BBC Symphony Orchestra vs EastWest ComposerCloud+

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 Discover edition is described as compatible with major music creation software, including GarageBand and Pro Tools. Discover contains 34 instruments and 47 techniques in a 240MB package, with one mix signal. Core provides 44 instruments, 344 techniques, and one mix signal; Professional has 67 instruments, 468 techniques, 45 legatos, and 20 signals. Owners can switch between Discover, Core, and Professional modes, which Spitfire says supports sharing and collaboration across editions. The Spitfire Audio app is required to download the library, with installers for macOS and Windows. Spitfire recommends installation on an external drive, though another location can be chosen. Discover is free; Core is £399, paid once and Professional is £899, paid once.

EastWest ComposerCloud+ is a subscription library providing more than 43,000 virtual instruments for composers, producers, and creators. Its collection covers orchestral instruments, synths and keys, vocals, rock and pop, world instruments, and convolution reverb. Through the OPUS engine, subscribers search, audition, and download instruments for local DAW use. OPUS includes sample streaming, routing and microphone-position controls, processing, macros, controller mappings, and on-demand loading. Licenses activate on a computer or iLok key, with two activated devices allowed per subscription. EastWest states that instruments are royalty free for commercial use and creators retain rights to their work. Internet access is required for searching, auditioning, and downloading; an optional content hard drive requires monthly online validation. After cancellation, licensed instruments stop loading in OPUS, but exported audio continues playing. Supported systems are Mac OS X 10.13 or later and Windows 10 or later. Plans include 9.99 USD monthly for students, 19.99 USD monthly for individuals, 69.00 USD yearly for students, and 149.00 USD yearly for individuals. A 14-day trial is listed.