Spitfire Audio BBC Symphony Orchestra Core User Manual

Spitfire Audio BBC Symphony Orchestra Core

Product Information

BBC Symphony Orchestra Core

The Core edition of BBC Symphony Orchestra offers a curated selection of instruments performing the full range of articulations. It features one mix signal and is interchangeable with the Discover and Professional editions through mode-switching technology. The Core edition provides outstanding recording quality in a more streamlined and affordable package, making it suitable for composers and music creators of every level.

Quick Specs

• Product Name: BBC Symphony Orchestra Core

Product Usage Instructions

Downloading & Installing

1. Visit this link to get up to speed if you are new to this kind of product: https://www.spitfireaudio.com/about/
2. Download the Spitfire Audio App from this link: http://www.spitfireaudio.com/info/library-manager/
3. Launch the app and login using the same details you use on our site.
4. On the app, navigate to the “My Products” tab to view all the libraries and plugins in your collection.
5. To install a product, click on its artwork and follow the instructions provided on the product page.

The Spitfire Audio App Preferences

The Spitfire Audio App provides various features and options:

1. Filters: Clicking these filters will help you quickly find products that are yet to be installed, those already installed, and any available updates.
2. Library: All libraries and plugins in your collection are displayed with their artwork. Clicking on the artwork will open the product page where you can find system requirements, instructions, and options like Reset and Repair.
3. Tabs: The default tab is “My Products,” which shows all the libraries on your Spitfire Account. The “Downloads” tab displays currently downloading products.

Using the BBC Symphony Orchestra Core

The BBC Symphony Orchestra Core allows you to create instantly professional sounding orchestral music. Here are some key features:

1. Preset Selector: Use this feature to select different presets for your orchestral compositions.
2. Main Controls: This section provides control over various parameters such as volume, panning, and expression.
3. Technique Selector: Choose different playing techniques for the\ instruments in the orchestra.
4. Effects: Apply various effects to enhance the sound of the orchestra.
5. Technique Editor: Customize and edit specific techniques for individual instruments.
6. Top Menu: Access additional options and settings from the top menu.
7. String Section: Explore and utilize the string section of the orchestra.
8. Brass Section: Explore and utilize the brass section of the orchestra.
9. Woodwind Section: Explore and utilize the woodwind section of the orchestra.
10. Recording the BBC SO: Learn how to record your compositions using the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

Appendix

For more information, refer to the following appendices in the user manual:

1. Appendix A — FAQs and Troubleshooting
2. Appendix B — Techniques/Mics/Mixes
3. Appendix C — Default CC Mappings

INTRODUCTION

In partnership with BBC Studios and the world-famous BBC Symphony Orchestra, Spitfire Audio has captured what no other sample library has before: the musical synergy of a family of astoundingly accomplished players with a 90-year heritage of performances and recordings, expertly recorded at London’s famous Maida Vale Studios — home of the BBCSO, and host to The Beatles, Hendrix and Bowie. Our most expansive and ambitious project to date, this landmark library is the stuff of composing dreams: strings, brass, woodwind and percussion, presented in our award-winning dedicated plugin.
The Core edition has been curated to offer our acclaimed BBC Symphony Orchestra in a smaller, streamlined package, featuring a large selection of instruments performing the full range of articulations, with one mix signal
— interchangeable with our Discover and Professional editions through our groundbreaking mode-switching technology.

QUICK SPECS

MAC SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

• Mac OS X 10.15 – Mac OS 12
• Minimum: 2.8GHz i5 (quad-core), 8GB RAM
• Recommended: 2.8GHz i7 (six-core), 16GB RAM
• Apple Silicon Supported (v.1.4.0 and above)
• Digital Audio Workstation must be 64bit.

PC SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

• Windows 10 – Windows 11
• Minimum: Intel Core 2.8GHz i5 (quad-core) 8GB RAM
• Recommended: Intel 2.8GHzi7 (six-core) 16GB RAM
• (latest Service Pack, 64-bit)
• Digital Audio Workstation must be 64bit.
• Disk space required: 26 GB
• Disk space required during install: 26 GB
• 305 Techniques
• 41 Instruments
• Dedicated plugin (AU, VST2, VST3, AAX)
• Deep sampled: multiple instruments, techniques, dynamics, round robins, release triggers, and true recorded legato.

WELCOME

A TRULY COHESIVE SOUND
“To suddenly have all I need at my fingertips in one single plugin is a game changer.”

– Christian Henson, Spitfire Audio Founder

For the first time, we have captured a full orchestra: outstanding players who have developed a precise musical affinity, rehearsing and performing some of the most challenging orchestral works together, week in, week out, to create a truly cohesive sound.

The BBC Symphony Orchestra is the musical beating heart of the BBC itself – the oldest entertainment organisation in the world, trusted and respected globally. With a performance heritage nearly a century old, it boasts Sir Adrian Boult, Arturo Toscanini and Sir Colin Davis among its historical conductors, championing new classical music and composers at the BBC Proms and beyond, and selling out concert halls the world over. Every note has been expertly sampled at Maida Vale Studios, a world-class recording space with a rich musical history. Built in 1909, it was one of the BBC’s earliest premises — the centre of the BBC News operation during World War II, and the home of the BBC Symphony Orchestra since 1934.

THE CORE EDITION

Created as a universal starting point for composers and music creators of every level, BBC Symphony Orchestra now comes in three editions: Discover, Core and Professional. Core features the same outstanding recording quality as Professional in a more streamlined, affordable package. Offering a large range of instruments performing all articulations, with one
mix signal, Core has been designed for composers wanting to create instantly professional sounding orchestral music, without taking up too much hard drive space. For more control, detail and versatility, as well as soloists, see the Professional edition. Discover is free for owners of BBC Symphony Orchestra Core — see FAQs for more details.

