Top 12 Violin Plugins With Authentic Sound 2024

Best Violin Plugins With Authentic Sound

There’s an endless list of violin VST plugins and Kontakt libraries, so choosing the right one for you can sometimes be overwhelming. This article will give you our top 12 to help you choose!

From the XVII century to the present day, the violin has been the most popular orchestral instrument and, therefore, a necessary element in every composer’s toolkit. Its vibrant and bright tone and expressiveness evoke many emotions whenever we hear it.

We’ve heard it feature in some of the most iconic music; masterpieces like Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and Camille Saint-Säens’s Danse Macabre, unforgettable movie themes like Schindler’s List or Psychosis, or legendary, timeless songs like Stevie Wonder’s Pastime Paradise or Kansas’s Dust In The Wind, so we know how versatile they can be.

Fortunately, we now have the magic of virtual instruments that makes it possible to add the wonderful violin to our music. So keep reading to learn more about this selection.

Top 12 Violin Plugins & Kontakt Libraries 2024

1. SWAM Violin V3 (Plugin)

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Top 12 Violin Plugins With Authentic Sound | integraudio.com

This plugin offers an alternative to sampling and a more intuitive performance for the user.

Audio Modeling did a great job with this plugin using their physical modeling technology, making it more resource-saving and smaller in file size and overcoming the many limitations of other sample-based plugins.

In 2012, the SWAM Solo Woodwinds series surprised everyone with its great quality and authenticity in sound and performance. And they did it again with their Solo String series, having managed to create a very expressive and convincing virtual violin with an engine that facilitates a more intuitive playing.

Key Features:

  • Physical Modeling Articulations:

These modeling techniques make the performance natural and intuitive for the user.

Instead of the common limitation of having the same sample being played in a range of velocity or having to press a key switch to change the articulation, you get a different sound depending on how hard you press the key or play staccato depending on how long you press it, for example, or even play legato (which in bowed strings means to change the note you’re playing without changing the direction of the stroke of your bow).

Furthermore, you can play harmonics and control the vibrato with the pitch bend, which is impossible with samples. 

  • Timbre:

There are three models to choose from: Cremona, Firenze, and Venezia. You can also select if you want to play with sordino, control the bow noise and resonance, and even the amount of rosin. Now that’s cool!

  • Tuning:

One of the coolest features of this plugin is that you can change the tuning of the strings, meaning that you can select the base note for the G string and change the relation with the other strings in intervals of fourths or fifths.

  • MIDI Mapping:

 The mapping possibilities are not limited to just articulations. You can map other functions to take the performance to a new level of realism; assign the vibrato to the pitch bend, the slurred legato to the sustain pedal, or even the position the violin is being played to a key to control the strings being bowed for a more authentic fingering.

Compatibility:

This plugin comes in VST 2/3, AU, NKI (for Kontakt 6), and AAX formats and is available for Windows 10 or higher and MacOS X 10.10 or higher.

Summary:

The MIDI mapping options and modeling technology make it one of the best choices if what you’re looking for is, besides a great sounding and realistic instrument, to be able to easily perform live or recording without having to make adjustments after you hit Stop.

Related Reading:

Top 5 Strings VST Plugins (AND 4 Best Free Instruments)

2. Native Instruments Stradivari Violin

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Also part of Cremona Quartet Lirbary

Top 12 Violin Plugins With Authentic Sound | integraudio.com

 

Native Instruments and e-instruments finally make it possible for anyone to own a Stradivarius violin.

An immense effort was put into sampling the legendary Vesuvius, made by luthier Antonio Stradivari, owned by the Museo del Violino in Cremona, Italy, who partnered with NI and e-instruments to make that possible – thanks to their techniques and technologies for sampling instruments – in an attempt to digitally preserve this almost 300-year old instrument and make it accessible for any musician

Each string on the Vesuvius was sampled chromatically. These recordings were so carefully edited up to the point of e-instruments phase-matching the articulations to make the transitions between them more natural and smooth, and then built into an engine focused on the performance and playability with the MIDI controller.

Key Features:

  • Multiple Microphones:

32 microphones were used to record the instrument and placed all over the place in the Auditorium Giovanni Arvedi. Instead of reverbs, the engine uses a mix of all these microphones; this mix is separated into three channels – Close, Mid, and Far – to adjust the proximity. 

  • Select Fingering:

 Like most string instruments, the violin can play the same note on different strings. There’s a dedicated section to fingering style, so you can force the instrument to play with open strings, get warmer tones playing higher up the neck, or have brighter tones playing lower down the neck.

  • Performance:

The attention to detail that was put into the articulations is incredible. There are no less than 20 articulations that can be assigned to the key switches; you can have spiccato, staccato, pizzicato, tremolos, and trills with variable speed, changes in the bow direction when playing sustained notes, even harmonics, col legno, or sul tasto! 

