Best Orchestral VST Plugins:
The Definitive List  [2021]

Listen!

If you are in search of a plugin designed to play realistic orchestra music without any other add-on, this certainly makes the cut.

Why?

The Vienna Symphonic Library presents a wide array of fine-detailed articulations made better by an integrated sample player offering over three million samples.

The result is a seamless creation of the most realistic renditions of your musical ideas.

So, yes!

With this, you can work on anything from solo pieces to large cinematic orchestras to pop and dance, just to mention.

And as expected of such a vast library, its performance set is pace-setting.

To this end, it avails elements such as real legato, numerous grace notes, runs, and repetitions.

In all, VSL delivers beyond expectations, essentially telling of a real virtual tool for producing authentic orchestral performances.

Here's the thing, the UVI-IRCAM Solo Instruments is one incredible product.

A result of years of acoustics research and sound recording experimentation.

In reality, it is made by assembling some of the industry’s leading musicians, artistic directors, and sound engineers.

And it offers over 550 playing techniques across 1000+ presets from standard to advanced and experimental.

You can’t get a better blend of styles than it provides.

Besides that, UVI presents a vivid expose of up to 16 orchestral instruments going way above the basics (of a standard library) with assorted instrumentation.

Talk of techniques such as multi-phonic, hit-on-body, buzz and crushed, and more, you get it all.

It doesn't end there because it features unique transitions too.

Are you looking for depth and scope?

Check!

Unique, fancy, and high-fidelity feel of each instrument in your orchestra?

Check! Check! And check!

In short, this plugin comes as a great source a wide-ranging sound from some of the most preferred orchestral instruments.

By and large, this orchestral sample library comes as an all-out symphonic composer’s toolkit.

Here’s why.

Recorded with wide-ranging production needs in mind, the UVI Orchestral Suite presents full range color, articulations, playing styles, and alternates of over 60 instruments in the most excellent way.

Not only do the instruments produce brilliant sound with all necessary dynamics, but they also offer complete control.

Whether it's the strings, brass, percussions, woodwinds, or any of the complementary instruments, you can choose different playing styles and fine-tune performances freely.

You will be stunned at the expressiveness of every sound beside the realism and playability.

Other than that, this Suite makes your work hassle-free regardless of the skill or experience.

So you’ll enjoy a quick workflow.

All thanks to the customized UI coupled with intelligent controls, which make it easy to explore the most out of it.

For instance, the key switch will be handy for immediate articulation changes, so all performances remain a breeze.

And with the real-time streaming of more than a dozen samples and presets, you can enjoy fantastic performances pain-free.

Don’t forget; it also features advanced convolutions reverb to enable the quest for optimum realism for under settings.

Ready?

The EastWest Quantum Leap Hollywood Orchestra is another pro-grade plugin suitable for classical and contemporary sound productions.

Although much can't be said of it offering unique and specific compositions, its strength lies in the massive orchestral instruments collection.

And like the name hints, it brings together a collection of Hollywood Orchestral Strings, Brass, Woodwinds, Percussions, and several Hollywood Solo Instruments.

Similarly, each section features several instruments with multiple articulations and details.

But, perhaps the best part is the custom play interface with a dedicated sampler.

Why?

It allows hassle-free and in-depth access to the sound library.

And that only means one thing, getting desired results is possible with less effort.

We could go on and on with no end in sight…

...So why not just check it out.

In all fairness, not many orchestral libraries offer the range, complexity, and power to the level of the 8-Dio Majestica.

Let me explain.

First, the Majestica features a massive array of stunning orchestral instruments.

From strings, brasses, woodwinds, not forgetting percussions, it delivers nothing but high-resolution samples.

Of course, given the imposing file size, it will take a massive bite off your hard drive, but the sonic possibilities it avails should be enough compensation.

Other notables include a variety of articulations such as bends, rips, legato, and more.

Speaking of which immensely enhances the dynamism and expressiveness of the instruments.

All things considered, Majestica is an excellent choice for composers and producers that prefer massive, loud, and dynamic orchestras.

To be honest, the Albion Series affirms the spirit of excellence typical of Spitfire Audio.

Not convinced?

Fact is- this library is recorded by some of the industry's top talents using world-class instruments in a priceless studio.

