Spitfire Audio, a renowned UK-based developer of high-quality sample libraries and virtual instruments, offers a range of free products that provide access to professional-grade sounds for composers, producers, and musicians. These free offerings, primarily focused on orchestral and experimental instruments, are distributed digitally and require no physical postage. The company's approach to freebies has evolved over time, with a significant shift towards platforms like LABS and standalone free libraries such as Spitfire Symphony Orchestra Discover. This article details the available free options, their specifications, and the processes for accessing them, based exclusively on information from the provided source material.
The company's free initiatives aim to lower the barrier to entry for music production, particularly for those interested in orchestral scoring. Historically, Spitfire Audio was considered a premium brand, with products that were "outstanding yet costly," accessible mainly to professionals and those with disposable income. The introduction of the LABS project in 2018 began to change this perception. LABS was conceived as a series of experiments, creating cool sounds that were initially low-key but have since become a prominent free resource. The sentiment around Spitfire's free offerings has been mixed, particularly following changes to the LABS platform and a subsequent shift to Splice Instrument, which frustrated some users. Despite this, the launch of the BBC Symphony Orchestra Discover in 2020 was widely praised as one of the best orchestral freebies available. Building on that success, Spitfire Audio has released its "biggest free library ever," Spitfire Symphony Orchestra Discover, which is positioned as a substantial resource for UK consumers and producers.
Spitfire Symphony Orchestra Discover
Released as a major free offering, Spitfire Symphony Orchestra Discover is described as Spitfire Audio's most extensive free library to date. It is designed to function as a virtual orchestra suitable for professional projects, despite being a "Discover" title, which is the little brother of a paid product with more features and mic positions. The library is substantial, coming in at 5.68 GB. It requires the free Kontakt Player to run, but installation and registration must be handled through the free Spitfire Audio App.
The library's content is comprehensive for a free product. It features 44 instruments, 74 techniques, three legatos, and eleven solos. The instruments are categorised into Strings, Woodwinds, Brass, and Percussion. The eleven solo instruments are drawn from the Strings, Woodwinds, and Brass sections and include: violin, piccolo, flute, clarinet, oboe, cor anglais, bassoon, bass clarinet, horn, trombone, and tuba. These instruments are also available in playable sections, such as Violins a16 and Woodwind Ensemble, as well as in full ensembles. The percussion section includes a Grand Piano among other standard percussion instruments.
A notable feature of Spitfire Symphony Orchestra Discover is the attention to detail in its techniques and articulations. Users can adjust the emphasis in legato bowing and vibrato intensity in real-time, for example, with instruments like the solo violin. Standard Dynamics and Expression controls are also available. The library provides a simple explanation of the different articulations, which is particularly beneficial for newcomers to orchestral scoring. For those new to the discipline, ThinkSpace Education offers a free course titled "Introduction to Writing for Orchestra with Spitfire Symphony Orchestra Discover," taught by tutor Guy Michelmore. The source material indicates that even experienced composers may find value in this course.
The library is positioned as a fully functional tool, not merely a preview. It is described as sounding "incredible," with the source noting that Spitfire Audio "does orchestral libraries right." The library is available for free download, but the use of the Kontakt Player is a requirement.
LABS: The Free Plugin Platform
LABS is Spitfire Audio's free plugin platform, launched initially in 2018 and relaunched subsequently. It is designed to host a collection of high-quality sampled instruments, giving producers access to professional-grade sounds without cost. The platform is known for its constantly expanding library, which includes lush strings, cinematic pianos, experimental textures, and unique percussion. It has become a staple for film composers, electronic producers, and bedroom musicians.
The LABS interface is intentionally minimal, designed for simplicity. Typically, it features just a few sliders for volume, dynamics, and reverb. This straightforward design makes it easy to load an instrument and start playing immediately. The plugin acts as a host for all LABS libraries, which are downloaded individually through the Spitfire Audio app. All LABS instruments are free to download and use, with no stated restrictions. The library continues to grow with frequent new releases.
LABS is compatible with all major Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) as a VST, AU, or AAX plugin. However, customisation of sounds is limited to the basic controls provided; for deeper control, users would need to explore Spitfire's paid libraries. The platform has been reviewed positively, with a rating of 9.7/10, and is described as a "must-have for producers of all levels." It is positioned as a resource for writing cinematic scores, adding texture to electronic tracks, or finding inspiration.
Access and Eligibility
Accessing these free offerings is primarily digital. For Spitfire Symphony Orchestra Discover, users must download the library and have the free Kontakt Player. They also need the free Spitfire Audio App for installation and registration. No purchase is required to download either the LABS platform or Spitfire Symphony Orchestra Discover. The source material does not specify any geographic restrictions or eligibility criteria beyond the technical requirements (e.g., having a compatible computer and DAW). The products are software-based, so there are no physical shipping costs or postal programmes involved. The free course offered by ThinkSpace Education is also available at no cost.
The evolution of Spitfire's free offerings has not been without user feedback. The transition from the original LABS to LABS+ and the subsequent move to Splice Instrument were met with frustration from some users, although some free content remained available. Despite this, the launch of Spitfire Symphony Orchestra Discover is seen as a significant positive step, potentially closing the gap between Spitfire Audio and the average producer even further.
Conclusion
Spitfire Audio provides UK consumers and producers with two substantial free resources: the LABS plugin platform and the Spitfire Symphony Orchestra Discover library. LABS offers a simple, expandable collection of diverse instruments with a user-friendly interface, ideal for beginners and those seeking inspiration. Spitfire Symphony Orchestra Discover provides a detailed, professional-grade orchestral library suitable for serious scoring work, complete with articulation explanations and a supporting free educational course. Both resources are accessible digitally at no cost, requiring only free software (Spitfire Audio App, Kontakt Player) and a compatible system. While the company's approach to its free platforms has evolved, the current offerings represent a significant opportunity for UK-based musicians to access high-quality sounds without financial investment.