This is the closest we have ever got to the ‘perfect’ string sound in my head. Full of vibrancy, passion and musicality, it is a joy to play!
Paul Thomson
Spitfire Audio Co-Founder
Advanced legatos for ultimate expression
Celebrating the stunning sound of a Cello section captured at Abbey Road Studios, this VST offers a comprehensive collection of long and short articulations, 8 technologically advanced legato techniques — with extended velocity triggered patches (portamento and detaché), a high level of sampling depth and 16 curated mix signals hand-crafted by GRAMMY® award winner Simon Rhodes, this library sets a new standard for the sound of the cello in the digital age.
A remarkably authentic cello sound that embodies the timeless essence of one of the most renowned recording spaces in the world — Abbey Road Studio One.
Expression at the highest degree.
Do you already own an Abbey Road Orchestra Library? Log in to see your exclusive price.
Also available in Core.
- You can buy now and download any time
Listen to Abbey Road Orchestra: Cellos Professional
A New World - George Soulas
The Courting Ritual of a Hopeful Panda - Jayden Lawrence
Desert Dance - Jo Paterson
Journey's End - Robert Larsson
Trailer Music - Paul Thomson
Mists of Atlantis - Paul Thomson
Meticulously recorded to allow for smooth and expressive transitions between notes, this emulates the natural way a cellist shifts from one note to another, without breaks. All aspects of our legato programming has been improved in both Pro and Core versions, with multiple dynamic legato intervals, and flexible interval types triggered by playing speed and/or velocity.
The extended techniques in the Pro version are the most advanced string patches we have ever created. With additional portamento and detaché legato styles, plus accented marcato and 'soft swell' entries for single long notes, the Pro version marks the absolute pinnacle of detail, expression and playability.
- Performance Legato (extended): hugely detailed and highly playable legato patch which reacts in real time to playing speed - our most advanced legato ever.
- Lyrical Legato (extended): A relaxed legato patch for slower-moving melody lines.
- Legato Runs: A very agile legato patch specifically for very fast passages up to a minor 3rd.
- Legato Detaché: the connecting notes have broad but separated bow strokes.
- Legato Portamento: the intervals are performed in a 'portamento' style with an intentional slide between notes.
- Legato Slurred: slurred intervals performed with a 'moderate tempo' feel for sweeping melody lines.
- Legato Allegro: slurred intervals performed with a sprightly 'uptempo' feel.
Core
A comprehensive collection of articulations, 11,000 raw samples, 2 technologically advanced and detailed legato techniques, a high level of sampling depth and one signal option curated by GRAMMY®-Award-Winner Simon Rhodes.
The best sounding strings I’ve ever heard.
Simon Franglen
Composer (Avatar: The Way Of Water, The Magnificent Seven, Titanic)
A host to celebrated classical recordings from Elgar to Prokofiev, as well as iconic film scores from The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy*, The Empire Strikes Back*, and more recent releases Avengers: End Game and Black Panther, Studio One is one of the most in-demand recording studios in the film scoring landscape. Home to one of the greatest in-house collections of vintage and modern microphones and a control room fitted with a 72-channel Neve 88 RS console with a unique and comprehensive surround monitor section, Studio One was the perfect setting for our recording sessions, meticulously curated, recorded and programmed to deliver you the world's most detailed sampling orchestra.
FAQs
WHAT IS THE MOST COST EFFECTIVE WAY TO PURCHASE ABBEY ROAD 2ND VIOLINS?
Bundles! In particular the "Abbey Road Orchestra Symphonic Strings" bundle.
It is now possible to receive a third off all 5 sections - Including 1st & 2nd Violins, Violas, Cellos, Basses
Available with the release of Basses, Violas and 2nd Violins, the Abbey Road Orchestra Strings have now been added into a bundle. By purchasing this bundle, you will receive a 33% discount for all 5 sections.
Owners of other volumes already, such as Cellos, would get 33% discount on all volumes not already owned.
Learn more about how bundle pricing works here:
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 2ND VIOLINS CORE AND PROFESSIONAL?
Core and Pro share many of the same techniques and the sampling depth across many of the common techniques is the same.
Core has a single signal option (Simon Rhodes’ ‘Mix 1) whereas Pro includes additional signal options (16 in total),
Professional also contains ‘Extended’ techniques and additional legato content.
Tech specs
macOS requirements
PC requirements
File size
What's Included
Legato Techniques
Performance Legato (Extended)
A hugely detailed and highly playable legato patch which reacts in realtime to playing speed. This extended Pro version includes additional legato styles (portamento and detaché) plus marcato and soft entries for single notes - our most advanced legato ever.
Lyrical Legato (Extended)
A relaxed legato patch for slower moving melody lines. This extended Pro version includes additional legato styles (portamento and detaché) plus marcato and soft entries for single notes.
Performance Legato
A hugely detailed and highly playable legato patch which reacts in realtime to playing speed.
Lyrical Legato
A relaxed legato patch for slower moving melody lines.
