String Libraries

When I got a little bored with my go-to string libraries a couple of weeks ago, I started making an excel of all the string libraries I could find, so I could get a clear picture of what’s available on the market. Then I thought “what the hell, why not share it with others on my webpage?”. So here it is! Enjoy.

Please note: This list is by no means complete, but I do believe I have most bigger brands in here. Join my mailinglist to get notified on new additions.

Quick instructions

Full instructions are below this table. Simply sort tables by clicking the header or filter on features by using search. If you’re on a 1920px+ wide screen you should be able to see all columns, if not you can scroll sideways. Please do read my disclaimer. Feel free to contact me.

Brand	Library	Single/Solo/Chamber/Ensemble	Dry	Mics	In Situ	2nd vn	DB	Vib Ctrl	NoVib	Int.	Sordino	Div.	FX	Copy	Format	GB	Price €	Deal €	Notes
VSL	Strings Complete Standard Library	Solo, Chamber, Ensemble	Dry			2nd vn (solo)	DB	Vib Ctrl	NoVib	Int.	Sordino			eLicenser	VI	505.9	3240		Solo, Chamber, Dimension, Orchestral & Appassionata combined. Has less articulations than "Full library".
VSL	Strings Complete Full Library	Solo, Chamber, Ensemble	Dry			2nd vn (solo)	DB	Vib Ctrl	NoVib	Int.	Sordino			eLicenser	VI	505.9	4980		Solo, Chamber, Dimension, Orchestral & Appassionata combined.
VSL	Solo Strings Bundle Standard	Solo	Dry			2nd vn (solo)	DB	Vib Ctrl	NoVib	Int.	Sordino			eLicenser	VI	104.0	695		Solo Strings I & II. Has less articulations than "Full library". Also has 2nd cello.
VSL	Solo Strings Bundle Full Library	Solo	Dry			2nd vn (solo)	DB	Vib Ctrl	NoVib	Int.	Sordino			eLicenser	VI	104.0	1090		Solo Strings I & II. Also has 2nd cello.
VSL	Solo Strings I Standard	Solo	Dry				DB			Int.				eLicenser	VI	55.7	275		Has less articulations than "Full library"
VSL	Solo Strings I Full Library	Solo	Dry				DB	Vib Ctrl	NoVib	Int.				eLicenser	VI	55.7	570
VSL	Solo Strings II Standard Library	Solo	Dry				DB			Int.	Sordino			eLicenser	VI	31.0	235		Like Solo Strings I but muted. Has less articulations than "Full library"
VSL	Solo Strings II Full Library	Solo	Dry				DB	Vib Ctrl	NoVib	Int.	Sordino			eLicenser	VI	31.0	390		Like Solo Strings I but muted.
VSL	Chamber Strings Bundle Standard Library	Chamber (6-4-3-2)	Dry				DB			Int.	Sordino			eLicenser	VI	40.8	495		Chamber Strings I & II. Has less articulations than "Full library".
VSL	Chamber Strings Bundle Full Library	Chamber (6-4-3-2)	Dry				DB	Vib Ctrl	NoVib	Int.	Sordino			eLicenser	VI	40.8	890		Chamber Strings I & II.
VSL	Chamber Strings I Standard Library	Chamber (6-4-3-2)	Dry				DB			Int.				eLicenser	VI	29.3	295		Has less articulations than "Full library".
VSL	Chamber Strings I Full Library	Chamber (6-4-3-2)	Dry				DB	Vib Ctrl	NoVib	Int.				eLicenser	VI	29.3	650
VSL	Chamber Strings II Standard Library	Chamber (6-4-3-2)	Dry				DB			Int.	Sordino			eLicenser	VI	11.4	255		Like Chamber Strings I but muted. Has less articulations than "Full library".
VSL	Chamber Strings II Full Library	Chamber (6-4-3-2)	Dry				DB	Vib Ctrl	NoVib	Int.	Sordino			eLicenser	VI	11.4	350		Like Chamber Strings I but muted.
VSL	Orchestral Strings Bundle Standard Library	Ensemble (14-10-8-6)	Dry				DB			Int.				eLicenser	VI	42.5	495
VSL	Orchestral Strings Bundle Full Library	Ensemble (14-10-8-6)	Dry				DB	Vib Ctrl	NoVib	Int.	Sordino			eLicenser	VI	42.5	990		Sordino not for all articulations.
VSL	Orchestral Strings I Standard Library	Ensemble (14-10-0-0)	Dry							Int.				eLicenser	VI	23.5	335		ONLY Violins & Violas, NO cello & basses
VSL	Orchestral Strings I Full Library	Ensemble (14-10-0-0)	Dry					Vib Ctrl	NoVib	Int.	Sordino			eLicenser	VI	23.5	690		ONLY Violins & Violas, NO cello & basses. Sordino not for all articulations.
VSL	Orchestral Strings II Standard Library	Ensemble (0-0-8-6)	Dry				DB			Int.				eLicenser	VI	19.0	295		ONLY cellos & basses, NO violins & violas.
VSL	Orchestral Strings II Full Library	Ensemble (0-0-8-6)	Dry				DB	Vib Ctrl	NoVib	Int.	Sordino			eLicenser	VI	19.0	590		ONLY cellos & basses, NO violins & violas. Sordino not for all articulations.
VSL	Appassionata Strings Bundle Standard Library	Ensemble (20-14-12-10)	Dry				DB			Int.	Sordino			eLicenser	VI	19.4	545		Has less articulations than "Full library"
VSL	Appassionata Strings Bundle Full Library	Ensemble (20-14-12-10)	Dry				DB	Vib Ctrl		Int.	Sordino			eLicenser	VI	19.4	870
VSL	Appassionata Strings I Standard Library	Ensemble (20-14-12-10)	Dry				DB			Int.				eLicenser	VI	12.0	335		Has less articulations than "Full library"
VSL	Appassionata Strings I Full Library	Ensemble (20-14-12-10)	Dry				DB	Vib Ctrl		Int.				eLicenser	VI	12.0	590
VSL	Appassionata Strings II Standard Library	Ensemble (20-14-12-10)	Dry				DB			Int.	Sordino			eLicenser	VI	7.5	275		Has less articulations than "Full library"
VSL	Appassionata Strings II Full Library	Ensemble (20-14-12-10)	Dry				DB			Int.	Sordino			eLicenser	VI	7.5	370
VSL	Dimension Strings Bundle Standard library	Solo, Chamber (8-6-6-4)	Dry				DB			Int.	Sordino	Div.		eLicenser	VI	284.8	1250		Dimension Strings I, II & III. Has less articulations than "Full library"
VSL	Dimension Strings Bundle Full library	Solo, Chamber (8-6-6-4)	Dry				DB	Vib Ctrl	NoVib	Int.	Sordino	Div.		eLicenser	VI	284.8	1545		Dimension Strings I, II & III.
VSL	Dimension Strings I Standard Library	Solo, Chamber (8-6-6-4)	Dry				DB			Int.		Div.		eLicenser	VI	175.8	495		Has less articulations than "Full library"
VSL	Dimension Strings I Full Library	Solo, Chamber (8-6-6-4)	Dry				DB	Vib Ctrl	NoVib	Int.		Div.		eLicenser	VI	175.8	790
VSL	Dimension Strings II (Sordino)	Solo, Chamber (8-6-6-4)	Dry				DB			Int.	Sordino	Div.		eLicenser	VI	71.0	495		Sordino version
VSL	Dimension Strings III (Sul Tasto)	Solo, Chamber (8-6-6-4)	Dry				DB			Int.		Div.		eLicenser	VI	38.0	395		Sul tasto version
VSL	Solo Violin 2	Single Violin	Dry					Vib Ctrl	NoVib	Int.				eLicenser	VI	7.5	185		ONLY one solo violin, not full section.
VSL	Solo Cello 2	Single Cello	Dry					Vib Ctrl	NoVib	Int.				eLicenser	VI	9.8	185		ONLY one solo cello, not full section.
VSL	Special Edition Volume 1	Solo, Ensemble (14-10-8-6)	Dry				DB			Int.				eLicenser	VI	27.0	295	148	Cut down version of Solo & Orchestral. Also has brass, woods, keys & percussion.
VSL	Special Edition Volume 1 Plus	Solo, Ensemble (14-10-8-6)	Dry				DB			Int.				eLicenser	VI	11.5	285	143	Expansion to Special Edition Volume 1.
VSL	Special Edition Volume 2	Chamber (6-4-3-2), Ensemble (20-14-12-10)	Dry				DB			Int.				eLicenser	VI	26.7	295	148	Cut down version of Chamber & Appassionata (very simple version). Also has brass, woods, keys, percussion & guitars
VSL	Special Edition Volume 2 Plus	Chamber (6-4-3-2), Ensemble (20-14-12-10)	Dry				DB			Int.	Sordino (only simple appassionata)			eLicenser	VI	9.1	265	133	Expansion to Special Edition Volume 2.
