Output Analog Brass & Winds is a virtual instrument plugin that revolutionizes the traditional approach to orchestral brass and woodwind sounds. Designed for modern composers, producers, and sound designers, this Kontakt instrument combines meticulously sampled orchestral sections with synthesized textures to create a unique sonic palette. The plugin features an 18-piece brass section, an 18-piece woodwind section, and select soloists recorded in the pristine acoustics of Budapest’s BMC Hall. These recordings capture contemporary articulations like flutters, stabs, and trills, as well as unusual techniques. The orchestral samples are then blended with carefully chosen synthesizer sounds, selected for their brass and wind-like qualities. The result is a powerful dual-layer engine that allows users to manipulate and morph these sounds into entirely new textures. With 500+ presets, a user-friendly interface, and extensive sound-shaping capabilities, Analog Brass & Winds offers a fresh take on traditional orchestral instruments, making it an invaluable tool for film, TV, and game scoring, as well as contemporary music production.
Pros:
• Innovative blend of orchestral and synthesized sounds
• High-quality recordings and meticulous sampling
• Intuitive interface with powerful sound-shaping capabilities
• Extensive preset library for instant inspiration
• Dual-layer engine for complex sound design
Cons:
• Requires full version of Kontakt or Kontakt Player 5.7.1 or higher
• Large file size (28GB uncompressed) may be challenging for some systems
Analog Brass & Winds boasts an impressive array of features that set it apart from traditional orchestral libraries. At its core is a powerful dual-layer sound engine that allows users to combine and manipulate two sound sources simultaneously. This engine is fed by 90 multi-sampled sound sources, divided into three categories: Orchestral, Synths, and Creative.
The Orchestral category contains the meticulously recorded brass and woodwind sections, offering both ensemble and solo instruments. These samples capture not only traditional playing techniques but also contemporary articulations and unusual performance methods, providing a rich palette of organic sounds.
The Synths category introduces a selection of vintage analog synthesizer sounds, chosen specifically for their brass and wind-like characteristics. This includes lush pads, synthesized brass tones, plucks, and various electronic textures that complement and contrast with the orchestral samples.
The Creative category pushes the boundaries even further, offering a range of unconventional sounds produced by orchestral instruments, as well as some truly unique sound sources (including, surprisingly, a beer bottle). This category is where users can find the most experimental and innovative textures.
Each of these sound source categories includes one-shots, pad sounds, and tape loops, providing a diverse range of starting points for sound design. The Orchestral category also offers close and far microphone positions, allowing for precise control over the perceived distance and space of the instruments.
The user interface is designed for intuitive control and creative exploration. Four macro sliders, unique to each preset, provide quick access to the most impactful parameters for shaping the sound. These macros can be assigned to various parameters, allowing for complex modulations with simple movements.
Deeper editing is available through the Edit, FX, Rhythm, and Arp tabs. The Edit tab allows for detailed control over each layer’s pitch, volume, and looping/reversing options. The FX tab provides a range of effects that can be applied both to individual layers and globally, enabling further sound sculpting.
The Rhythm and Arp tabs introduce powerful rhythmic capabilities to the instrument. Users can create complex rhythmic patterns and arpeggios, with the ability to adjust the rate and repetitions per sequence step using the Flux feature. For those seeking quick inspiration, 20 preset rhythm options are available.
Analog Brass & Winds also features a comprehensive preset system with smart tagging, making it easy to find and organize sounds. The 500+ included presets offer a wide range of starting points, from subtle and organic to bold and experimental.
When compared to other brass and woodwind virtual instruments, Analog Brass & Winds stands out for its hybrid approach. Traditional libraries like Spitfire Audio’s Symphonic Brass and Woodwinds focus on accurate representations of orchestral instruments, while Analog Brass & Winds embraces a more experimental, sound-design-oriented approach. In terms of hybrid orchestral instruments, Output’s offering can be compared to libraries like Heavyocity’s FORZO Modern Brass and VENTO Modern Woodwinds. While these also blend traditional and modern elements, Analog Brass & Winds pushes further into synthesized territory. Native Instruments’ Symphony Series Brass and Woodwind libraries offer a middle ground, with traditional sounds and some contemporary articulations, but lack the extensive synthesis options of Analog Brass & Winds. For those seeking purely synthetic brass and wind sounds, u-he’s Zebra2 or Arturia Pigments offer powerful synthesis engines capable of creating brass and wind-like textures. However, they lack the organic, sampled elements that Analog Brass & Winds incorporates. Lastly, Orchestral Tools’ Metropolis Ark series, particularly Ark 1 and 2, offer bold, cinematic brass and woodwind sounds with some modern articulations, but again, they don’t venture as far into the realm of synthesis and sound design as Analog Brass & Winds does.
This plugin is best for:
• Film, TV, and game composers seeking unique, hybrid orchestral sounds
• Electronic music producers looking to incorporate organic brass and wind textures
• Sound designers in need of unconventional and highly malleable brass and wind sounds
• Composers interested in blending traditional orchestral elements with modern electronic textures
• Musicians and producers seeking inspiration from an extensive library of unusual presets
Output Analog Brass & Winds represents a bold step forward in the world of virtual instruments, blurring the lines between traditional orchestral sampling and modern synthesis. Its innovative approach to combining meticulously recorded acoustic instruments with carefully crafted synthetic sounds opens up a world of sonic possibilities that were previously difficult to achieve. The intuitive interface, coupled with deep editing capabilities, allows both newcomers and experienced sound designers to quickly achieve unique and inspiring results. While it may not be the go-to choice for those seeking purely traditional orchestral sounds, it excels in creating hybrid textures that are perfect for contemporary film scoring, electronic music production, and experimental sound design. The extensive preset library provides instant gratification and serves as an excellent starting point for further exploration. Despite its large file size and specific system requirements, Analog Brass & Winds offers a unique and valuable addition to any modern composer or producer’s toolkit, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with brass and woodwind sounds in the digital realm.