In addition, there’s an articulation scheme called Virtuoso, which chooses between sustained or marcato depending on velocity, spiccatissimo or staccato can be achieved with the pitch-bend wheel, and the transitions from one note to another can be imbued with an impassioned portamento depending on the velocity.

  • Vibrato:

 Instead of juggling different samples with varying amounts (and speeds) of vibrato, the engine applies artificial undulations and pitch variations to non-vibrato sample sets. This artificial vibrato was accomplished by analyzing the vibrato characteristics of the virtuosi who recorded the samples, meaning that this is no mere sine or triangle LFO.

The rate and amplitude are constantly variating in real-time and can be controlled with faders; there are also six styles of vibrato to select.

Compatibility:

The library is available for Kontakt Player 6. Kontakt is available for Windows 10 or higher and MacOS 10.14 or higherboth 64-bit only. It comes in VST 2/3AU, and AAX formats.

Summary:

Although kind of pricey, Stradivari Violin is an excellent library that offers great quality with a lot of warmth that sounds real and convincing, of course, its limitations can be noted when playing faster and more aggressively passages but can be overcome to a certain degree by mastering its functions.

Related Reading:

Top 7 Strings Kontakt Libraries (And 3 Free Libraries)

3. ORCHESTRAL TOOLS Igudesman Solo Violin (Plugin)

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Top 12 Violin Plugins With Authentic Sound | integraudio.com

An unorthodox, refreshing, and unique solo violin library.

This library is recorded by Aleksey Igudesman, a violin virtuoso, and composer who has worked with world-famous film composer Hans Zimmer, featuring many incredible, contemporary, weird, and very creative sounds you can’t get anywhere else.

Image: ORCHESTRAL TOOLS

Key Features:

  • Different Mic Placements:

There were seven different mic placements for the recording of this library. Like Stradivari Violin, this plugin balances the microphones instead of artificial reverbs to create a more natural sense of distance.

  • Un-Pitched Percussion Sounds:

Scratches, glissandi, chops, and more; these sounds are excellent for creating sound effects to build suspense, use as foley, and so on. In addition, some of the same passages are recorded at different speeds and respond to pitch-bend.

  • Neo-Electric:

Despite being called “Neo-Electric,” these sounds are actually acoustic. They were obtained by Igudesman applying a lot of bow pressure close to the bridge, resulting in distorted sounds sometimes resembling a fuzzy electric guitar or a lead synthesizer, containing several sustains, marcato, staccato, legato, and licks.

  • Rhythms:

 A modest collection of sampled patterns recorded in a variety of tempos, octaves, and dynamics (some non-pitched) come in this library to provide a fast and easy way to add energy and motion to the music.

Compatibility:

This plugin requires SINEplayer (which can be acquired for free) and comes in VST 2/3, AU, and AAX formats, and is available for Windows 10 or higher and MacOS X 10.10 or higher.

Summary:

Igudesman Solo Violin offers the best choice to depart from the norm and get new ideas. Its unconventional sounds bring a new palette of tones with many uses like the sound design or video-game scoring and sound FX, for example.

It might not be the best option if you’re looking for something more traditional, although it does offer some more conventional playing, but with Aleksey Igudesman’s unique style.

Related Reading:

Top 12 Orchestral VST Plugins & Kontakt Libraries (+ FREE Plugins)

4. Evolution Series Bowed Colors Violin Vol 1 (Kontakt Library)

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Evolution Series Bowed Colors Violin Vol 1 - Top 12 Violin Plugins & Kontakt Libraries With Authentic Sound | integraudio.com

A raw and emotive sound that evokes movement and life.

Virtuoso violinists recorded the samples on this plugin to create a warm, mellow, and dramatic sound. Instead of aiming for the best overall virtual solo violin or being intended for very fast and aggressive playing, this plugin is focused on slow, swelling, emotional music, and what makes it so great is that it’s simple. It knows what it wants to be.

An advantage of this plugin over others on this top is that you can play several violins simultaneously; this allows the user to make very emotional duets.

Key Features:

  • Articulations:

 Over 50 articulation samples were recorded for this library, which is a lot to say the least. Moreover, the way they’re played feels very human, as if the music could breathe, with swelling sustained notes, very natural trills, mid-range rich pizzicato, and so on, although the tremolos sound kind of gimmicky

  • Warm and emotional tones:

The samples in this library are incredible, making it succeed at what it goes for. The tone is rich in the mid frequencies, giving it a lot of warmth, and the reverb (despite being just a mix knob) has an amazing sound that makes the violins feel full.

  • Interface and Controls:

Simple, elegant, and intuitive describe the GUI of Bowed Colors perfectly. All the tools and options are displayed on one screen and are very easy to manipulate to improve the user experience.

  • Natural Sound: 

The samples are carefully cropped and curated to give a sound that feels unprocessed. The bowed string timbres feel melancholic and create beautiful textures when played in layers, delivering an intimate and emotional tone.