VSL	Special Edition Volume 3 (con sordino)	Solo, Chamber (6-4-3-2), Ensemble (20-14-12-10)	Dry				DB			Int.	Sordino			eLicenser	VI	19.1	325	163	Cut down version of Solo, Chamber & Appassionata. Also has a harp.
VSL	Special Edition Volume 5 (Dimension Strings)	Chamber (8-6-6-4)	Dry				DB			Int.	Sordino			eLicenser	VI	56.4	345		Cut down version on Dimension Strings (no divisi)
VSL	Synchron-ized Special Edition Volume 1	Solo, Ensemble (14-14-10-8-6)	Dry			2nd vn	DB			Int.				eLicenser	Synchron	63.6	295		Cut down version of Solo & Orchestral. Also has second cello, brass, woods, keys & percussion.
VSL	Synchron-ized Special Edition Volume 1 Plus	Solo, Ensemble (14-14-10-8-6)	Dry			2nd vn	DB			Int.				eLicenser	Synchron	12.4	285		Expansion to Synchron-ized Special Edition Volume 1.
VSL	Synchron-ized Special Edition Volume 2	Chamber (6-6-4-3-2), Ensemble (20-20-14-12-10)	Dry			2nd vn	DB			Int.				eLicenser	Synchron	43.0	295		Cut down version of Chamber & Appassionata (very simple version). Also has brass, woods, keys, percussion & guitars
VSL	Synchron-ized Special Edition Volume 2 Plus	Chamber (6-6-4-3-2), Ensemble (20-20-14-12-10)	Dry			2nd vn	DB			Int.	Sordino (only simple appassionata)			eLicenser	Synchron	9.0	265		Expansion to Synchron-ized Special Edition Volume 2.
VSL	Synchron-ized Special Edition Volume 3	Solo, Chamber (6-6-4-3-2), Ensemble (20-20-14-12-10)	Dry			2nd vn	DB			Int.	Sordino			eLicenser	Synchron	22.5	325		Cut down version of Solo, Chamber & Appassionata. Also has a harp.
VSL	Synchron-ized Special Edition Volume 5 (Dimension Strings)	Chamber (8-8-6-6-4)	Dry			2nd vn	DB			Int.	Sordino			eLicenser	Synchron	51.1	345		Cut down version on Dimension Strings (no divisi)
VSL	Synchron Strings I Standard Library	Ensemble (14-10-8-8-6)		Mics	In Situ	2nd vn	DB	Vib Ctrl	NoVib	Int.				eLicenser	Synchron	255.7	595		Has less mic positions than full library, but same articulations.
VSL	Synchron Strings II Full Library	Ensemble (14-10-8-8-6)		Mics	in Situ	2nd vn	DB	Vib Ctrl	NoVib	Int.				eLicenser	Synchron	505.3	1090
VSL	Synchron FX Strings I Standard Library	Ensemble (14-10-8-8-6)		Mics	In Situ	2nd vn	DB			Int.			FX	eLicenser	Synchron	41.2	295		Has less mic positions than full library, but same articulations.
VSL	Synchron FX Strings I Full Library	Ensemble (14-10-8-8-6)		Mics	In Situ	2nd vn	DB			Int.			FX	eLicenser	Synchron	66.6	540
VSL	Synchron-ized Chamber Strings	Chamber (6-6-4-3-2)	Dry			2nd vn	DB	Vib Ctrl	NoVib	Int.				eLicenser	Synchron	27.8	445		Synchron-ized Chamber Strings I with additional articulations
VSL	Synchron-ized Appassionata Strings	Ensemble (20-20-14-12-10)	Dry			2nd vn	DB	Vib Ctrl	NoVib	Int.				eLicenser	Synchron	11.0	445		Synchron-ized Appassionata Strings I with additional articulations
VSL	Synchron-ized Dimension Strings Bundle	Solo, Chamber (8-6-6-4)	Dry			2nd vn	DB	Vib Ctrl	NoVib	Int.		Div.		eLicenser	Synchron	231.9	1430		Synchron-ized Dimension Strings I, II & III.
VSL	Synchron-ized Dimension Strings I	Solo, Chamber (8-6-6-4)	Dry			2nd vn	DB	Vib Ctrl	NoVib	Int.		Div.		eLicenser	Synchron	141.9	795		Synchron-ized Dimension Strings I.
VSL	Synchron-ized Dimension Strings II (con sordino)	Solo, Chamber (8-6-6-4)	Dry			2nd vn	DB			int.	Sordino	Div.		eLicenser	Synchron	62.8	495		Synchron-ized Dimension Strings II.
VSL	Synchron-ized Dimension Strings III (sul tasto)	Solo, Chamber (8-6-6-4)	Dry			2nd vn	DB			int.		Div.		eLicenser	Synchron	27.2	395		Synchron-ized Dimension Strings III.
Spitfire Audio	Symphonic Strings	Ensemble (16-14-12-10-8)		Mics	In Situ	2nd vn	DB	Vib Ctrl	NoVib	int.	Sordino		FX		Kontakt Player	203.6	799	599
Spitfire Audio	Symphonic Strings Evolutions	Ensemble (16-14-12-10-8)		Mics	In Situ	2nd vn	DB			int.			FX		Kontakt Player	55.4	299	224	Evos evolve, change, mutate, and return to their original state before looping. Great expansion to Symphonic Strings
Spitfire Audio	Hans Zimmer Strings	Ensemble (140-40-140-24)		Mics			DB	Vib Ctrl		int.		Div.	FX		Dedicated plugin	183	799	479	344 string players!
Spitfire Audio	Chamber Strings	Chamber (4-3-3-3-3)		Mics	In Situ	2nd vn	DB	Vib Ctrl	NoVib	int.	Sordino		FX		Kontakt Player	161.8	699	524	Same articulations as Chamber Strings Professional, but less mics
Spitfire Audio	Chamber Strings Professional	Chamber (4-3-3-3-3)		Mics	In Situ	2nd vn	DB	Vib Ctrl	NoVib	int.	Sordino		FX		Kontakt Player	470.4	999	749	Same articulations as Chamber Strings, but more mics
Spitfire Audio	Olafur Arnalds Chamber Evolutions	Chamber (4-3-3-3-3)		Mics	In Situ	2nd vn	DB			int.			FX		Kontakt Player	38.8	299	224	Evos evolve, change, mutate, and return to their original state before looping. Great expansion to Chamber Strings
Spitfire Audio	Studio Strings	Chamber (8-6-6-6-4)	Dry	Mics	In Situ	2nd vn	DB	Vib Ctrl	NoVib	int.	Sordino		FX		Kontakt Player	13.2	249	186	Like Studio Strings Profesional, but less mics and no divisi and one size section (8-6-6-6-4)
Spitfire Audio	Studio Strings Professional	Chamber (8-6-6-6-4 and (4-3-3-3), Ensemble (16-12-12-12-4),	Dry	Mics	In Situ	2nd vn	DB	Vib Ctrl	NoVib	int.	Sordino	Div.	FX		Kontakt Player	210.6	499	374	Like Studio Strings, but more mics, divisi and a larger section (16-12-12-12-4).
Spitfire Audio	Orchestral Swarm	Solo-Ensemble (hard to define)	Dry	Mics	In Situ		DB			int.			FX		Kontakt Player	59.4	249	186	The concept was to record multiple players performing random short notes of the same pitch. The effect is a granular 'cloud' of notes. Also contains woods and brass.
Spitfire Audio	Spitfire Solo Strings	Solo (3 violins, 1 viola, 1 cello, 1 bass)		Mics	In Situ	2nd vn	DB	Vib Ctrl	NoVib	int.	Sordino		FX		Kontakt Player	87	399	299	Combines well with Chamber Strings and Orchestral Strings
Spitfire Audio	London Contemporary Orchestra Strings	Chamber (6-4-3-2)	Dry	Mics	In Situ		DB	Vib Ctrl	NoVib	int.			FX		Kontakt Player	45.7	349	261	A selection of never-before-sampled ultra modern articulations that will put you at the very cutting edge of the zeitgeist.
Spitfire Audio	Alternative Solo Strings	Solo	Dry	Mics	In Situ		DB		NoVib	int.			FX		Kontakt Player	59.2	299	224	An alternative take on a solo strings sample library
Spitfire Audio	Sacconi Strings Quartet	Solo		Mics	In Situ	2nd vn		Vib Ctrl	NoVib	int.					Kontakt Player	106.6	499	374	Very traditional quartet sound.
Spitfire Audio	Olafur Arnalds Evolutions	Solo	Dry	Mics	In Situ	2nd vn				int.			FX		Kontakt Player	31.4	299	224	Evos evolve, change, mutate, and return to their original state before looping.
Spitfire Audio	British Drama Toolkit	Solo	Dry				DB			int.			FX		Kontakt Player	13.6	199	149	Very unusual and inspiring. Also contains solo woodwinds.
