As a user of Spitfire Audio products, it’s easy to get confused about why there is seemingly repeated content across Spitfire libraries and those found in INSTRUMENT. To put it simply, these versions have different levels of control for different user’s needs.
For example, the INSTRUMENT pack Chamber Ensemble and the Spitfire Audio library Spitfire Chamber Strings both share the same samples, but have some large differences that can help highlight why you may want one over the other.
Here is what is included in the INSTRUMENT Chamber Ensemble pack:
6 articulations with the full ensemble playing in every patch
1 mic position
3 dynamic layers
Included with a Splice INSTRUMENT/Creator/Creator+ plan along with a large collection of other content
Here is what is included in the Spitfire Chamber Strings library:
All 5 individual string sections (1st Violins, 2nd Violins, Violas, Celli, Basses) + Ensemble patches
22 - 45 individual articulations for each section
Performance Legato patches for each section
15 Ensemble articulations
3 mic positions (Close, Tree, Ambient)
Keyswitch controls
Ostinatum engine for arpeggiated figures
Tightness controlled
CC mapped velocity
Optional Polyphonic Legato
$749/€699/£649 one time purchase
Notably, the Spitfire Chamber Strings library has far more features included, and is aimed at the highest level of orchestral work. Meanwhile the INSTRUMENT Chamber Ensemble pack has a simpler interface and a lower price point, but with less options to choose from overall.
While other content may have more similarities (such as Originals libraries), you can general expect the content in Splice INSTRUMENT to have less detailed control over the sound with a wider selection to choose from, and the Spitfire Audio content to have the highest level of detail for a single instrument or use case.
What should I choose?
You should choose Splice INSTRUMENT versions if you want:
A wide variety of presets to choose from, across many different styles and genres of music
Sounds that you may use occasionally, but that don’t make up the bulk of your artistic toolkit
A low price entry point
You should choose the Spitfire Audio versions if you want:
The highest level of control and detail over your sample programming to create the most realistic orchestral mock-ups possible
Fine tuned control over the instrument’s sound in their space with mic positions