I have BBCSO Core. It has given me my own private orchestra, whose sole job is to play my music. Not even Beethoven had that luxury. Many kudos to Spitfire for recognising that there is a market in hobbyist composers like myself who have no need of umpteen mike positions and cannot justify the expense of Pro, and they made a product to fit that market. On the whole it does that very well. It's a pity there are no string soloists, Cor Anglais or Bass Clarinet (I would consider these staples rather than extras) but these can be added from other sources as need and/or budget permit. I am very much enjoying learning to use Core.

I enjoyed this, as BBCSO Pro is my daily driver. But I think I disagree about the brass. I think the brass are fine if you aren't trying to recreate a Hans Zimmer 80 piece horn sound. Sometimes it seems to me that folks think an orchestral brass section should sound just like a movie soundtrack. But that is a very particular sound, and I wouldn't want it for, say, Beethoven's Eroica.

I'd like to share my comments on the BBCSO Strings 1. The Violins and Violas are beautiful, they offer neat legato and the sustains offer rich sound for chord progressions. 2. Celli & Bass section sounds synthy when you play chords, legato is great though. 3. Overall strings spiccato is not tight enough, it seems that it's not suitable for fast ostinato passages. Woodwinds 1. I have no negative takes on this, it's beautiful and absolutely gives you that realism in their playability. Brass 1. I don't understand why they have to separate the fortississimo dynamic of the entire instrument, they had to transpose it into the cuivre articulation. That's a big problem, if you play legato, it can't go anywhere near FFF and you have to switch to cuivre to get it. They should put that missing FFF dynamic in the legato and sustains, especially in marcatos, they sound weak in terms of dynamic power. 2. I think they should've had 6 horn ensembles instead of 4, it sounds too weak to carry out that heroic melody that modern film composers use. I prefer their symphonic brass library compared to this one, that one had A6 patch. Percussion 1. Absolutely great, timpani is superb, and the way the instruments are laid out in one group gives comfort in terms of midi arrangement.

Been considering upgrading from Core to Pro so I found this very helpful Thanks :)

Really good video. I do own BBC SO Pro, but I do find it useful to now how others use it.

I like the trombones. The brass is more reserved than many libraries, it works for me but I do augment with spitfire symphony brass.

I recently got Abbey Road One plus the new add on modules. I really love it for the overall sound. But... it's similar to Albion in that it's strength is pre-orchestrated sections ideal for mockups or a ready made music if you like it. However, I do need solo instrumentalists. I'm considering Berlin, but they are just so damn expensive. For $950 the BBC Pro gives you the entire orchestra plus all the soloists. I'm thinking this may be the better value. Any thoughts?

I really like your vibe man you should make more workflow type videos like this

Appreciate your sharing this. Ouch - the BBCSO spicatto isn't tight even when tightness is turned fully up... I wonder if you've ever tried strings from Audio Modeling or Sample modeling to tighten up string ostenato, or Aaron Venture's make the brass ostenato sound more punchy and modern? I just purchased EastWest Hollywood Orchestra because a few people said it can do fast runs, but the download is taking awhile. As far BBC, I got it because it sounds more 3D than some other libraries, and I picked up Albion One for the same reason, I favor a nice sense of depth in the music I listen to as well. I have used Aaron Venture Infinite Brass as an effect on a soundtrack thing I was working on, and while not as convincing as Junkie XL, it was fine placed in the mix with my master reverb (which is Breeze 2 and Precedence by 2C Audio)

I still use libraries that are over a decade old; like all jobs - you need to know your tools and which tool works best for which job. Libraries are tools and just because something isn't current year doesn't mean it can't be effectively used. I think as an overall starting point - and great mix without a fuss - you can't go wrong with BBCSO; if one needs beefier brass then you can always augment with a secondary or tertiary library.

Great review, great video. What pedal do you use to modulate by foot ?

I agree the brass sucks. Especially the French horns. I also use Abby road one French horns or some other library. I hope there a update in the future but that depends on enough community voicing there opinion.

i agree about some of the brass but i think the horn legato sounds awesome

I use BBCSO Pro, close mikes going through Virtual Sound Stage 2, but I use Sample modeling brass and century brass in place of the bbcso brass.

Thanks, very helpful. I was considering buying BBCSO in the imminent sale, chiefly for the brass and woodwinds (I have enough strings) but if the brass is disappointing it’s not worth it.

I hesitated to upgrade to profesional. I agree, the brass sucks. But the violins en woodwinds are great. Thats worth a lot. So I go for it. Thanks for your review. I Liked and Subscribed!

Despite the wonky timing of the violin spiccato, the kinda weak sound of the brass and the low amount of dynamic layers in the brass (3), is this library worth the asking price of 999 euros as a first and one and only orchestral library package or should I look into the Spitfire Symphonic Orchestra for the exact same price (at least, in France, that is)?

I actually think the solo viola in the BBCSO Pro is one of the best parts. The tone is excellent.

I know that there is better options for Solo instrument, but for a complete orchestras, is BBCSO the best that you can get today?

Hi there. Is this the Professional edition? Thanks.

thank you for your music

Are the microphone positions editable as it plays or are they fixed once slid in position? If so, how?

You mentioned using your foot to control the dynamics. Could you elaborate the tool/control surface you use your foot with, please?

I'm curious what do you use for brass if this isn't your first choice 🤔

anyone feel like this library is cool, but kinda fake sounding? im on the fence about it. the value is huge and the gui is awesome! but some of these legatos are kinda too smooth.

13:00 why so many people wasting time using pencil to put 16tn notes, instead of record it with use of midi keyboard

BBC solo instruments absolutely suck. The woodwinds are pretty good but the flute sucks. Really the only thing good about it is the strings and percussion