Spitfire Audio	Fragile String Evolutions	Chamber ((4-3-3-3-1)	Dry	Mics	In Situ	2nd vn	DB	Vib Ctrl	NoVib	int.			FX		Dedicated plugin	27	299	224	Evos evolve, change, mutate, and return to their original state before looping.
Spitfire Audio	Angular String Evolutions	Chamber ((4-3-3-3-1)	Dry	Mics	In Situ	2nd vn		Vib Ctrl	NoVib	int.			FX		Dedicated plugin	33	299	224	Evos evolve, change, mutate, and return to their original state before looping.
Spitfire Audio	Evo Grid 3	Solo/Chamber (hard to tell)	Dry	Mics						int.			FX		Kontakt Full	36.8	249	186	Evos evolve, change, mutate, and return to their original state before looping. Tempo Synced.
Spitfire Audio	Igneous Electric Cello	Single Cello	Dry	Mics				Vib Ctrl	NoVib	Int.			FX		Kontakt Full	8.7	99	74	Artisan Electric Cello.
Cinematic Strings	Cinematic Strings 2.0	Ensemble (12-8-7-7-6)		Mics	In SItu	2nd vn	DB	Vib Ctrl	NoVib	Int.					Kontakt Player	45	282	211	Same developer as the newer Cinematic Studio Series.
Cinematic Studio Series	Cinematic Studio Strings	Chamber to Ensemble (10-7-7-6-5)	Dry	Mics	In SItu	2nd vn	DB	Vib Ctrl	NoVib	Int.	Sordino (simulated)				Kontakt Player	34.5	375	281	Same developer as the older Cinematic Strings. Perfect match with Cinematic Studio Solo Strings.
Cinematic Studio Series	Cinematic Studio Solo Strings	Solo	Dry	Mics	In Situ	2nd vn		Vib Ctrl	NoVib	Int.	Sordino (simulated)				Kontakt Player	45	282	211	Same developer as the older Cinematic Strings. Perfect match with Cinematic Studio Strings. No bass!
Audiobro	LASS Full 2.5	Solo, Chamber (8-8-6-4-4 and 4-4-3-3-2), Ensemble (16-16-12-10-8)	Dry		In Situ	2nd vn	DB	Vib Ctrl	NoVib (not for solo)	Int.		Div.	FX		Kontakt Player	24	1271	453	Probably the most sophisticated divisi library.
Audiobro	LASS LS 2.5	Chamber (8-8-6-4-4 and 4-4-3-3-2), Ensemble (16-16-12-10-8)	Dry		In Situ	2nd vn	DB			Int.	Sordino	Div.			Kontakt Player	7.1	135		Extension to LASS2.5, adds legato sordino patches.
Audiobro	LASS Lite 2.0	Ensemble (16-16-12-10-8)	Dry		In Situ	2nd vn	DB	Vib Ctrl	NoVib	Int.					Kontakt Player	4	453	163	Lite version of LASS2.5, without divisi.
Audiobro	LASS First Chair 2.0	Solo			In Situ	2nd vn	DB	Vib Ctrl		Int.					Kontakt Player	1.7	362	125	Same as the solo strings in LASS2.5 but as a separate library.
Audiobro	LASS Full 2.5 + LASS LS 2.5 Bundle	Solo, Chamber (8-8-6-4-4 and 4-4-3-3-2), Ensemble (16-16-12-10-8)	Dry		In Situ	2nd vn	DB	Vib Ctrl	NoVib	Int.	Sordino	Div.	FX		Kontakt Player	31.1	1724	544	Bundle of LASS Full 2.5 and LASS LS 2.5
Audiobro	LASS Lite 2.0 + LASS First Chair 2.0 Bundle	Solo, Ensemble (16-16-12-10-8)	Dry		In Situ	2nd vn	DB	Vib Ctrl	NoVib (not for solo)	Int.			FX		Kontakt Player	5.7	634	272	Bundle of LASS Lite 2.0 and LASS First Chair 2.0
Cinesamples	Cinestrings CORE	Ensemble (16-12-10-10-7)		Mics	In Situ	2nd vn	DB	Vib Ctrl	NoVib	Int.					Kontakt Player	50	453	227	The library was designed by composers, for composers, with direct feedback from the film music community during its development.
Cinesamples	Cinestrings SOLO	Solo		Mics	In Situ	2nd vn	DB	Vib Ctrl	NoVib	Int. (not fingered but bow legato)					Kontakt Player	50	362	181	The library was designed by composers, for composers, with direct feedback from the film music community during its development. Matches perfectly with Cinestrings CORE
Cinesamples	Cinestrings RUNS	Ensemble, only violins (probably 16-12)		Mics	In Situ	2nd vn	DB			Int.			FX		Kontakt Player	1.3	135	68	Runs, trills and rips. Only violins. Extension to Cinestrings CORE