Compatibility:

The library is available for Kontakt Player 6. Kontakt is available for Windows 10 or higher and MacOS 10.14 or higherboth 64-bit only. It comes in VST 2/3AU, and AAX formats.

Summary:

Having such a specific goal, Bowed Colors Violin Vol. 1, is not for everyone, but it may be the perfect one for you if your intention is to make emotional stuff that invites you to cry or reflect on life. Simple and effective.

Related Reading:

Top 12 Ethnic, Folk, World & Asian Plugins (Free & Paid)

5. Soundiron Hyperion Strings Solo Violin (Kontakt Library)

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Soundiron Hyperion Strings Solo Violin - Top 12 Violin Plugins & Kontakt Libraries With Authentic Sound | integraudio.com

A very lush and delicate sound with a simple GUI and very good tools.

This library features two solo violins that can be played in a duo with a nice sound that feels very airy and delicate but also very warm. You can control how much body you want to add; the less it has, the closer and more direct the microphone signal will feel, which makes it feel more intimate and personal.

The highlight of these solo violins is the 4 true legato articulations – an oddity since very few plugins or libraries have more than one – that enhance the duet capabilities, response to secure a more natural performance, and control over the velocity.

Image: Soundiron

Key Features:

  • Key Switches:

With over 40 articulations, it’d be a waste if there weren’t enough key switches to give the user control over the performance. Fortunately, there are 12 assignable key switches to create a very complex and human feel.

  • Space:

It’s impressive how detailed and natural the reverb feels. You can choose between algorithmic and convolution, and there’s also a position control to place the instrument anywhere on the stage.

  • Sampling & Execution: 

 The number of samples recorded for this library is 9,538, so it’s fair to say that it was recorded in extraordinary detail to sound realistic. Besides that, and the key switch assignable articulations, the engine counts with velocity-sensitive round robin for the short articulations.

  • Arpeggio:

This section comes with 6 featuresRhythm for selecting the number of steps; a selector to choose between Arpeggio, Trill, and RunHumanize adds randomness and realism, and Swing adds groove to the pattern; Direction for selecting the movement of the pattern (Up-Down, Zigzag, etc.), and Range.

Compatibility:

The library is available for Kontakt Player 6. Kontakt is available for Windows 10 or higher and MacOS 10.14 or higherboth 64-bit only. It comes in VST 2/3AU, and AAX formats.

Summary:

The bright and airy sound, although very delicate and sensitive, can sometimes be too much, making it feel somewhat unrealistic and unpleasant. Part of this problem can be solved with EQ and the low pass filter, but sometimes it’s not enough. Nevertheless, Hyperion Strings Solo Violin is an amazing library that excels at giving the user the tools to create a realistic sound.

Related Reading:

Top 7 Plugins For Game & Film Scoring (+ Kontakt Libraries)

6. Chris Hein Solo Violin (Now it’s called EXtended as you get some new instruments in it)

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Chris Hein Solo Violin - Top 12 Violin Plugins & Kontakt Libraries With Authentic Sound | integraudio.com

With extensive sampling, this instrument comes with a lot of versatility.

Recorded by violinist Naomi Binder and with 38 different articulations, including pizzicato, ponticello, tremolo, flautando, col legno, harmonics, ricochets, repetitions, doits, falls, chromatic up and down runs, effects, and glissando slides, this library’s objective is to be able to play anything from orchestral to jazz to gypsy.

Another great feature is the ensemble mode, which activates by changing the number of players from one to up to five and then adjusting the stereo spread and tuning to make it feel more alive and natural.

Key Features:

  • Convolution Reverbs:

Two independent reverb channels based on impulse response are used to shape the Body and Room for the violin. Both have a volume and a delay knob; Body works with short responses to define the instrument’s character and has 21 different presets, while Room defines the setting and has 40 different presets.

  • Legato:

There are three modes: Short, for fingered note changes, which makes it useful for smooth and fast transitionsLong, for portamento, glides that can be activated with the sustain pedal and sounds especially nice combined with other articulations; and Glide-Mode, which inserts notes within the interval being played.

With the industry standard monophonic, true legato, this instrument generates intervals based on real samples in combination with an artificial legato engine to smooth and blend.

  • Dynamics:

 There are up to 8 dynamic layers to assign the playable dynamics and 4 dynamic modes for performance flexibility. With Keyboard mode, the up to 8 dynamic layers are controlled by playing with the MIDI controller; X-fade mode blends between the dynamics layers in a smooth manner; Keyb. & X-Fade is a combination of the previous two; lastly, Auto X-Fade creates a dynamic curve, and the length of the curve can be adjusted with the fader in the interface.