MODE SWITCHING TECHNOLOGY

It’s now easier than ever to share and collabo-rate with fellow composers, collaborators and directors — whatever edition of BBCSO you own. Our groundbreaking mode switching technology makes each edition of BBC Sym-phony Orchestra interchangeable, so you can mock up your scores quickly and with ease. For example, start writing a piece of music using Discover, and finish it in the Core or Professional edition, with a fuller range of in-struments, capabilities and versatility. It also works the other way around: write a piece in the Professional edition and a collaborator can open it in Discover, play what you’ve writ-ten (with the sounds intelligently substituted), and add to it. When you reopen their edited version, you will hear their additions along-side your original composition – with your full selection of instruments, articulations and signals.

DOWNLOADING & INSTALLING

Thank you for buying BBC Symphony Orchestra. If you are a total newbie to this kind of thing you can get up to speed here: https://www.spitfireaudio.com/about/
First though, grab the ‘Spitfire Audio App’ from this link, this app will enable you to download the library: http://www.spitfireaudio.com/info /library-manager/

THE SPITFIRE AUDIO APP
When you launch the app you will be prompted to login using the same details you use at our site. Then you’ll see the page pictured below:

1. TABS the default tab is My Products, which shows all of the libraries on your Spitfire Account. Downloads will show currently downloading products.
2. FILTERS Clicking these filters will quickly display products you’ve yet to install, those already installed, and any available updates. Clicking again will remove the filter.
3. LIBRARY All libraries and plugins in your collection will appear with their artwork on the My Products tab. Clicking this artwork will open the product page. This is a great place to find information such as system requirements and instructions as well as Reset and Repair options.
4. INSTALL/UPDATE buttons allow you to quickly start a download directly from the My Products tab, instead of clicking through to the Library. Next to the button the size of the download is shown.

THE SPITFIRE APP PREFERENCES

If this is your first time using the Spitfire Audio App for a download you may wish to first navigate to the Settings tab. Here you can set the Default Content location for where you wish to download your libraries. You can also you can set the default VST2 install location to the folder where your DAW expects to find VST files.
Here you can also enable Auto Login to save time in future.Once you are happy with your preferences, simply click the Install button for the library. This is either directly on My Products tab under the library artwork, or it can be found by clicking on the library image and clicking the install button on the page that appears.
Clicking either of these will prompt you for a location, the default content location in your preferences will be suggested but you can select any suitable location. If installing from a hard drive, ensure that you choose the drive as the location.
Once you are happy with the location click Download. Ensure for BBC SO, all five boxes are checked. After clicking install you will be directed to the Downloads tab where you can watch the progress if you like. You can of course leave the Downloads tab and start other downloads but at this point you should leave the Spitfire App open until the download completes.

THE DEDICATED PLUGIN

BBC Symphony Orchestra is its own self contained plugin built for VST, AU and AAX, so once you’ve downloaded and installed you’re ready to go.

LOGIC PRO X

• On a fresh project, a track dialogue box will automatically pop up
• Choose ‘Software Instrument’, and then look beneath the ‘Instrument’ dropdown
• Select AU Instruments > Spitfire Audio > BBC Symphony Orchestra.

CUBASE

• Right-click the track window and choose ‘Add Instrument Track’
• Underneath the ‘Instrument’ dropdown, choose BBC Symphony Orchestra
• Select ‘Add Track’

PRO TOOLS

• Go to the ‘Track’ menu at the top of the screen, and select ‘New’
• In the pop-up, select Stereo and Instrument Track, and press ‘Create’
• In the first Insert slot, select multichannel plug-in and ‘Instrument’
• You should see the BBC Symphony Orchestra available as an option

HAVE A LOOK AROUND

THE BBC SO INTERFACE

OPENING YOUR FIRST PRESETS
When you first open BBC Symphony Orchestra, this is what you will see. It opens with a blank preset, so you can load any preset you choose first.

1. TOP MENU
2. PRESET SELECTOR
3. MAIN CONTROLS
4. TECHNIQUE SELECTOR

CONTROLLERS KEYBOARD AND INFO

PRESET SELECTOR

1. PRESET NAME
   Here you can see the currently selected preset.

2. CLEAR FILTERS
   Click here to show all instruments at once.

3. FILTERS
   Click on a filter to only show those presets. The filters are subtractive, so selecting “Strings” and “1st Violin” will show you only the 1st Violin presets. Click the “Clear” button to return to a view of all presets.

4. INSTRUMENT GROUP
   As you scroll through the available presets, the instrument group is displayed here.

5. STAR
   Star a preset to have it show up in your “Starred” filter for easy access.

6. PREVIEW
   Play back a short example of the preset without having to load it! Enormously helpful when choosing a sound.

7. PRESET LIST
   Scroll through the list of presets here. Double-click to load a preset or click the ‘Load’ button.

8. NEXT, PREVIOUS AND SAVE
   With the presets view collapsed, you will be able to see the Next, Previous and Save icons. Next and Previous will simply send you to the next available preset – if you have a filter enabled, you will scroll through the filtered set of presets. Save allows you to save your own preset, click save, name the preset and it will appear under the “user” filter.

9. INFORMATION
   Hover over on the “i” icon to see some information about the preset.

10. LOAD
    Select a preset and then press “load” (or double-click the preset).

MAIN CONTROLS

1. VOLUME
   Often referred to as “Expression” in our Kontakt Libraries, this is a simple level control for you to adjust along with…

2. DYNAMICS
   Adjust the dynamic layer that you are playing here, use in conjunction with the volume to make your performances sound so much more musical than before!

3. KNOB
   The configurable knob allows you to control any of the other available parameters for the particular technique.
   Hover over the knob and it will turn black.