Cinesamples	Cinestrings COMPLETE Bundle	Solo, Ensemble (16-12-10-10-7)		Mics	In Situ	2nd vn	DB	Vib Ctrl	NoVib	Int.			FX		Kontakt Player	101.3	817	408	Bundle of Cinestrings SOLO, CORE and RUNS
Cinesamples	Taylor Davis Violin	Single Violin	Dry							Int. (not fingered but bow legato)					Kontakt Player	9	90	45	Artist series
Cinesamples	Tina Guo Acoustic Cello Legato	Single Cello								Int.					Kontakt Player	4	90	45	Artist series
Cinesamples	Tina Guo vol 2	Single Cello								Int.			FX		Kontakt Player	11	90	45	Artist series. Expansion to Tina Guo Acoustic Cello Legato
Cinesamples	Tina Guo Legato Bundle	Single Cello								Int.			FX		Kontakt Player	15	163	81	Bundle of Tina Guo Acoustic Legato Cello and vol 2.
Cinesamples	Tina Guo	Single Cello, Electric Cello & Erhu								Int.					Kontakt Player	13	272	136	An expansive arsenal of innovative sound design and composition tools brought to life through a collection of expressive electric / acoustic cello and erhu performances.
Cinesamples	Tina Guo Complete Bundle	Single Cello, Electric Cello & Erhu								Int.			FX		Kontakt Player	24	326	163	Bundle of Tina Guo vol 2 and Tina Guo
Orchestral Tools	Berlin Strings	Chamber (8-6-5-5-4)		Mics	In Situ	2nd vn	DB	Vib Ctrl	NoVib	Int.	Sordino (simulated)				Kontakt Player	268	840		Price without VAT for EU buyers -
Orchestral Tools	Berlin String Special Bows I	Chamber (8-6-5) no cellos and basses		Mics	In Situ	2nd vn				Int.			FX		Kontakt Player	48	210		Price without VAT for EU buyers - Special Bows I is a collection devoted to additional bowing styles and adds unique orchestral colors to your compositions. Special Bows I will also add Col Legno to your Berlin Strings library.
Orchestral Tools	Berlin Strings Special Bows II	Chamber (5-4) no violins and violas		Mics	In Situ		DB			Int.			FX		Kontakt Player	23	160		Price without VAT for EU buyers - Like Special Bows I (violins & violas), Special Bows II is devoted to additional bowing styles and adds unique orchestral colors to your compositions. Special Bows II will also add Col Legno to your Strings palette.
Orchestral Tools	Berlin Strings First Chairs	Solo		Mics	In Situ	2nd vn	DB	?	?	Int.	Sordino (simulated)				Kontakt Player	75	299		Price without VAT for EU buyers
Orchestral Tools	Berlin Strings Strings SFX	Chamber (8-6-5-5-4)		Mics	In Situ	2nd vn	DB	Vib Ctrl	NoVib	Int.	Sordino (simulated)		FX		Kontakt Player	35	249		Price without VAT for EU buyers
Orchestral Tools	Orchestral String Runs	Ensemble (size unknown)	Dry	Mics	In Situ	2nd vn	DB			Int.			FX		Kontakt Player	33.4	260		Price without VAT for EU buyers - very good runs library!
8dio	Legion Series: 66 Cellos Ensemble	Ensemble (only cellos: 66)		Mics						Int.			FX		Kontakt Full	22	271	162	66 players, huge sound.
8dio	Legion Series: 66 Basses	Ensemble (only basses: 66)		Mics			DB			Int.			FX		Kontakt Full	28	225	135	66 players, huge sound.
8dio	Adagio Basses	Ensemble ()4), Chamber (2), Solo. Only basses.		Mics			DB	Vib Ctrl	NoVib	Int.	Sordino	Div.			Kontakt Full	7	89	44	A Part Of The Anthology Series
8dio	Adagio Cellos	Ensemble (6), Chamber (3), Solo. Only cellos.		Mics				Vib Ctrl	NoVib	Int.	Sordino	Div.			Kontakt Full	13.57	89	44	A Part Of The Anthology Series
8dio	Adagio Violas	Ensemble (7), Chamber (3), Solo. Only violas.		Mics				Vib Ctrl	NoVib	Int.	Sordino	Div.			Kontakt Full	11.67	89	44	A Part Of The Anthology Series
