Cheap and free VSTs (mostly for the full version of Kontakt)

[lowdown]

Various Keyboards.
Acoustic, Electric and Organs.
[url="http://bigcatinstruments.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/all-keyboard-instruments.html"]http://bigcatinstrum...nstruments.html[/url]


More here, including the 'Iowa' and 'Sonatina' Orchestral libraries.
These have been knocking around for a while and are now in Kontakt format.
Some very usable sounds that are also great for layering with other Orchestral samples or both together.
[url="http://bestofbigcat.blogspot.co.uk/"]http://bestofbigcat.blogspot.co.uk/[/url]

[lowdown]

An excellent deal at the moment from Kirk Hunter.
50% off everything. Just use code 50OFF
https://www.kirkhunterstudios.com/

Solo Strings work out at $20.00!!, and they sound great.
https://www.kirkhunterstudios.com/products/solo-strings-1/

[Mornats]

Nice, I was looking around for a solo strings/violin VST just this morning! I really like the Friedlander Violin from Embertone but it's $125 and I didn't want to spend that much as I've got strings as part of Kontakt, Sampletank and of course Session Strings Pro. I don't have a dedicated solo strings VST that can do some of the articulations in Solo Strings though so for $20 I may just get it. I'm listening to some of them just now and they sound just as good as Chris Hein Solo Violin, Cinesamples Solo Strings and the like.

[Mornats]

Heh, I ended up going for Storm Choir in the VST Buzz sale instead! http://vstbuzz.com/deals/60-off-storm-choir-1-by-strezov-sampling/. It's exactly the sort of epic choir/chanting that I've been after for ages.

I did a run through of all the string libraries that I have at the moment and I've got:

Session Strings Pro
Miroslav Philharmonik
Sampletank 2.5L and 3 (the cut down version of 3)
Action Strings
Kontakt Factory Library
Embertone Intimate Strings Lite
Pocket Blakus
Solid State Symphony (including Solid State Strings)
Spitfire Labs Hensons Frozen Strings and Scary Strings

I think I'm strung out! Solo Strings do sound good but I have a fair few similar-sounding libraries. Let me know if the articulations and key-switching capabilities are good though as that can make a big difference.

[lowdown]

[quote name='Mornats' timestamp='1463945825' post='3055254']
Heh, I ended up going for Storm Choir in the VST Buzz sale instead! [url="http://vstbuzz.com/deals/60-off-storm-choir-1-by-strezov-sampling/."]http://vstbuzz.com/d...ezov-sampling/.[/url]
[/quote]

I was looking at that, sounds lovely, but has no dynamics, it's just full on fff.
I ended up with Soundiron Elements, it has various dynamics, key switching and more vowels.
The divisi legato sounds very nice.
I suppose at the end of the day, they all sound great, it's what is best for your needs.
[url="http://soundiron.com/products/olympus-elements-kontakt-player-edition"]http://soundiron.com...-player-edition[/url]

Re the Kirk Hunter strings, for around £12.00 for (excellent) solo strings, it is bargain of the year.
Plenty of key switches and articulations. Even If you don't use them for small ensemble writing,
they sound great as layers on top of other libraries.

Another nice freebie here from FluffyAudio.
Some very nice sound design sounds.
[url="http://fluffyaudio.com/shop/aurorror/"]http://fluffyaudio.com/shop/aurorror/[/url]

Wavefactory do a nice collection of Instruments that are very cheap.
http://www.wavesfactory.com/index.php

They also do some freebies, the DrumCircle is very usable.
http://www.wavesfactory.com/drumcircle.php

Edited May 23, 2016 by lowdown

[Mornats]

Yeah I've been looking at Olympus Elements and will grab it if it's on sale. Storm Choir admits that it's for epic soundtracks and that's why there's no fff. It sounds good and would compliment something like Olympus quite well.

I think I'll grab the strings anyway. Bargain at that price and like you say, they'll probably sit on top of other strings quite well.

For the sake of my bank balance I should really unsubscribe from this thread!

[Mornats]

Wow those Solo Strings sound way better than in the demos! Glad you convinced me to buy them

[lowdown]

[quote name='Mornats' timestamp='1464030051' post='3055950']
Wow those Solo Strings sound way better than in the demos! Glad you convinced me to buy them
[/quote]

Yep, they are very good.
I think the deals are on because of a launch of their new website.
Even without the 50% off, still pretty good price.

[Mornats]

I think this thread is just you and me encouraging each other to buy more VSTs!

I can't wait to team up Solo Strings with Storm Choir and Session Strings Pro.

[Dad3353]

[quote name='Mornats' timestamp='1464033399' post='3056003']
I think this thread is just you and me encouraging each other to buy more VSTs!

I can't wait to team up Solo Strings with Storm Choir and Session Strings Pro.
[/quote]

... and I'd ask you both to stop it, but have equally often 'busted the bank' on one or other of your recommendations..! I avidly consume the 'freebies', then wonder how the heck I'm ever going to compose even one tenth of what it would take to use 'em all. It certainly entices one into considering going the Lottery route; I could never in another lifetime earn enough to grab all of these beautiful shiny baubles and gadgets. Does that stop me trying, though..? Does it heck..!

