Spitfire Audio launch their first choir library | SM Mastering

Visual context for Spitfire Audio launch their first choir library.

The professional scoring world has long revered Spitfire Audio for their industry-defining orchestral strings, brass, and woodwinds recorded at the legendary AIR Studios. However, one glaring omission has lingered in their catalog for years: a dedicated vocal ensemble. The wait is finally over. With the release of the Eric Whitacre Choir, we at SM Mastering Audio Articles are thrilled to analyze the technical capabilities as spitfire audio launch their first choir library. This landmark software release represents over two and a half years of meticulous development, aiming to redefine how composers integrate human vocals into modern cinematic arrangements.

Collaborating with Grammy-winning composer and conductor Eric Whitacre, this library brings 22 elite vocalists performing 170 distinct techniques and 111 evolving textures. Instead of relying on third-party samplers, when spitfire audio launch their first choir library, they introduce a bespoke plugin application designed by the renowned UX agency ustwo. This standalone environment features a dedicated ‘Choir’ engine and the revolutionary ‘Evo Grid’ interface, allowing composers to seamlessly integrate complex vocal arrangements alongside high-end DSP tools from industry leaders like iZotope.

Behind the Scenes: Spitfire Audio Launch Their First Choir Library

Recording at Lyndhurst Hall at AIR Studios ensures that this vocal library possesses the same acoustic fingerprint as Spitfire’s acclaimed Symphonic and Chamber ranges. This acoustic cohesion is vital for high-end mastering and mixing engineers. As spitfire audio launch their first choir library, engineers will immediately notice how easily these vocal stems sit in a dense orchestral mix without requiring excessive corrective EQ. The natural room reflections and pristine signal path preserve the delicate transient response of the performers, offering a rich sonic depth that is incredibly difficult to replicate artificially.

Technical Specifications

Practical Studio Workflow Tips

To get the most out of this new instrument, integration must be handled with care. As spitfire audio launch their first choir library, we have tested its utility in our mastering suite and recommend the following studio practices:

• Utilize the Evo Grid: Use the evolving textures to create subtle background pads beneath acoustic instruments, ensuring the arrangement feels organic rather than static.
• Acoustic Matching: Because it was tracked at AIR Lyndhurst, blend it directly with Spitfire’s orchestral range without adding heavy artificial reverbs, keeping the spatial imaging natural.
• Dynamic Automation: Map your MIDI controllers to dynamics (CC#1) and expression (CC#11) to mimic the natural breathing patterns and vocal swells of a real choir.

Conclusion

Ultimately, when spitfire audio launch their first choir library, they solve a major pain point for composers who demand elite, realistic vocal arrangements without the need for hiring a live ensemble. The combination of Eric Whitacre’s expert conducting, ustwo’s brilliant UI design, and AIR Studios’ world-class acoustics makes this a must-have tool for any modern professional studio looking to add a majestic human touch to their productions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Eric Whitacre Choir different from other choir libraries?

Unlike traditional libraries that focus purely on static staccato and legato patches, this release features 111 evolving textures mapped on an Evo Grid, allowing for endless, non-repetitive micro-movements within the vocal arrangement.

Is a third-party sampler like Kontakt required to run this software?

No. The library operates via a dedicated, custom-designed plugin developed in collaboration with ustwo, compatible with all major digital audio workstations (DAWs).

How does the room acoustic impact the mixing stage?

Because the library was captured at AIR Lyndhurst Hall, it naturally shares the same acoustic space as other premium symphonic libraries, significantly reducing the mixing effort required to sit vocals correctly within an orchestral context.

Written by SM Mastering

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