Top 9 Saxophone Plugins & KONTAKT Libraries 2024

Top 9 Saxophone Plugins & KONTAKT Libraries | Integraudio

Today we’ll learn more about the saxophone plugins & Kontakt libraries that we believe should be part of this list.

Horn sections and woodwind instruments are very captivating to listen to. These ensembles blow an airflow through a complex system of valves and tubulations, thus giving the sweet musical notes we appreciate and love.

The horn sections usually consist of instruments such as the trumpet, the trombone, and, of course, the saxophone. This last one was an instrument developed in the 1840s, which made its way to popular music at the beginning of the 20th century. Soon enough, many genres and styles included this iconic timbre in their songs until modern times.

As the saxophone relies heavily on acoustics and reverberance, a proficient musician must play it to record a nice take properly. Furthermore, nice room acoustic and good microphones are also essential to capture its best elements.

However, this list proves that you can count on good plugins and sample libraries that can sound just as good as the real deal, but in a more easy-to-use way. We brought the top 9 saxophone plugins and Kontakt libraries available in 2024, with consistent good tones and easy access to anyone interested in creating saxophone harmonies or melodies on the go.

Top 9 Saxophone Plugins & KONTAKT Libraries 2024

1. SWAM Saxophones V3 (Plugin)

More Info & Price (Trial Available)
A great collection of a standard saxophone quartet with amazing dynamics.

Horn ensembles are unique, mainly due to their individual and collective resonances. As a result, each instrument sounds utterly powerful, even more so when combined. Capturing that particular sonority into a plugin is difficult, but in SWAM Saxophones V3, you can expect that. The quartet comprised of soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones sound authentic and realistic, with multiple dynamic and expressive adjustments to be made.

SWAM Saxophones V3 - Top 9 Saxophone Plugins & KONTAKT Libraries | Integraudio

Key Features:

  • Expressivity control

This segment is housed all the parameters responsible for setting the perfect expression. Such dynamic is imperative to make the saxophones sound more realistic, and here you can set the perfect player’s expressiveness that will affect each instrument, providing a human touch to this virtual instrument.

  • Pitch adjustments

To further expand its versatility, SWAM Saxophones V3 has a pitch adjustment section that ensures you can tweak the overall tuning the way you want. You can set the “Master Tuning,” the overall “Pitch,” “Transposition,” and “Micro Tuning” settings seamlessly.

  • Timbre

Timbre is essential in characterizing each instrument in an ensemble, especially in a saxophone quartet situation. These ensembles contain instruments that vary in size and character, so it’s expected to have variations in timbre regarding each saxophone. You can freely adjust these aspects in the “Timbre” section.

  • Formant control

When dealing with musical instruments that require an air flow to resonate, the formant of each note is important to be set properly. In essence, this control gives you unprecedented power over how each instrument, whether soprano or baritone, will resonate with the notes, almost like a human mouth changing its shape to produce different sounds. 

  • Flutter tongue

The flutter tongue is one of the most used techniques in horn instruments, and you can adjust it to better suit your musical needs. You can set this parameter’s intensity by easily tweaking the “Flutter” knob.

SWAM Tenor Saxophone v3 demo: close to you (Carpenters)

Compatibility:

This plugin is available for macOS 10.10 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows 10 or higher (64-bit only). It runs in VST, VST3, NKS, AAX, and AU plugin formats.

Summary:

To capture a single saxophone masterfully is difficult, but capturing an ensemble might be even trickier. SWAM Saxophones V3 delivers excellent sound quality in an elegant design interface, which is very inviting to be tweaked and set appropriately.

In addition, the sonority of the four saxophones included soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone – is authentic on its own, and further adjustments may bring the best elements of this ensemble bursting through your speakers or headphones.

Related Reading:

Top 12 Brass Plugins & KONTAKT Libraries (+ Best FREE Plugins)

2. Orchestral Tools Duplex Saxophones (Plugin)

More Info & Price
Intuitive controls with superb quality are Orchestral Tools’ speciality.

