EastWest Hollywood Strings: The Ultimate Guide to Downloading, Installing, and Using the Best String Library for Composers
EastWest Hollywood Strings: A Review of the Best String Library for Composers
If you are a composer, producer, or musician who is looking for a realistic and expressive string library for your music projects, you might have heard of EastWest Hollywood Strings. This is one of the most popular and acclaimed string libraries in the market, used by many professional composers and sound engineers for film, TV, game, and music production.
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But what is EastWest Hollywood Strings exactly, and what makes it so special? How does it sound, how does it work, and how can you get it for free or at a discounted price? In this article, we will answer all these questions and more, as we review EastWest Hollywood Strings in detail. We will also give you some tips and tricks on how to install and use it effectively, as well as some legal and safe alternatives to downloading it from torrent sites.
Features of EastWest Hollywood Strings
EastWest Hollywood Strings is a virtual instrument library that features a large collection of string instruments recorded at the famous EASTWEST Studio 1, the same studio where many blockbuster movie soundtracks were recorded. The library was produced by Doug Rogers and Nick Phoenix, two renowned names in the sample industry, and engineered by Shawn Murphy, an Academy Award-winning sound engineer.
The library contains over 150 GB of 24-bit samples, covering all the sections of a symphonic string orchestra: violins, violas, cellos, and basses. Each section has multiple microphone positions, articulations, legato types, bowings, dynamics, expressions, and effects. You can mix and match these options to create your own custom sound and performance.
Some of the main features and benefits of EastWest Hollywood Strings are:
Realism: The library captures the authentic sound and feel of a live string orchestra, with rich details, nuances, and variations. The samples are recorded with high-quality equipment and techniques, resulting in a clear, warm, and natural tone.
Expression: The library offers a wide range of expressive possibilities, with various articulations, legato types, bowings, dynamics, expressions, and effects. You can control these parameters with key switches, MIDI controllers, or automation. You can also use the PLAY engine's built-in features, such as Round Robin, Portamento, Repetition, and Convolution Reverb, to add more realism and variation to your sound.
Versatility: The library can be used for any genre or style of music that requires strings, from classical to pop, from cinematic to ambient. You can create anything from lush and romantic melodies to epic and dramatic scores, from intimate and delicate passages to powerful and aggressive riffs.
Quality: The library is designed and produced by some of the best professionals in the industry, with years of experience and expertise. The library has won several awards and received many positive reviews from users and critics alike. It is widely regarded as one of the best string libraries available today.
Sound Quality of EastWest Hollywood Strings
One of the most important aspects of any virtual instrument library is the sound quality. How does EastWest Hollywood Strings sound compared to other string libraries? How does it compare to a real string orchestra? Of course, the answer to these questions may depend on your personal taste and preference, but here are some general observations and opinions based on our experience and research.
EastWest Hollywood Strings sounds very realistic and expressive, thanks to the high-quality samples, the multiple microphone positions, the various articulations, legato types, bowings, dynamics, expressions, and effects. The library captures the sound of a live string orchestra in a professional studio environment, with a clear, warm, and natural tone. The library also sounds very consistent and balanced across the different sections and instruments.
The library has a cinematic and modern sound, suitable for film, TV, game, and music production. The library has a rich and full sound, with a lot of depth and detail. The library can also create a wide range of moods and emotions, from soft and gentle to loud and intense.
The library is not without its flaws or limitations, however. Some users have reported some issues or drawbacks with the library, such as:
Size: The library is very large in size, over 150 GB of samples. This means that you need a lot of disk space and RAM to run it smoothly. It also means that loading times can be long, especially if you use multiple instances or patches.
Complexity: The library is very complex and sophisticated, with a lot of options and parameters to tweak. This means that you need a lot of time and patience to learn how to use it effectively. It also means that you need a lot of CPU power and MIDI controllers to control it efficiently.
Price: The library is very expensive compared to other string libraries. The regular price is $599 USD, which is quite high for some users. However, there are some ways to get it for free or at a discounted price, which we will discuss later in this article.
In conclusion, EastWest Hollywood Strings sounds amazing and realistic, but it also requires a lot of resources and skills to use it properly.
Compatibility of EastWest Hollywood Strings
If you are interested in buying or downloading EastWest Hollywood Strings, you need to make sure that your computer system meets the minimum requirements and that your software is compatible with the library. Here are some information and tips on how to check these aspects.
