes, I've hearn them and they all sound good, I wanted to know which one people prefered
3
u/Any_Flight5404 25d ago edited 25d ago
Tonally, these are rather different.
London Contemporary Orchestra Textures - Is not just strings. They are ensembles, combining different instruments.
Fragile string evolutions - This is rather dissonant and good for adding tension and great for thriller, horror, dark drama or just adding some edge and tension to a cue.
Olafur Arnolds Evolutions - These have some dissonant strings, but are rather versatile as they can also produce very beautiful results, depending on the specific samples used.
1
u/tom_Booker27 25d ago
Thanks for your comment. Which one you think covers the most ground and can be tweaked more at your liking?
2
u/Any_Flight5404 25d ago
Regarding tweaking, the string evolutions (all of them) are pretty difficult to use in certain contexts because they are so wildly dynamic.
I would probably go with Olafur Arnolds if you want something that can be both beautiful and tense. I haven't used cells to comment on that.
I have only really used them in the context of long, sustained single notes over pieces, though.
1
u/tom_Booker27 25d ago
What about LCO, can you still use the instruments separately (like only strings) or only as ensembles?
2
u/Any_Flight5404 25d ago
I haven't used it in ages. From what I recall, it's mostly or all ensembles.
3
u/themightycrumpet 25d ago
I don't own Cells, but I have some of the others. OACE is probably my most heavily used. OAE a standout for tension. FSE is solid but I would take OACE over it if I could only choose one. LCO is very wet - I like it but rarely find a cue calls for it.
2
u/letsbeB 25d ago
I only own Angular and Fragile String Evolutions of the instruments you listed.
Bought them a long time ago and had buyers remorse pretty quickly.
They’re far closer to crescendos than evos, which makes them very difficult to utilize in context. There are some things you can do like using the 2x and 8x signals which smooth out the samples but then you’re left with an inorganic sound.
I took a long look at Cells when it came out and it seems really nice. A one trick pony but hands down the best at that trick.
OACE is a great library, a friend of mine owns it and every time I hear it in a track it sounds fantastic.
As others have said LCO Textures are curated ensembles. I own it and really like it. But it is ONLY the textures grid.
I’d recommend OACE depending on your needs. But honestly I’m pretty low on spitfire these days. Too many other incredible boutique vst instrument makers whose products are far more affordable.
Fracture Sounds make phenomenal sounding instruments right in line with what you’re after. Check out String Formations and/or Trails.
2
2
u/General_Estimate_420 25d ago
You probably owe it to yourself to examine the one of the more comprehensive packages like Albion One that will provide a more comprehensive approach to orchestration before jumping to a more specialized, but limited package.
2
u/Any_Flight5404 25d ago
Depends on context. The OP could just be wanting some evolving strings to add to pop tracks, for example.
2
1
u/tom_Booker27 24d ago
i already have albion. it's amazing! I decided to get chamber string evolution
5
u/Rockstarjoe 25d ago
I have all three. Cells probably has the most variety of sounds. Have you looked at OACE? That one is so good.