Few companies can offer such a huge selection of virtual instrument libraries as Orchestral Tools. In addition, their products share similar looks, which means they’re all very easy and intuitive to mess around with. Regarding Duplex Saxophones, the quality of each sample file is very nice, providing the perfect resonance and ambience such a beautiful instrument can offer. The best part is that you should not fear mixing four of these saxophones because they’ll sound even better.

Orchestral Tools Duplex Saxophones - Top 9 Saxophone Plugins & KONTAKT Libraries | Integraudio

Key Features:

  • Two moods

As the name implies, Duplex Saxophones works primarily with two main modes: the “Red Mood” and the “Blue Mood.” They both offer different playing styles and articulations, with the former mode bringing loud, explosive, and energetic sonorities that are relative to styles such as uptempo jazz, funk, rock, or any piece that requires an extra punch to it, while the latter mode brings a more soft and calm sonority that fits laid-back songs and introspective styles, such as cool jazz and blues.

  • Excellent scoring stage

To offer good quality, first, you must ensure a nice capture of such a nice library of sounds. Gladly, all sample sounds were recorded at Berlin’s Teldex Studio, one of the world’s best scoring stages.

Multiple cinematic productions, eccentric sample libraries, and albums were recorded there, with the perfect ambient resonance and multiple mic positions to ensure your samples are the best possible.

  • Legato styles

Legato is essential to make your virtual instrument sound as real as ever, mainly because it’s a very “human” technique. Duplex Saxophones include Orchestral Tools’ signature “Adaptive Legato,” which lets you have a nice-sounding note flow in each note transition.

Whether playing softer or harder, the connection between every note will be flawless and as natural as possible.

  • Single velocity layer

Orchestral Tools decided to include a single, unified velocity layer. Sure, you can expect to play both soft and hard parts equally, but instead of separating each layer into a determined, dynamic profile, Duplex Saxophones contain a single layer that includes all variations, ensuring any phase-related issue is almost completely excluded from your concerns.

Duplex Saxophones: Walkthrough

Compatibility:

This plugin is available for macOS 10.13 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows 10 or higher (64-bit only). It runs in VST and AU plugin formats. It also requires Orchestral Tool’s SINE Player’s latest version.

Summary:

Hardly disappointing even the most demanding producers, Orchestral Tools nails one more time with Duplex Saxophones. This plugin is a sample collection of the classic four-piece saxophone ensembles, boasting authenticity and quality in every subtle aspect behind it.

The articulations and dynamic variations are expected from a software like this, but the two main modes available can get you quick results, either in a “Red” or “Blue” mood. The notes sound very good together, providing a close rendition of what a human performance would be like.

Related Reading:

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

3. 8dio Studio Sax Trio (Kontakt Library)

More Info & Price
Push the boundaries with this collection.

8dio offers advanced techniques and modern features in its products, and Studio Sax Trio is included in that description. For over 100 hours, the team captured each instrument’s sound profiles using modern recording and isolating technologies, giving a particular aspect to recording multiple players simultaneously.

8dio Studio Sax Trio - Top 9 Saxophone Plugins & KONTAKT Libraries | Integraudio

Key Features:

  • The instruments

8dio Studio Sax Trio includes three saxophone models to be freely used: “Tenor Sax A,” “Tenor Sax B,” and “Baritone Sax.” Each instrument contains its articulations, such as legato and marcato, and effects, such as runs and flutter tongue.

  • Articulations

Aside from counting with multiple articulations, you can expect to change them at will and control them directly with your MIDI keyboard. Some of the options included are “stacatissimo,” “sustains,” “trills,” “legato,” and “marcato.”

  • Chaos Effects 4.0

The updated version of Studio Sax Trio includes the “Chaos Effects 4.0” package, which contains effects such as EQ and delay, and also a nice addition: there are over 140 impulse responses in it, which ensures the best resonance and room simulation possible.