System Requirements
The minimum system requirements for EastWest Hollywood Strings are:
Operating System: Windows 7 or later (64-bit), Mac OS X 10.7 or later (64-bit)
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo or AMD Dual Core (2.1 GHz or higher)
RAM: 8 GB or more
Disk Space: 150 GB or more (SSD recommended)
MIDI Interface: MIDI keyboard or controller (88 keys recommended)
Samples Player: EastWest PLAY 6 (included)
Digital Audio Workstation (DAW): Any DAW that supports VST, AU, or AAX formats (such as Cubase, Logic, Pro Tools, etc.)
These are the minimum requirements, but we recommend that you have a more powerful system to run the library smoothly and avoid glitches or crashes. For example, you may want to have a faster CPU, more RAM, a larger SSD, and a better MIDI keyboard or controller.
You can check your system specifications by going to your computer settings or using a software tool such as Speccy or CPU-Z. You can also use a benchmark tool such as Geekbench or Cinebench to test your system performance and compare it with other systems.
Software Compatibility
EastWest Hollywood Strings runs on the PLAY 6 engine, which is a samples player that allows you to load and play the library in your DAW. The PLAY 6 engine is included with the library, and you can download it from the EastWest website.
The PLAY 6 engine supports VST, AU, and AAX formats, which means that it can work with most DAWs that support these formats. Some of the most popular DAWs that are compatible with the PLAY 6 engine are:
Cubase: A DAW developed by Steinberg, widely used for music production and composition. It supports VST and AAX formats.
Logic: A DAW developed by Apple, widely used for music production and composition. It supports AU and AAX formats.
Pro Tools: A DAW developed by Avid, widely used for audio recording, editing, mixing, and mastering. It supports AAX format.
Ableton Live: A DAW developed by Ableton, widely used for live performance and electronic music production. It supports VST and AU formats.
FL Studio: A DAW developed by Image-Line, widely used for electronic music production and beat making. It supports VST format.
GarageBand: A DAW developed by Apple, widely used for music creation and education. It supports AU format.
Reaper: A DAW developed by Cockos, widely used for audio recording, editing, mixing, and mastering. It supports VST, AU, and AAX formats.
To use EastWest Hollywood Strings in your DAW, you need to install the PLAY 6 engine first, then scan it as a plugin in your DAW. You can then load the library as an instrument track in your DAW and start playing it with your MIDI keyboard or controller.
You can also use EastWest Hollywood Strings with other libraries or plugins that are compatible with the PLAY 6 engine or your DAW. For example, you can use it with other EastWest libraries, such as Hollywood Brass, Hollywood Woodwinds, or Hollywood Choirs, to create a full orchestral sound. You can also use it with other plugins that enhance your sound or workflow, such as EQs, compressors, reverbs, delays, etc.
How to Download EastWest Hollywood Strings for Free
If you are looking for a way to download EastWest Hollywood Strings for free, you might be tempted to look for torrent sites that offer the library as a download. Torrent sites are websites that allow users to share and download files, such as movies, music, games, software, etc., through a peer-to-peer network. However, downloading EastWest Hollywood Strings from torrent sites is not a good idea, for several reasons.
Risks of Downloading EastWest Hollywood Strings from Torrent Sites
Downloading EastWest Hollywood Strings from torrent sites can expose you to various risks and dangers, such as:
Legal Issues: Downloading EastWest Hollywood Strings from torrent sites is illegal, as it violates the intellectual property rights of the creators and owners of the library. You can face legal consequences, such as fines, lawsuits, or even jail time, if you are caught downloading or using the library without a valid license or permission.
Viruses and Malware: Downloading EastWest Hollywood Strings from torrent sites can infect your computer with viruses and malware, as the files may contain harmful or malicious code. You can damage your computer system, lose your data, compromise your security, or even expose your personal information to hackers or cybercriminals.
Poor Quality: Downloading EastWest Hollywood Strings from torrent sites can result in poor quality, as the files may be corrupted, incomplete, outdated, or modified. You can experience errors, glitches, crashes, or compatibility issues when using the library. You can also miss out on updates, features, or support that are available for the official version of the library.
Ethical Issues: Downloading EastWest Hollywood Strings from torrent sites is unethical, as it deprives the creators and owners of the library of their rightful income and recognition. You can harm the sample industry, discourage innovation and creativity, and disrespect the hard work and effort that went into producing the library.
In conclusion, downloading EastWest Hollywood Strings from torrent sites is not worth it, as it can cause you more trouble than benefit.
