Originals is a new series of instant writing tools, expertly recorded in the Spitfire way at various high-end studios (including AIR Studios, home of blockbuster scores) simplified and presented in our free, easy-to-use plug-in. Clutter-free and focused, it features sliders for expression and dynamics, and a digital mod wheel that can be easily customised to the user’s personal workflow, as well as a selection of essential articulations, presets and controls. It’s the perfect next step from LABS, for anyone wanting to add a touch of Spitfire magic to their recordings.

You don’t! Originals is presented in a dedicated, free to use plugin available as VST2, VST3, AAX and AU, so it can be used directly in your favourite DAW.

Mac: Mac OS X 10.10 or later, Intel Core 2 Duo

Windows: Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 10 (latest Service Pack, 32/64-bit) Intel Core 2 Duo or AMD Athlon 64 X2

You will only need the Spitfire Audio App, and you will need to be connected to the internet to install. Just press ADD TO CART on the Originals page and you will be guided through the process.

We provide a VST2, VST3, AAX and an AU, so as long as your chosen DAW supports one of those plugin formats, you’re good to go. Our plugin is independent and does not require you to have Kontakt to use it.

You can. It’s simply a case of redownloading through the app. Read our how-to guide here.

Yes - in fact, we encourage it!

We give you three signals:

Room — a combination of Tree, Ambient and Outrigger mics (the default setting)

Close — add definition to the Room signal

Stretch — a stretched version of the Room, creating an ambient, synth-like texture.

Download size: 2.44GB

Disk space required during install: 2.5GB

This library contains 11 string articulations:

Live —  incorporates longs and shorts into a single playable patch

Long

Long Con Sordino

Short

Short Ostinato

Pizzicato

Long (Slow)

Long Con Sordino (Slow)

Long (Octave)

Long Con Sordino (Octave)

Short (Octave)

Yes. Epic Strings has been made out of our existing symphonic string recordings for Albion I Legacy (an early version of Albion, recorded at The Hall at AIR Studios). We have updated the samples and simplified their presentation to include just three microphone positions, including the newly made ‘Stretch’ signal for a synth-like texture, and 11 essential articulations, including the all new ‘Live’ technique, incorporating longs and shorts into a single playable patch. 

We give you three signals:

Room — a combination of Tree, Ambient and Outrigger mics (the default setting)

Close — add definition to the Room signal

Distorted — add another dimension to your Brass and Woodwinds with this gritty effect

Download size: 1.5GB

This library contains 6 articulations:

BRASS:

Live

Long

Short

WOODWINDS:

Live

Long

Short

Yes. Epic Brass & Woodwinds has been made out of our existing symphonic brass and woodwinds recordings found in Albion I Legacy (an early version of Albion, recorded at The Hall at AIR Studios). We have updated the samples and simplified their presentation to give you three microphone positions, including the newly made ‘Distorted’ signal to add grit to the recording, and six essential articulations, including the all new ‘Live’ technique, incorporating longs and shorts into a single playable patch. 

There are three signals:

Condenser — large diaphragm condenser mics, giving a clean and present tone to the piano

Ribbon — a pair of vintage ribbons for a warm and rounded tone

Hammers — mix in the sounds of the hammers in the piano, for added realism

Our UI includes ADSR controls and a pedal control, which controls the physical sound of the sustain pedal being pressed and released.

Download size: ~3GB

Disk space required during install: ~3GB

Yes. Originals Felt Piano is an update of our existing Gwilym Simcock Felt Piano library, originally released in 2014, which we have taken off sale. We have used the same samples, but updated and simplified their presentation to include three signals, as well as newly curated presets including longs, shorts and synth-like textures.

Originals Felt Piano is your perfect next step from LABS Soft Piano. It was recorded on the dry stage at Spitfire Studios, on an upright Schimmel, performed by jazz musician Gwilym Simcock. LABS Soft Piano was recorded at Air Edel Studios by Chri on a Yamaha U3 piano. LABS Soft Piano gives you Dynamics, Expression and Reverb controls only, while Originals Felt Piano features three signals including Hammers volume control, ADSR, 7 presets, with sustain pedal noise recorded separately, which you can adjust from the front panel. We have also recorded multiple round robins and two dynamic layers, for a more nuanced sound.

We give you three signals:

Close — adds definition to the Room signal

Room — a combination of Tree, Ambient & Outriggers

Distorted — a full on gritty signal for adding dirt to the mix

Download size: 1.4GB

This library contains 7 presets:

Cymbals

Tams & Gongs

Earthquake Hits

Metal Hits

Percussion Hits - High

Percussion Hits - Low

Swells

Yes. Cinematic Percussion has been made out of our existing symphonic untuned percussion recordings found in Albion I Legacy (an early version of Albion, recorded at The Hall at AIR Studios). We have updated the samples and simplified their presentation to give you three microphone positions, including the newly made ‘Distorted’ signal to add grit to the recording, in seven essential presets.

Originals Cinematic Soft Piano offers three signals:

Close: A trio of valve microphones placed close to the hammers for detail and intimacy.

Mix: A mix of Tree and Ambient arrays, capturing the resonance of AIR Lyndhurst Hall.

Pad: The piano samples passed through magnetic tape and outboard effects to create an ethereal texture.

Download and install size: ~2GB

This library contains 5 presets:

Intimate - A detailed mix of the close microphones with the mechanical sounds of the hammers and pedal.

Upfront - A direct mix with increased tightness and reduced dynamic range.

50 50 - A balanced mix that captures the beautiful resonances of Lyndhurst Hall.

Afterglow - The piano subtly accompanied by the pad signal

Washed out - An ambient and diffuse mix, perfect for creating enveloping textures and melodies.

Expression: Adjusts the level of the technique.

Dynamics: This will limit the lowest velocity playable, essentially acting as a dynamic range compressor.

Reverb: Controls the amount of reverb being added.

Tightness: This cuts further into the note to make it tighter. At lower values it allows more of the piano’s mechanical noise to be heard.

Hammers: Controls the volume of the piano’s hammers, adding more depth to a performance.

Pedal: Controls the volume of the sound of the sustain pedal being pressed and released.

No. It uses the same model used to record LABS Soft Piano, extensively re-recorded in a completely different space — Lyndhurst Hall at AIR Studios.

Cinematic Soft Piano is your perfect next step from LABS Soft Piano. It features the same model as our hugely popular LABS Soft Piano — the Yamaha U3 upright — re-recorded in more detail at Lyndhurst Hall, AIR Studios. LABS Soft Piano was recorded in the dry acoustics of Air Edel Studios, featuring just one signal and Dynamics, Expression and Reverb controls only. Cinematic Soft Piano features three signals, including one specially curated mix from Jake Jackson, six controls and five presets. We have also recorded multiple round robins and dynamic layers for ultimate detail and expression, and a more nuanced sound. 

Originals Felt Piano has a closer, more delicate sound, with three close signals  (Condenser, Ribbon and Hammers). It was recorded on the dry stage at Spitfire Studios, performed by jazz legend and Mercury Prize nominee Gwilym Simcock. It features 10 presets, from close to synth-like, plus ADSR and sustain pedal level control. Cinematic Soft Piano was recorded at Lyndhurst Hall, AIR Studios, performed by Spitfire Audio co-founder and composer Christian Henson. It also provides a Close signal for a more intimate sound, while the Mix signal goes all the way up to a reverberant, widescreen sound.