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BBC Symphony Orchestra
London, United Kingdom
What it is
BBC Symphony Orchestra is a virtual orchestral sample library for music creators, with strings, brass, woodwinds and percussion recorded at Maida Vale Studios. It runs in Spitfire Audio’s dedicated plugin, which supports VST3, AU and AAX formats. The library comes in Discover, Core and Professional editions, and users can switch modes among them. Discover offers 34 instruments, 47 techniques and one mix signal in a 240MB package. Core includes 44 instruments, 344 techniques and one mix signal. Professional has 67 instruments, 468 techniques, 45 legatos and 20 signals. Discover is compatible with major music creation software, including GarageBand and Pro Tools. A Spitfire Audio app is required to download the libraries; installers are available for macOS and Windows. Spitfire recommends using an external drive, though another install location can be chosen. The free Discover plan is listed as free; Core is £399, paid once and Professional is £899, paid once. The maker presents it as a starting point for creators from beginners to professional composers.
For and against
For
- Free Discover edition with 34 instruments.
- Supports VST3, AU and AAX formats.
- Editions can switch modes for collaboration.
- DAW compatibility includes GarageBand and Pro Tools.
Against
- Requires the Spitfire Audio app to download libraries.
- Available for macOS and Windows only.
- Professional edition requires a 36GB extra-content download.
The verdict
BBC Symphony Orchestra provides three editions of an orchestral sample library, including a free option. Check the edition’s instrument, technique and signal counts against your music-making needs.
Who it suits
It suits music creators looking for orchestral sounds, from beginners to professional composers. The three editions offer different instrument and technique counts.
Plans and prices
BBC Symphony Orchestra Discover
34 instruments · 47 techniques · 1 mix signal · 240MB
Read 3 Oct 2026 · spitfireaudio.com
BBC Symphony Orchestra Core
44 instruments · 344 techniques · 1 mix signal
Read 3 Oct 2026 · spitfireaudio.com
BBC Symphony Orchestra Professional
67 instruments · 468 techniques · 20 signals · 36GB of extra content
Read 3 Oct 2026 · spitfireaudio.com
On the record
- Core edition
- Core includes essential instruments, the full range of articulations and one mix signal.spitfireaudio.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- DAW compatibility
- The Discover edition is described as compatible with major music creation software, including GarageBand and Pro Tools.spitfireaudio.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Dedicated plugin
- The library is housed in Spitfire Audio’s dedicated plugin, which supports VST3, AU and AAX formats.spitfireaudio.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Discover edition
- Discover includes 34 instruments, 47 techniques and one mix signal in a 240MB package.spitfireaudio.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Download requirement
- The Spitfire Audio app is required to download the libraries, and the installation guide offers macOS and Windows installers.spitfireaudio.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Interchangeable editions
- Discover, Core and Professional are interchangeable through mode switching, which Spitfire says supports sharing and collaboration between owners of different editions.spitfireaudio.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Professional edition
- Professional includes 67 different instruments, 468 techniques, 45 legatos and 20 signals.spitfireaudio.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Storage
- Spitfire recommends installing the library onto an external drive, while allowing users to choose another install location.spitfireaudio.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Support resources
- Spitfire provides product how-to videos, feature information and downloadable DAW templates for BBC Symphony Orchestra.spitfireaudio.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- What it does
- BBC Symphony Orchestra is a virtual orchestral sample library for music creators, with strings, brass, woodwinds and percussion recorded at Maida Vale Studios.spitfireaudio.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Who it is for
- Spitfire describes BBC Symphony Orchestra as a starting point for music creators at every level, from beginners to professional composers.spitfireaudio.com · read 3 Oct 2026
