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Orchestral Tools

TIME macro by Orchestral Tools Review

2025

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TIME macro by Orchestral Tools Review Harps and Vibes

TIME macro by Orchestral Tools Review

TIME macro is in its character a comprehensive compilation of inciting orchestral and choral textures, exceptional articulations. Orchestral Tools delivers unprocessed recordings at the Telex scoring stage.

ORCHESTRAL TOOLS the Symphonic Sampling Project of Schwarzer & Mantik GmbH

We all refer to ORCHESTRAL TOOLS (OT) as the producing company.  ORCHESTRAL TOOLS has become an industry standard and trusted brand of  Schwarzer & Mantik GmbH. OT is described on the main company website as a Sampling Project: “Enter a whole new world of orchestral colors, shades, and inspiration. It is the nexus of innovative concepts, the magical shimmering ambiance of the Teldex Scoring Stage and the renowned musicians from the world-famous orchestras of Berlin, that makes our collections to be the standard toolset of professional film composers.“

TIME macro by Orchestral Tools Review Orchestra patches
TIME macro by Orchestral Tools Review Orchestra patches

While Orchestral Tools is called still a project by the parent company it has become an industry standard and leading trusted brand producing virtual libraries for a composer.

Installation

TIME MACRO supports the free Kontakt Player and Kontakt full 5.8.1 or higher. The download and installation of the library are done the Continuata connect client, you just have to enter the provided serial code and start the download.

TIME MACRO by Orchestral Tools Downloader
TIME MACRO by Orchestral Tools Downloader

Sound

Time Macro is charming. The library sounds beautiful, and it attributes a whole new dimension of playable instruments to your toolbox. TIME macro produces unique shades of ten different ensembles:

  • High Strings, Mid Strings, and Low Strings
  • High Woodwinds, Low Woodwinds, and Double Reeds
  • Brass
  • Harps & Vibes
  • Women Choir and Men Choir

The full articulation of this library can be found here.

TIME macro by Orchestral Tools Review Low Strings
TIME macro by Orchestral Tools Review Low Strings

In the included Orchestra section there are combined full orchestra, brass & strings, choir & strings, woodwinds & strings available. If I compare those combinations with what is available from other companies this set of groups works and sounds excellent.

User interface & Usability

As all current OT libraries, this one also uses heavy the default UI in  Capsule. If you did use any other library from Orchestra Tools, you would find yourself right home.

TIME macro by Orchestral Tools Review Harps and Vibes
TIME macro by Orchestral Tools Review Harps and Vibes

If you are starting with the Capsule, you will need to spend some medium invest in the time to go through the manual or watch one or some of the many Capsule tutorial videos.

TIME macro is separated into three types of articulations:

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  • Long sustained textures that have a sense of subtle forward movement
  • Pendulum Swells – the movement of a pendulum transformed into dynamic swells
  • Rhythmic patterns, which are reminiscent of clockworks
  • 10 Individual Sections
  • Strings, Woodwinds, Brass, Choir, Harps & Vibes
TIME macro by Orchestral Tools Review Single Instruments
TIME macro by Orchestral Tools Review Single Instruments

Rating:  Five out of five stars

TIME macro is all about astounding, excellent sounds from an orchestra available in playable patches of instruments and sense-making combinations, remarkably enchanting.

There are many sections and combinations included. To point out a few: The Choir is astounding and has a particular drive and tone a choir needs to have.  The woodwinds are highly usable with perfect lifelike sustains. I love the low strings. 

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CHRONO SYMPHONIC STRUCTURES – TIME MACRO

Orchestral Tools’ TIME macro is a gem, let’s face it when it the library was announced with some small teaser during the pre-order phase. Many wondered about what Orchestral Tools can deliver before an expected METROPOLIS ARK 4. They provided a high-end library which is unique in the market, and you do not end up with a library that has overlap – this is a unique one.

