Orchestral Tools
Making playable instruments from incredible sounds
With a focus on acoustic sound sources, we conceptualize, record, and produce outstanding virtual instruments. Our products are used by a global community of professional composers, producers, performers, and sound designers.
If you’ve seen a film recently, you’ve probably heard what we do.
We’re an independent German company, with one office in Berlin and another in Freiburg. With a small, tight-knit team made up of experienced composers, musicians, producers, developers, and audio specialists, Orchestral Tools views sampling as an art form, and a way of capturing moments of time as sound. The company was founded in 2005 by Hendrik Schwarzer—Hendrik is still the CEO and the creative mind behind most of the products and strategies. By applying creative vision, careful attention to detail, and expert ears, we're creating a growing portfolio of instruments and orchestras to inspire composers and music-makers around the world, and help make music sound better.
Refining the art of sampling from start to finish
Players and instruments
The players and the instruments they play are key factors in creating stunning sampled instruments. We work with remarkable orchestras, well-honed ensembles, and passionate players performing on beautifully crafted instruments. Everything is recorded in situ, with all instruments in their correct place.
Recording
Using the best mics and techniques, we seek to capture the dynamics, the energy, and the intimate details of every performance—for every single note. By applying the same techniques across our product range, we've established a consistency that makes your workflow smoother.
The space
Many of our collections are recorded at Teldex Studios in Berlin—it's almost our second home. Teldex offers a wonderful 'not too wet, not too dry' sound, and consistent recording techniques in the same space mean you can easily combine elements from all of our Teldex collections—a modular approach to orchestra building.
Production expertise
When the recording sessions are finished, our team of seasoned audio editors, developers, and software engineers craft instruments and sound designs that are fun and inspiring to play.
Want to work with us?
Check the link below for more info about current opportunities.
Inspiration in every note
"We started with a vision: A virtual modular orchestra made specifically for comprehensive orchestration."
"Orchestral Tools exists because I couldn't fully express myself with the tools that were already there. So we created our own tools, looking towards all composers who want to combine sections and instruments to create new colors, who want to write agile lines and complex voicings, and who expect life and expression in every single note. Exploring new avenues of expression and pushing the sampling envelope is what drives us."
—Hendrik Schwarzer, Founder and CEO
Inspired by collaboration
Educating the composers of tomorrow
At Orchestral Tools we understand the importance of learning, and we know it’s not always easy. For this reason, we offer a 40% discount for students and music teachers.
We're honored to be an official partner of the esteemed Berklee College of Music. Together, we developed the Berlin Orchestra—a complete orchestral library specifically tailored to the needs of their film scoring curriculum. Released in 2021, it has become an essential resource for music students at Berklee and beyond, as well as being a great all-round compact orchestra.
We also worked with Berklee to create a free educational YouTube channel: Virtual Orchestration.