  • Settings:

In this section, you can toggle on/off the sordino effect and round-robin and adjust some controls like ADSR, dynamic curve, pitch bend, and the micro tuner. The DSP/FX part houses an effect rack that includes a three-band parametric EQ, Filter, Compressor, Flanger, Phaser, Chorus, Delay, and Reverb; this interface isn’t the prettiest, to say the least, and feels rudimentary since its controls are type-ins instead of knobs, but they’ll do the job, which is what’s important.

Compatibility:

The library is available for Kontakt Player 6. Kontakt is available for Windows 10 or higher and MacOS 10.14 or higherboth 64-bit only. It comes in VST 2/3AU, and AAX formats.

Summary:

The sound this library offers is really good; although maybe not as good as some other options on this top, this is one of the few that excel at having versatility and playing very fast, which is something to consider.

7. 8dio Adagio Violins 2.0 (Kontakt Library)

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8dio Adagio Violins 2.0 - Top 12 Violin Plugins & Kontakt Libraries With Authentic Sound | integraudio.com

A completely redesigned version of 8Dio’s popular Adagio series, now more efficient and customizable.

With a reputation for making great instrument libraries, 8Dio received some criticism for their outdated string librariesespecially for their poor playability. But they’re also famous for listening to feedback, and they did! And decided to raise their game with version 2.0 of Adagio Violins.

A lot of work went into the recording process of this library, over six months of recording an ensemble of 11 violins and a smaller group of 3 referred to as Divisi, working 6-8 hours per day, resulting in 33,600 samples to be carefully later programmed to ensure an improvement in quality of playability during a performance.

Key Features:

  • FX Rack:

Version 2.0 includes an effect rack called Chaos System with six effects that breathe new life into itPhaser, a three-band EQ, Degrader (bit crush and distortion), Delay, Transform (algorithm), and Reverb (convolution). You can add some great ambiance with the convolution reverb’s IRs or use the bit crush and distortion to give it a LoFi vibe. 

  • Microphones:

Besides all the reverb, this instrument also comes with three microphone channels with different proximities to balance the sound and get a more natural ambiance.

  • Articulations:

The interface was polished and now allows to customize key-switching. Users can create their own articulation matrix the way that best suits their styles rather than relying on default key switches.

Compatibility:

The library is available for Kontakt Player 6. Kontakt is available for Windows 10 or higher and MacOS 10.14 or higherboth 64-bit only. It comes in VST 2/3AU, and AAX formats.

Summary:

This is a great step up from their previous version. However, despite the undeniable improvement in their articulations, there are many other plugins in this top that offer more detail, but they’re also more expensive, while Adagio Violin 2.0 offer a great sound at a great price.

Related Reading:

The 8 Best 8dio Kontakt Libraries (Various Plugins)

8. Native Instruments Session Strings 2 Pro (Kontakt Library – Violins, Violas, Cello & Double Bass)

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Top 12 Violin Plugins With Authentic Sound 2024 - 2024 Update

If you’re looking for the feel of an incredible modern string ensemble, this library might be the one for you.

The first Session Strings Pro had a reputation of being unimpressive, especially compared to many other amazing plugins and libraries out there. But Native Instruments upped the ante with SSP2 with many new tools to improve the expression and user experience.

To give a performance that feels authentic, this library comes with 22 different articulation samples and 9 customizable key switches giving the user control over the performance. You can also choose between traditional (left to right from highest to lowest) and modern (celli and basses in the center and violas and violins to the sides), depending on your needs.

Key Features:

  • Mode:

With Velocity Switch mode, you have a default articulation and one that triggers once the MIDI velocity surpasses a threshold. For better control, assign the articulations you need to the keys you want with Key Switch mode, which is simple and effective

Rhythm Animator mode works like an arpeggiator; it has a grid of up to 32 steps to set the pattern and six articulations to choose from for each step. Phrase Animator works like an arpeggiator too, but focuses on preset melodies and passages.

  • Presets:

There are 48 different presets to help users adjust the vibe depending on their needs. You can select from a plethora of different settings to sound like a full orchestral string section, a more modest chamber orchestra ensemble, strings that feel recorded in a studio, or even give it a more LoFi feel.

These presets are also very useful to get an idea of how all the tools can be used to get the sound desired or as a starting point and then make minor adjustments to give the feel you want.

  • FX Section:

This menu displays an incredible yet simple rack of effects divided into three sections. The first one is the envelope controls called Shape and Humanize to control aspects of the performance such as Attack, Bow noise, Pitch, Timing, and more.

The second one is the insert effects that feature a Compressor, a three-band EQ, and Color; the compressor can be adjusted to have gentle, punchy, and transparent compression, and the color control acts like a pre-amp to enrich the sound and can select different units and has an intensity knob; the EQ also has three modes (Warmth, Wood, and Bowed) to enhance specific frequency ranges.

And the third one is the send effects section, which has reverb and delay; reverb comes with pre-delay and return level knobs and different types of reverb, while delay has time, feedback, and return level knobs; both send levels can be controlled in the mixer.

