First day with Cinematic Studio Strings (and CSSS!) - goodbye BBC SO Pro?!

I've finally got my hands on Cinematic Studio Strings and Cinematic Studio Solo Strings; this is my first day with them. I've written a really short piece to explore the sound of these fantastic instruments, and I blend CSS and CSSS together, too - what a sound!
00:00 Intro
00:32 Cinematic Studio Strings
01:57 Spitfire BBC SO Pro
03:48 Intro to CSSS
04:32 Cinematic Studio Solo Strings
06:35 CSS blended with CSSS
07:56 New colours with CSSS
08:45 Go check out Simon Passmore
09:24 Blending in CSSS
10:57 My string buss
All three tracks are on my Soundcloud: / cjtde
Thanks to ‪@simonpassmore‬ for his exceptional videos on how to make CSS sound brilliant.
Software I used for this mock-up:
► DAW: Logic Pro X
► Virtual Instruments: ‪@cinematicstudioseries2985‬ Cinematic Studio Strings cinematicstudioseries.com/str...
Cinematic Studio Solo Strings cinematicstudioseries.com/sol...
‪@spitfireaudiollp‬ BBCSO Pro www.spitfireaudio.com/bbc-sym...
Aperture the Stack www.spitfireaudio.com/apertur...
► Plugins: Altiverb 7 reverb www.audioease.com/altiverb/
‪@fabfilter‬ Pro Q3 www.fabfilter.com/products/pr...
FabFilter Pro C2 www.fabfilter.com/products/pr...
FabFilter Saturn www.fabfilter.com/products/sa...
‪@sonnoxplugins‬ Oxford Inflator & Oxford Reverb
Various Waves SSL compressors & channel strips www.waves.com/bundles/ssl-400...
Connect with me:
► Instagram: / tom.harrold_music
► Website: www.tomharrold.com/
► SoundCloud: / tom-harrold
My setup:
► Mac Studio M2 Max 64GB
► Audio Interfaces: Presonus 8pre
► Headphones: ‪@shure‬ SRH 1840
#composer #musiccomposer #cinematicstudiostrings #cinematicstudioseries #css #csss #spitfireaudio #filmcomposer #newmusic #commercialmusic #logicprox #logicpro

Пікірлер: 117

  • @Angelcomposer
    @Angelcomposer17 күн бұрын

    The warmth, expression and vibrato of this library is second to none and perfect for slow passages. Of course, it is also good for quick parts of a musical theme... in my opinion, this library is unbeatable. Perfect. 😊

  • @Elanttt
    @Elanttt7 күн бұрын

    Such an amazing piece Tom! Congratulations! Would love to hear extended version in the future.

  • @filmscorelife4225
    @filmscorelife42253 ай бұрын

    Incredible library! My whole Superman Legacy soundtrack and Batman Brave and the Bold uses this!

  • @TomHarroldMusic

    @TomHarroldMusic

    3 ай бұрын

    Great! Thanks for watching

  • @joobastudio
    @joobastudio2 ай бұрын

    Thanks for sharing ! What a beatiful composition !

  • @TomHarroldMusic

    @TomHarroldMusic

    2 ай бұрын

    Thanks so much!

  • @kkulmoon
    @kkulmoon3 ай бұрын

    Amazing!!! A beautiful composition and very good video! Keep it up :)

  • @TomHarroldMusic

    @TomHarroldMusic

    3 ай бұрын

    Thank you very much! More to follow on CSS very soon!

  • @averilwilliamsmusic2957
    @averilwilliamsmusic29574 ай бұрын

    WOW, so beautiful, just found your page and had to subscribe. Excited to learn and share!

  • @TomHarroldMusic

    @TomHarroldMusic

    4 ай бұрын

    Thank you very much, that’s really kind!

  • @SOUNTH11composingdesign
    @SOUNTH11composingdesign3 ай бұрын

    Great video. Thank you. I like the details.

  • @TomHarroldMusic

    @TomHarroldMusic

    3 ай бұрын

    Thanks very much! More to follow soon

  • @Al-Ghaeb
    @Al-Ghaeb2 ай бұрын

    Sounds really realistic! you have a nice musical taste too, thank you very much for this video.

  • @TomHarroldMusic

    @TomHarroldMusic

    Ай бұрын

    Thank you very much!

  • @saf1304
    @saf13044 ай бұрын

    Bro is INSANE, just casually plays a masterpiece pretending it's not a big deal

  • @TomHarroldMusic

    @TomHarroldMusic

    4 ай бұрын

    You're supremely kind, thank you!

  • @israelcanova
    @israelcanova3 ай бұрын

    All props for your composition, for sensibility and musicality!

