SPITFIRE AUDIO / BBC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Detailed Review!

There is a manufacturer that has been recently attracting attention from various fields for their orchestra and other software sound sources. They’re called SPITFIRE AUDIO.
Now the SPITFIRE AUDIO software is available at Sound House!
This time, I would like to analyze the reason as to why they have been chosen by many composers and musicians!

SPITFIRE AUDIO / BBC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PROFESSIONAL

The BBC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PROFESSIONAL is a dream-like sound source library created from the partnership between the world-famous BBC Symphony Orchestra and SPITFIRE AUDIO.
You can control the BBC Symphony Orchestra with a MIDI keyboard!
This software is significant in the history of orchestral sound sources consisting of more than 200 hours / 1,000,000 samples recorded at Maida Vale Studios, the home of the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

Now, let’s take a look at the operation screen.
Many of their products run on Kontakt Player by Native Instruments, but this product runs as a standalone plug-in.

It is beautifully sophisticated and has a simple structure despite its rich functionality.
When I actually tried it, I felt that it was an excellent intuitive interface that could be well understood without an instruction manual .

The first thing that catches the eye is the large control knob. This is controllable while switching the parameters. Since the tone of each parameter can be minutely adjusted, it is easy to create the tone you desire by making fine tunings with the large knob.
There are separate faders on the left for the most important dynamics and expression parameter adjustments. These faders quickly follow the fader operations of the MIDI keyboard and the physical controller in real time. The dynamics of the tone change naturally and continuously, so the composer can make intuitive adjustments.

The lower half of the screen can be switched among “Technique Selector”, “Signal Mixer”, and “Effects”.

The “Technique Selector” allows you to visually select playing techniques (articulations) such as legato, staccato, and trilling.

There are various playing techniques, but it is so useful that you can narrow them down to the ones you use on each occasion.
Here, you can also select the playing technique, which is an important feature of orchestra sound source software.
You can choose how to select the technique by Keyswitching or by changing the MIDI channel according to your production style. Also, it can be set to be switched by specifying a CC (control change) or velocity range.

▶ Keyswitching… Method in which you can use the part that is not used for playing on a MIDI keyboard (such as bass keys) to switch among different playing techniques.

Next, the “Signal Mixer” allows you to freely mix from 20 types of mixer signals, including 11 types of microphones in the PROFESSIONAL version.

You can make an ideal expression of the space by combining the Mono mics used by the BBC since the 1930's, and a number of mics such as the leader mics placed above the leader in each section, as well as the common mic positioning such as Close, Tree, and Ambient. It enables mics to blend into any piece of music depending on how you adjust it.
It's good to stick to this balance, but you can use a pre-balanced Mix1 or Mix2 mixer signal to easily create a well-proportioned sound without taking up too much memory. Also, the above capture shows the default ADVANCED view, but if you turn it off, you can visually and simply adjust the balance with the distance.

Balance adjustment with ADVANCED view turned off

Switch to the “Effects” screen, you can control the playing nuances and adjust the amount of the effect applied.

In addition to general REVERB and RELEASE, the VARIATION that allows you to select from different performance options with the same technique, the TIGHTNESS that adjusts the tightness of the sound, the VIBRATO that adjusts the amount of vibrato, and other effects are available (adjustable contents vary depending on the instrument used).

Now let me check the sound!

My first impression when I played the presets in order was that even if I played them quietly, the texture of the sound felt so comfortable! Even if I played them randomly, I felt it sounded like music as it was supposed to be.
As an ambient music lover, I’m ecstatic about the floating-feeling comfort that makes music just by playing some chords.
But it’s not just the quiet sound!
Even if you apply a fierce rock orchestra, the phrases stand out well without being buried.
Delicate sound sources sometimes can be unsuitable for the genres with high sound pressure, but I didn’t have to worry about that at all. It reacts well to genres that require speed and tightness.
Also, probably because they were all recorded in the same hall, even if you start up and arrange multiple tracks, the sounds naturally and unconsciously blend. It also saves time because the blending work is now unnecessary.
I feel that the various articulations have been carefully recorded one by one.
The standard Legato is smooth and natural as if the bows were actually sliding on the strings. The basic articulations such as long, staccato, and marcato can take advantage of their characteristics even if they are in the orchestra.
Personally, the majestic and beautiful tremolo is a knockout! It is so realistic that the scenery starts to form in my mind. I feel so good just by playing pizzicato and harmonics in solo. Lol.
This sound source library has both artistry and versatility, which is perfect not only for those who pursue realistic orchestration, but also for composers and artists who seek inspiration.

The BBC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA is available in three versions; DISCOVER, CORE, and PROFESSIONAL.
The “DISCOVER” is a simple and graphical GUI that allows easy access to 35 instruments and 47 techniques. Nevertheless, the professional recording quality is the same as the higher versions!
The “CORE” contains 42 instruments and has all the articulations. Since there is only one mixer signal, you can achieve a professional orchestral sound reasonably without taking up much storage space.
And the “PROFESSIONAL” contains 55 instruments with 418 techniques. With 11 mic positions and 20 mixer signals, this is a complete version that allows you to unlimitedly pursue sound nuances.

As I have shown, the BBC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA is an item that allows beginners to easily experience its high quality while pursuing professional-level quality.

Whether you already have a variety of strings sound sources or are a beginner trying to get started with strings sound sources, please take the time to experience the BBC sound!!