4. CLICK: Click and you will be able to assign any of the remaining available controls to the knob.
   Right click on any of these controls to assign them to a MIDI controller. Remember that if you assign a MIDI controller to a parameter via the knob, the MIDI controller will follow the parameter rather than being permanently assigned to the knob

TECHNIQUE SELECTOR

1. TECHNIQUE SWITCHER
   Click to select a technique. Shift-Click to select multiple techniques. The black dot in the top left shows which technique(s) will play, the black outline shows which technique will be affected by any changes you make to the other options in this page.

2. VIEW SELECT
   Choose between the Technique Selector and Effects. The Effects are covered in different chapters of this manual.

3. TECHNIQUE NAVIGATION
   Click the right arrow to access additional techniques.

4. KEYSWITCH ADJUST
   Click and drag to move the keyswitches to the left or right on your keyboard.

5. LOCK
   Click here to lock off the technique section and prevent any unwanted changes.

6. TECHNIQUE TRIGGER
   With the technique trigger section you can choose to trigger techniques using various parameters:

   • KEYSWITCH: Pick a key on the keyboard that will select this technique. The selected keys will show up in green for unselected techniques and in orange for selected techniques.
   • CC RANGE: Choose a CC# and a range of values (or a single value) for the control that you want to trigger this technique.
   • VEL. RANGE: Switch technique based on how hard you are playing! You might want to trigger longs when playing softly and pizzicato when playing hard.
   • MIDI CHANNEL: Switch techniques based on the incoming MIDI channel.
   • SPEED: Switch technique based on the speed of playing. Specify the time interval between notes to switch to a particular technique.

7. ACTIVATE
   Choose between “NORMAL” and “LATCH” for your technique switching.

8. ROUND ROBINS
   Round robins are a way to ensure that repeated notes don’t sound robotic and unnatural. We record the same note multiple times and then cycle through them. Here you can choose to reduce the number of round robins that are being used.

9. RESET ON TRANSPORT
   If you’re worried about the effect of the round robins making each run through of your session sound different, you can choose to reset the round robins using the DAW transport.

10. RESET FROM KEY
    You can also reset the round robins using a keyswitch. Choose that keyswitch here.

11. OPTIONS

    • NEIGHBOUR ZONE RR: Double the number of round robins by “stealing” notes from neighbouring notes and transposing them to match the pitch.
    • LAYER X2: Thicken the sound by layering round robins on top of one another. This option will play round robins 1/2 followed by 3/4, effectively halving the number of round robins.
    • LAYER X2 (NO SKIP): Same as above but this time you will be playing 1/2 followed by 2/3 and so on, meaning that you will not halve the number of round robins available.
    • LAYER +2: This option will play the round robins from the tone above the key played but transposed down so that it plays at the right pitch.
    • LAYER -2: This option will play the round robins from the tone BELOW the key played but transposed UP so that it plays at the right pitch.

12. TRANSPOSE
    Transpose the instrument up or down in 1 semitone increments.

13. TECHNIQUE EDITOR
    Opens the Techniques Editor, allowing you to customise and edit your preset.

EFFECTS

1. VIEW SELECT
   Choose between the Technique Selector, Mixer and Effects, the Technique Selector and Mixer are covered in different chapters of this manual.

2. TECHNIQUE NAME

3. REVERB
   You can add additional reverb to the sound here.

4. RELEASE
   Allows you to change the amount of release trigger you and your listeners hear. This only applies to Long techniques.

5. TIGHTNESS
   The start of a short note is often not the start of the ‘sound’ of the instrument. This cuts further into the note to make it tighter. But does detract from realism. Worth tightening up when playing in, then loosening and putting a negative delay into your DAW to compensate for ultimate reality!

6. VIBRATO
   Where appropriate, this crossfades from no (senza) to lots (molto) of vibrato.

TECHNIQUE EDITOR

The Technique Editor will allow you to both add and remove techniques from your current preset, as well as re-arranging the order of the techniques to your own personal preference. This is opened by selecting the pencil icon.

• The left ‘Instruments’ panel allows you to filter between all available techniques for this specific preset.
• The central ‘Techniques’ panel shows all available techniques for each preset. Click the ‘+’ to add techniques back into your current preset.
• The panel on the right is where your current articulations are displayed. Click and drag these to re-arrange the order. By selecting the ‘x’ in the top-right corners, you can remove a technique from your preset. Click the ‘trash-can’ in the upper corner to remove all techniques completely in a single click.
• Once you’re done, click ‘Save’. If you have made a mistake and don’t want to save, choose ‘Cancel’ instead to go back to your previous setting.

TOP MENU

• 1. LED
  Shows when an instrument is loaded by lighting solid green. If this flashes, your instrument is not fully loaded.

• 2. CPU METER
  An indication of how much your CPU is being taxed, the green flash next to the CPU meter will turn red when you are overloading it.

• 3. DISK METER
  How hard your hard drive is working. If this is close to, or going over 100% it’s time to consider a faster drive.

• 4. MEMORY
  This shows how much RAM you are currently using in this instance of BBC Symphony Orchestra. While the preset is loading, this will show the instrument loading into memory.

• 5. VOICES
  Shows how many voices are being used at any one time.

• 6. REFRESH
  Refresh the instrument. This can be useful if you have hanging MIDI notes or have moved samples in your file system.

• 7. MIDI CH
  Set the MIDI channel that will control the instrument here. If in doubt select “any l” so that the instrument will react to any incoming MIDI messages.

• 9. TUNE
  Move this knob to tune in semitone increments, shift-click to move in increments of 0.01 of a semitone. Alt-click to reset to default.

• 10. PAN
  Pan the whole plug-in left and right in the stereo field. Alt-click to reset to centre.

• 11. VOLUME
  Control the overall volume of the instrument.