  • @TomHarroldMusic

    @TomHarroldMusic

    3 ай бұрын

    You’re very kind, thanks very much!

  • @GoldnhourMusic
    @GoldnhourMusic4 ай бұрын

    This composition is out of this world 🔥

  • @TomHarroldMusic

    @TomHarroldMusic

    4 ай бұрын

    That’s very kind of you, thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it!

  • @benhawkins6029
    @benhawkins60294 ай бұрын

    Beautiful composition!

  • @TomHarroldMusic

    @TomHarroldMusic

    4 ай бұрын

    Thanks very much! Much appreciated

  • @OfficialStevenCravis
    @OfficialStevenCravis4 ай бұрын

    Tom, Your composition and arrangements are amazing! Cinematic Studio Brass is also outstanding.

  • @TomHarroldMusic

    @TomHarroldMusic

    4 ай бұрын

    You are very kind; thank you so much!

  • @composahwithabohohwah

    @composahwithabohohwah

    14 күн бұрын

    Woodwinds are also!

  • @eddiecharlesrosemond7052
    @eddiecharlesrosemond70523 ай бұрын

    As a composer and orchestrator myself ; very inspired work... Wonderful ! (you should try out "Pacific Strings Suite" 1st !!! ;)

  • @TomHarroldMusic

    @TomHarroldMusic

    3 ай бұрын

    Thank you for watching. I will try it out!

  • @johnzuker
    @johnzuker4 ай бұрын

    Beautiful piece.

  • @TomHarroldMusic

    @TomHarroldMusic

    4 ай бұрын

    Thanks very much! Cheers

  • @mysterybro100
    @mysterybro1004 ай бұрын

    CSS has a negative track delay of -60 to -70. With the exception of the legatos. Very consistent envelopes. These plus the sound makes it the best on the market IMHO. Nice work!

  • @TomHarroldMusic

    @TomHarroldMusic

    4 ай бұрын

    Thanks for the info!

  • @AirArtStudiosOfficial
    @AirArtStudiosOfficial4 ай бұрын

    Wow❤ beautiful music

  • @TomHarroldMusic

    @TomHarroldMusic

    4 ай бұрын

    Thanks very much!

  • @Harrysound
    @Harrysound3 ай бұрын

    that automation lane makes a lovely piece of art!.

  • @TomHarroldMusic

    @TomHarroldMusic

    3 ай бұрын

    Thank you!

  • @theinvitation1198
    @theinvitation11982 ай бұрын

    Superb demonstration of CSS, well done. Cinematic studio series are my favourite lib developer, I have all their libraries with exception to their piano.

  • @TomHarroldMusic

    @TomHarroldMusic

    Ай бұрын

    Thanks very much. They are indeed a tremendous series. I enjoy them very much.

  • @redguitar6062
    @redguitar60624 ай бұрын

    Looks like an excellent library and not a bad price either. I've heard that modelling synthesis is now at a point where it's becoming viable. Do you have any info on that approach too?

  • @micwarren21
    @micwarren214 ай бұрын

    I have bbcso core, but I'm saving for css, beautiful sound, and beautiful composition. Great Demo.

  • @TomHarroldMusic

    @TomHarroldMusic

    4 ай бұрын

    Thanks very much for watching!

  • @D20Music

    @D20Music

    4 ай бұрын

    As someone also with BBCSO core, I recommend getting CSSS first (unless you can get both). They work perfectly with the BBC strings, or with my personal preferred string library, Spitfire Studio Strings. Legatos and portamentos work in the same way and compliment both libraries - and they sound 🤌😙 I still haven’t got CSS, but I think that might change that this year. There’s always a $100 discount for owning one of Cinematic Studio’s products.

  • @micwarren21

    @micwarren21

    4 ай бұрын

    @@D20Music I appreciate your response and the information. Thank you.

  • @VHF.brunoverdoni
    @VHF.brunoverdoni3 ай бұрын

    Beautiful short piece Tom. Would it be possible to have a peek at the sheet music, even partly. I just think I would learn so much from looking at all the intricate parts and voice leading. Thank you.

  • @TomHarroldMusic

    @TomHarroldMusic

    3 ай бұрын

    Thanks very much. I’ll see what I can do! I’m going to do a video on orchestration for strings anyway so hopefully that might be of interest.

  • @davidhenderson819
    @davidhenderson8192 ай бұрын

    Beautiful composition! I am not a proffesional or even a good amatuer, but I prefer the BBC version. CSSS is a little cloudy, but the solo's are perfect.