Alternatives to Downloading EastWest Hollywood Strings from Torrent Sites
If you want to get EastWest Hollywood Strings for free or at a discounted price, there are some legal and safe alternatives to downloading it from torrent sites. Here are some of them:
EASTWEST ComposerCloud: This is a subscription service that gives you access to over 40 EastWest libraries, including Hollywood Strings, for a monthly or annual fee. You can download and use any library you want, as long as your subscription is active. You can also cancel your subscription anytime you want. The monthly fee starts from $19.99 USD per month for one year plan, or $29.99 USD per month for month-to-month plan. The annual fee starts from $199 USD per year for one year plan, or $299 USD per year for month-to-month plan.
EASTWEST Student Discount: This is a discount program that gives you 50% off on any EastWest library purchase, including Hollywood Strings, if you are a student or an educator. You need to provide proof of your academic status, such as a student ID card or a teacher certificate. You can apply for the discount on the EastWest website.
EASTWEST Trial Version: This is a free version of Hollywood Strings that you can download and use for 10 days. You need to create an account on the EastWest website, then download and install the Sounds Online Installer, which will allow you to download and install the trial version of Hollywood Strings. You can use the trial version in your DAW without any limitations, except that it will expire after 10 days.
EASTWEST Free Orchestra: This is a free library that features a selection of instruments from various EastWest libraries, including Hollywood Strings. You can download and use the library for free, without any time limit or restriction. You need to create an account on the EastWest website, then download and install the Sounds Online Installer, which will allow you to download and install the free library. You can use the library in your DAW as a standalone plugin or with the PLAY 6 engine.
These are some of the legal and safe alternatives to downloading EastWest Hollywood Strings from torrent sites. You can choose the one that suits your budget and needs, and enjoy the library without any risk or guilt.
How to Install and Use EastWest Hollywood Strings
If you have bought or downloaded EastWest Hollywood Strings legally and safely, you need to install and use it properly on your computer and in your DAW. Here are some steps and tips on how to do that.
How to Install EastWest Hollywood Strings
To install EastWest Hollywood Strings, you need to follow these steps:
Create an account: If you don't have one already, you need to create an account on the EastWest website. You will need this account to activate and update your library.
Download the installer: You need to download the Sounds Online Installer, which is a software tool that allows you to download and install EastWest libraries. You can download it from the EastWest website, or from the link that you received in your email after purchasing or subscribing to the library.
Run the installer: You need to run the Sounds Online Installer, which will guide you through the installation process. You will need to choose a destination folder for your library, and select the microphone positions and articulations that you want to install. You can also choose to install the PLAY 6 engine, if you don't have it already.
Wait for the installation: You need to wait for the installation to finish, which may take several hours, depending on your internet speed and disk space. You can monitor the progress of the installation on the installer window.
Verify the installation: You need to verify that the installation was successful, by checking that your library folder contains all the files and folders that you selected. You can also check that your library appears in the PLAY 6 browser, under the Instruments tab.
If you encounter any problems or errors during the installation, you can refer to the installation guide or contact the EastWest support team.
How to Activate EastWest Hollywood Strings
To activate EastWest Hollywood Strings, you need to follow these steps:
Login to your account: You need to login to your account on the EastWest website, using your email and password.
Select your library: You need to select your library from the list of products that you own or subscribe to. You can find it under the Licenses tab.
Select your activation method: You need to select how you want to activate your library, either with a license key or a cloud subscription. If you bought your library as a standalone product, you will receive a license key in your email, which you need to enter in the activation window. If you subscribed to your library through ComposerCloud, you will not receive a license key, but you will need an internet connection to activate your library through cloud verification.
Activate your library: You need to activate your library, either by entering your license key or by verifying your cloud subscription. You will see a confirmation message when your activation is successful.
Update your library: You need to update your library, by downloading and installing any available updates for your library. You can find them under the Licenses tab, next to your library name. You can also use the Sounds Online Installer, which will notify you of any updates for your library.
If you encounter any problems or errors during the activation, you can refer to the activation guide or contact the EastWest support team.
How to Use EastWest Hollywood Strings
To use EastWest Hollywood Strings, you need to follow these steps:
Launch your DAW: You need to launch your DAW, such as Cubase, Logic, Pro Tools, etc., and create a new project or open an existing one.
Add an instrument track: You need to add an instrument track to your project, and select the PLAY 6 plugin as the instrument. You can do this by clicking on the Add Track button, choosing the Instrument option, and browsing for the PLAY 6 plugin in the plugin list.
Load your library: You need to load your library into the PLAY 6 plugin, by clicking on the Instruments tab in the plugin window, and browsing for the Hollywood Strings folder in the library list. You can then select the patch or instrument that you want to use from the subfolders.
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