• 12. LEVEL
  A visual indication of the level of the instrument.

• 13. PRESET SETTINGS

  • A. VELOCITY MAPPED TO DYNAMICS Different behaviours for the Dynamics fader.

  • Full Velocity Range.

  • Velocity Mapped to Dynamics.

  • Compressed Velocity High.

  • Compressed Velocity Low.
    These settings will change how hard you need to hit the keyboard to trigger different layers. Velocity mapped to dynamics will allow you to control short note velocity with the mod wheel.

  • B. VELOCITY
    Pick from 4 different velocity curves to suit your controllers touch.

  • C. RESET AND CLEAR CC MAPPINGS
    Clicking reset will set all of the CC mappings for this instrument to the defaults – useful if you’ve got yourself in a mess!
    Clear will remove all CC mappings on the plugin.

  • D. SHORT RELEASES
    Alter the release trigger behaviour.
    Timed releases play a release trigger and cut off the original sample if the note on/off duration is less than 300ms.
    Untimed releases plays the release regardless of time.

  • E. SYNC TO TEMPO
    Sync to your host BPM. Not available in this library.

• 13. PLUGIN SETTINGS COPY SETTINGS
  Common controller values will copy to other Spitfire plugins. HELP TEXT
  Turn this on to display parameter information in the bottom left corner of the plug in.
  DEFAULT SIZE
  Set whether the instrument opens up collapsed or expanded by default.
  DEFAULT SCALE
  How big the plugin UI is when opened. Press “get” to set the current scale or type a value before pressing “Set” and “Save”

SHOW KEYSWITCHES

When this option is on, presets that have multiple techniques will show available keyswitches in red and the currently selected technique(s) in yellow.

GAIN UNITS
Toggle this if you want your gain to be displayed in dB instead of as a percentage.

MAKE CONTROLS GLOBAL
Common Controller values will remain when switching techniques.

DISABLE HOST AUTOMATION |
Turn this on to enable the Host Automation from the DAW.

CHANGE KNOB DRAG TYPE
Change the mouse behaviour when dragging the Knob control.

DISABLE WARNINGS FROM MISSING SAMPLES
Hide an error in the plugin top left corner which is visible when the library is missing its content.

DISABLE AUTO HIDE KNOB PARAMETER POPUP
When enabled, clicking the knob will always shows the fx controls menu.

SWITCH MIDDLE C OCTAVE NUMBER
Useful to change for different MIDI standards when using keyswitches if your keyswitches are one octave out.

MAXIMUM VOICES
Enter the maximum number of voices that can play at once. More voices = More CPU and memory used.

PRELOAD SIZE
The minimum number of sample values preloaded into memory for each audio recording. Increase for slower hard drives. Default is 12288

STREAM BUFFER SIZE
The number of sample values kept in memory for each audio recording stream. Increase for slower hard drives.

MASTER TUNING
Change the default tuning of the plugin. For example A = 440hz or A = 432 HZ.

PITCH/STRETCH QUALITY
This option allows you to override the default pitch/time quality to improve performance or improve audio quality. Not used in this library at this time . MAXIMUM PITCH VOICES
Limit the number of voices triggered at any one time. Lower values can aid CPU.

ENABLE MEMORY MAPPING
Turn off for windows machines for better performance.

DEFAULT STEREO OUTPUTS
The default number of outputs for the Microphone routings.

PLUGIN
Under this heading you can choose a default preset to load, simply click on the preset name and choose your preferred preset from the list.

SECTIONS

THE STRING SECTION

1ST VIOLIN SECTION
Usually the largest of the String sections, with the widest expected range. They sit to the left of the conductor and their principal player is referred to as the Orchestra ‘leader’.
2ND VIOLIN SECTION
Exactly the same instruments as the 1st Violins, but in a slightly more ‘supporting’ role. These players are situated to the right of the 1st Violins, and the left of the Violas.
VIOLA SECTION
Similar in shape, but much larger in size than a Violin. These sit straight ahead and slightly to the right of the conductor. They often play the simpler more ‘pedalling’ harmonic lines.
CELLO SECTION
Arguably the most versatile of the String instruments, with a huge range from very low to heartbreaking highs. They sit to the right of the conductor and in front of the Basses.
CONTRABASS SECTION Huge and monstrous instruments that sit to the right of the conductor and behind the Cellos. These all had the low C extension, hence the range.

THE BRASS SECTION

FRENCH HORNS
Available as solo and a4, Horns are the most stately and noble of the brass family – similar in range and timbral diversity to the cello. Many would say that Horns are the principals of the brass choir.
TRUMPETS
Available as solo and a3, the Trumpets are the highest member of the Brass family. From plaintive and anthemic solo lines in it’s mid range to blistering mariachi up in the top. Great in octave unisons with the Horns!
TENOR TROMBONES
Available as solo and a3, the Tenor Trombone is a deeply versatile Brass instrument. Providing plenty of warmth and depth when played in the lower dynamics, and rasping tones in the higher.
BASS TROMBONES
Because of it’s different bore size, the timbre of the Bass Trombone differs from the Tenor. Great for lower passages, but also in unison blend with the Tenor.
TUBA It doesn’t get more noble than a Tuba.
From super fat bottom end and chocolatey harmonic potential, to a rasping lion from the depths of hell.