  • @TomHarroldMusic

    @TomHarroldMusic

    Ай бұрын

    Thank you very much! I think both libraries are good for different things and contexts

  • @AnilJohnsonJohnson
    @AnilJohnsonJohnson2 ай бұрын

    Amazing composition, Brilliantly arranged and programmed.. CSS sounds awesome.. could you let us know if you have used eq on the same and reverbs.. cheers n Thanks..

  • @TomHarroldMusic

    @TomHarroldMusic

    Ай бұрын

    Thank you so much. I use a combination of Altiverb and Sonnox Reverbs

  • @cesmcmyth
    @cesmcmyth3 ай бұрын

    Hey Tom, congrats. you write beautifully. don't apologise for nuances only you notice. keep it up.. really good.

  • @TomHarroldMusic

    @TomHarroldMusic

    3 ай бұрын

    Thanks very much indeed!

  • @simonpassmore
    @simonpassmore4 ай бұрын

    Thanks for the shout-out Tom! And welcome to the CSS club... you'll never go back haha. I'm on a monthly break from Coffee page while I get these VWinds demos done but will get back on next month. Where's your composition Patreon??

  • @TomHarroldMusic

    @TomHarroldMusic

    4 ай бұрын

    You were a big help in me joining the CSS club! Looking forward to more demos from you soon, they’re always so great. And who knows, maybe a Patreon will come one day…!

  • @TrevorWesleyOfficial
    @TrevorWesleyOfficial2 ай бұрын

    Sounds great bro! I have CSS... But I can't really use it most the time because of the extreme delay and it takes forever to find each note's perfect timing... How do you do it bro? I love the sound of CSS I just can't find the right work flow... Delaying the whole track still creates problematic notes.

  • @MusicOfTheSilverScreen
    @MusicOfTheSilverScreenАй бұрын

    you'r my inspiration sir

  • @TomHarroldMusic

    @TomHarroldMusic

    Ай бұрын

    And you are very kind!

  • @davidgomezcomino
    @davidgomezcomino4 ай бұрын

    Thanks for sharing. Can I ask you why you use Pshift plugin in some instruments?

  • @TomHarroldMusic

    @TomHarroldMusic

    4 ай бұрын

    No problem! It's a trick I got from Simon who I mentioned in the video. The process of transposing one section down a semitone (and changing the MIDI so it still comes out the same) makes it seem just different enough from the original version to make it sound like different players to the first. Please don't ask me how it works, but it sure does!

  • @guyshard
    @guyshard4 ай бұрын

    May I ask whether you have ever hesitated and/or compared with the new Synchron Duality Strings from Vienna Symphonic library ? Thank you very much.

  • @TomHarroldMusic

    @TomHarroldMusic

    4 ай бұрын

    Yes I have. I considered it, and Berlin Strings; CSS was my choice as 1. It blends so well with CSSS, 2. The legatos are extraordinary 3. So many of my peers/colleagues use it as their workhorse string library that it can’t be all bad!

  • @guyshard

    @guyshard

    4 ай бұрын

    @@TomHarroldMusic Thank you so much for taking the time to answer.

  • @TomHarroldMusic

    @TomHarroldMusic

    4 ай бұрын

    No problem!

  • @svenhansen5176
    @svenhansen51763 ай бұрын

    A really beautiful piece! After having written it in Sibelius; Do you use MIDI file export, or is there a smoother way to communicate with your DAW?

  • @TomHarroldMusic

    @TomHarroldMusic

    3 ай бұрын

    Thanks very much, I'm glad you liked it. Yes I usually do use MIDI file export then programme the MIDI after that - I'll do a video showing my workflow on this at somepoint soon, I think!

  • @redguitar6062
    @redguitar60624 ай бұрын

    How do you visualise all the automation info at the same timelike that in Logic?

  • @TomHarroldMusic

    @TomHarroldMusic

    4 ай бұрын

    Select all the regions with CMD+A, then double click on one of the regions. Then click somewhere in the piano roll window, and press 'A' - that should bring up the automation data for the selected regions. Let me know if it works!

  • @YipengLuo
    @YipengLuo2 ай бұрын

    I want to try layering bbcso with css for wider room sound

  • @TomHarroldMusic

    @TomHarroldMusic

    Ай бұрын

    My next video will do exactly this!

  • @mavinehir2173
    @mavinehir217317 күн бұрын

    I started writing strings with this plugin. But when i find BBCSO i love the tone and mic set-up in it. I didn't like the muted sound because there was significant loss of high frequencies in CSS. I still like CSS for the legato mode but if i have to choose one, probably i will choose BBS becouse of the tone.

