Hans Zimmer Strings
Groundbreaking string sampling
$799
Now updated with 60GB of extra sounds.
To create the greatest film scores in the world, you need to think outside the box. We teamed up with Hans Zimmer, the Godfather of orchestral sampling (Dunkirk, The Dark Knight, Interstellar), to produce this spectacular innovation; 344 players performing an unconventional range of playing techniques in The Hall at London's world-famous AIR Studios. With up to 26 mic positions, only technology allows you to play an ensemble this big — from thundering basslines to glass-like high strings, this is symphonic strings maximised.
With the help of design and user experience agency UsTwo (Monument Valley, DICE), Hans Zimmer Strings is presented in our award-winning dedicated plugin — developed primarily for composers, by composers. Take the dynamic of your scores to levels you’ve never imagined, with our most ambitious library yet.
La Danse Démoniaque (HZS Update Patches Only) — Paul Thomson (0:00 / 1:34)
Futuristic Sleigh Ride - Christian Henson (0:00 / 2:32)
Minutemen — Louis Rugg (including update patches) (0:00 / 2:27)
A Last Dance - Oliver Patrice Weder (0:00 / 2:40)
Gigue - Paul Thomson (from an original idea by Duruflé) (0:00 / 2:12)
Paradigm Shift - Christian Henson (0:00 / 2:02)
Pulse Adrift - Homay Schmitz (0:00 / 2:06)
Montaigne - Andy Blaney (0:00 / 3:35)
The Survivor - Oliver Patrice Weder (0:00 / 5:16)
Traitor's Motif - Blake Robinson (0:00 / 2:16)
Product Info
- ~366873 Samples
- 251.0 GB download size Too large to download?
- 251.0 GB disk space required during install
- Mac system requirements Mac OS X 10.10 or later Minimum: 2.8GHz i5 (dual core), 8GB RAM, 184GB free HD space (7200rpm). Recommended: 2.5GHz i7 (quad-core), 16GB RAM, 184GB free SSD space. Machine must be connected to the internet during install
- PC system requirements Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 10 (latest Service Pack, 32/64-bit) Minimum: 2.8GHz i5 (dual core), 8GB RAM, 184GB free HD space (7200rpm). Recommended: 2.5GHz i7 (quad-core), 16GB RAM, 184GB free SSD space. Machine must be connected to the internet during install
- Dedicated Plugin
- User manual
- Apply for educational discount
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"The true magic of sampling is creating sounds that are impossible to recreate in reality.”
— Hans Zimmer
In collaboration with Hans, we adopted his groundbreaking approach to large group sampling and took it to another level to create a truly epic, supercharged string sound. We handpicked a gargantuan ensemble of London's finest session players in The Hall at AIR Studios to perform a vast range of playing techniques, including Tremolo Harmonic Waves, Super Sul Pont and newly added Marcato Shorts — with mindblowing results. With this ambitious and exciting string library, you are bound to unlock areas of creativity you didn’t imagine were possible.
Here’s how the 344 players break down:
"This library gives you the tools to create something totally new and extraordinary sounding. The first time you hear these 60 cellists playing muted, as softly as possible, is truly remarkable. Being able to realise my own musical ideas with this unusual creative toolkit is extremely inspiring.”
— Paul Thomson, Composer & Co-Founder of Spitfire Audio
Presented in our award-winning dedicated plugin (VST2, VST3, AU, AAX) we worked with UsTwo, one of the world’s best design and user-experience agencies to create a composition tool that’s easy to use, intuitive and inspiring.
Built To Perform
Honed exclusively for these samples, Hans Zimmer Strings is clutter-free and focused.
Simplified Control
Featuring sliders for expression and dynamics, and a knob that can be easily customised to the user's personal workflow.
Intuitive Navigation System
Tailored specifically for orchestra work, loading instruments is a pleasure. Includes preset filtering.
A name most synonymous with modern film scoring, Hans Zimmer has not only composed some of the most memorable scores in recent years (Dunkirk, The Dark Knight, Inception), but he has also revolutionised music production for film with his innovative approach to sampling and recording. His daring instrument selection and use of unconventional techniques have given his scores a distinctive and world-renowned sonic trademark.
"Hans Zimmer Strings offers an oceanic patina of strings and articulations. Where certain techniques might normally sound angular, they suddenly take on a fresh beauty — try out the Col Legno Trattos for a totally unique sound.”