THE WOODWIND SECTION

PICCOLO
The Piccolo is a half sized Flute that plays an octave higher than written. The loudest and highest instrument in the orchestra, can cut through an entire orchestra with ease!
SOLO FLUTE
The C Flute is massively dynamic and versatile. Suitable for carrying sweet and lyrical melodies, or within section work.
FLUTES A3
Available as solo and a3, the C Flute is massively dynamic and versatile. Suitable for carrying sweet and lyrical melodies, or within section work. Try in unison with your 1st Violins!
OBOES
Available as solo or a3, the Oboe is a double-reed instrument that is less dynamic than other Woodwind cousins. It’s a beautiful lyrical instrument with ‘period’ connotations, and also works great as a bright section texture.
CLARINETS
Available as solo and a3, the Clarinet is a single reed instrument with a very regal tone. When used solo it can have a very period drama sound to it.
BASSOONS
Available as solo and a3, the Bassoon is yet another versatile instrument that is often painted into a staccato comedy corner. As Stravinsky proved with “The Rite of Spring”, it can be hauntingly melodic.

RECORDING THE BBC SO

TECHNIQUES

LEGATO AND LEGATO (EXTENDED)
Legato in the context of a sample instrument refers to the technique of capturing the sound of an instrument moving from one note to the next. Capturing these intervals can be extremely useful in adding realism, but does need to be played monophonic
(one note at a time).

To trigger these transitions, you must make sure that you hold down the first note whist playing the key of the second note. As
long as you overlap the notes, the engine will know that you want to trigger a legato transition.

In the BBC Symphony Orchestra we recorded many different types of transition, which vary across the different families.

If you see the ‘Legato (extended)’ techniques available in anything other than Strings, this means that the patch will have playable ‘short’ notes built in which respond to the way you play. If you play a short snappy note on your keyboard, a short note will trigger. The Strings have this programmed automatically, even without the (extended) tag.

As well as this, the extended patches also often have another type of transition featured. For example, the Flute Legato (extended) technique will have playable runs recorded, which will trigger based on the speed of playing.

Within the String family, we’ve recorded a couple of specific transitions:

• PORTAMENTO is the technique of ‘gliding’ from one note to another without defining the intermediate notes, resulting in a smooth slide between two pitches. This is commonly used on larger intervals across different strings. These trigger when moving to another note at lower velocity.

• SLURRED or ‘Fingered’ is the most basic type of transition, where the player will simply add or remove their finger whilst the bow continues without change. These will trigger on the higher velocity transition values.

• LONG (+ CS)
  The most vanilla of the long notes that we record, a standard sustained note. This is the basic playing style, recorded both with and without vibrato. Long CS (short for Con Sordino) is the muted variant of this patch. A small rubber mute is attached onto the bridge, giving a dampened effect to the strings.

• FLAUTANDO
  This refers to a soft ‘flute-like’ way of performing on a stringed instrument. Often the bow will be near or over the fingerboard, which gives off a very different character to the sound from the usual bow position. Sometimes we describe this to played as
  ‘harmonic-like’, and this helps steer them towards a more ‘glassy’ and delicate, often non-vibrato sound.

• SPICCATO (+ CS)
  This articulation can vary! For us, our Spiccato aim to capture a very nice ‘tight’ sound, with the bow bouncing off the string. This creates a sound that can be used either as a nice short staccatissimo, but also as a sequence of fast short notes or an ostinato

• STACCATO
  Staccato in notation refers to a ‘shortened and detached’ style of playing. In the case of samples, this usually refers to a single but defined short note.

• PIZZICATO (+ BARTOK)
  Plucking the strings with the finger. The Bartok variant is where the player plucks so hard that the string actually ‘snaps’ back onto the fingerboard, producing a characteristic percussive sound. Definitely use this one sparingly, unless you want your players to develop blisters!

• COL LEGNO
  Col Legno means ‘with wood’. This style of playing is to turn the bow over and hit the string with the wood of the bow. Usually players will bring a practice of less expensive bow for this, as their main bows can cost thousands!

• SUL PONT
  Short for ‘sul ponticello’, meaning to play on the bridge. Here the players bow very close to the bridge, which produces a brittle and edgy sound. Always reminds us of nails on a chalkboard!

• TREMOLO (+ CS & SUL PONT)
  A tremolo is where a player rapidly moves the bow whilst keeping the left hand on the same notes. The effect is a shimmering one when played soft, and a very aggressive and tense sound when played loud. CS refers to the muted variant, and Sul Pont refers to the Sul Pont variant.

• TRILLS
  A trill is where a player alternates between two notes. These work great as accented performance embellishments, or you can play them very softly to create unique and interesting textures.

• SUL TASTO
  To play with the bow over the fingerboard, producing a thinner and more delicate tone. This is different from Flautando, in that it is not specifically required to be ‘flute-like’, and therefore is more of a soft and delicate, yet still ‘normale’ sounding tone. Think of this as some middle ground between Flautando and your standard sustained note!

• HARMONICS
  If a player holds down lightly on the string a perfect fourth interval up from the note they are fingering, you hear what is called an ‘artificial harmonic’ sound – two octaves up from the note being fingered. This is called ‘artificial’ to distinguish it from the natural harmonic series of the open string. These
  ‘natural’ harmonics can be heard by moving the finger up and down the string while lightly bowing. Available as both short and long techniques.

• MARCATO ATTACK
  Quite simply, played with a very heavy and accented abrupt start to a note. Great for layering, or for extra bite in a phrase.

• STACCATISSIMO
  The shortest of the short notes. Similar to Staccato, just more snappy and short!

• MARCATO
  Different to the Marcato Attack variant, and also not specific to Strings. Marcato in our samples refers to the longest of our short notes, and has a slightly harder attack whilst maintaining a round shape to the note start. Think of this as the longest note in a fanfare passage.

• CUIVRE
  Literally French for ‘brassy’ – this refers to a style of playing where the player will go for a much edgier, more nasal and aggressive sound than usual. In some cases we ask the players to simply play as loud and brassy as they can! Think of this as the ‘top layer’ in brass instruments. If you’re going for something even brassier, try adding some saturation to the highs for a very hyped sound!

