Studio Strings
by AIR Music Technology · Instrument · Sampled string section
Not rated yet
Studio Strings is a sampled strings instrument with violin, viola, cello and bass and over 1 GB of samples.
It offers staccato, pizzicato, sustain, tremolo, marcato and legato articulations, and costs $149.
Best for: Acoustic Instruments, Keys & Synths. Genres: Ambient & Cinematic, Pop, Hip-Hop & Trap.
Keywords: strings, sample-based, drum machine, monophonic, airy, preset-driven, cinematic, leads, modern.
What it does
Studio Strings is AIR's sampled string section: four bowed instrument models with the common articulations, built for producers who want quick string parts rather than a full orchestral library. AIR pitches it for orchestral, chamber and solo parts in genres from hip-hop to classical.
- Four instruments: violin, viola, cello and bass, each sampled separately, so you can layer a section or play a single line such as a cello lead.
- Articulations: staccato (up and down bows), pizzicato, sustain, tremolo, marcato and legato.
- Expression controls: dynamics, an envelope, vibrato settings and aftertouch response for shaping long notes as you play.
- Legato glide: adjustable glide speed and length between legato notes.
- Effects: built-in EQ, filter, reverb and delay, aimed at fitting the strings into modern productions.
- Presets and content: 100 presets by AIR's team and a sample library.
- MPC and Force: one purchase also unlocks it on Akai MPC (MPC 2.11+) and Force (3.2+) hardware, including MPC One, Live, Live II, Live III, X, Key 37/61 and Force.
A 10-day free trial is available.
Source: AIR Music Technology product page
When to use it
Studio Strings is the pick when you want playable string lines fast, with the same instrument on your DAW and your MPC. Compared with BBC Symphony Orchestra Core and Berlin Strings, it has far fewer articulations, no mic mixing and a much smaller library, so it can't match their realism for orchestral writing. Unlike Augmented STRINGS, it doesn't morph strings into synth textures; it stays a straight string section with a few mix effects. Its narrow scope is also its strength: four instruments, seven articulations and 100 presets are quick to learn.
- Best for: string lines, stabs and pizzicato hooks in beats and pop, especially for MPC and Force users.
- Genres: hip-hop, R&B, pop and light cinematic work.
- Look elsewhere if: you write orchestral or film music that needs realism; BBC Symphony Orchestra Core or Berlin Strings are far more complete. For hybrid string-synth pads, try Augmented STRINGS.
What producers say
Feedback is sparse and split: the few user reviews either praise its value or dislike the sound.
- MUSICnGear users rate it 5 out of 5 from 2 unverified reviews, calling it "excellent for the price and the purpose" and better than expected.
- Sweetwater buyers rate it 1 out of 5 from a single review, which complained it "can't be tuned" and that better string sounds are available.
Where to buy
- Best Service: $149
- AIR Music Technology: $149 (list price from KVR Audio; airmusictech.com shows prices only in its shop)
- PluginFox: $149
- AudioDeluxe: $149
- Plugin Boutique: $149
Tutorials and reviews
- AIR Music Tech Studio Strings VST instrument Review
- AKAI MPC KEY 61 - AIR STUDIO STRINGS VST - Intro + Live Demo
- AKAI MPC KEY 61 - Studio Strings Deep Dive
- AIR Studio Strings - One Plugin - One Beat - MPC SERIES
Similar plugins
- Studio Orchestral Strings by Vienna Symphonic Library · Sampled orchestral string sections · $503
- Studio Chamber Strings by Vienna Symphonic Library · Sampled chamber string ensemble · $396.29
- Synchron Strings Pro by Vienna Symphonic Library · Orchestral strings instrument · $498
- BBC Symphony Orchestra Discover by Spitfire Audio · Orchestral instrument · Free
- Hans Zimmer Strings by Spitfire Audio · String orchestra instrument · $799
- Abbey Road Two: Iconic Strings Professional by Spitfire Audio · String orchestra instrument · $499
- SWAM String Sections by Audio Modeling · Physically modeled string ensembles · $334.33
- Studio Appassionata Strings by Vienna Symphonic Library · Sampled large string orchestra · $396.29
- BBO Strings by Vienna Symphonic Library · Sampled large string ensembles · $212
All orchestral & other instruments
More from AIR Music Technology
- Tape Double Track by AIR Music Technology · Saturation · $99
- Structure 2 by AIR Music Technology · Sampler · $99
- Hybrid 3 by AIR Music Technology · Synth · $99
- HYPE by AIR Music Technology · Synth · $149
- Iona by AIR Music Technology · Synth · $149
- Jura by AIR Music Technology · Synth · $34
- Loom II by AIR Music Technology · Synth · $99
- Mini D by AIR Music Technology · Synth · $99