  • Controls

After choosing the best instruments for your track, you can set their values accordingly. Feel free to tweak knobs relating to parameters such as “Speed,” “Release,” “Response,” and “Offset,” but also connect the “Dynamics” and “Expression” knobs via the “Link” switch located in between (if you roll one knob, the other will automatically roll the same amount, in the same direction).

8Dio Official Studio Sax Trio Walk-through

Compatibility:

This library is available for macOS 10.13 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows 10 or higher (64-bit only). It runs in the full version of Kontakt 5.8.1 or later (it does not run in the free Kontakt Player!).

Summary:

This trustworthy sample library is a great toolkit for composers searching for a reliable saxophone ensemble library. The three instruments in Studio Sax Trio are the most commonly used saxophone models, and each sounds as realistic as possible.

In addition, the further adjustments set on the main screen are vivid and responsive, making it perfect for both cinematic and musical performances. Of course, maybe one or two different saxophones could be included, but the over 140 impulse responses and effects inside will hardly make you miss it.

Related Reading:

The 8 Best 8dio Kontakt Libraries (Various Plugins)

4. VG Jazz Alto Saxophone (Kontakt Library)

More Info & Price
A targeted collection that gives the required alto saxophone timbres.

Horns provide some of the most powerful sounds in any music style. Whether it’s a trumpet, trombone, or saxophone, expert performers have used these instruments for decades to generate amazing tones that are being duplicated by future generations.

The VG Jazz Alto Saxophone plugin provides such an experience in a modest package, with amazing input possibilities and consistent audio quality.

VG Jazz Alto Saxophone - Top 9 Saxophone Plugins & KONTAKT Libraries | Integraudio

Key Features:

  • Double instruments

Even though this plugin concentrates on a single instrument, it does not exclude the usage of several instruments. You may have one or two saxophones ringing clearly by activating the “Alto 1” and “Alto 2” buttons, which is extremely useful when a double-melody or duet is required.

  • Breath control

A dedicated knob regulates the level of breathing that happens between notes played. This might generate a legato articulation since the longer the MIDI CC value, the longer it takes to “finish” the phrase for it to breathe correctly. This function is particularly handy when a more humanized touch is sought.

  • Effects

The main interface displays the integrated effects, reverb, and delay. A single knob controls each parameter, signifying the intensity of each effect. The “Growl” fader adds a growling effect to the sustain samples, and the “Vibrato” fader, which modifies the sound, is also featured.

  • Stereo mode

When you activate this mode using a button, you may adjust the amount of stereo separation with a single knob. Zero indicates a full-bodied sound, whereas 100 indicates a considerable dispersion in your instrument’s tone. It’s much simpler to fit your virtual instrument’s sound into a mix when this parameter is properly configured.

  • Work with breath controllers

Besides MIDI controllers and manual adjustments, VG Jazz Alto Saxophone may be played with a breath controller, like the Roland Aerophone or the Yamaha WX. This provides a more realistic experience, with genuine reactions to your breathing and general dynamics.

  • Timbre adjustment

Do you think your saxophone sounds too flat? No worries, you may customize the timbre of the instrument. There are three button options: “Dark,” “Normal,” and “Bright,” which quickly modify how your virtual instrument responds to the environment.

NI Kontakt VG Alto Saxophone Sample library, brass and woodwind vst, wav

Compatibility:

This library runs in macOS 10.9 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows 10 (64-bit only). It runs in Kontakt Player 5.6.8 and higherFree Kontakt Player is not supported.

Summary:

The user interface may appear subpar, but don’t be fooled. VG Jazz Alto Saxophone is a high-quality sample collection dedicated completely to the alto saxophone and designed to make this instrument sound as excellent as possible.

The various adjustments and parameters are congruent with this reality, but the finest feature is, without a doubt, the connection with breath controls, which makes the entire experience much more realistic and adaptive to producers that require a constantly good-sounding sample collection.

Related Reading:

Top 13 Jazz & Swing Plugins & Kontakt Libraries 

5. 8Dio Studio Series Fire Sax (Kontakt Library)

More Info & Price

Get into the heart of Latin and pop music with this soulful solo saxophone library.

