EastWest Sounds vs Native Instruments Orchestral Libraries: Which Sounds Better?

Orchestral libraries have become essential tools for composers, producers, and artists working across a wide range of genres. Whether you’re scoring a film, producing electronic music, or working on a personal creative project, selecting the right library can have a significant impact on the end result. Two of the most respected names in the world of orchestral sound libraries are EastWest Sounds and Native Instruments. Each brings its own unique strengths to the table. So, how do they stack up against each other? Let’s break it down across three key areas: film scoring, electronic music production, and individual projects.

1. Film Scoring: EastWest Sounds vs Native Instruments

EastWest Sounds (Hollywood Orchestra, Symphonic Orchestra):

When it comes to film scoring, EastWest Sounds has long been the go-to for composers looking to create lush, cinematic soundscapes. Their flagship orchestral libraries, such as the Hollywood Orchestra and Symphonic Orchestra, are prized for their realistic, immersive sound. Recorded in world-class studios with top-notch musicians, these libraries provide a level of detail, depth, and natural reverb that is hard to match.

EastWest’s orchestras come with multiple microphone positions, allowing for flexibility in how the sound is placed in the mix. This is crucial for film scoring, as composers often need to create a sense of space and scale. The expansive, epic nature of EastWest libraries makes them ideal for large-scale scores often required in Hollywood films.

Native Instruments (Symphony Series, Symphony Essentials):

Native Instruments’ orchestral libraries, particularly the Symphony Series and Symphony Essentials, offer a more polished and modern sound. While they may not have the sprawling cinematic scale of EastWest’s libraries, they excel in providing clean, tight, and focused arrangements. This makes them well-suited for composers who need a more streamlined workflow without sacrificing quality.

Native Instruments orchestras are perfect for scores that require a hybrid approach, blending orchestral elements with electronic or contemporary sounds. Their Kontakt interface offers a user-friendly experience, making it easier to quickly dial in the right sound for your score.

Verdict:

For film scoring, EastWest Sounds is often considered the better choice, especially for epic, traditional orchestral scores. The sheer scale, realism, and cinematic quality of their libraries make them ideal for this purpose. Native Instruments, while still powerful, is better suited for composers looking for a more modern or hybrid sound.

2. Electronic Music Production: EastWest Sounds vs Native Instruments

EastWest Sounds:

While EastWest excels in film scoring, it’s not particularly tailored to electronic music production. The libraries are more focused on realistic orchestral sound, which can add depth and richness to electronic tracks, but they don’t offer much flexibility in terms of sound design or fast tweaking. If you’re producing electronic music and want to incorporate orchestral elements, EastWest can provide stunning, lush textures, but it may slow down your workflow due to its size and complexity.

Native Instruments:

Native Instruments shines in the realm of electronic music production. With a long history in electronic music, NI’s orchestral libraries integrate seamlessly with their broader ecosystem, which includes powerful tools like Massive, Reaktor, and Battery. This makes it easy to combine orchestral sounds with electronic elements like synths, basses, and drums. The orchestral instruments are lighter on resources, making them easier to manipulate, which is crucial for modern electronic workflows that rely on speed and flexibility.

Whether you’re producing EDM, ambient, or cinematic electronica, Native Instruments offers a solid balance of orchestral realism and electronic compatibility.

Verdict:

For electronic music production, Native Instruments takes the lead. Its orchestral libraries are more versatile for hybrid and electronic-based productions and offer smoother integration with other electronic music tools.

3. Individual Projects: EastWest Sounds vs Native Instruments

EastWest Sounds:

If your individual project requires top-tier orchestral sound—whether it’s for a personal film score, a piece of classical music, or even a game soundtrack—EastWest provides some of the best tools available. However, because of the size and complexity of their libraries, EastWest’s orchestras can be resource-heavy. This means that unless you have a powerful system, working with EastWest libraries can slow down your workflow.

For individual projects that require depth, emotion, and realism, EastWest libraries are an incredible asset. But they may require more time and effort to achieve the sound you want due to the extensive options and detailed controls.

Native Instruments:

Native Instruments’ orchestral libraries are designed for ease of use and offer a quicker, more intuitive workflow. For personal projects that require orchestral sounds but don’t need the epic scale of a Hollywood blockbuster, NI’s libraries provide a more practical and efficient solution. They’re also lighter on system resources, making them ideal for smaller setups or composers who need to work quickly.

Additionally, if you’re working on diverse projects that span multiple genres, Native Instruments’ wide range of sounds and effects can be a significant advantage. Whether you’re creating a cinematic composition or working on electronic music, their ecosystem is incredibly flexible.

Verdict:

For individual projects, it depends on your priorities. If you want depth and realism, EastWest is the way to go. But if you need speed, flexibility, and ease of use, Native Instruments is a better fit.

Conclusion: Which Sounds Better?

When it comes to choosing between EastWest Sounds and Native Instruments, the right answer depends on your specific needs:

• For film scoring, particularly epic, traditional scores, EastWest Sounds offers unmatched realism and cinematic quality.
• For electronic music production and hybrid genres, Native Instruments stands out for its flexibility and integration into modern production workflows.
• For individual projects, Native Instruments offers a more user-friendly, efficient experience, but if your project requires detailed, lifelike orchestral sound, EastWest may be worth the extra effort.

Both libraries are exceptional in their own right, but understanding the strengths of each can help you make the best choice for your specific project.