Legato Runs
A very agile legato patch specifically for very fast passages and flourishes up to a minor 3rd (Legato intervals greater than a minor 3rd will not sound)
Legato Detache
A legato-style patch in which all the connecting notes have broad but separated bow strokes, ideal for strong and impactful statements
Legato Portamento
A legato patch in which all the intervals are performed in a 'portamento' style with an intentional slide between notes
Legato Slurred
A legato patch with slurred intervals performed with a 'moderate tempo' feel for sweeping melody lines
Legato Allegro
A legato patch with slurred intervals performed with a sprightly 'uptempo' feel, ideal for quicker or arpeggiated ostinato material
Long Techniques
Long (Extended)
A polyphonic sustained longs patch - this extended Pro version features additional soft and marcato styles for note entries triggered by key velocity
Long
A polyphonic sustained longs patch for pads and chordal writing.
Flautando
A sustained note performed with a fast bow speed playing close to the fingerboard (sul tasto) creating a delicate and airy flute-like sound
Tremolo
A technique performed with rapid continuous bowing, creating delicate flurrying textures at lower dynamics with increasing intensity at louder volumes
Harmonics
Sustained notes produced from the overtones of the string (artificial harmonics) sounding higher than the fundamental to create glassy, suspenseful textures
Trills (Major & Minor 2nds & 3rds)
Rapid alternating between two notes.
Tremolo (Measured - 150 & 180 BPM)
Tremolo performed with a specified number of repeated notes which may be sync’d to the host DAW's tempo.
Short Techniques
Spiccatissimo
An extremely short note length performed by quickly bouncing the bow on the string - an agile technique for very fast, articulate material
Spiccato
A very short and crisp note length performed by bouncing the bow on the string creating a sprightly 'all-purpose' short articulation
Staccato
A short note length performed with the bow starting on the string, sounding clearly detached with a slight accent
Marcato
A technique performed with a strong accented front to the note - presented as a longer note length than 'staccato' with the option of Timed Release triggers
Pizzicato
A short note produced by plucking the strings with the fingers. ‘Bartok pizzicato is recorded at the very highest dynamic.
Col Legno
A technique performed by tapping the string with the back of the bow or a pencil, producing a light and woody sound
Signals
Mix 1
A full-sounding room mix by Simon Rhodes, formed from Tree 1, Overheads, Outriggers 1, and a curated blend of spots.
Mix 2
A tighter mix by Simon Rhodes, formed from Tree 2, Mids and Outriggers 2 with a curated blend of spots.
Close
Small diaphragm condenser mics placed on each desk and summed capturing a detailed and articulate close image.
Close Ribbons
A combination of ribbon mics placed on each desk capturing a warm and rounded close image.
Pop Main
A cardioid stereo valve mic placed above the section and panned centrally for a flexible image not restricted to the orchestral layout.
Pop Room
Omnidirectional condenser mics placed either side of the section to add additional roominess and space to the Pop Main signal.
Tree 1
A decca tree formed of Abbey Road’s finest trio of classic valve omnidirectional microphones creating a lush and full sound.
Tree 2
A tighter, closer decca tree formed from mics with a more directional pattern, suited to faster, more detailed material.
Outriggers 1
Used in conjunction with either tree to obtain a wider image. This pair utilises omnidirectional mics to reproduce the full width of Studio One.
Outriggers 2
Used together with either tree to obtain a wider image. This pair uses mics with a more directional pattern, pulling the edges of the room inwards.
Mids
A pair of valve REDD mics placed between the conductor and the source which adds extra focus to the sound when combined with the Tree and Outriggers.
Ambients
A pristine pair of small diaphragm omnidirectional microphones to the rear of the room for a natural ambience.
Vintage 1
A pair of original 1940s RM1B ribbon microphones placed in front of the conductor to create a vintage scoring stage sound
Vintage 2
A pair of classic 44BX ribbon microphones placed by the conductor for an alternative vintage scoring stage sound
Leader
A single microphone placed on the section leader, used to add additional focus above the full section if required.
Spill
A summation of spot mics placed around the other sections. These capture the natural 'spill' from the source across the orchestra for added realism.
FAQs
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CELLOS CORE AND PROFESSIONAL?
Core and Pro share many of the same techniques and the sampling depth across many of the common techniques is the same.Core has a single signal option (Simon Rhodes’ ‘Mix 1) whereas Pro includes additional signal options (16 in total),Professional also contains ‘Extended’ techniques and additional legato content.
HAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ABBEY ROAD ORCHESTRA AND ABBEY ROAD ONE?
Abbey Road Orchestra - Cellos is the fifth instalment in the Abbey Road Orchestra product line. Crafted for professional composers, producers, sound designers and music editors, Abbey Road Orchestra brings you every section of the orchestra in breathtaking detail. It’s the culmination of over 20 years of sampling experience and innovation.Abbey Road One is a range of ensemble libraries captured in Studio One at Abbey Road, created by Spitfire Audio in partnership with Abbey Road Studios. This is made up of a core library called Abbey Road One: Orchestral Foundations, and then smaller libraries called Abbey Road One: Film Scoring Selections series.The Selections are smaller and more focused libraries inspired by classic films, offering pre-orchestrated instrument pairings and themes. Featuring pre-arranged ensembles of classic orchestral pairings, each Selection is designed to help you accomplish a simple task phenomenally well.