Which string library has the most realistic-sounding legato? (2021)
- Thread starter Syncopator
- Start date
lettucehat
Senior Member
It's hard to separate "best legato" from everything else though - opinions will always be influenced by how people feel about the rest of the library. I second CSS, Con Moto, Vista, and want to add 8dio's Century and Agitato, plus Nashville. I don't think they're quite on the same level, but they are a few more flavors.
OP
OP
Syncopator
Active Member
Thanks. I've done some research on these. Also, I found a library shootout in the following thread, which was also helpful:
Choosing the best performance (comparing strings)
This is a blind test again, but I'm interested to know your preferences. You can choose several options. This is a composition I'm working on and it's in progress. It's mostly just Legato so far. I have already decided on the principle of libraries that I will use, and which will go to the...
vi-control.net
He compares 9 major libraries and took a blind vote. (His audio excerpt appears to include 12 examples, not 9, so I'm not sure why the survey was only for 9.) I actually already own several of the libraries he tested. Each has strengths, but I've found the legatos disappointing.
With your help, combined with the shootout above and after watching a number of walkthroughs, I've narrowed it down to CSS and Con Moto.
CM is phenomenal, but is a legato-only library. That's not a dealbreaker, but for other articulations I'd have to work to determine what other libraries I own match it best. CM happens to be on sale, which helps.
CSS's legatos are also fantastic. Just a hair behind CM, IMO, but more flexibly scripted—plus you get a fuller set of articulations.
Since I'm on the fence, I may go ahead and get both. I need something today, so no time to dilly-dally. LOL.
Thanks again.
Beermaster
Member
Context is vital or else it’s like asking ‘what’s the best apple pie‘ ?
better to set a test to recreate as realistically as possible, a real existing recording of a desired legato string passage and see which libraries ( and arranger/producer at the helm to draw it out) win out
better to set a test to recreate as realistically as possible, a real existing recording of a desired legato string passage and see which libraries ( and arranger/producer at the helm to draw it out) win out
Loïc D
Monkeying with libraries
That's funny because I was listening to a recording this afternoon (a performance of Prokofiev's Romeo & Juliet) and at a very moment, the strings were sounding fake and synthy.Real strings have the best legato.
NYC Composer
Senior Member
If you want to play in realtime (no lag) I'd guess LASS is still among the best.
Denkii
Senior Member
Obviously Mum's. Duh.
FireGS
Senior Member
My mums.
Getsumen
16 > 24
If you like Con Moto, Jasper is doing a full orchestral library called Voyage slated sometime near the end of 2021.Thanks. I've done some research on these. Also, I found a library shootout in the following thread, which was also helpful:
Choosing the best performance (comparing strings)
This is a blind test again, but I'm interested to know your preferences. You can choose several options. This is a composition I'm working on and it's in progress. It's mostly just Legato so far. I have already decided on the principle of libraries that I will use, and which will go to the...
He compares 9 major libraries and took a blind vote. (His audio excerpt appears to include 12 examples, not 9, so I'm not sure why the survey was only for 9.) I actually already own several of the libraries he tested. Each has strengths, but I've found the legatos disappointing.
With your help, combined with the shootout above and after watching a number of walkthroughs, I've narrowed it down to CSS and Con Moto.
CM is phenomenal, but is a legato-only library. That's not a dealbreaker, but for other articulations I'd have to work to determine what other libraries I own match it best. CM happens to be on sale, which helps.
CSS's legatos are also fantastic. Just a hair behind CM, IMO, but more flexibly scripted—plus you get a fuller set of articulations.
Since I'm on the fence, I may go ahead and get both. I need something today, so no time to dilly-dally. LOL.
Thanks again.
It's also like 1-2k+ for the strings so keep that in mind. There are a ton of audio demos on their Soundcloud if you want to take a look
Denkii
Senior Member
:O
dzilizzi
Senior Member
But it was recorded. So it was the same as a sample library.That's funny because I was listening to a recording this afternoon (a performance of Prokofiev's Romeo & Juliet) and at a very moment, the strings were sounding fake and synthy.
Tim_Wells
Tim Wells
Evans
Senior Member
It's because the original post only contained nine examples, with further examples added over time. Maybe we need a new poll!
Actually, for ensembles, I would still say LASS has the most REALISTIC-SOUNDING legato. It's bone dry (like real strings), very dynamic (like real strings), handles divisi properly (like real strings and unlike almost any library on the market), and sounds TERRIBLE if used badly (like real strings).
Afflatus is a lot more user-friendly and approachable if your patience for fiddliness is low. I also happen to think Metropolis Ark is very good for appealing, user-friendly legato.
PS, you didn't mention ensemble size. If you want something chamber-sounding, VSL Dimension is pretty much unbeatable ... for REALISM. But be prepared to work for it.
Con Moto and CSS are beautiful, but not realistic. I mean, PS even has it on the website ... *not for purists* ...
Long story short -- the troll talking about real strings had a point. Realism takes a lot of work and time.
But based on OP's specific needs, I think I would go with Afflatus, Metropolis Ark I, or VSL Orchestral Strings, personally.
Afflatus is a lot more user-friendly and approachable if your patience for fiddliness is low. I also happen to think Metropolis Ark is very good for appealing, user-friendly legato.
PS, you didn't mention ensemble size. If you want something chamber-sounding, VSL Dimension is pretty much unbeatable ... for REALISM. But be prepared to work for it.
Con Moto and CSS are beautiful, but not realistic. I mean, PS even has it on the website ... *not for purists* ...
Long story short -- the troll talking about real strings had a point. Realism takes a lot of work and time.
But based on OP's specific needs, I think I would go with Afflatus, Metropolis Ark I, or VSL Orchestral Strings, personally.
Last edited:
chapbot
omnivore
I own everything and keep coming back to Soaring Strings from Musical Sampling.
Soaring Strings - Great String Samples & Libraries | Musical Sampling
Soaring Strings Samples is focused solely on emotive legato and sustains, providing a simple and easy way to create great sounding melodies and string beds in no time.
musicalsampling.com
chapbot
omnivore
I also own MSS and my advice is to keep looking
Wunderhorn
Senior Member
Since Con Moto/Vista features the Capellen orchestra, how - if someone has had the opportunity to hear both - would Audio Imperia's Areia stack up to that?
