Orchestral Tools has introduced Junkie XL Brass, a new brass library created in collaboration with composer, producer & synthesist Tom Holkenborg.
Junkie XL Brass offers a full orchestral brass set-up in a single package, recorded with a consistent set of articulations for all instruments and sections. Classic brass instruments – including trumpets, french horns, trombones, cimbassi and a tuba – were sampled in several different section sizes, to provide depth and versatility, with a dynamic range from pianissimo to fortissimo.
Junkie XL Brass also offers a total of 16 microphone positions, ranging from unprocessed to production-ready mixes done by movie scoring mixer Alan Meyerson.
“I am a perfectionist in the studio and was determined to bring that same level of attention and detail to my first public sample library,” says Holkenborg. “I want this to inspire my fellow composers, at whatever level they may be working, and give them access to the best possible product that I could make.”
Features:
- Created by Tom Holkenborg (aka Junkie XL).
- Consistent set of articulations for all instruments.
- Many different section sizes.
- Five recorded dynamic layers for each instrument.
- Dynamic crossfading is ‘exceptionally smooth and industry leading.’
- 16 microphone positions.
- Production-ready mixes done by Alan Meyerson.
- Recorded at the Teldex Scoring Stage in Berlin.
- Works with Orchestral Tools’ SINE Player (VST/AU).
- 690GB of samples (300GB SINEarc compressed), 24Bit/48KHz patches.
Here’s an introduction and in-depth demo of Junkie XL Brass:
Pricing and Availability
Junkie XL Brass is available now with an intro price of 599 EUR through January 20th, 2020 (regularly 749 EUR).
Predictably powerful, but there’s a line between people who can fully apply this and the host of enlightened dabblers who will never score diddly. I’d be willing to bet that more of us buy a couple of smaller, semi-comprehensive sets from EastWest or the like. Synth players often just want sharp string pads or a hot trumpet. You have to reach Tom’s level to know what al talone means in string terms or use it well. If you’re just beginning to really orchestrate, look at quality starter items like MOTU’s Symphonic Instrument or Garritan Personal Orchestra. If you hit the limits of one of those, then you’re ready to start collecting Orchestral Tools or VSO sections.
It’s spelled ‘al tallone’
> It’s spelled ‘al tallone’
Well, there goes my solo violin fantasy of playing Carnegie Hall.
I’m kind of a semi-dabbler. I’ve done big orchestral productions, and some medium-sized dance scores, and compose quite a bit.
As a trombone player, I’ve always found the entry-level brass libraries to be very disappointing. Dynamics are messed up, releases aren’t right, and overall playability just isn’t there.
For what this appears to be, the price is reasonable. And the included instruments and sections seem great.
For me what is daunting is the size. 690 GB is probably fine for some power users, but I don’t think I need 9 mic positions– especially if they’ve gone all out with articulations, and however many dynamic levels. But if I did more scoring, this would be an insta-buy.
If they ever release a mid-level version with all of the same instruments/sections, but only stereo, and a smaller foot print, storage-wise, I would get it.