  • Mixer:

This section comes with the traditional faders and pan knobs for each channel, but also we find send level knobs for reverb and delay, solo and mute buttons, detune and transpose controls, and additional compressor and three-band EQ besides the ones in the FX section for better tone shaping.

Compatibility:

The library is available for Kontakt Player 5 or higher. Kontakt is available for Windows 10 or higher and macOS 10.14 or higherboth 64-bit only. It comes in VST 2/3AU, and AAX formats.

Summary:

If you’re looking to compose for a violin section or a string ensemble, Session Strings Pro 2 is a force to be reckoned with, but keep in mind that this library was designed to be used as sections, so it doesn’t offer solo instruments. Also, this library is rather expensive.

Related Reading:

20 Best Kontakt Libraries For All Categories (Synths, Drums, Vocals)

9. Violin Textures by Emergence Audio (Kontakt Library)

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Violin Textures by Emergence Audio - Top 12 Violin Plugins & Kontakt Libraries With Authentic Sound | integraudio.com

Perfect soundscapes with beating pulses, depth, and emotion.

If you guessed by the name that this plugin is intended for pads, soundscapes, and underscore music, you guessed right! Furthermore, this plugin intends to be used more like a synth-based instrument than a regular violin and experiment with its effects and articulations to explore and create new sounds.

The samples are long-lasting (up to 30 seconds) and are meant mostly for playing long notes. There are 12 articulations consisting of flautando, sul ponticello, tremolo, swelling sustained notes, and a good number of muted options and reversed waveforms as well.

Key Features:

  • Effects:

One thing for sure is that Textures does not come short of effects boasting a whole section with 10 different of them, but the interesting part isn’t the quantity but the quality, with four different types of distortion (Dist, Sat, Tape Sat, and LoFi), effects for ambiance like convolution reverb and delay, stereo enhancer (width), and modulation effects like chorus, rotator, and phaser.

  • Envelopes and LFO:

You can get the most interesting sounds by combining the articulations with the LFO, moving the filter, and readjusting the volume envelope controls. Get some really unique pads by affecting the staccato with the LFO in square wave shape and mildly slow attack, or maybe a great lead with the sustain articulation, fast attack, and adding a lot of distortion and a triangle wave shape. Go crazy!

  • Layering:

 Two articulations may be layered simultaneously with independent ADSR and filter controls and fade seamlessly from one to the other by the central knob (which can be controlled by the mod wheel), making it possible to create unique textures.

  • Presets:

This library includes 100 editable presets: haunting pads, beautiful melancholic textures, pulsating beats, unsettling noises, and so much more; everything to help you get started immediately or get off the creative block and give you ideas.

Compatibility:

This plugin comes in VST 2/3, AU, NKI (for Kontakt 6), and AAX formats and is available for Windows 10 or higher and Mac OS X 10.10 or higher.

Summary:

Unless you’re only interested in a super realistic solo violin, Violin Textures is a choice to consider; great sound sources from the samples and a lot of tools to experiment with. Also, very affordable.

10. Spitfire Audio Solo Strings (Kontakt Library – Violin, Viola, Bass, Cello & More)

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Spitfire Audio Solo String - Top 12 Violin Plugins & Kontakt Libraries With Authentic Sound | integraudio.com

Designed to stand out while at the same time fitting in with the rest of the orchestra.

Featuring six of Britain’s most prestigious players, Solo Strings provides expression and intimacy through lyrical solo passages, layering the solo strings, or string quartets. Recorded in the world-famous Lyndhurst Hall in London and captured with state-of-the-art equipment, this sample set boasts around 41,000 samples of great quality.

Six instrument patches conform the library: one contrabass (Leon Bosch), one cello (Richard Hardwood), one viola (Max Baillie), and three violins recorded independently; these are Virtuoso (Jack Lieberck), 1st Desk (Clio Gould), and Progressive (Thomas Gould), coming each with their own set of articulations and placement in the hall with the intention to provide the users with a gamut of colors that fit their creative needs.

Key Features:

  • Intuitive GUI:

When loading a patch, we first see an overview panel offering quick access to all the articulations that come with the corresponding patch. This panel also provides the user with several assignable sliders controlling Dynamics, Vibrato, Release, Tightness, and Expression. Additionally, an Easy Mix slider blends and balances the signal between close and far mic positions.

  • The White Wrench:

At the top-left side of the GUI is an icon of a white wrench; clicking on it displays the general control options consisting of round-robin behavior, sample purging, transposing, CC mapping, tempo syncing, and more specific controls for mic positioning (Close, Tree, Ambient).

  • Ostinatum:

Clicking on the short articulations (at the bottom of the interface) displays a control panel called Ostinatuma combination between a step sequencer and arpeggiator, allowing the user to create complex patterns by providing plenty of customization options.