8DIO’s Studio Series provides dry wind and brass instruments ideal for contemporary music production, whether pop, Latin, or salsa. And Studio Fire Saxophone is an excellent, responsive tenor saxophone library that allows you to play quick runs and thoughtful, romantic lines.

8Dio Studio Series Fire Sax - VG Jazz Alto Saxophone - Top 9 Saxophone Plugins & KONTAKT Libraries | Integraudio

Key Features:

  • Speed

The very motivation behind this library is playing fast legato passages. In contrast to the smooth lines composed for classical performances, Studio Fire Sax is all about running through scales, repeating jumps, and exhibiting style over a twirling crowd. Hence, it’s the perfect library for faster pop and dance music instead of something like slow blues.

  • Articulations

Studio Fire Sax offers a comprehensive collection of articulations allowing you to explore this instrument’s full capability. You’ll find staccato, drops, glissando up/down, crescendos, flat sustains, vibrato sustains, flutter tongue, trills, legato, ornaments, bends, grupetto, and polyphonic legatos. Furthermore, you can control the speed of each phrase, dynamics, amp envelope, etc., on the user interface.

Studio Series Fire Saxophone Official Walkthrough

Compatibility:

The library is available for Kontakt 5.8 or higher (NOT the free Kontakt Player). Kontakt 5.8 is available for Windows 7 or higher 32-bit and 64-bit and macOS 10.11 or higher 64-bit. It comes in VST 2, AU, and AAX formats.

Summary:

Studio Fire Sax is an excellent tenor sax library at an affordable cost. It hails from 8DIO’s The Bible of Latin & Salsa Volume III collection alongside Studio Fire Trumpet and Studio Trombone libraries, which are also worth checking out.

Furthermore, it offers a total of forty-two articulations, allowing you to write an extraordinarily lively piece of solo, especially for pop, Latin, salsa, band, soul, etc.

6. Native Instruments Session Horns Pro (Kontakt Library – Including Sax & Other Instruments)

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A highly expressive and versatile horn library with great instant results.

Brass instruments are among the most expressive ones used in any musical situation. They can deliver dynamics alongside the music, getting the perfect chance to shine through your track. Native Instruments knows this too well, and Session Horns Pro showcases the best elements of a suitable brass ensemble.

This library blends outstanding quality with an intuitive interface and innovative functions that provide a genuinely musical workflow filled with the best sonic aspects of brass instruments. As a result, you can expect a tight, modern sound that will fit soul and pop productions very easily and in other modern musical genres.

Native Instruments Session Horns Pro - VG Jazz Alto Saxophone - Top 9 Saxophone Plugins & KONTAKT Libraries | Integraudio

Key Features:

  • Instrument combinations

Session Horns Pro contains a selection of ten different brass instrument types that can be used as solo instruments or sections of up to six horns per opened .nki instance. These are the following instrument combinations that can be achieved, aside from the solo instruments:

Single instruments
Instrument combinations
Trumpet 1
Bass and tenor trombones
Trumpet 2
Bass trombone and baritone saxophone
Muted trumpet
Tenor and baritone saxophones
Fluggelhorn
Tenor trombone and tenor saxophone
Tenor saxophone
Alto and tenor saxophones
Alto saxophone
Tenor saxophone and muted trumpet
Baritone saxophone
Trumpets 1 and 2
Tenor trombone
Alto saxophone and trumpet 1
Bass trombone
Tenor saxophone and trumpet 1
Tuba
Tenor trombone and trumpet 1
  • Smart Chord mode

This incredible tool lets you play four-voice chords by pressing one or two keys in your MIDI controller. The chords defined by root note and chord map will automatically be assigned to the white keys on your controller keyboard, starting with the C key.

For example, if you select “F” as the root note and “major” as gender, pressing the C key on your keyboard will create an F major chord. Now you can play the resulting chords by pressing the respective key on your external keyboard controller.

If you don’t additionally press a modifier key, the selected scale’s degrees are used. These already include chord inversions.

