This comprehensive woodwind collection provides over 115 outstanding programs, each carefully crafted by the SONiVOX sound design team to be as accurate and convincing as possible. In addition to full orchestral woodwind ensembles, the Orchestral Companion Woodwinds also gives you a full palette of smaller wind sections, plus an amazing collection of solo instruments that are highlighted by dazzling articulation for breathtaking realism.

All major instruments are fully represented, including section and solo piccolo, flute, English horn, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and contra bassoon. Double and flutter tonguing, sustained and staccato notes, plus instrument vibrato and glissando voicing provide the depth of content needed for convincing woodwind parts and tracks.

We recorded the Orchestral Companion Woodwinds in the legendary Futura Productions studios in Massachusetts. Members of the Boston Pops and/or Boston Ballet Orchestras played all performances, with the same premium instruments they use for their actual concert galas and events. A combination of spot and ambient mic’ing capture every instrumental nuance, while preserving the refined acoustics and intimacy of the performance space itself.

Under the expert guidance of SONiVOX musical sound connoisseur Jennifer Hruska, each sample session was faithfully recorded by Emmy award-winning engineers Antonio Oliart and RIAA award-winning engineer John Bono. The players were positioned using orchestrally-correct seating, and measures were even taken to compensate for the sound-absorption of any players absent on that particular day. In order to retain a realistic "organic" feel, we used absolutely minimal post-recording electronic processing. We used two B&K 4011 microphones to preserve the highly-desired front-of-hall sound (you know, the "good seats"), while superior-grade spot mics accurately captured each instrument's individual detail. Benchmark-caliber preamps fed Troisi Octal A/D convertors to complete an uncorrupted signal chain.

Each patch and preset is easily playable by virtually every level of performer. All instruments are presented in multi-velocity layers, with natural swells available via the modulation wheel. MIDI key switching provides on-the-fly articulation for select patches. The internal sound engine provides additional modulation (LFO) sources, dynamic envelope control, and studio-grade reverb/effects to allow creative customization of the onboard sounds.