  • Advance Controls:

This folder contains the Performance Legato patches for each instrument group. These patches come with an intelligent script that adapts to the user’s playstyle by analyzing the velocity and speed when hitting the keys and triggers transitions based on that.

Playing slowly and softly, the script produces slurred portamento transitions; at medium velocity, a neutral-fingered legato transition is triggered, while hitting them hard triggers a quick bow change legato.  

Compatibility:

The library is available for Kontakt Player 5 or higher. Kontakt is available for Windows 7 or higher and MacOS 10.10 or higherboth 64-bit only. It comes in VST 2/3AU, and AAX formats.

Summary:

Spitfire Solo Strings is the go-to sample library of many musicians for a good reason: It’s well-recorded, masterfully programmed, and carefully organized, with articulations beautifully crafted and a versatile mix of microphones providing users with great possibilities. Nevertheless, it’s a fairly expensive product, so be sure this is the right one for you before purchasing.

Related Reading:

Top 11 Spitfire Audio Libraries & Plugins 

11. Showroom Violin (Kontakt Library)

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Showroom Violin - Top 12 Violin Plugins & Kontakt Libraries With Authentic Sound | integraudio.com

Great controls for stage placement and plenty of options for reverb.

With 10,000 samples recorded with 5 microphones, this library comes with many articulations in a convenient single patch, so there is no need to change patches to get one articulation or the other. Also, the vibrato was recorded (instead of programmed) for a more natural sound.

The sound comes with a nice body with warmth and some brightness, making it stand out among other tracks without much difficulty. It shows flexibility, too, making it apt for film, videogame, pop, rock, and more.

Key Features:

  • Legato Articulations:

This virtual violin comes with 14 articulations to give life to the performance, but the legatos are the most remarkable for their subtle and delicate sound.

There’s Polyphonic Legato for simulating playing more than one string at a time, Bowed Legato for changing the finger and bow movement, and the one that impressed me the most: Slurred Legato, which changes the finger position without changing the bow movement for smoother transitions.

  • Great Spatial Control:

The samples were recorded with a total of 5 microphones (a large diaphragm, small diaphragm, ribbon, vintage, and ambient). Choose any number or all of them and balance them out to place the instrument anywhere on the stage and get the most natural ambiance.

  • Additional IR Reverbs:

18 IR reverbs were added beside the 5 microphones for a more customizable ambiance. It comes with room, big room, hall, big hall, alteller, studio A, studio B, studio C, bar, chamber, concert, arena, club, church, cathedral, canyon, plate, and spring, and with size and amount controls.

  • Simple GUI:

Something very important with these virtual instruments is not overwhelming the user by displaying an over-complicated and confusing interface, and Showroom Violin keeps it simple.

In the GUI, we see the articulations divided into three groups (Legato, Longs, Shorts), faders for the five microphones, and the reverb section at the bottom left with a selector and amount and size controls.

Compatibility:

The library is available for Kontakt Player 5 or higher. Kontakt is available for Windows 10 or higher and MacOS 10.14 or higherboth 64-bit only. It comes in VST 2/3AU, and AAX formats.

Summary:

Being recorded instead of programmed, the vibrato sometimes feels too rigid and unnatural since it can’t be controlled. Also, this instrument struggles to keep authenticity in fast and aggressive passages more so than others on this top. On the other hand, the price is very affordable, making it a good choice for entry-level.

12. Harmonic Subtones Emotional Violin (Kontakt Library)

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Harmonic Subtones Emotional Violin - Top 12 Violin Plugins & Kontakt Libraries With Authentic Sound | integraudio.com

Promising both inspiration and compositional freedom.

The successor of the acclaimed Emotional Cello and following the same concept, it was recorded in the same environment and with the same specifications. Nonetheless, there were three times as many samples recorded, and the script was rewritten from scratch with new features for this library.

Its sound is warm and immediately present and retains richness despite sounding dry, thanks to its natural release tail. In addition, it comes with various room options and impulse response reverbs.

Key Features:

  • Several Patches:

This virtual violin comes with several patches divided into three folders. The Masterpiece folder allows the user to choose between a highly expressive and rich performance or one with softer dynamics and less vibratoThe Individual and Special Folders come with other more specific techniques like the Sul G Flautando.

  • Articulations and Resource Saving:

It features 25 articulations displayed on the left side of the interface – which can be unloaded by unchecking them to minimize the load on the CPU – and Momentary Key Switches, or MKS, on the right side of the interface that allows for mid-note modulation. The combination of the articulations and the MKS gives the performance realism and musicality.

  • Sound Shaping:

Simple but effective, this instrument features a three-band EQ to adjust the timbre and make the violin be placed correctly to stand out from an orchestra, a toggle on/off sordino, and modules for room and reverb that can be adjusted independently and provide an authentic sound thanks to the professionally recorded convolution presets.