  • Humanize knob

This knob is a nice addition that brings more organic and naturality to your horn’s sound. You can use the “Humanize” knob to control the timing, tuning, and velocity accuracy of the instruments in your horns section so that a slight difference in these parameters will be heard within them whenever they’re playing together.

  • Animator view

Located at the lower end of the main interface, this feature is an adaptable MIDI horn phrase player. It offers an authentic selection of horn phrases for different musical styles grouped by genre, song, and phrase.

Each genre folder holds several songs, each song contains six phrases, and each phrase comes with a harmonic progression that you can shape by playing your chords. You can also disable the harmonic progression in the phrases altogether and use their rhythm.

Composing with SESSION HORNS PRO - Music for Film and Videogames

Compatibility:

This plugin is available for macOS 10.12 or higher (the latest update) and Windows 7 or higher (64-bit only). It comes in VST, AAX, and AU plugin formats. Kontakt Player or Kontakt version 6 or higher is required.

Summary:

This is one of the best brass libraries for popular brass instruments. Usually, only more modern and genre-oriented ensembles feature instruments such as the saxophone, and this is one of those libraries.

Native Instruments Session Horns Pro is perhaps the best collection in Soul, Pop, Latin, Indie, and even Cinematic Productions. The many configurations set between the instruments allow for a realistic experience, with many controls that enhance its usage.

Related Reading:

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

7. Vir2 Instruments MOJO 2: Horn Section (Kontakt Library – Including Sax & Other Instruments)

More Info & Price
The perfect and powerful horn section you always wished for is now updated.

Vir2 Instruments’ MOJO: Horn Section was a huge hit from the moment it was released. The early version featured outstanding sample quality and superb playability, a popular choice among producers who need a reliable horn sample library.

If you need to count on a reliable horn session (especially saxophones) in your arrangement, this is a friendly tool to have close by.

The updated version 2 brings new remixed samples, new legato modes, muted instrument simulations, flutter tongue articulation, improved vibrato simulation, a wah-wah effect, and new trill samples.

Considering the original software was almost perfect, all these lovely new upgrades seem to cover all your basic needs around horn ensembles.

Vir2 Instruments MOJO 2: Horn Section - VG Jazz Alto Saxophone - Top 9 Saxophone Plugins & KONTAKT Libraries | Integraudio

Key Features:

  • Musical eras

If you want to quickly capture an iconic sonority and translate it into your track, the useful eras will be your new favourite presets. There are four different eras – “Modern,” “Retro,” “Vintage 1,” and “Vintage 2” – and each focuses on a specific characteristic.

The “Modern,” for example, concentrates on modern trends with a full frequency spectrum and super high fidelity sound, while the other three elude to the iconic sounds of the past (even featuring the iconic “hissing” sound of old vinyl discs!).

  • Articulation patches

Vir2 Instruments has incorporated 169 articulation patches in addition to the thirteen instrument patches, bringing MOJO 2’s power and flexibility to new heights. Each articulation patch features all of the instrument patches’ robust controls and effects but with substantially smaller CPU usage.

The “Speed” knob is the only parameter specific to the articulation patches, allowing you to speed up or slow down any articulation to fit your musical piece perfectly.

  • True legato

The “Legato” mode allows you to naturally perform the most authentic melodies. Vir2 Instruments’ team of developers precisely captured the time between each note’s transition, allowing you to perform gorgeous, lifelike horn lines that sound as if played by a real musician.

  • Extreme sound customization

To get the optimal mix between instruments on the same ensemble, you can combine the three possible mic positions (“Close,” “Near,” and “Room”) and get extraordinary new soundscapes and, alternatively, you can use a key noise overlay to add the sound of the musician’s interaction with the actual physical instrument and benefit from an extensive FX suite to customize the overall tone of the horns.

Checking Out: Mojo 2 (2.0) by Vir 2!

Compatibility:

This library is available for macOS 10.11 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows 7 or higher (64-bit only). It runs only in Kontakt Player or Kontakt version 5.8.1 or higher. 

