We’re just a few months into 2025, and it’s already been a fantastic year for orchestral freebies with the latest offer Orchestral Tools’ Berlin Free Orchestra for SINE Player.
Sonixinema’s Delicate Strings and Sona/Chroma by Tempest Audio are two real standouts.
If we go back to the end of last year, we can throw in Tokyo Scoring Strings from Impact Soundworks, too.
It’s a great moment, and long may it continue!
This time around, we’ve got Berlin Free Orchestra from Orchestral Tools. Berlin Free Strings is compatible with the latest version of Orchestral Tools SINE Player (also free).
If you’re a fan of orchestral libraries, you’ll probably be familiar with Orchestral Tools flagship Berlin Series and be glad to hear that we’re getting the same sounds for free!
The catch is that the paid versions have more dynamic layers, round robins, and articulations, but as a free library, this is epic.
Surprisingly, Berlin Free Strings features an entire symphony orchestra rather than a smaller ensemble.
You get up to two round robins and two dynamic layers on strings and brass where you need them most to humanize the sounds. We can more easily get away with less apparent realism with harps, flutes, etc.
Although the free library has fewer articulations, there are still an impressive 67 articulations across 34 instruments. The library includes 20 solo instruments (featuring four legato soloists); along with the usual suspects, we get a selection of pitched and non-pitched percussion.
In addition to the solo instruments, we get thirteen instrument ensembles. Orchestral Tool has a stellar reputation because its libraries deliver world-class sound, so that’s no surprise.
What I love most about this library is the level of control over arrangement and orchestration.
The solo instruments are perfect for intimate scores or adding a lead violin/cello with a slight variation to cut through the ensemble.
It’s also great to have the option of recording your violins or celli one instrument at a time further to enhance the human/organic element of the sound.
Orchestral Tools SINE Player is available in AU, VST, VST3, and AAX formats for macOS (10.15 or higher) and Windows (10 or higher).
I’m a little shocked that this library is free, but I’m delighted that it is. Enjoy!
Download: Berlin Free Orchestra (FREE – SINEplayer required)
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