  • Sampling:

Several string instruments were sampled in many different ways for over four years resulting in over 100 articulations and their variations to capture the aspects of a player’s performance like their natural vibrato or the true legato. These articulations were then liked through very elaborate, intelligent scripting.

Compatibility:

The library is available for Kontakt Player 5 or higher. Kontakt is available for Windows 7 or higher and MacOS 10.10 or higherboth 64-bit only. It comes in VST 2/3AU, and AAX formats.

Summary:

The stand-out for this virtual violin is the way it combines the articulations with the MKS to craft a sound full of authenticity, making it a great choice. On the other hand, the tone can feel slightly with too much body and lack some brightness.

Also, some other options on this top have better samples (although not too much) despite not offering the same articulation control Emotional Violin has.

Best Free Violin Plugins 2024

1. French Violin (Plugin – Only For 1$)

More Info & Download

French Violin - Top 12 Violin Plugins & Kontakt Libraries With Authentic Sound | integraudio.com

Lots of charm and character.

A multi-sampled violin designed to sound authentic with a very natural and warm quality. One of its charms is its low CPU usage. It has three voice modes: polyphonic (to play several notes simultaneously and create layers), monophonic, and legato. It also comes with a multi-LFO and a room reverb.

Key Features:

  • Modest Amount of Articulations:

Considering the price, this plugin boasts 6 different articulations to improve its performance: arco vibrato, arco non-vibrato, pizzicato vibrato, pizzicato non-vibrato, spiccato, and tremolo.

  • FX:

This little guy comes with some tools to enrich its sound; a pre-amp to add modest saturation and color, a glide knob to add some portamento between intervals, and reverb to make it feel fuller.

Compatibility:

This plugin comes in VST 2/3, AU, and AAX formats and is available for Windows 8 or higher and Mac OS X 10.11 or higher.

Summary:

There isn’t much to say; you get a very decent-sounding plugin with useful tools to improve its sound quality for an unbelievable price.

2. Slinky Violin (Kontakt Library)

More Info & Download

Slinky Violin  - Top 12 Violin Plugins & Kontakt Libraries With Authentic Sound | integraudio.com

A hauntingly beautiful and unique sound is the result of this experiment.

So, this is a weird one. David Holowitz had this violin that, in his words, “sounds terrible” and was thinking of throwing it away, but had the idea (inspired by a previous experiment with the guitar) to attached a metal piece to the bridge, a slinky (a very long spring) to that metal piece and the slinky a Piezo michrophone. The result? Something out of this physical realm.

Key Features:

  • Different Cool Presets:

This library contains five versions of the patch: Slinky Violin, the basic version of the patch, with two velocity layers; Slinky Violin forte, just the loud layers; Slinky Violin piano, just the soft layers; Slinky Violin Duet, both the soft and loud layers from the above sample being played at the same time; and, Slinky Violin Duet (modwheel), controls the dynamics with the modwheel, all the way down plays just one layer, and all the way up plays both layers at full intensity.

  • Amazing Sound:

This terrible violin (which, in my opinion, didn’t sound that terrible) now possesses this vibrant, bright, and metallic sound with a somewhat spooky reverb that invites you to play slow, solemn, or very dark music. It’s beautiful how the high frequencies got enhanced, yet it conserved a little bit of that full and warm mid-range, changing its personality completely.

Compatibility:

The library is available for Kontakt Player 6. Kontakt is available for Windows 10 or higher and MacOS 10.14 or higherboth 64-bit only. It comes in VST 2/3AU, and AAX formats.

Summary:

It’s amazing how we can change the sound of something that sounds not-so-great and make it great. So for this one, too, there’s no reason not to download this library. It’s free, very light, and sounds awesome.

3. DSK Strings By DSK Music (Plugin)

More Info & Download

Slinky Violin  - Top 12 Violin Plugins & Kontakt Libraries With Authentic Sound | integraudio.com

Strings is a free plugin and part of DSK’s virtual instruments collection, which is always a great option for beginners or musicians with a low budget.

This plugin comes with a lot of flexibility in options with different instrument sets – both solo and sections – with bowed and pizzicato playstyle, volume envelope controls, a stereo controller, fine-tune, and effects, all displayed in an easy-to-use GUI.

The sound in general is pretty good, especially considering it’s free; although, also somewhat limited to how much a realistic performance the solo instruments can offer. There’s also no key switches, meaning that you have to rely on a specific sample preset to get legato, staccato, or pizzicato, which can be limiting.

Key Features:

  • Two Separate Channels:

Having plenty of instruments or sections to choose from, this plugin also has two channels to play them, meaning that you can have a solo instrument like, for example, a violin playing with a string section.

  • FX:

Both channels have a delay, flanger, and reverb effects with many controls to shape the sound, especially the reverb, coming with gate, size, width, damp, and mix.