  • @bellinghammond
    @bellinghammond4 ай бұрын

    could you possibly post the midi file for those interested in learning how to do orchestration? (like me :) and yes, a video on setting up the VCA (logic user here too) would be nice

  • @TomHarroldMusic

    @TomHarroldMusic

    4 ай бұрын

    Great, let me see what I can do!

  • @saf1304

    @saf1304

    4 ай бұрын

    Yes please...

  • @cryptocurrencyinvestor6082

    @cryptocurrencyinvestor6082

    4 ай бұрын

    Yes that would great to see how to set css up in logic

  • @cryptocurrencyinvestor6082
    @cryptocurrencyinvestor6082Ай бұрын

    Finally bought ccs thanks to your inspo. After downloadingloading it on the free kontakt 7 player,, I can only play 1 string at a time. It won't let me play 2 or more at once. Is that normal?

  • @TomHarroldMusic

    @TomHarroldMusic

    Ай бұрын

    Great! Turn off legato and try again; let me know if that works

  • @cryptocurrencyinvestor6082

    @cryptocurrencyinvestor6082

    Ай бұрын

    @@TomHarroldMusic Wow. It works! Thank you. How do I add the legato in after recording it.

  • @AndyGrayedout
    @AndyGrayedout4 ай бұрын

    I keep thinking about getting the CSS , do you find them easier to play/program than the BBC ? . listing to the BBC vs the why you have processed the CSS at the end you got them sounding very close almost the same as the BBC :)

  • @TomHarroldMusic

    @TomHarroldMusic

    4 ай бұрын

    I've literally had them for 48 hrs so I'll let you know if they're easier to programme :) I'd agree that the sounds are very, very similar, but CSS has that sheen/consistency/legato that I think the BBC lacks a bit.

  • @TheMelodyofChaos
    @TheMelodyofChaos2 ай бұрын

    How does Cinematic studio strings compare to the new East west hollywood strings 2 ?

  • @TomHarroldMusic

    @TomHarroldMusic

    2 ай бұрын

    I’m about to find out - video coming very soon!

  • @bartmuz
    @bartmuz4 ай бұрын

    CCS are more "legato" lirycal transition, but BBC sounds much "deeper". Bear in mind, that BBC is made for full orchestral mockups - not only for pieces for strings! It is also different size of string section

  • @TomHarroldMusic

    @TomHarroldMusic

    4 ай бұрын

    Yes you’re completely right. I just think the legato and overall string sound might be more convincing in CSS. Might be my poor programming with BBCSO but who knows!

  • @bartmuz

    @bartmuz

    4 ай бұрын

    @@TomHarroldMusic I don't have BBC - I have Spitfire Studio Strings ,Chamber strings and appassionata. I thinking about buying Cinematic Studio Strings too - I like expression of the legato transitions of them. I have a lot of experience with blending libraries to get better result. I hate of blending libraries because of problems with procesor :) In fact I really like the expression of the CSS

  • @TomHarroldMusic

    @TomHarroldMusic

    4 ай бұрын

    Yes I’ll be seeing how blending CSS, BBCSO Pro, EW Hollywood Orchestra and Cinematic Studio Solo Strings works!

  • @bartmuz
    @bartmuz3 ай бұрын

    I finally decided to buy CSS too. I realy like them and agree with many things U say. In fact I also like spitfire strings. Sounds deeper, but CSS have better legato transitions and more expressive vibrato. Take care about reverb - the more reverb, the less natural them souns

  • @TomHarroldMusic

    @TomHarroldMusic

    3 ай бұрын

    Fantastic! Let me know how you get on with it. I’ve got some new content on the way very soon with more CSS!

  • @bartmuz

    @bartmuz

    3 ай бұрын

    @@TomHarroldMusic Nice. I have subs your channel, so I will observate a new vids. Regards!

  • @charlesyateschalfant
    @charlesyateschalfant3 ай бұрын

    Very nicely done! I love both string libraries but CSS has better legato and the programming is second to none.

  • @TomHarroldMusic

    @TomHarroldMusic

    3 ай бұрын

    Thank you! Yes the legato in CSS is superb.

  • @SamRedfern91
    @SamRedfern914 ай бұрын

    I am a BBCSO Pro user also, got it when it first came out, I must have spent thousands of hours with it, and I still feel that I can extract more and more realism from it but I do think about getting CSS a lot. There are terrible BBCSO Pro performances out there, but also absolutely amazing ones (Andy Blaney), on the other hand, everything I’ve heard from CSS is spot on. So I guess a realistic sound is far more easily attainable with CSS than BBCSO or perhaps CSS is objectively better than BBCSO, I'm not sure. I wonder what library you would go for to bolster your woodwind and brass arsenal? I personally think about the AV Infinity libraries. Also, nice shout out to Simon Passmore, he’s great!