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Orchestral Tools

Review Holkenborg’s Orchestral Percussion – Tool of the Pros

2025

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Review of Tom Holkenborg’s Percussion by Orchestral Tools

In this article, we will be reviewing Tom Holkenborg’s Orchestral Percussion. Tom Holkenborg is a Dutch composer and producer who has worked on various notable projects such as the soundtrack of Deadpool 2. He also produced music for video games including Arkham Knight and Quantum Break. His latest Library, Orchestral Tools – Tom Holkenborg’s Percussion, contains some incredible sounds from his percussion instrument library which you can use in your own compositions!

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Tom Holkenborg’s Orchestral Tools – Percussion is a comprehensive library for adding percussion to your compositions. The library includes almost every type of percussion instrument that you can imagine, from snares and cymbals to various ethnic instruments from different cultures around the world. We will take a look at how easy it is to use these tools in your projects and why they are so valuable for professionals in the industry.

About Tom Holkenborg

Tom is a Dutch film composer, also known as Junkie XL. Tom is best known for his scores on the films Black Hawk Down and The Dark Knight Rises. He also has written scores for other films like Deadpool, Logan, Mad Max: Fury Road, Robin Hood (2010), Kung Fu Panda 3, and Atomic Blonde. But what does he have to do with orchestral percussion?

About Tom Holkenborg
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Push the limits of loud with this powerful library

The library is a marvel. Just when you think that there’s nothing more to this world, another invention comes out and blows your mind with how much it can do! The sounds coming off these drum machines will make any producer proud because not only did they capture his signature style but also added their own twist on top by adding different noises throughout each beat or shell progression which gives them such an authentic feel.

One of the most often used tools in a film composer’s arsenal is orchestral percussion. In this article, we will take a look at some of Tom Holkenborg’s percussion recordings and see what they have to offer composers.

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Watching movies on your couch

Perfect for creating a big sound

This unique collection of instruments, assembled over more than 7 years has an impressive sound. The instrument’s patches are perfect for creating a truly massive feel with the four kits that play in parallel and special quad toms included! This orchestral tool plugin has a wide variety of instruments, from the bass drum to custom drums.

Tom Holkenborg’s expansion on the drums is a breath of fresh air for any player. He takes what would be an average sound and makes it extraordinary, evolving with time as well!

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How do you make a sound bigger?

With 100 dynamic layers of instruments, drums can be played with your MIDI pad or controller. You might also like to try out some electric drumming for an even more authentic experience!

I did the test with an 88-key keyboard and controller, it will freshen up your creative approach to drum sounds. You’ll be able to cancel out some of those simple punch triggers from other libraries too!

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You can change your beats from boring to thrilling with just a few clicks. Thanks to the drum samples and their ready-to-mix sound, they offer a tight attack that’s more biting than typical orchestral scoring percussion.

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Tom’s orchestral brass library is the perfect companion to her recently released percussion instrument. It can give your production an organic, live feel while giving it some bite and spice – just like Tom Holkenborg’s style! Tom Holkenborg is one of the most sought-after composers in this world, and he’s curated what many consider to be his own museum.

Find drums of different shapes, sizes and colors

The library is a unique instrument store with drums of every shape, size, and color. It features 60 different instruments so you can find the perfect sound for any project or style! Tom Holkenborg is a musical genius. He knows that sometimes the best way to get your message across, or just have some fun with instruments in general – is by using an eclectic mix of different ones! In this case, we’re talking drums from all over: tom own Surdos and tupan-built ones alike; Conga Drums lined up side by side like soldiers at attention awaiting their orders. A collection worth looking at for any aspiring musician!

Tom’s personal setup

The drumming enthusiast has been copying his personal setup for the last 8 years, which consists of a large number of instruments he acquired over that time period. Drum kits have revolutionized action film scores and can be yours with this library pack!