• SFORZANDO
  Sforzando, or ‘Sfz’ indicates a forceful accent. In the case of our patches, you get a heavily accented note, which will then quickly drop to a softer layer, similar to Sfp in notation.

• FLUTTER
  The player rolls a silent ‘R’ with the mouth whilst playing, giving a unique airflow that creates a very characteristic sound.

• MULTITONGUE
  One of our favourite tools! We record double, triple, and quadruple tongued notes. You select which one you want to use by using the Variation slider. If you hit the keyboard hard, you’ll get a longer more ‘accented’ final notes. If you hit softer, you get a very
  ‘tight’ final note. This combination makes the patch very versatile!

• RIPS / FALLS
  Either a sweep ‘up’ to the target note, or a fall down to the target note. Sometimes there are different speeds for this, controlled with the variation slider.

• JANUARY 2021 UPDATE
  LONG (MUTED)
  A long sustained note, with added mutes for a quieter timbre. Often associated with comedy

• STACCATISSIMO (MUTED)
  A short and sharp technique, tightened up with the addition of a Mute.

• MARCATO (MUTED)
  A longer short note, with the addition of a mute. This note has an abrupt start with a more gentle decay.

APPENDIX

APPENDIX A —

FAQS AND TROUBLESHOOTING

• Q: WHAT ARE THE SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS?
  MAC SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
  Mac OS X 10.15 – OS 12
  Minimum: 2.8GHz i5 (quad-core), 8GB RAM
  Recommended: 2.8GHz i7 (six-core), 16GB RAM
  32 bit is no longer supported. Apple Silicon /ARM is supported.
  PC SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
  Windows 10 (latest Service Pack, 64-bit)
  Minimum: Intel Core 2.8GHz i5 (quad-core) or AMD Ryzen 5, 8GB RAM
  Recommended: Intel 2.8GHzi7 (six-core) or AMD R7 2700, 16GB RAM

• Q: I WANT TO RESET MY BBC SO SETTINGS TO THE DEFAULT
  You can delete the BBC SymphonyOrchestra. settings file to reset the settings to default. This is located at Users/username/Music/Spitfire Audio/Settings on a Mac and C:\ Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Spitfire Audio\Settings on a PC.

• Q: MY LIST OF PRESETS IS EMPTY, HOW DO I SOLVE THIS?
  This can occur if you have not installed both the Library content and the plugin to the same location. Most likely, the install button in your Application will be red, and you can follow the advice linked here to fix it.

• Q: I SEE A RED EXCLAMATION MARK IN THE TOP LEFT OF BBC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
  Click on the red circle to see the Error Number you have activated. In the error message is a “Let’s Fix This” link- which will take you to our dedicated support page with relevant instructions on how to fix.
  If the instructions do not help, please click on the Show Log hyperlink, to be linked to the error log on your system. You should attach this to a support ticket, which can be created by clicking the “Help” button on our support website.

• Q: CAN I INSTALL ON MORE THAN ONE COMPUTER?
  With our products you have two licenses. This means that you are allowed to download and install on two computers you own- for example your main rig and your mobile rig.
  If you have purchased the library on an SSD Drive, download the library onto the drive following the instructions in the video first, before copying that folder over to your second hard drive.
  Please note that the plugin currently cannot share a location between two devices. You will need a dedicated hard drive for each of the two machines you install the library on.

• Q: I CAN’T SEE THIS IN THE KONTAKT LIBRARIES PANE AND WHEN I TRY AND LOAD IT INTO KONTAKT IT SAYS NO LIBRARY FOUND
  This library does not run in Kontakt, it is a standalone plug-in that you can run in your chosen DAW. You can also run the library via Komplete Kontrol.

• Q: HOW DO I DOWNLOAD PRODUCTS ON MAC OSX 10.9?
  No, we are currently only compatible with Mac OSX 10.15 – Mac OS 12

• Q: HOW DO I AUTHORIZE BBC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ON AN OFFLINE MACHINE?
  Internet is required in order to authorise and install our libraries. Once installed, you do not need to be connected to the internet to use our plugins in your DAW.

• Q: HOW CAN I REDOWNLOAD A PRODUCT OR UPDATE?
  You can redownload a product in the Spitfire Audio App by using the Reset tool found in the cog menu on the product page.
  Once you select reset, you have a choice of resetting the library to the Latest Update to reinstall the last update available. Or select Entirely to reinstall the whole library again.
  Note that you can only reset a library once after the initial installation before an error letting you know you have run out of resets will appear. Contact our support team for further resets.

• Q: DIFFICULTIES IN DOWNLOADING / INSTALLING
  Customers may find that they have some difficulties in the downloading process. If you find that you are having some trouble, please check the list below for possible causes:

  • If downloading onto an external drive, make sure you have formatted this drive correctly for your operating system.
  • If the download appears to be slow or stuck, please see our article here for further advice.
  • If the download fails, check your connection and make sure you are not using a Proxy Server or LAN that may be blocking the Application from installing the library. If that is not the case, contact our support team.

• Q: WHY IS MY DOWNLOAD SPEED SLOWER THAN MY INTERNET SPEED?
  We have no control over how fast a library is installed, as our downloads are hosted by 3rd party servers. Therefore, the amount of active users of that server in your territory can affect the overall download speed.
  For this reason, we recommend installing overnight for the fastest download speeds. Switching severs can help with download speed. You can change servers in the Settings Tab, General- under Use Cloudfront CDN?
  By toggling this off you will also cancel the current download, but if you select install again and select the correct location- the install will pick up from where it left off.

• Q: CAN I TRY BEFORE I BUY?
  It is not possible to trial our products. In the walkthroughs provided for each library, we typically do not add any additional effects or processing, so you can here the library in its raw form.