Edited May 23, 2016 by Dad3353

[lowdown]

I know this thread is a two man show with the odd groupie hanging on,
But, another $20.00 gem has landed.
Very unique sounds and you can do some very clever tricks with it.
A real Diamond.
http://impactsoundworks.com/products/electronic/sonic-forest/

[Dad3353]

Thanks for that.

No, not the 'odd groupie' bit (am I really that odd..? Hmm... ), but for the link. Yes, of course I bought it. No, of course I can't afford it. You really are in league with Mephistopheles, you know, or maybe you've commission from Paypal..? Dunno. Now to try it out. I wonder how I'll be able to slip it into next month's Challenge..? We'll see...

([i]Dodders off on shaky limbs, bumping into chairs, to turn on the PC, before realising that it was already on, being the same PC for posting this. 'D'oh' moment, for the [sup]n[/sup]th time today[/i]...)

Edited May 28, 2016 by Dad3353

[Mornats]

I just bought Sonic Forest and I have to say it would be worth the money at $100. Using the built in arpeggiator you can create some really nice underscores. I've only played with just under half of the presets so far with a little tinkering with the arpeggiator and it sounds great.

[Dad3353]

[quote name='Mornats' timestamp='1464447221' post='3059539']
I just bought Sonic Forest...
[/quote]

Another Vst-whore, huh..?

I'll never understand this urge to buy on impulse..!
(...but I do it, just the same..! )

[Mornats]

I find that a new sound library can give me loads of inspiration. And I'm a VST whore

Speaking of which... the latest VSTBuzz deal is this: http://vstbuzz.com/deals/65-off-reforged-impact-soundworks/

I'm listening to the video walkthrough now and it reminds me a lot of Evolve. For 30 euros you can't go wrong if you want a bunch of cinematic underscore type things. Where it seems to differ is that it looks like it has less content than Evolve (although that may not prove to be true) and is more of a construction kit with more effects and a step sequencer whereas Evolve has a lot of out-of-the-box sounds and rhythms. The downside of Evolve though is that you can watch any TV show or play any computer game and you'll recognise most of the samples I'm quite tempted but I have a lot of similar sounds in Evolve, the two Mutations packs for that, Kinetic Metals and a few others. For the price though...hmmm

[Mornats]

Sonic Forest and Solo Strings have made an appearance in my entry for June's comp challenge

[lowdown]

A mixed bag of instruments (free).
Some decent stuff.
http://www.karoryfer.com/karoryfer-samples/

[lowdown]

A nice collection of good sounding Kontakt Instruments.
Low prices as well.
http://www.loopsdelacreme.com/kontakt-libraries/

[Mornats]

Soundiron's Apocalypse Percussion is on sale - all three versions of it: https://soundiron.com/collections/on-sale

I *cough* just got Apocalypse Elements...

[lowdown]

A few Ethnic Instruments for Kontakt (and EXS24).
Actually, they are Korean Instruments and sound very good.
The sound quality is very good...And best of all, Free.
http://en.catsnu.com/Project/GugakVSTi.aspx

[lowdown]

A couple of libraries from Jasper Blunk. They we originally posted over at VI Forum.
Reuben Cornell from Samplecast has posted up this link.
It's for Kontakt (full version), and there are some very nice strings and orchestral brass.

http://jasperblunk.com/samples.html

[Mornats]

I've not watched this week's Samplecast yet but I'll check those out. Been looking at string and brass libraries recently. I got the Rhapsody Colours bundle when it was on offer but I've been debating whether I should just take the plunge on Albion One. Bit pricey though!

[lowdown]

[quote name='Mornats' timestamp='1485513462' post='3224465']
I've not watched this week's Samplecast yet but I'll check those out. Been looking at string and brass libraries recently. I got the Rhapsody Colours bundle when it was on offer but I've been debating whether I should just take the plunge on Albion One. Bit pricey though!
[/quote]

I got Albion One when it was first released. It was on a introductory deal, so was cheaper.
Really is a top library - It has everything. Great for quick writing and has everything from the Four Orchestral sections,
plus some Ethnic Percussion and a load of Hyrid Synth patches.
Spitfire also bundled some of the legacy library as well.
Even at full price, I think it is good value. Top, top sounds.

[Mornats]

Your'e not helping I've actually got a code for 25% off that I think expires the end of this month. I do have a few orchestral libraries (Miroslav, Kontakt library, Rhapsody Colours, the stuff in KU10 and Apocalypse Elements drums) so I'm thinking I should get my head round orchestration first before I splash £300-400 on Albion One. Less buying, more music-making is in order!

[Mornats]

This dropped into my inbox just now: https://soundiron.com/products/mercury-micro for $19. Listen to the video, it sounds very impressive especially for the price.