So, it's safe to say it spares nothing in the quest to capture smooth cinematic sounds.

As you can already visualize, the Series comprises of multiple unique volumes, each taking a distinct approach.

Nonetheless, the whole range sums up everything you may need to create epic film tracks.

For instance, Albion one is characterized by a 109 piece orchestra, boisterous percussion section, and dynamically layered loops, and other ingenious features.

Then again, you have the Albion III ICENI offering great celli, bass, brass, woodwind sections, cinematic percussion, not forgetting super-cool loops, and low-end hybrid synthesis.

If that isn’t enough, you’ll appreciate the over 800 unique atonal, aleatoric, and progressive articulations offered alongside about 200 warped orchestral hybrids by Albion IV-UIST.

And guess what?

There is also the Albion V Tundra that presents a one of a kind 100-piece orchestra alongside bellows, percussion, and a characterful synth section.

All in all, given the intuitive UI equipped with inline help, thousands of samples, multiple mic positions, and dozens of styles, there’s no doubt your tracks will never be the same again with this product.

Until now, the Analog Brass & Winds stands as Output’s most advanced and feature-filled virtual instrument.

If anything, it improves on the successes of its predecessor, the Analog Strings though it gives more attention to Brass and Wind instruments.

The thing is- ABW deviates from the usual path by blending sampled musical staples with analog synth tones.

To this end, it makes use of inventive tricks, so it delivers more than the familiar brass hits and stabs.

As expected, it features many inspiring presets, so you always have something to start working on.

Besides, each sound is based on two voices, and they can all be altered in several ways.

What else?

It has four automatic or MIDI-controllable macro-sliders, which help fix various aspects of sound.

To talk of editing, it features the Edit and FX tabs, which enable deeper sound shaping.

Other than that, ABW further features Rhythm and Arpeggio sections to give extra tweaks to the results.

Again, the simple UI tailored to streamlining workflow sums all the potential.

And there are a lot more surprises.

Ever imagined having an entire symphony orchestra right in your DAW?

Ooh, yeah!

The Garritan Personal Orchestra 5 delivers precisely that.

Being a major update, it brings together over 500 instruments, including strings, brass, woodwinds, percussion, keyboards, and choir selections.

Even better, each set is topped up with a seemingly endless variety of instrument-specific articulations and styles, among other elements.

Want to know the catch?

The samples were recorded from professional orchestra performances, essentially taking in the much-needed realness.

No wonder it achieves standard-setting authenticity in the resulting sounds.

Another key selling point of the Orchestra 5 is its relatively light build despite including all the expected instruments.

Bottom line, the framework is relatively simple with normal controls and effects so you can achieve more in no time.

To say the least, the Garritan Instant Orchestra is one dynamic orchestral instrument worth a spot in any composers sound design space.

So why bother about it?

First, it is designed with all manner of users in mind.

Whether you're a seasoned sound engineer or a novice composer, you can work your ways with the Instant Orchestra from the word go.

No complicated setups, mode selections, or technical details. Yeah, that's right.

Now what?

It means incorporating any orchestral parts in your productions is quite a piece of cake.

Also, you'll enjoy the extensive range of mood-based presets, which significantly save time and effort in the creative process.

And probably the best part…

It does offer not only premium orchestral instrument sections but also has everything conveniently categorized for one-touch use.

That, coupled with the fast and responsive interface, it only takes a little focus to create something magical.

Now get this!

The SONiVOX Film Score Companion comprises of five orchestral plugins carefully assembled to provide a premium musical package.

To be clear, it has plugins dedicated to strings, brass, woodwinds, percussion, and a Steinway 9 foot grand.

Moreover, each section features key switch controls, which make it a breeze to work out desired articulations.

For example, you could designate keys to activate certain controls on specific instruments.

Don’t forget; it comes with an intuitive user interface, which gives further control with the usual manipulation elements as well as filters, effects, and more.

Beyond that, there are multiple presets for each plugin, which interestingly will load up the techniques and key switch parameters depending on the ensemble you want to play.

Otherwise, you can also create new presets from scratch.

Above all, although it lacks certain advanced features such as drones and loops like some of its competitors, it makes the cut if you prefer a functional and straightforward orchestral product.