8dio	Adagio Violins	Ensemble (11), Chamber (6), Solo. Only violins (no 2nd).		Mics				Vib Ctrl	NoVib	Int.	Sordino	Div.			Kontakt Full	14.88	89	44	A Part Of The Anthology Series
8dio	Anthology Strings	Solo, Ensemble (11-7-6-4), Chamber (6-3-3-2)		Mics			DB	Vib Ctrl	NoVib	Int.	Sordino	Div.			Kontakt Full	47	271	135	Violins, violas, cellos and basses also available separately.
8dio	Majestica (240 Piece Epic Orchestra)	Ensemble (20-20-30-30)		Mics			DB						FX		Kontakt Full	41.6	543	161	Great for epic music. All ensemble patches. Also contains brass, woods and percussion
8dio	Intimate Studio Strings	Solo, Chamber (up to 5-3-3-2)	Dry	Mics		2nd vn	DB		NoVib	Int.		Div.	FX		Kontakt Full	113	271	153	Up to 256 String Size Combinations
8dio	Symphonic Shadows	Ensemble (12-10-8-6-4)		Mics	In Situ	2nd vn	DB						FX		Kontakt Full	11.9	271	53	A dark orchestral library containing over 7,000 unique aleatoric effect samples. Ensemble patches, but also separate low strings patch
8dio	CAGE Strings	Ensemble (size unknown), Chamber (using spotmics)		Mics	In Situ	2nd vn	DB					Div. (spotmics)	FX		Kontakt Full	27.7	453	180	CAGE stands for Custom Aleatoric Group Effects. Ensemble patches for high and low strings.
8dio	Century Ostinato String	Chamber (6-6-4-4)		Mics	In Situ		DB								Kontakt Full	20	180	89	Century series. The library contains four Ultra Deep-Sampled Ostinato sections for both Violins, Violas, Cellos and Basses.
8dio	Century Ensemble Strings	Chamber (6-4-6-4-4)		Mics	In Situ	2nd vn	DB	Vib Ctrl	NoVib	Int.					Kontakt Full	114.2	407	162	Century series.
8dio	Century Sordino Strings	Chamber (6-4-6-4-4)		Mics	In Situ	2nd vn	DB	Vib Ctrl	NoVib	Int.	Sordino				Kontakt Full	91.2	316	125	Century series. Addition to Century Ensemble Strings.
8dio	Century Strings Bundle	Chamber (6-4-6-4-4)		Mics	In Situ	2nd vn	DB	Vib Ctrl	NoVib	Int.	Sordino				Kontakt Full	204.9	544	271	Century series bundle (Ensemble & Sordino)
8dio	Agitato Legato Arpeggio	Ensemble (11-8-6) no basses and 2nd vn		Mics						Int.					Kontakt Full	11.2	44	16	Agitato series. Fast playable legato runs etc.
8dio	Agitato Sordino Strings	Ensemble (11-8-6-4) no basses and 2nd vn		Mics			DB	Vib Ctrl		Int.	Sordino				Kontakt Full	7.5	80	25	Agitato series. Sordino
8dio	Agitato Grandiose Ensemble Violins	Ensemble (11), Chamber (3) only violins.		Mics	In Situ			Vib Ctrl		Int.		Div.			Kontakt Full	5.5	44	16	Agitato series.
8dio	Agitato Grandiose Ensemble Violas	Ensemble (8), Chamber (3) only violas.		Mics	In Situ			Vib Ctrl		Int.		Div.			Kontakt Full	4.4	44	16	Agitato series.
8dio	Agitato Grandiose Ensemble Cellos	Ensemble (6), Chamber (3) only cellos.		Mics	In Situ			Vib Ctrl		Int.		Div.			Kontakt Full	4.1	44	16	Agitato series.
8dio	Agitato String Bundle	Ensemble (11-8-6), Chamber (3-3-3) no basses and 2nd vn		Mics	In Situ			Vib Ctrl		Int.	Sordino	Div.			Kontakt Full	32.7	226	89	Agitato series. Bundle with Violins, Violas, Cellos, Legato Arpeggio & Sordino
8dio	Adagietto	Ensemble (11-8-6-4)		Mics	In Situ		DB	Vib Ctrl		Int.	Sordino				Kontakt Full	12.2	107	53	Foundation for Agitato series.The only Agitato that has bass section.
8dio	Electric Violin	Single Electric Violin						Vib Ctrl	NoVib	Int.					Kontakt Full	8.0	135	53	Custom 5-String Electric Violin
8dio	Electric Cello	Single Electric Cello						Vib Ctrl	NoVib	Int.					Kontakt Full	9.1	125	35