• Q: MY LIBRARIES ARE NOT SHOWING UP IN MY SPITFIRE APP
  First, you should check you have not used the search bar or any of the other filters, which can block the library from appearing.
  If this is not the case, it is most likely the case that the order has not been processed yet, or the order was placed on a different account.
  Orders typically process after 20 minutes, but can take up to 24 hours in busy periods- and you should wait for this period of time before contacting our team.
  If you have duplicate accounts you wish to merge, this is possible provided you can auticate the merge request from both email accounts. Contact our support team for merge requests.

• Q: HOW DO I UPDATE MY PRODUCTS?
  If an update is available this will show in the Application where the Install button was previously. When you update a library, ensure to select the correct parent location for the library folder in order to install the update correctly. Click here to see how to reinstall an update on a second install.

• Q: WHERE IS THE DOWNLOAD LINK?
  If you have applied for the free version of BBC SO Discover, this will be delivered exactly 14 days after you complete your application. You will be alerted via email when your download is ready in the Application. Do not contact our support team unless the 14 day period has passed.
  If you have order BBC SO Discover via the regular payment method, the order will typically process in 20 minutes. This can take up to 24 hours during busier sales periods, so please wait for that period of time before contacting our support team.

• Q: CAN I DOWNLOAD ON A PC, THEN TRANSFER TO A MAC OR VICE VERSA?
  Yes, you can copy the library folder and plugin files over to the second machine and then use the “Repair” and “Locate Library” features in the Spitfire Audio App. Please note that although the majority of the download can be done on a separate machine, you will always need an internet connection to finish the authorisation process.

• Q: I’VE FORGOTTEN MY PASSWORD?
  Click here to reset your password. If the password reset is not successful, please contact our support team.

• Q: I HAVE FOUND A BUG
  If you think you have found an issue with one of our products, please contact our support team and supply us with the following:

  • A screenshot of the preset you are using
  • An audio file that demonstrates the issue
  • A MIDI file of the audio file, so that we can test this with the latest plugin
  • A video file, should the issue not be demostratable via audio.

• Q: WHERE CAN I FIND A CHANGELOG?
  A HTML changelog listing all bug fixes and improvements can be found in the BBC
  Symphony Orchestra documents folder.

• Q: WHAT IS YOUR REFUNDS / RETURNS POLICY?
  If you contact our support team within 14 days of placing your order, and have not completed the library installation, you can apply for a refund.
  If you have downloaded the product in full, or have contacted us after more than 14 days since you placed your order, we will not be able to consider a refund. This is outline in our EULA.
  We do not offer any discounts or returns should you find any defects or issues with our products. Instead, we are commited to fixing and updating any products that are currently live on our site. Please report all issues directly to our support team as we
  may miss reports that are made elsewhere.

APPENDIX B —TECHNIQUES/MICS/MIXES

INSTRUMENTS: STRINGS:
VIOLINS 1 (16)

• Legato (Portamento & Slurred)
• Long
• Long CS
• Long Flautando
• Spiccato
• Staccato
• Pizzicato
• Col Legno
• Tremolo
• Trill Major 2nd
• Trill Minor 2nd
• Long Sul Tasto
• Long Harmonics
• Short Harmonics
• Bartok Pizzicato
• Long Marcato Attack
• Tremolo Sul Pont
• Tremolo CS
• Long Sul Pont
• Spiccato CS

VIOLINS 2 (14)

• Legato (Portamento & Slurred)
• Long
• Long CS
• Long Flautando
• Spiccato
• Staccato
• Pizzicato
• Col Legno
• Tremolo
• Trill Major 2nd
• Trill Minor 2nd
• Long Sul Tasto
• Long Harmonics
• Short Harmonics
• Bartok Pizzicato
• Long Marcato Attack
• Tremolo Sul Pont
• Tremolo CS
• Long Sul Pont
• Spiccato CS

VIOLAS (12)

• Legato (Portamento & Slurred)
• Long
• Long CS
• Long Flautando
• Spiccato
• Staccato
• Pizzicato
• Col Legno
• Tremolo
• Trill Major 2nd
• Trill Minor 2nd
• Long Sul Tasto
• Long Harmonics
• Short Harmonics
• Bartok Pizzicato
• Long Marcato Attack
• Tremolo Sul Pont
• Tremolo CS
• Long Sul Pont
• Spiccato CS

CELLI (10)

• Legato (Portamento & Slurred)
• Long
• Long CS
• Long Flautando
• Spiccato
• Staccato
• Pizzicato
• Col Legno
• Tremolo
• Trill Major 2nd
• Trill Minor 2nd
• Long Sul Tasto
• Long Harmonics
• Short Harmonics
• Bartok Pizzicato
• Long Marcato Attack
• Tremolo Sul Pont
• Tremolo CS
• Long Sul Pont
• Spiccato CS

BASSES (8)

• Legato (Portamento & Slurred)
• Long
• Long CS
• Long Flautando
• Spiccato
• Staccato
• Pizzicato
• Col Legno
• Tremolo
• Trill Major 2nd
• Trill Minor 2nd
• Long Sul Tasto
• Long Harmonics
• Short Harmonics
• Bartok Pizzicato
• Long Marcato Attack
• Tremolo Sul Pont
• Tremolo CS
• Long Sul Pont
• Spiccato CS

WOODWINDS

FLUTE

• Legato (Extended — Slurred & Fast Runs)
• Long
• Trill Major 2nd
• Trill Minor 2nd
• Staccatissimo
• Tenuto
• Marcato
• Long Flutter
• Multi-tongue

FLUTES A3 (3)

• Legato (Extended)
• Long
• Trill Major 2nd
• Trill Minor 2nd
• Staccatissimo
• Tenuto
• Marcato
• Long Flutter
• Multi-tongue

