VST playback for older period instruments + tablature

[Quarkman]

Hello everyone,

Does anyone have any suggestions for a good playback engine for older period instruments? Specifically I am looking for lute/theorbo/chiattarone playback that is more “natural” sounding, one of them is using a ‘nylong 6-string guitar playback) which is fine to doa spot check but not as a performance VST for posting or sharing with other musicaologists and performers. I imagine that getting a VST just for Renaissance string instruments is a far-fetched idea, but if anyone has any experience in this regard, I would welcome some ideas. I have not found much online in searching (although I have mostly been looking at performance and technical considerations for the player.

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Part two: Does anyone have experience writing lute notation in tablature versus standard notation. Many players I have seen seem to prefer tablature over notation, I am trying to familiarize myself with the layout, fretboard and logistics of the instrument so notation is, at present, more comfortable for me to work with (may that always hold true!).

Thanks for all help! It is appreciated! Have a great day/night and be safe & well.

[derAbgang]

I’ve been quite happy with Rinascimento - FluffyAudio It’s a bit pricey for the moderate use it gets in my studio, but … nice to have in a pinch.

As for Tab, this topic has come up here before. Searching the forum may help.

EDIT: I should also add that Eastwest has Hollywood Fantasy Strings. I’ve only played with it a bit so I can’t give a review (included in composer cloud).

[arco]

A few links (might be useful if you have not found them yet)

Bob Early music

Steinberg lute

Miroire

Miroire review

Review: Orchestral Tools Miroire Baroque Orchestra

I’ve just downloaded OT’s new Miroire sample library, and will spend the next few days getting to grips with it. It’s on special offer for the next two weeks. First impressions are: the sounds are lovely, the violins and violas are sufficiently ‘authentic’. The brass and wind are probably the best and most useful elements. The choir is nice, with no vibrato, and an option for a rotating syllable, which is subtle enough to be a noticeable change without actually sounding like nonsense. The …

Early Music VSTs for use with Dorico

Hey all, Hope this isn’t too off topic for a Dorico forum - any reccomendations for sample libraries that include instruments such as viol, viola da gamba, theorbo, baroque flute, natural trombones, cornets? Would just be fun to have the sound while I’m transcribing scores. Many thanks Edd

[Quarkman]

Thanks for all the solutions, you fellow Dorico-ites are amazing, as always.

I decided to get the Steinberg Lute. It was rather a pain to get it loaded into Dorico, but I finally got it playing back. I even sent a sample score (WIP) and clip of audio to a professional who plays the lute/theorbo. The theorbo it’s not ideal for as it’s missing some of the bass courses the instrument is famous for, but not sure there’s anything VST related that would ‘matchline’ from 21st century software to a 16th century musical instrument!

Thanks again for your input and time, it is greatly appreciated. A couple of people have asked if there might be more lute/theorbo music that could be made and I have been a big admirer of the lute/theorbo/chiattarone for a long time. Thanks again and have a wonderful day/night/week. Happy Composing!

~gary