Summary:

Truly one of the most magnificent sample collections, ever since its first version, MOJO 2: Horn Section 2 by Vir2 Instruments, is that same classic library we’re all used to, but with added features and techniques that make it even more rich-sounding.

The impressive quality of each sample captures all the diverse alterations and details you could want from such software. It’s an impressive sample library that should greatly impact your next production, adding the perfect sax flavour to your track.

Related Reading:

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8. ProjectSAM Swing! (Kontakt Library – Including Sax & Other Instruments)

More Info & Price 

A collection that elegantly unites jazz ensembles and film scores in a single window.

Project SAM is well-known for delivering high-quality cinematic sample libraries, often in an orchestral ensemble. Mimicking the stunning effect that only an orchestra could provide with Swing! you can have instantaneous big band sounds deeply associated with iconic movies and productions.

The GUI of each instrument varies according to its aspects but is always in a clear display. You can choose from multiple instrument sections, but you can have saxophones in the “Lead Instruments,” “Big Band Ensemble,” and “Sax Section” segments.

ProjectSAM Swing! - VG Jazz Alto Saxophone - Top 9 Saxophone Plugins & KONTAKT Libraries | Integraudio

Key Features:

  • Microphone channels

The instruments included in Swing! are available in multiple microphone channels, but usually, the configuration goes as “Direct,” “Ambient,” and “Wide” in isolated faders and a slider that permits to balance of the captured sound between “Close” and “Room” options.

  • Chord mapping

Getting instant chord suggestions can be useful to create or enhance your arrangements and Swing! features a tool that can do that. You have pre-recorded chords that cover one octave in instruments like ukulele and nylon guitar, for example, and if triggered by a key switch, it will display the voicing in orange on a small keyboard icon.

  • Tempo Sync Grooves

Swing! offers a variety of ready-to-use grooves, all located in the “Tempo Sync Grooves” folder. Aside from the usual diversity of nice patterns, you can also count on a special feature that syncs the loop’s tempo to better match your track’s BPM.

For instance, if you’re working at 200 BPM and the loop was recorded at 60, the plugin will playback the loop at 100 BPM – half the project’s tempo – to not sound so unnatural as it would be if sped up.

  • Multis

Multis are sets of multiple instruments built to give you as many features in your MIDI controller as possible. Multiple multis are designed to be useful to a determined situation or musical context and are easily found by names that give you a hint of how it sounds. At last, the on-screen keyboard shows you the exact range of each instrument in a single window.

  • Modulation Wheel

The modulation wheel, or modwheel for short, controls the different layers in Swing!. The vertical bar shows the current modulation wheel position, and the orange dot tells which layer is enabled at that specific position.

You can easily select between options like “Slide” and “Vibrato” or velocity settings such as “Short” or “Muted” by turning the wheel up or down, serving as a very useful tool to speed your work up.

  • Tweak your sound

There are mainly six knobs that may appear on the right side of the screen. They control parameters such as the playback speed of the loop, attack and release, convoluted reverb amount, velocity response, and a dynamic limiter that acts on the entire patch.

Tweaking them around may bring different, new sounds from the samples you’re offered.

ProjectSAM Swing! instruments walkthrough Part 1

Compatibility:

This library runs in macOS 10.12 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows 7 or higher (64-bit only). It comes in VST, AU, and AAX plugin formats, standalone host, and runs in Kontakt Player or Kontakt version 6.1 or higher.

Summary:

This ready-to-use library can greatly help channel the great scoring sounds of Hollywood’s golden age. The iconic big band sounds and subtle variations in solo instruments that lead scenes and create the ambience for a film are all present in this package, with easy controls and a clean interface.

In addition, the multis are very useful to instantly create large soundscapes, even if you decide to tweak any specific instrument. These aspects give an authentic horn section sound, filling the blanks and providing energy to your arrangement.

9. ProjectSAM Swing! More (Kontakt Library – Including Sax & Other Instruments)

More Info & Price 

Another take on the same premise as its brother, diving deeper into new sounds.