PICCOLO

• Legato (Extended)
• Long
• Trill Major 2nd
• Trill Minor 2nd
• Staccatissimo
• Tenuto
• Marcato
• Long Flutter
• Multi-tongue
• Rips
• Falls

OBOE

• Legato
• Legato (Extended)
• Long
• Trill Major 2nd
• Trill Minor 2nd
• Staccatissimo
• Tenuto
• Marcato
• Multi-tongue

OBOES A3 (3)

• Legato
• Long
• Trill Major 2nd
• Trill Minor 2nd
• Staccatissimo
• Tenuto
• Marcato
• Multi-tongue

CLARINET

• Legato
• Legato (Extended)
• Long
• Trill Major 2nd
• Trill Minor 2nd
• Staccatissimo
• Tenuto
• Marcato
• Long Flutter
• Multi-tongue

CLARINETS A3 (3)

• Legato
• Long
• Trill Major 2nd
• Trill Minor 2nd
• Staccatissimo
• Tenuto
• Marcato
• Long Flutter
• Multi-tongue

BASSOON

• Legato
• Legato (Extended)
• Long
• Trill Major 2nd
• Trill Minor 2nd
• Staccatissimo
• Tenuto
• Marcato
• Long Flutter

BASSOONS A3 (3)

• Legato
• Long
• Trill Major 2nd
• Trill Minor 2nd
• Staccatissimo
• Tenuto
• Marcato
• Long Flutter

BRASS

HORN

• Legato
• Legato (Extended)
• Long
• Staccatissimo
• Marcato
• Long Cuivre
• Long Sfz
• Long Flutter
• Multi-tongue
• Trill Major 2nd
• Trill Minor 2nd
• HORNS A4 (4)
• Legato
• Long
• Staccatissimo
• Marcato
• Long Cuivre
• Long Sfz
• Long Flutter
• Multi-tongue
• Trill Major 2nd
• Trill Minor 2nd
• Long (Muted)
• Staccatissimo (Muted)
• Marcato (Muted)

TRUMPET

• Legato
• Legato (Extended)
• Long
• Staccatissimo
• Marcato
• Long Cuivre
• Long Sfz
• Long Flutter
• Multi-tongue
• Trill Major 2nd
• Trill Minor 2nd
• Long (Muted)
• Staccatissimo (Muted)
• Marcato (Muted)

TRUMPETS A3 (3)

• Legato
• Long
• Staccatissimo
• Marcato
• Long Cuivre
• Long Sfz
• Long Flutter
• Multi-tongue
• Trill Major 2nd
• Trill Minor 2nd
• Long (Muted)
• Staccatissimo (Muted)
• Marcato (Muted)

TENOR TROMBONE

• Legato
• Legato (Extended)
• Long
• Staccatissimo
• Marcato
• Long Cuivre
• Long Sfz
• Long Flutter
• Multi-tongue
• Long (Muted)
• Staccatissimo (Muted)
• Marcato (Muted)

TENOR TROMBONES A3 (3)

• Legato
• Long
• Staccatissimo
• Marcato
• Long Cuivre
• Long Sfz
• Long Flutter
• Multi-tongue
• Long (Muted)
• Staccatissimo (Muted)
• Marcato (Muted)

BASS TROMBONES A2 (2)

• Legato
• Long
• Staccatissimo
• Marcato
• Long Cuivre
• Long Sfz
• Long Flutter
• Multi-tongue
• Long (Muted)
• Staccatissimo (Muted)
• Marcato (Muted)

PERCUSSION

TUNED CELESTE

• Sustained
• Damped
• Damped Medium

HARP

• Sustained
• Damped
• Damped Medium
• Bisbigliando Trem
• Gliss FX

MARIMBA

• Hits
• Rolls

CROTALES

• Hits
• Hits Bowed

GLOCKENSPIEL

• Hits
• Rolls

TIMPANI

• Hits
• Rolls
• Hits Soft
• Rolls Soft
• Hits Hotrods
• Long Rolls Hotrods
• Hits Damped
• Hits Super Damped
• Hotrods Hits Damped
• Hits Damped Soft

TUBULAR BELLS

• Hits
• Rolls
• Hits Damped

VIBRAPHONE

• Hits

XYLOPHONE

• Hits
• Rolls

UNTUNED ANVIL

• Hit
• Hit Choked

BASS DRUM 1

• Hit
• Hard Sticks
• Hit Damped
• Hand Muted Hit
• Roll Hard
• Roll Soft

BASS DRUM 2

• Hit
• Hit Damped
• Roll
• Super Ball

CYMBAL

• Crash
• Crash Muted
• Crash Hard Stick
• Crash Hard Stick Muted
• Roll
• Bowed
• Crescendo

MILITARY DRUM

• Hit
• Rimshot
• Short Ruff
• Side Stick Hit
• Roll

PIATTI

• Choked Hit
• Clash Hit
• Short Roll

SNARE 1

• Hit
• Rimshot
• Short Ruff
• Side Stick Hit
• Roll

SNARE 2

• Hit
• Rimshot
• Short Ruff
• Side Stick Hit
• Roll

TAM TAM

• Hit Damped
• Hit
• Roll
• Bowed
• Crescendo

TAMBOURINE

• Hit
• Shake
• Roll

TENOR DRUM

• Hit
• Rimshot
• Short Ruff
• Side Stick Hit
• Roll

TOYS

• Castanets
• Woodblock
• Vibraslap
• Cowbell
• Sleigh Bells
• Short Guiro
• Long Guiro

TRIANGLE

• Open Hit
• Hit Muted
• Roll

MICS & MIXES

SIGNALS

• Mix 1 (Full)

References

• Spitfire Audio app — Spitfire Audio
• Support Centre
• About Spitfire Audio — Spitfire Audio

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