The orchestral instruments are made with the latest in sampling and synthesis technology to create a lush sound that’s perfect for any professional composer. In addition, the precision and attention to detail in the sound design of these instruments make them ideal for use in film scoring, video game soundtracks, and other media projects. Additionally, the flexibility of the samples and synthesis technology allows composers to tailor the sound to their specific needs and preferences. If you’re interested in exploring this cutting-edge technology further, be sure to check out the latest orb composer review to see how this software can enhance your orchestral compositions.

What are Surdos, Tupan & Taye Toms?

Surdos are a type of drum from Brazil. The Surdo is a cylindrical drum with a hole in the middle about 8 inches wide. The drum is played with the hands.

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The tupan is a Brazilian drum that is played in religious ceremonies. The instrument has two parts that are played with the hands, one to hit the head and the other to manage the tension on the ropes.

Taye Toms is a one-of-a-kind drum with a sound that’s completely in league with the brilliant, iconic artist they were designed for. From their stunning Taye Black finish to their refined dimensions, these are drums that are not just played – they are honored.

Tom Holkenborgs Orchestral Percussion 1
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Accompaniment for strings in film scores

With its rich rhythm, the bass drum and tom can be used to provide a simple yet effective accompaniment for brass and strings in film scores. The percussions also make an excellent partner with orchestral sounds such as those found on piano or cello during solo instrument performances which need extra support from syncopation without being too overbearing – just enough so they don’t get lost against all that melody going on around them!

When you have a library full of instruments and orchestras to choose from, it’s no easy task finding the right tone for your score. For the price, it’s an amazing option for composers in need of a powerful drum library. With its Orchestral Tools and Percussion section alone this is one resource that would be hard to beat if you’re looking at scoring action or trailer films. Holkenborg’s Percussion Library is a virtual instrument that puts its drums in the hands of producers and composers around the world.

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Review Holkenborg’s Orchestral Percussion - Tool of the Pros 61

An addition to my arsenal orchestral libraries

When working on any given project there are certain things that can make the process easier: having access to an arsenal orchestral libraries as well other percussive sounds is one such advantage; another would be being able to work with professional scoring format software without limits or restrictions imposed by traditional formats like vinyl records which may not always translate into digital playback environments. It sounds so cool and the sound makes me feel like I’m in another world or something.

Rating: Four out of five stars

The library presents percussion instruments from many scores, films, and movies.  All of these drums were sampled and post-processed by himself over the years. They are still a key part of his template today!

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This library is so deep you’ll be able to create anything from subtle rhythms, aggressive bursts of sound all the way through with over 100 layers in total. It’s not just drums either.

Tom Holkenborg’s library is perfect for scoring trailers and action scores. The sound is so clear, you’ll be able to hear every detail. You can control the dynamics in a way that will make your mixes come alive like never before! This package also includes everything else needed for making your next big beat including sampled percussion instruments and richly layered synths that will have an audience stunned in their seat while watching what’s playing up there on the screen.

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Virtual Instrument Library

SEQUIS: A Stunning Library of Acoustic Instrument Samples with an Easy-to-use Yet Powerful Sequencer

2025

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SEQUIS is Native Instruments’ new library of acoustic instrument samples and sequencers, designed with Orchestral Tools. It’s a stunning library, with a powerful sequencer to go along with it. If you’re looking for a way to add some orchestral sounds to your music, then you should check this out!

A synthesizer with features that appeal to both music producers and media composers. The new SEQUIS is the follow-up to ARKHIS — NI’s hugely successful instrument for cutting-edge cinematic underscoring.

The software instruments SEQUIS and ARKHIS were created in collaboration with Orchestral Tools, a legendary Berlin-based sound design studio recognized for their award-winning sounds.

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SEQUIS: A Stunning Library of Acoustic Instrument Samples with an Easy-to-use Yet Powerful Sequencer 85

Inspiring Acoustic Sequencer

SEQUIS is Native Instruments’ new library of acoustic instrument samples and sequencers, with a powerful sequencer. It’s a stunning library designed for Orchestral Tools, which is Native Instruments’ library of orchestral-sounding instruments. SEQUIS is perfect if you’re looking to add some orchestral sounds into your music.