Full Instructions & legend

You can sort table columns by clicking on the headers. You can also filter by typing into the Search box. Type in the header title if you want to search for a feature. Here’s a legend for some of the headers that need explaining:

Single/Solo/Chamber/Ensemble

• Single means that a library consists of a single violin, or cello or whatever
• Solo means that the library has a section of soloists.
• Chamber means the library is a chamber sized ensemble. So anything from say 10 players to 30 or so. If the information was available, I used this notation: x-x-x-x-x where the first x is violins 1, second x is violins 2, third x is violas, fourth is cellos and fifth is basses. Sometimes there are no 2nd violins, sometimes there are no basses etcetera.
• Ensemble: like chamber, but 30+ players or so.

Dry

Whether a library is recorded “dry”, it means it has no or hardly natural room reverb. This can be useful for pop strings for instance (which I do a lot).

Mics

Whether there are more than 1 set of mics to be chosen (like decca, close, outriggers etcetera).

In Situ

Has to do with the stereo field/panorama. If all players are recorded in situ, it usually means: the section is recorded as players would sit in a hall or studio, so violins left, cellos right etc… the other way of sampling string sections is usually centered, where each violinist is spread left to right in the stereo field. Both have their merits and pitfalls.

2nd vn

Whether a library has a dedicated sampled 2nd violin (section). Some of the libraries have this “faked” using the transposition trick under the hood (which you can often do yourself with non 2nd violin libraries too). Personally I like having a real 2nd violin section.

DB

Whether a library has a double bass (contrabass) instrument.

Vib Ctrl

Whether you can control vibrato intensity, say from normal to molto vibrato. Usually using the modwheel or another CC controller.

NoVib

Whether a library has non vibrato samples. A lot of libraries have even a little vibrato “baked in”. I personally like having the option of no vibrato at all. Usually you can control this using Vib Ctrl.

Int.

Whether a library uses interval samples, for smooth transitions in legato, portamento/glissando etcetera. Most of them do nowadays, thank god!

Copy

Whether a library uses copy protection like iLok or eLicenser.

Sordino

Whether a library has sordino samples (muted). Sometimes these are faked using IR or EQ.

Div.

Whether a library has smaller sections for realistic divisi writing. Often I see this as an extra library: a big ensemble library with divisi could also be used as a smaller chamber library (using the divisi patches). Note that often these have less articulations than their ensemble counterparts.

FX

Whether a library has special FX. Do take this with a grain of salt, some libraries are really wild when it comes to FX, others just have a handful of aleatoric fx, and some are even specialised in FX alone.

Format

Which format the library uses: Kontakt, Vienna VI etc.

GB

Gigabytes. Do take this with a grain of salt, sometimes I list the compressed, other times the uncompressed number. Also just because a library has lots of GB data, doesn’t mean it sounds better.

Price €

As I’m from the Netherlands, I’ve used euros here. Some of the prices I had to convert from dollars. If you’re outside of the US you’ll have to do some conversion. At the moment of writing this 1 American Dollar is 0,91 Euro. Prices may not be up to date! Check the company’s website.

Deal €

Current black friday deal. Keep in mind these deals might be over by the time you read this, consult the website of the brand. Prices may not be up to date! Check the company’s website.

Not included

• Spitfire Audio Albion series
• Phrase libraries such as 8dio Solo Cello Designer
• Big ensemble patch-style libraries (some might have slipped through though)

Disclaimer

I own only a small fraction of this list, the rest I only know of demos and information on the companies websites. This list is made for my personal use, but you may use it to find string libraries that suit your needs. However do keep in mind that I cannot be held responsible for any bad buys you might make, as there are probably some errors in the table. Always consult the library landing page, manuals if available or double check with the company’s support. If you do find an error in my table, please let me know and contact me at info at onemanorchestra dot com.

Prices

Prices may not be up to date! Check the company’s website.

Missing libraries

This list was last updated in December 2019. I may update it in the future if I have the time. If you miss X or Y library in the list, contact me and when I get to it I’ll add it, or if you’re a library maker, contact me.

I want to add these brands later:

• AriaSounds
• Auddict
• Chris Hein
• EastWest
• Embertone
• Fluffy Audio
• Heavyocity
• Kirk Hunter
• Light And Sound Samples
• Native Instruments
• Project Sam
• Red Room Audio
• Sample Modeling
• Sample Science
• Sonokinetic
• Sonivox
• SoundIron
• Strezov Sampling
• UVI
• Vir2
• Xsample
• … and if I have forgotten a great brand, let me know via email.

Suggested additional table headers

The headings I chose were interesting to me, but if you have suggestion let me know. I might add these when I can.

I’m considering adding these columns as well:

• sul X
• round robin number
• spiccato/staccato or both
• bow direction control

About OneManOrchestra.com & Carsten Altena

Hi! One Man Orchestra is me, Carsten Altena, a music composer, string arranger and midi programmer from The Netherlands. I offer string arrangements and epic music compositions any music producer, artist, band or composer can afford. The final product is performed by an authentic sounding virtual orchestra, optionally layered with live players for enhanced realism. Internationally, you can hire me at SoundBetter.

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