EastWest Sounds

LA’s finest is back for a long-awaited cinematic sequel. Roland Schmidt auditions EastWest’s new string-based nod to tinseltown

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It surely won’t come as any huge surprise that any product branded with ‘Hollywood’, goes deep on the world of film and cinema. In true cinematic style, EastWest’s Hollywood Strings returns for a sequel, but does it live up to the reputation of the original blockbuster?EastWest Sounds has been providing composers and producers with a broad spectrum of sample libraries since 1988. From relatively humble beginnings, which saw the company creating drum samples, it has established a firm reputation for providing exceptional sound sources, which are ideal for soundtrack scoring, although many of its sounds will feel equally at home in a number of other production scenarios. From the impressive Stormdrum series, to full orchestras and choirs, EastWest has something for all of your needs and for every sonic identity and production you can think of.

There is very considerable scope for dynamic control, which can become pretty indispensable

For their latest release, it returns to the traditional string section fold. Hollywood Strings 2 features a 21-piece string orchestra, recorded in the more intimate surrounding of Studio 2 at EastWest’s own recording facility, on Sunset Boulevard in LA. The section features six 1st violins, four 2nd violins, four violas, four celli and three double basses. This size of ensemble is very common in media circles, particularly for television-based productions, where composers may be working to a smaller budget than feature film. Despite financial constraints, it remains a favoured ensemble size, providing a beautiful balance between intimacy and sonority, with impactful elements, which may be amplified through closer miking.