MusicRadar Verdict
There are plenty of orchestral libraries on the market already, but this is yet another that demands attention.
Pros
- +
Excellent sounds - strings and percussion among the best we've heard. Easy to use…
Cons
- -
…If you already know what you're doing.
MusicRadar's got your back
Yet another symphonic orchestral library for Kontakt claiming to "keep things simple and straightforward". The 7.9GB (compressed) soundbank is divided up into Strings, Brass, Woodwind and Percussion sections, each containing three or four instrument types.
Each instrument type incorporates up to five articulations, which can be stacked in the All Sections patch (Pizz+Sustain, for example), and keyswitched in the Ensemble and Lite patches, while four separate mic channels and a convolution reverb enable basic mixing, with Kontakt's other effects on-hand for further sound design if required.
The sounds throughout are absolutely gorgeous, particularly the strings and percussion, which are as warm and expansive as they come . And as long as you know what you're doing compositionally, Da Capo is indeed a breeze to use, with the four clearly defined levels of control (orchestra, section, instrument group, articulation) making workflow quick and easy.
Computer Music magazine is the world’s best selling publication dedicated solely to making great music with your Mac or PC computer. Each issue it brings its lucky readers the best in cutting-edge tutorials, need-to-know, expert software reviews and even all the tools you actually need to make great music today, courtesy of our legendary CM Plugin Suite.
"It's loud, in-your-face, and got more punch than a kangaroo at boxing practice": What is OTT compression - and how do you use it?
“It was the B-side that became one of the most important pieces of music ever - certainly one of the most sampled”: How breakbeat took over the music world
“Bono took me aside and asked if I was sure I wanted him to sing this line”: Bob Geldof remembers what the U2 singer said to him before he recorded his vocals on Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas?