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Description

ProjectSAM's Symphobia is a comprehensive orchestral sample library designed to elevate your film, TV, and video game scores with breathtaking realism. This isn't your standard collection of solo instrument samples; instead, Symphobia offers ensemble multi-samples that capture the rich, full-bodied sound of entire orchestral sections performing together. From the soaring strings to the thunderous brass, each note is recorded in a magnificent concert hall, ensuring a cohesive and authentic sound that solo samples simply can't match.

The 20GB library is divided equally between these ensemble performances and a treasure trove of cinematic effects. Expect to find everything from hair-raising violin glissandi and full orchestra rips to dark textures and trailer risers. The library also includes an array of unique "Multis," combinations of ensembles and effects that create one-of-a-kind sounds, perfect for crossing genres and pushing creative boundaries.

Symphobia is more than just a library; it includes Native Instruments' Kontakt Player, offering custom scripting that provides features like simulated legato, an octaver, and a master EQ. With two mic sets available—Concert Stage and Close—you can easily find the perfect sound for your production. Whether you're crafting an epic battle scene or a serene landscape, Symphobia delivers the tools you need for professional-grade compositions.

Key Features:

  • Live recordings of orchestral full-ensemble multi-samples in a concert hall setting
  • Vast library of orchestral clusters, rips, and cinematic effects
  • Covers strings, brass, woodwinds, and more, with exclusive legato ensembles
  • Includes Dystopia II ambiences and ethnic flute phrases
  • Features a 20GB library of 24-bit/44.1kHz samples
  • Custom Kontakt scripting with simulated legato, octaver, and more
  • Two microphone sets: Concert Stage and Close
  • Native Instruments Kontakt Player included for enhanced control

Product specs

Kontakt (Player) 4 supports Stand-alone, VST, Audio Units, RTAS (Pro Tools 7 or higher), ASIO, Core Audio, DirectSound, WASAPI
PC Windows XP (SP2, 32bit) / Vista (32/64 Bit), Windows 7 (32/64 Bit), Pentium or Athlon XP 1.4 GHz, 1 GB RAM
Mac Mac OS X 10.5 or higher, Intel Core Duo 1.66 GHz, 1 GB RAM

FAQs

What type of orchestral sounds does Symphobia offer?

Symphobia provides live recordings of full-ensemble orchestral multi-samples, including strings, brass, woodwinds, and unique effects like clusters and rips, making it ideal for cinematic compositions.

Is Symphobia compatible with my DAW?

Symphobia is compatible with major DAWs through the included NI Kontakt Player 4, which supports VST, Audio Units, and RTAS formats, ensuring seamless integration into your existing setup.

What are the system requirements for running Symphobia?

For PC, you need Windows XP SP2 or higher, with at least a Pentium or Athlon XP 1.4 GHz processor and 1 GB RAM. For Mac, Mac OS X 10.5 or higher is required, with an Intel Core Duo 1.66 GHz processor and 1 GB RAM.

How large is the Symphobia sample library?

Symphobia includes a 33 GB uncompressed library pool, providing a vast array of orchestral sounds and effects for comprehensive musical compositions.

Does Symphobia include any special mic position options?

Yes, Symphobia offers two concert hall mic positions—Concert Stage and Close mic—that can be switched directly from the instrument's interface for versatile sound shaping.

ProjectSAM Cinematic Sampling

ProjectSAM Cinematic Sampling

Symphobia 1 Update 2.0: In-Depth Walkthrough

Video thumbnail for Symphobia 1 Update 2.0: In-Depth Walkthrough by ProjectSAM Cinematic Sampling

Symphobia 1 Update 2.0: In-Depth Walkthrough

ProjectSAM Cinematic Sampling

ProjectSAM Cinematic Sampling

Video thumbnail for Symphobia 1 version 2.0 Music Demo DAWCast by ProjectSAM Cinematic Sampling

Symphobia 1 version 2.0 Music Demo DAWCast

ProjectSAM Cinematic Sampling

ProjectSAM Cinematic Sampling

Video thumbnail for Symphobia - Review, and Update 2.0 by SecondTierSound

Symphobia - Review, and Update 2.0

SecondTierSound

SecondTierSound

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about symphobia.

Comparisons

  • Symphobia 2 is noted for a polished sound, whereas Spitfire opts for a raw, vintage console-to-tape recording style that retains orchestral grit.

    Source
  • Berlin Orchestra Inspire is praised for its ensemble-based sound, creating a tough choice against Symphobia 2 for cinematic music production.

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  • Albion 1 includes percussive sounds that Symphobia lacks, providing more versatility for composers looking for diverse orchestral elements.

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  • The Steam Engine synth library in Albion 1 offers robust sci-fi pads and ambient sounds, adding significant value not typically highlighted in descriptions.

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Software and compatibility

  • Symphobia 2 utilizes Kontakt 4, while Albion ONE uses Kontakt 5, offering superior time-stretching and pitching capabilities.

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Use cases and applications

  • Albion 3 caters to deep, bassy strings and thundering brass, ideal for an "Inception" style, but lacks versatility for broader applications.

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  • Symphobia 1 is praised for its rich, character-filled chords but might not be ideal for intricate melody lines due to its lack of true legato articulations.

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Setup and maintenance

  • Large libraries should be installed on separate drives to prevent DAW performance issues; thumb drives are a viable, cost-effective option.

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Features and functionality

  • Symphobia 1 lacks 'true legatos,' which impacts the ability to write single-line melodies, unlike Spitfire Albion 1 which includes this feature.

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User experience

  • Some users find Albion 1 restrictive due to the lack of individual instruments, preferring libraries like EastWest for detailed control over expressions.

    Source

Critic Reviews

ProjectSam Symphobia review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

Symphobia is a powerhouse for composers seeking instant orchestral magic with minimal setup. Its strength lies in instantly playable multis and orchestral effects, making it effortless to create cinematic scores. While it lacks solo instruments, it more than compensates with its ease of use and rich, ensemble-focused sound palette. Despite the hefty price tag, its inspiration and playability make it a must-have for film, TV, and game composers. If solo articulations aren't your priority, Symphobia is well worth the investment.

positive

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 3 Ratings

5 star
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1 star
thomaslmusic

AMAZING Orchestral FX!

Title says it all! The FX in this pack are mindblowing!

Artist usage

Add artist
See how !llmind uses symphobia

!llmind

Music Producer, DJ

...
Verified via Twitter

According to this tweet asked by a fan, !llmind uses Symphobia as a goto VST for strings.

See how John Powell uses symphobia

John Powell

Composer

...
Verified via Photo

2018 Logic Template! Many thanks to Spitfire Audio, Cinesamples, Orchestral Tools, Apple, Apple Logic Pro X, Strezov Sampling!

See how Joe Buras uses symphobia

Joe Buras

Singer, Keyboardist

Born of Osiris

...
Verified via Photo

???? BOO! Sorry boys. I have a Mac book Pro running logic main stage 3. I use omnisphere, Korg M1, Kontakt symphobia, and a slew of other built in logic synth plugins with an Akai MPK249 midi controller

Genre Usage

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Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use symphobia, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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