Followed a similar perspective, Swing! More is not necessarily an updated version of its namesake but rather a new take that does not fear taking scoring productions to the next level. Again, ProjectSAM packed many instruments here: you can choose between solo saxes, basses, drums, vibraphone, percussions, piano, and many more.

ProjectSAM Swing! More - VG Jazz Alto Saxophone - Top 9 Saxophone Plugins & KONTAKT Libraries | Integraudio

Key Features:

  • Big band chords

The large variety of instruments included in Swing! More allows for a cool feature such as the big band chords. You have up to 12 variations in each chord, with six available voicings that change the chord according to the octave being used naturally. Also, feel free to change the root note anytime you want, creating an unbalanced feel that is second to none.

  • Variations on articulations

Some instruments, like the tenor trombone, offer a variation on the available articulations. It can be used to change them with the modulation wheel’s help instantly. You can choose, in this example, between “Fast Vibrato,” “Slow Vibrato,” or “None,” making the access to different sonorities much faster.

  • Legatos

Just like in the articulations, the legatos oriented to specific instruments like the trumpet are displayed on the centre screen. In this example of the trumpet, you can access the “Fast” legato line and, by clicking a key switch, change that to a “Run” that sounds as authentic as if a real player would’ve just recorded that.

  • Stringed instruments

The multiple stringed instruments can help you achieve a more complex soundscape than before. You can count on nylon guitars, banjos, mandolins, ukuleles, jazz guitars, and bass. Any chords played in these instruments can be activated via a key switch, with the chord shapes and their qualities on the screen’s keyboard icon.

  • Samples

Like in Swing!, you can count on the same multis to enhance your sound even further, and they may sound even more prominent. Of course, you have more instruments here, so more samples are included. All variations, articulations, and slight nuances bear this package a 120,000+ sample collection, with many different options to choose from.

My Own Virtual Big Band !! SWING! and SWING! MORE by Project Sam

Compatibility:

This library runs in macOS 10.12 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows 7 or higher (64-bit only). It comes in VST, AU, and AAX plugin formats, standalone host, and runs in Kontakt Player or Kontakt version 6.1 or higher.

Summary:

Swing! More is a perfect choice for anyone that somehow found that Swing! didn’t have enough variations in terms of sounds. The main goal is to deliver a large bundle of instruments to cover up any cinematic needs your production may require, with the most diverse dynamics and articulations.

Furthermore, it’s the ultimate combo to craft new soundscapes and sonic layers in any film, short or long.

Conclusion

Capturing instruments that heavily depend on reverberance is a delicate achievement to accomplish. Many things can happen in the meantime, from choosing an inappropriate microphone to some external disturbance during the recording session. However, most producers tend to nail this not only to a single instrument but also to an ensemble.

Horn sessions are one of the ensembles that fit this description, but most producers nowadays are familiarized with the best techniques to capture their unique sounds. Among these instruments, the saxophone tends to stand out, both as a melodic and harmonic device in any track or score.

This list presents some great options if you want reliable plugins and sample libraries that capture this instrument’s essence in the best way possible. For example, suppose you need a trustworthy plugin that nails the saxophone tone specifically.

In that case, SWAM Saxophones V3 is a nice choice for the awesome configurations you can individually make regarding articulations and pitch adjustments.

On the other hand, if you need a set of saxophones sounding powerful together, then Orchestral Tools Duplex Saxophones and 8dio Studio Sax Trio might be good options, as you can easily blend at least two saxophones nicely.

Sometimes a specific model is required, and a plugin such as VG Jazz Alto Saxophone gets to the point by capturing the best elements of the alto sax’s sonority. Going further, some nice sample libraries are also included here: Vir2 Instruments MOJO 2: Horn Section and Native Instruments Session Horns Pro are great options, both from greatly respected developers with an astounding reputation when it comes to sample technology. 

As usual, trying any software before buying the final version is imperative. So feel free to download the demos and see which of the nine options suits you best.

See you next time!

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