Spitfire Audio, a renowned developer of virtual instrument libraries, offers several free sample collections designed to provide music creators with access to professional-quality orchestral sounds without financial investment. These libraries, such as Spitfire Symphony Orchestra Discover and the LABS platform, are available for download via the company's official website and are compatible with standard music production software. The primary offerings discussed are Spitfire Symphony Orchestra Discover, a free version of the brand's best-selling Spitfire Symphony Orchestra, and LABS, a free plugin platform hosting a range of sampled instruments. Both are intended to lower barriers to entry for composers, producers, and instrumentalists across various genres. The BBC Symphony Orchestra Discover library, released in 2020 and noted for having over one million users, is referenced as a predecessor that established the model for these free offerings.
Spitfire Symphony Orchestra Discover
Spitfire Audio launched Spitfire Symphony Orchestra Discover (SSO Discover) as its "largest free sample library" to date. It is described as a lite, free-to-use version of the brand’s best-selling Spitfire Symphony Orchestra. The library was recorded at the legendary AIR Lyndhurst Studios in London and features 44 curated instruments and 73 techniques. The instrument selection includes strings, brass, woodwinds, percussion, and piano. The library is designed to offer professional-quality audio output and is built for seamless use with Native Instruments Kontakt Player. The launch builds on the success of the BBC Symphony Orchestra Discover library, which was released in 2020 and now boasts over one million users. According to Spitfire Audio co-founder Paul Thomson, the library provides access to the full dynamic range and vibrato control, offering the full musical experience of the Spitfire Symphony Orchestra and a taste of the articulation detail available in the full library. The library is available for download now, totally free, via the Spitfire Audio website.
Key technical specifications for Spitfire Symphony Orchestra Discover include: * Plugin: Kontakt Player * Instruments: 44 * Techniques: 73 * Mic Signals: 1 * Legatos: 3 * Solos: 11 * Size: 5.68GB
The full Spitfire Symphony Orchestra is also available for purchase at a price of £449.00.
The LABS Platform
LABS by Spitfire Audio is a free plugin platform that provides a constantly expanding library of free sampled instruments. It is recognised as one of the most impressive free plugin platforms available, offering professional-grade sounds without cost. The library includes a wide range of sounds, such as strings, brass, keys, percussion, guitars, synth textures, and experimental sound design. The interface is minimalist and intuitive, typically featuring just a few sliders for volume, dynamics, and reverb, which makes it easy for users 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. This app also handles installation and updates.
LABS is recorded with the same expertise as Spitfire’s premium libraries, which can cost hundreds of pounds, making it a generous entry point into their ecosystem. The platform is compatible with all major Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) via VST, AU, and AAX formats. While the lack of deep controls might frustrate hardcore tweakers, the streamlined approach allows users to spend more time making music and less time adjusting parameters. For many producers, the free LABS libraries alone provide enough inspiration for entire tracks or scores. Some libraries can be large in size, which may require consideration for storage space. The platform is completely free, which is remarkable given the quality of the recordings and the variety of sounds offered.
Educational Support and Partnership
To further support composers, Spitfire Audio has partnered with ThinkSpace Education to offer a free course titled ‘Introduction to Writing for Orchestra’. This course is designed to help composers get started with orchestral composition using the Spitfire Symphony Orchestra Discover library. The course aims to guide users in making the most of the free library's capabilities.
Community Use and Creative Applications
The free Spitfire libraries, particularly the LABS platform and the BBC Symphony Orchestra, are used by a wide community of music creators. User-generated content on platforms like Looperman demonstrates the application of these free sounds in various genres. For example, users have created loops and sounds using Spitfire Audio BBC Orchestra VST, LABS, and Studio Brass. These creations span genres such as EDM, future bass, ambient, electro, dungeon synth, experimental, and classical. Users often share their work, encouraging others to submit links to what they have made with the loops. This indicates a vibrant community leveraging these free resources for creative output, from arpeggiated piano loops to vocal samples used in harmonies.
Conclusion
Spitfire Audio provides significant free resources for UK-based music creators through its Spitfire Symphony Orchestra Discover library and the LABS platform. These offerings deliver professional-quality orchestral and instrumental samples recorded at world-class studios, making high-end sounds accessible without financial outlay. The libraries are designed for ease of use, with SSO Discover requiring Kontakt Player and LABS utilising a dedicated app for installation. The availability of a free educational course further enhances the value for aspiring composers. While the free libraries offer robust features, they may have limitations in sound-shaping options compared to premium products. Overall, they represent a valuable entry point into Spitfire Audio's ecosystem and a substantial resource for producers, composers, and musicians across the UK.