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There's nothing quite like the feeling of hearing your music played by a real orchestra . . . but few of us have a symphony orchestra at our beck and call. So East West has joined forces with Quantum Leap to help us out: Their Symphonic Orchestra is a set of four modules, Strings, Brass, Woodwinds, and Percussion, available separately or in one of three bundles: Platinum, Gold, and Silver (see sidebar for the differences between bundles).
More than just a sample library, the modules are software sample players (based on Native Instruments' Kompakt engine) that can run on a variety of platforms and formats. Each module has built-in effects (reverb, chorus, delay, and filter/EQ), as well as synth- like envelope and modulation capabilities. Each is 8-part multitimbral. Sounds can be loaded and saved as individual Instruments, or as an 8-part Multi. If you need more parts, just open another module instance.
The Symphonic Orchestra modules were recorded using 6-channel samples. These are arranged as a close-miked stereo pair, a stereo pair taken from a front of stage Decca tree, and an ambient stereo pair recorded further back in the hall. When you load the Multi version of an instrument, all three stereo pairs load; you can solo or mute each, as well as control its level.
If you're working in stereo, you can balance the three pairs to control the amount of hall ambience and presence. Or, kick it up a notch and arrange the pairs in surround: send the close-miked version to the center, the front-of-stage pair to L/R, and the ambience pair to the surrounds.
THE CATALOG
Symphonic Orchestra includes a wide assortment of instruments and sounds; you should be able to cover most "day-to-day" orchestral needs. There are things I missed, such as string harmonics and marimba. Those working on 20th-century (I guess that should be 21st- century now) music may want euphonium and saxophones, and some of the more esoteric extended techniques and articulations. And those doing chamber music will miss other instruments: I tried sequencing Bach's Double Violin Concerto, for example, but the lack of a harpsichord put a damper on the continuo part. Fortunately, East West is committed to updating and expanding the library in the future.
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