You can quickly create looping melodies, dynamic pads, and rhythmic patterns with this software. You can even use it outside the studio with its dynamic sound engine!

Sequis sequencer
SEQUIS: A Stunning Library of Acoustic Instrument Samples with an Easy-to-use Yet Powerful Sequencer 86

A New Pattern-based Paradigm

SEQUIS is a beatmaking tool that allows you to construct compelling grooves with chords, change the key, and manipulate time signatures. It combines a vast library of meticulously recorded samples with an intuitive sequencer to bring rhythm and melody together in your work, infusing it with a genuinely organic, pulsating momentum. SEQUis gives you complete freedom to sculpt your own unique sounds with an inspiring acoustic sequencer.

Easy-to-use, Yet Powerful Sequencer

A synthesizer that is easy for music producers and media composers alike! Native Instruments’ new library of orchestral samples designed with Orchestral Tools. It’s a stunning collection of sounds with a dynamic sound engine that you can use outside of the studio as well! You can create looping melodies, rhythmic patterns, and more. It has an inspiring acoustic sequencer to bring together rhythm and melody in your work.

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SEQUIS: A Stunning Library of Acoustic Instrument Samples with an Easy-to-use Yet Powerful Sequencer 87

Curated Polyrhythmic Layers

SEQUIS has many acoustic sounds and recordings that you can use to make music. To make an exciting medley of articulations, the instruments were all recorded with a variety of inventive playing techniques: trills, ghost notes, flutters, ricochets, and echoes. It’s “an ethereal” progression that picks up from the end of the previous song and is then woven into the in-built step sequencer to create new musical constellations.

Sounds Incredible!

This time, the emphasis is on rhythmic ideas and looping phrases. The instrument features a wide range of inspirational acoustic recordings, including atmospheric strings, delicate flutes, driving drums, and even human voices.

These tones are then incorporated into an easy-to-use 16-step sequencer to allow producers to create evolving pads and complicated patterns suitable for sci-fi movies and dancefloors.

About Native Instruments

For more than 20 years, Native Instruments has been at the heart of musical innovation. We’ve created communities, pushed technological boundaries, and opened new creative horizons for amateurs and professionals alike. Today, driven by our mission to make music creation more inclusive and accessible, Native hardware, software, and digital services provide fully integrated solutions for musicians, producers, and DJs of all genres and levels of experience.

About Orchestral Tools

Orchestral Tools has long been a staple of the professional film scoring world – if you’ve seen a blockbuster movie in recent years, you’ve almost certainly heard their work. The company is known for outstanding sound quality and attention to detail. Orchestral Tools offers a wide range of inspiring libraries for all types of composers, and has previously collaborated with NI to create Arkhis

Better With Komplete Kontrol

KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboards give SEQUIS a whole new level of playability. Take hands-on control of the intuitive modulation features, with the sequencer’s lanes mapped directly to the keyboard’s mod wheel, and the instrument’s various play modes allowing for a unique combination of sequencing and melodic creativity.

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SEQUIS is perfect if you’re looking to add some orchestral sounds into your music—you can quickly create looping melodies, dynamic pads, and rhythmic patterns with this software. You can even use it outside the studio with its dynamic sound engine!

Pricing and Availability

SEQUIS is available from October 14, 2021, at the Native Instruments online shop, with a 25% discount until November 3, 2021.

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Virtual Instrument Library

Exploring Tom Holkenborg Percussion by Orchestral Tools

2025

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Tom Holkenborg Percussion

In this live stream, we are going to explore the Tom Holkenborg Percussion sample library that recently has been released by Orchestral Tools.

Tom Holkenborg’s Percussion gives you the triple-A composer’s very own drum collection—the exact same drums you heard in Mad Max: Fury RoadZack Snyder’s Justice League, and Godzilla vs. Kong. And the exact same drums Tom uses in his template today. Often imitated and now duplicated, these drums offer unique playability, an exhaustive dynamic range, and insane volume.

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