  • @TomHarroldMusic

    @TomHarroldMusic

    4 ай бұрын

    I don’t think it’s a case of one being better than the other; I think for me CSS has just yielded better results results (on day one of me having it) that would’ve taken significantly more programming time in BBC to achieve. I’ll still use BBC everyday, CSS is just another tool to use. I have Aaron Infinite Brass - they are stunning once properly understood/programmed.

  • @TomHarroldMusic

    @TomHarroldMusic

    4 ай бұрын

    Woodwinds I just use BBCSO Pro. The oboes and bassoons particularly are gorgeous.

  • @SamRedfern91

    @SamRedfern91

    3 ай бұрын

    Yeah that's the impression I get, it's easier and quicker to attain a realistic sound from CSS, BBCSO requires some wrestling time. It's interesting that you can't say that CSS is simply better than BBCSO however.@@TomHarroldMusic

  • @SamRedfern91

    @SamRedfern91

    3 ай бұрын

    Yeah, I quite like the flutes also, Cor Anglais I tend to feel a bit meh about.@@TomHarroldMusic

  • @SamRedfern91

    @SamRedfern91

    3 ай бұрын

    I think what characterises my working experience with BBCSO is that for the longest time it might sound a bit meh, and sometimes I don't really enjoy my time with it, I'm just persevering but then in the end it comes together. Sometimes deadlines are so harsh that I don't quite make it though, I get sort of 90% towards realism. So I have an eye open for software that gets to a realistic place with less time spent wrestling with the software.@@TomHarroldMusic

  • @robertjason6885
    @robertjason68854 ай бұрын

    There are differences in vibrato between the 2 software offerings.

  • @TomHarroldMusic

    @TomHarroldMusic

    4 ай бұрын

    There certainly are. I love the CSS vibrato, it's amazing!

  • @robertjason6885

    @robertjason6885

    4 ай бұрын

    @@TomHarroldMusicis The CSS pressure sense as to the pronounced vibrato, or are those samples natively playing that way?

  • @TomHarroldMusic

    @TomHarroldMusic

    4 ай бұрын

    I haven’t altered the vibrato at all

  • @robertjason6885

    @robertjason6885

    4 ай бұрын

    @@TomHarroldMusic Ah, so it plays as it plays? If you want a straight tone are there specific samples for that? I have some of the lesser “Pro” BBC software, Labs, etc. BTW, that was a very fine composition. Vaughn Williams in those beautiful voicing and chord progression. First rate!

  • @TomHarroldMusic

    @TomHarroldMusic

    4 ай бұрын

    @@robertjason6885 thank you very much! Yes I’ll need to explore the vibrato further. There might be a CC control for it but it’s pretty great out the box.

  • @stavros86ioannidis
    @stavros86ioannidisАй бұрын

    🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼❤️

  • @TomHarroldMusic

    @TomHarroldMusic

    Ай бұрын

    Thank you!

  • @minder01
    @minder014 ай бұрын

    Very good comparison and amazing programming. Personally I just find the response better in BBCSO, not having to deal with Kontakt and the sound of those players is just fantastic. The playability is out of this world and the fact is integrates so well with Logic is great. Dynamic controls are there, articulation setups are straight forward and mixing options are endless. In my findings, CSS sounds like Jurassic Park while BBCSO Pro sounds like Jaws.

  • @TomHarroldMusic

    @TomHarroldMusic

    4 ай бұрын

    Thanks very much! I agree; the two are very different tools - I am extremely impressed by both products for sure, and I will probably use both equally (and layer them, too, which I think will be tremendous once I discover that properly!)

  • @anticomunistadoms
    @anticomunistadoms2 ай бұрын

    this demo with little conversation, all volumes normalized (you dont need move volume control alltime)= studio.kzread.infoQHoI9liCeFc/edit

  • @TomHarroldMusic

    @TomHarroldMusic

    2 ай бұрын

    Thanks, but I didn’t give permission for you to use my video or music. Please remove

  • @jenstornell
    @jenstornell4 ай бұрын

    It just cost so much money.

  • @TomHarroldMusic

    @TomHarroldMusic

    4 ай бұрын

    I’m very fortunate to get educational discount, but I agree it is pricey. But it’s worth it. I promise!

  • @SgtMStewart

    @SgtMStewart

    Ай бұрын

    It's worth every single penny

  • @simonslee73
    @simonslee7325 күн бұрын

    They both sound good, to me though CSS sounds a little more processed and maybe “plastic” whereas BBC sounds more raw and “real”. Depending on the application both are useful though.