— Christian Henson, Composer & Co-Founder of Spitfire Audio
This update (free to existing users) features over 60GB of new content, plus a huge range of refinements and optimisations across the library, including faster loading times. Produced and recorded in close collaboration with Hans in the Hall at AIR Studios, these brand new recordings include three new short techniques across two violin and two cello sections — Marcato Crotchet, Marcato Semibreve (both non-vibrato and vibrato) and Spiccatissimo (with up to 21 dynamic layers using Hans’ “microlayering” technique, and 5 round robins) for extra definition —12 new patches to explore, adding a whole new dimension to the library.
We are also excited to announce that the library is now NKS ready, with multi-outputs added to the mixer, a technique editor for customizing presets, various optimisations to RAM and CPU usage, and finally, improvements to the legato patches. For information on how to update, read our FAQs here.
Product Reviews
What's included
Individual Techniques:
Violins
- 60 Violins - Short
- 60 Violins - Short Pizzicato Bartok
- 60 Violins - Short Soft Col Legno
- 60 Violins - Long
- 60 Violins - Long Super Sul Pont
- 60 Violins - Long Super Flautando
- 60 Violins - Long Soft CS
- 60 Violins - Long Col Legno Tratto
- 60 Violins - Legato
- 60 Violins - FX
- 20 Violins LHS - Short Tight
- 20 Violins LHS - Short Pizzicato
- 20 Violins LHS - Short Col Legno
- 20 Violins LHS - Long
- 20 Violins LHS - Long Super Sul Pont
- 20 Violins LHS - Long Super Flautando
- 20 Violins LHS - Long Sul Tasto
- 20 Violins LHS - Long CS
- 20 Violins LHS - Legato
- 20 Violins LHS - Marcato Crotchet
- 20 Violins LHS - Marcato Semibreve
- 20 Violins LHS - Spiccatissimo
- 20 Violins CTR - Tremolo
- 20 Violins CTR - Tremolo Harmonics
- 20 Violins CTR - Tremolo CS
- 20 Violins CTR - Short Tight
- 20 Violins CTR - Short Strummed Pizzicato
- 20 Violins CTR - Short Col Legno
- 20 Violins CTR - Long
- 20 Violins CTR - Long Super Sul Pont
- 20 Violins CTR - Long Super Flautando
- 20 Violins CTR - Long Sul Tasto
- 20 Violins CTR - Long Sul Pont
- 20 Violins CTR - Long Harmonics
- 20 Violins CTR - Long CS
- 20 Violins CTR - Long Col Legno Tratto
- 20 Violins RHS - Tremolo Harmonics
- 20 Violins RHS - Tremolo CS
- 20 Violins RHS - Short Strummed Pizzicato
- 20 Violins RHS - Short Pizzicato Bartok
- 20 Violins RHS - Short Col Legno
- 20 Violins RHS - Long
- 20 Violins RHS - Long Tremolo Harmonic Waves
- 20 Violins RHS - Long Super Sul Pont
- 20 Violins RHS - Long Super Flautando
- 20 Violins RHS - Long Harmonics
- 20 Violins RHS - Long CS
- 20 Violins RHS - Long Col Legno Tratto
- 20 Violins RHS - Legato
- 20 Violins RHS - FX
- 20 Violins RHS - Marcato Crotchet
- 20 Violins RHS - Marcato Semibreve
- 20 Violins RHS - Spiccatissimo
- Violins Galleries - Tremolo CS
- Violins Galleries - Short Pizzicato
- Violins Galleries - Short Pizzicato Bartok
- Violins Galleries - Short Col Legno
- Violins Galleries - Long
- Violins Galleries - Long Super Flautando
- Violins Galleries - Long Sul Pont
- Violins Galleries - Long CS
- Violins Galleries - Long Col Legno Tratto
Violas
- 20 Violas CTR - Short Tight
- 20 Violas CTR - Short Strummed Pizzicato
- 20 Violas CTR - Long
- 20 Violas CTR - Long Super Flautando