  • Sample Presets:

Strings offers the user the four bowed strings of a symphonic orchestra: violin, viola, cello, and contrabass, and they come in solo and section modes and a string section. Each solo instrument has a legato and pizzicato mode, while the sections have a pianoforte, and staccato mode. There’s also a glissando FX preset for descending glissandos.

Compatibility:

This plugin comes in VST2 format and is only compatible with DAWs designed for a 32-bit Build, Available for Windows 7 or higher.

Summary:

DSK Strings has a lot to offer as long as the user can understand and cope with its limitations, which is not that difficult. Also, its many tools and beginner-friendly interface make it easy for the user to get control to shape the sound.

4. Bigcat Instruments VSCO2 Violin Section (Plugin)

More Info & Download

Top 12 Violin Plugins With Authentic Sound 2024 - 2024 Update

Surprising quality and character for a free plugin.

This free plugin is a violin section with a great sound and personality. Its sound is full and warm. It comes with ADSR envelope controls, reverb, and six articulations.

Key Features:

  • Incredible Quality:

It might be free, but a lot of love and care was put into it to give it a great sound; very sensitive and evocative and rich in the mid frequencies, so it has a lot of body too.

  • Articulations:

There are six articulations to choose from: Arco Vib., Arco Vib. f, Arco Vib. p, pizzicato, spiccato, tremolo. This plugin does not come with a velocity switch or key switches, but its articulations can still be changed with automation, which is not so bad.

Compatibility:

This plugin comes in VST 2/3, AU, and AAX formats and is available for Windows 7 or higher and Mac OS X 10.10 or higher.

Summary:

There is NO reason not to download and try this plugin. It might be limited regarding articulations, but it has nothing to envy when it comes to the sound compared to other libraries on this top.

Bonus

Native Instruments Cremona Quartet (Kontakt Library – Violin, Viola & Cello)

More Info & Price 

CREMONA QUARTET Walkthrough | Native Instruments

So, we already talked about Stradivari Violin, but now we’re going to talk about the string quartet, which is part of to give you more insight. 

This powerhouse is the combined effort of NI and e-instruments, consisting of Stradivari Violin, Guarneri Violin, Amati Viola, and Stradivari Cello. All of them were recorded in the Auditorium Giovanni Arvedi.

All other instruments were equally carefully sampled, just like the Vesuvius (Stradivari Violin), and come with the same articulations and tools.

Key Features:

  • Comes With All of Stradivari Violin’s Features:

The same amount of love put into the Stradivari Violin was put into these three instruments. All of them were equally recorded with 32 microphones spread all over the auditorium and phase-matched.

Each instrument features more than 20 articulations, including legato, spiccato, staccato, pizzicato, tremolos, and trills with variable speed, changes in the bow direction when playing sustained notes, even harmonics, col legno, and sul tasto, and have the same vibrato function based on the playing of the virtuosi who recorded the instruments.

  • The Ultimate String Quartet:

Now, with a full ensemble, some of the features are enhanced, like, for example, the multi-mic. Also, now you can not just balance the instrument’s sound by placing it anywhere in the auditorium, but spread all the instruments across the stereo to fill the whole place with their beautiful sound.

  • Recorded In The Same Place:

The best thing about this library is how well these instruments play with each other. Since they were all recorded in the same place, the mic balancing acts pretty much like an impulse response and goes to a whole new level with how they behave. The performance feels so natural that it’s hard to imagine they were not recorded at the same time.

  • Instruments:

This library features some of the oldest, rarest, most valuable instruments, the viola Stauffer, made by Andrea Amati in 1614, being the oldest.

Being regarded as some of the best instruments of their era and having reached a legendary status, the wish to preserve that piece of the history of Cremona and the history of music, but also to share them with everyone instead of just being an exhibit in a museum, come together in the form of this quartet

Compatibility:

The library is available for Kontakt Player 6. Kontakt is available for Windows 10 or higher and MacOS 10.14 or higherboth 64-bit only. It comes in VST 2/3AU, and AAX formats.

Summary:

With a full quartet now, the limitations in the articulations feel now less important, as there are now four instruments playing at the same time, deviating the attention of one specific. The only issue I find with this powerhouse is the price. You need to be sure this is the one you need (or make a lot of money, so you don’t care) since it is such a big investment.

Conclusion

So there you have it, folks.

This one was really hard; it’s a LONG list with many options for different needs. In the end, Stradivari Violin got the edge over Swam Violin because its sound quality feels more natural despite Swam Violin being slightly superior regarding the articulations and MIDI mapping.

Session Strings Pro 2 is still my favorite when it comes to an ensemble. I’ve used it for two years and have almost nothing to complain about. Another one really cool was Bowed Colors; I loved how full, warm and emotional its sound was.

As for the free plugins, French Violin and VSCO2 are the winners (for solo and section, respectively), no doubt. So don’t sleep on them and give them a try!

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