ProjectSAM Orchestral Essentials Reviews

3.7/5.0 based on 3 customer reviews

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Customer Reviews

Bob Collins
from California
November 14, 2012Music Background:
Soundtrack Composer

Expression = CC11

Since this is a Kontakt instrument, all you need to do is assign CC11 to the volume of each instrument and there's your expression setting. Indeed, all of these patches are very much "in your face", but not only is this a cheaper alternative to Symphobia, but sometimes we need these blatantly cinematic sounds to get people to shut up and listen.

Joey Hodge
from Nashville, TN
October 1, 2012Music Background:
Television Composer

Dissapointing.

I've experimented with this for several months, trying to figure out a way to make it a useful addition to my composer's studio. I'm finally giving up. This was one of the biggest wastes of money on software I think I've ever had.
The sounds are okay, but the lack of dynamic control makes them sound thin and unrealistic no matter what. It does not respond to expression data (controller #11) so it is not possible to even use it to enhance my existing string tracks from EWQL Orchestra without performing surgery on the MIDI tracks to convert controller data to volume date, which presents problems in mixing later on.
There is a switch between velocity and modulation response. Why do I have to choose? Most sounds from sample libraries can respond to both at the same time? Why can't OE?
I'm not sure if I'll completely write off ProjectSam. The Symphobia and True Strike series are highly acclaimed. I think they are all overpriced, but compared to other sampled orchestra packages, this one is only worth about $80... if that much.
MOTU Symphonic Orchestra is a much more useful package, and it costs less.

Siebert
from
January 25, 2012

The Essentials

I've been using ProjectSAM Orchestral Essentials for a few weeks and it's great. It's very easy to use and has a number of features I've grown quite fond of. The samples are fantastic to begin with. Everything sounds huge and it makes a great compliment to any existing sound library. One of the nice features is a "round robin" setting, which plays each repeating note slightly different. This helps avoid the robotic effect you get with quickly repeating notes on a sample. Another good thing is the EQ settings that are unique for each instrument, which really helps clear things up when the mix starts sounding muddy. This is a well priced sample library because every instrument is great, there are no duds. My only complaint is that I wish there were more instruments, but that's what the Symphobia packages are for.