- 20 Violas CTR - Long CS
- 20 Violas CTR - Long Col Legno Tratto
- 20 Violas CTR - FX
- 20 Violas WIDE - Tremolo
- 20 Violas WIDE - Tremolo Harmonics
- 20 Violas WIDE - Tremolo Harmonic Waves
- 20 Violas WIDE - Short
- 20 Violas WIDE - Short Pizzicato
- 20 Violas WIDE - Short Pizzicato Bartok
- 20 Violas WIDE - Short Col Legno
- 20 Violas WIDE - Long
- 20 Violas WIDE - Long Super Sul Pont
- 20 Violas WIDE - Long Super Flautando
- 20 Violas WIDE - Long Harmonics
- 20 Violas WIDE - Long CS
- 20 Violas WIDE - Legato
Cellos
- 60 Cellos - Tremolo CS Pont Waves
- 60 Cellos - Short
- 60 Cellos - Short Pizzicato Bartok
- 60 Cellos - Short Soft Col Legno
- 60 Cellos - Long
- 60 Cellos - Long Super Sul Pont
- 60 Cellos - Long Super Flautando
- 60 Cellos - Long Soft CS
- 60 Cellos - Long Col Legno Tratto
- 60 Cellos - Legato
- 60 Cellos - FX
- 20 Cellos RHS - Tremolo Sul Pont
- 20 Cellos RHS - Tremolo Harmonic Waves
- 20 Cellos RHS - Tremolo CS
- 20 Cellos RHS - Tremolo CS Sul Pont
- 20 Cellos RHS - Tremolo CS Pont Waves
- 20 Cellos RHS - Short
- 20 Cellos RHS - Short Pizzicato Bartok
- 20 Cellos RHS - Short Col Legno
- 20 Cellos RHS - Long
- 20 Cellos RHS - Long Super Sul Pont
- 20 Cellos RHS - Long Super Flautando
- 20 Cellos RHS - Long Harmonics
- 20 Cellos RHS - Long CS
- 20 Cellos RHS - Long Col Legno Tratto
- 20 Cellos RHS - Legato
- 20 Cellos RHS - FX
- 20 Cellos RHS - Marcato Crotchet
- 20 Cellos RHS - Marcato Semibreve
- 20 Cellos RHS - Spiccatissimo
- 20 Cellos LHS - Tremolo
- 20 Cellos LHS - Tremolo CS
- 20 Cellos LHS - Short
- 20 Cellos LHS - Short Pizzicato
- 20 Cellos LHS - Short Pizzicato Bartok
- 20 Cellos LHS - Short Col Legno
- 20 Cellos LHS - Long
- 20 Cellos LHS - Long Super Sul Pont
- 20 Cellos LHS - Long Super Flautando
- 20 Cellos LHS - Long Sul Pont
- 20 Cellos LHS - Long Harmonics
- 20 Cellos LHS - Long CS
- 20 Cellos LHS - Legato
- 20 Cellos LHS - Marcato Crotchet
- 20 Cellos LHS - Marcato Semibreve
- 20 Cellos LHS - Spiccatissimo
- 20 Cellos CTR - Tremolo CS Pont Waves
- 20 Cellos CTR - Long
- 20 Cellos CTR - Long Super Sul Pont
- 20 Cellos CTR - Long Super Flautando
- 20 Cellos CTR - Long Sul Pont
- 20 Cellos CTR - Long Harmonics
- Cellos Galleries - Tremolo CS
- Cellos Galleries - Short Pizzicato
- Cellos Galleries - Short Pizzicato Bartok
- Cellos Galleries - Short Col Legno
- Cellos Galleries - Long
- Cellos Galleries - Long Super Flautando
- Cellos Galleries - Long Sul Pont
- Cellos Galleries - Long CS
Basses
- 24 Basses - Tremolo
- 24 Basses - Tremolo CS Pont Waves
- 24 Basses - Short
- 24 Basses - Short Pizzicato
- 24 Basses - Short Pizzicato Bartok
- 24 Basses - Short Col Legno
- 24 Basses - Long
- 24 Basses - Long Super Sul Tasto
- 24 Basses - Long Super Sul Pont
- 24 Basses - Long Super Flautando
- 24 Basses - Long Sul Pont
- 24 Basses - Long Harmonics
- 24 Basses - Long Col Legno Tratto
- 24 Basses - Legato
- 24 Basses - FX2 (Chatter)
- 24 Basses - FX1 (Cluster Slides)
Mics & Mixes
Number Of Mics
- 60 Violins - 21
- 20 Violins Left - 13
- 20 Violins Centre - 14
- 20 Violins Right - 13
- Violins Galleries - 15
- 20 Violas Wide - 17
- 20 Violas Centre - 15
- 60 Cellos - 26
- 20 Cellos Left - 15
- 20 Cellos Centre - 14
- 20 Cellos Right - 15
- Cellos Galleries - 18
- 24 Basses - 21
