Balkan Ethnic Orchestra by Strezov Sampling Review

Balkan Ethnic Orchestra by Strezov Sampling Review

The Kontakt-based Balkan Ethnic Orchestra library which is under review today is a huge collection of samples of Eastern European instruments. In addition to traditional instruments such as flutes, clarinets, and string instruments, the library also includes a wide array of unique folk instruments like the gadulka and gaida. The samples are meticulously recorded and offer a high level of authenticity, making it a valuable tool for composers and producers looking to add an ethnic flair to their music. Additionally, the library features a special section dedicated to holkenborg’s orchestral percussion.

The Balkan Ethnic Orchestra library from Strezov Sampling is an impressively comprehensive collection of samples of Eastern European instruments. It features a wide range of instruments from solo instruments to full orchestras, providing users with everything they need to create authentic-sounding Eastern European music.

The sounds are well-recorded and sound great, making it easy to create realistic-sounding music without having to spend hours tweaking the samples. Overall, the Balkan Ethnic Orchestra library is an excellent resource for anyone looking to create music with an Eastern European flair and is highly recommended.

It is a unique compilation of gypsy and eastern European sounds that gives you access to a large number of Eastern European instruments. Strezov Sampling did send a review copy with no strings attached. For more from Strezov see also CHOIR 2 Complete by Strezov Sampling Review and Afflatus Chapter I Strings by STREZOV Review.

Balkan Ethnic Orchestra Installation

Balkan Ethnic Orchestra requires free Native Instruments Kontakt Player Version 5.7.1 or full Native Instruments Kontakt Version 5.7.1. You need 50 GB Hard drive space for the library (21GB for installation files and 28,6 GB extracted full-size library)

Balkan Ethnic Orchestra Sound

If you’re looking for a comprehensive collection of authentic-sounding Eastern European samples, the Balkan Ethnic Orchestra library from Strezov Sampling is definitely worth a look. It features a wide range of instruments, all of which sound great and are easy to use.

So if you’re in need of some new sounds to add some eastern European flair to your music, be sure to check out the Balkan Ethnic Orchestra library from Strezov Sampling. You won’t be disappointed.

Strezov Sampling based in Bulgaria included in Balkan Ethnic Orchestra a complete orchestra library with that typical theme and vibe Eastern European instruments. The library is perfect for the score that is about eastern European countries, or if you need to score to picture for scenes where the Russian mob is in focus. When I think about the music that originates from this kind of orchestra one movie comes to my mind: CRNA MACKA, BELI MACOR Black Cat, White Cat.

If you have not seen this movie, I recommend watching it now and continuing with this article after you watch this great movie.

Recorded have been over 40 Ethnic Folklore Soloists from the Balkans. Spanning across Wind, Bowed and Plucked String and Brass Instruments, Vocal Quartet and Percussion Soloists with articulations including multiple True Legato recordings.

True Polyphonic Legato Ethnic Quartet Choir featuring Agile Legato for ten syllables in three speeds. A particular layer of sustain singing for all patches and the Syllabuilder Version 3 from the Next Generation Choir Series.

This library has the typical eastern European vibe you expect and includes band combos, ethnic instruments, a choir, textures, and pads.

The Kontakt Library includes five sections: Band, Choir, Ethnic, Pads, and Percussion.

Balkan Ethnic Orchestra Band section

Inside the Band section, you find Accordion, Double Bass, Bayan, Euphonium, Flugelhorn, Guitar, Trombone, Trumpet, and Tuba. Those instruments come all with the gypsy vibe and tone, I love it and keep smiling when I play them.

Balkan Ethnic Orchestra Choir section

You find true polyphonic Ah & Eh Quartet Ah Legato in the Choir section. In addition, you get the well know Strezov Syllabuilder adopted from other choir libraries produced by Strezov. The vocals are just beautiful with a high dynamic range. The included Syllabuilder based on SYLLABUILDER ENGINE 3 is a combination of Phrase building (StormChoir, Freyja/Arva/Wotan series) and Wordbuilding.

Balkan Ethnic Orchestra Ethnic section

The Ethnic section includes Bulgarian Duduk High, Bulgarian Duduk Low, Duduk (Alto, Bass, and Tenor), Gadulka, Gaida, Gypsy Clarinet, Gypsy Romantic Violin, Gypsy Violin, Gypsy Voice, Kaval, Macedonian Kemane, Tambour, and Zourna.

Balkan Ethnic Orchestra Pads section

Pads section, you will love them.
The included Pads are simple to use, producing excellent and outstanding results. You have access to more Futuristic and Fantasy sounding sets of different pads. Do not overlook this gem in this library.

Balkan Ethnic Orchestra Percussive Section

Finally, you receive a set of percussive instruments
Percussion is based on the X3M engine from the same company. You can include a drum or percussive instrument fitting your gypsy-like vibe. Included are Solo Tupan, Single Chans (cowbells), Multiple Chans (cowbells), Klepalo (monastery wooden block), Tarambuka (darbuka), and Balkan Band.

The quality of the recordings is at a high standard and meeting the expected quality that you do receive from Strezov Sampling.

A musician from the Balkan will find many familiar instruments in this library; a composer can use the instruments to produce an eastern Europe mood and played in authentic form.

Balkan Ethnic Orchestra User interface & Usability

The library comes with a very clean and themed UI, easy to use. Many sections do benefit from other experiences the developer made when developing other products (choir, percussion as an example). The mod-wheel or key-velocity can be used in many articulations to manage Instrument’s dynamics.

Balkan Ethnic Orchestra by Strezov Sampling Review – Conclusion

The Strezov Sampling Balkan Ethnic Orchestra is an excellent library of eastern European instruments that will make any composer smile. It contains high-quality recordings of Accordion, Double Bass, Bayan, Euphonium, Flugelhorn, Guitar, Trombone, Trumpet, and Tuba as well as a choir, ethnic instruments, pads, and percussion.

The user interface is easy to use and the sounds are top-notch. This library would be perfect for any composer looking to add a touch of eastern Europe to their score.

Rating:  Five out of five stars

Balkan Ethnic Orchestra is one of the leading libraries that has the vibe and sounds like eastern Europe and can be used easily in your score for a story based on east European roots. All sections included are instrumental and perform exceptionally good and come with an authentic tone.

The Ethnic part with 20 familiar and lesser-known instruments is a great addition as the excellent sounding pads. Or use the choir section and add some percussive instruments.