Spitfire go for more versatile sound with Studio Strings | SM Mastering

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The modern landscape of film scoring, game composition, and pop music production demands extreme adaptability from virtual instruments. In a significant shift from their traditional ambient offerings, British sample library pioneers Spitfire Audio have unveiled their latest release, designed to offer composers unmatched sonic flexibility. As we analyze this release, it is clear that spitfire go for more versatile sound with studio strings by moving away from the massive, highly-reverberant space of Lyndhurst Hall to the controlled, dry acoustics of Studio One at Air Studios.

For years, the signature “Spitfire Sound” was synonymous with the lush, epic, and highly wet acoustics of their legendary recordings. While magnificent for traditional orchestral scores, mixing engineers often struggled to integrate these wet tracks into tighter, more modern productions. By choosing a tighter space, Spitfire Audio has effectively created a dry, modular canvas that can be tailored to any project.

Why Spitfire Go For More Versatile Sound With Studio Strings

Historically, Spitfire’s libraries have been celebrated for their cinematic grandeur. However, this signature ambient decay can sometimes be difficult to tame when mixing pop, hybrid electronic tracks, or intimate television scores. In this release, spitfire go for more versatile sound with studio strings, allowing producers to dry-track their string lines and apply custom reverbs during post-production. This drier acoustic footprint means you can easily blend these instruments with modern synthesis or process them using analog hardware emulation tools from industry leaders like Universal Audio to add vintage warmth.

Recorded section-by-section (1st Violins, 2nd Violins, Violas, Cellos, and Double Basses) by award-winning engineer Simon Rhodes, this library comes in two distinct packages: Core and Professional. By offering these two distinct tiers, spitfire go for more versatile sound with studio strings while accommodating different budgets and workflow complexities.

Core vs. Professional Specifications

To help you choose the right version for your studio setup, we have compiled a detailed breakdown of the technical specifications and pricing for both the Core and Professional editions:

Practical Studio Workflow Tips

Integrating a dry string library into your template requires a slightly different approach than working with pre-ambient orchestral packages. When you realize how spitfire go for more versatile sound with studio strings, you can apply standard transient shapers and external spatialization plugins to craft your own unique sonic spaces. Here are three professional tips for your workflow:

• Use Algorithmic and Convolution Reverbs in Tandem: Start with a short, bright convolution room reverb to glue the dry sections together, then send them to a lush algorithmic hall reverb to establish depth.
• Layer Sections for Hybrid Tracks: Since the Studio One acoustics are controlled, you can easily compress the strings or add saturation to make them cut through heavy electronic synths and percussion without muddying the low-mids.
• Take Advantage of Divisi Writing: With the Professional edition, the ability to control half-sections (4.3.3.3) means you can write intricate, modern divisi parts without doubling the size of your virtual ensemble, preserving clean headroom in your master bus.

For professional mixing advice on how to place dry orchestral elements into a dense hybrid mix, explore our comprehensive guides on the SM Mastering Audio Articles page.

Conclusion

The decision to record in a drier, tighter room marks a pivotal moment for Spitfire Audio. As spitfire go for more versatile sound with studio strings, composers gain the freedom to mold their orchestral arrangements into any genre, from pristine pop ballads to gritty, hybrid game soundtracks. By choosing Studio One, they have provided a flexible foundation that puts the power of acoustic spatialization back into the hands of the mix engineer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I use Spitfire Studio Strings for epic orchestral music?

Yes. While recorded in a dry studio room, you can easily place these strings in a large acoustic space using premium algorithmic or convolution reverbs, allowing them to blend seamlessly with larger, ambient orchestral libraries.

What is the difference between the Core and Professional versions?

The Core version features a static 30-piece ensemble with 148 articulations and a single mix mic option. The Professional version adds split half-sections, expandability to a massive 16.12.12.12.4 configuration, 232 articulations, and six distinct microphone positions.

Does Spitfire Studio Strings include Legato transitions?

Yes, both the Core and Professional versions feature highly detailed, smooth legato transitions, as well as Spitfire’s signature whispering “super-flautando”, spiccato, hairpins, and various FX articulations.

Written by SM Mastering

Official content on sound engineering, mixing, mastering, and advanced electronic production by SM Mastering.