Orchestral Tools vs Soundiron
Orchestral Tools
orchestraltools.comSoundiron
soundiron.comSide by side
| Figure | Orchestral Tools | Soundiron |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 9 | 6 |
| Spec score · Music Sample Libraries | 8.7 (#2) | 8.5 (#5) |
| Documentation | The Helpdesk exposes articles for SINE quick start, GUI, library, performance, mixer, options, store, accounts, Kontakt, Capsule and collection notes. | Product pages link PDF user manuals, and the help page provides installation, download, format and troubleshooting instructions. |
| Headquarters | March, Germany | United States |
| Security and privacy | The privacy policy identifies OT Distribution GmbH & Co KG as GDPR controller, uses AWS servers in Germany and Amazon CloudFront, and names a data-protection officer. | Soundiron says its personal download code is a secure access key, access is logged, and it does not store payment card details processed by its payment providers. |
| Support | Orchestral Tools provides a Helpdesk with FAQ, update, billing, SINE collection, Kontakt collection, and product guide categories. | Automated ordering operates continuously, while staff support is generally available Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific Time. |
| What it does | Orchestral Tools creates expressive virtual instruments and sampled libraries spanning traditional orchestras and experimental sound for composers, producers, performers and sound designers. | Soundiron develops deeply sampled virtual instruments and professional sample libraries for music production, scoring and sound design. |
Plans
Orchestral Tools
- Berlin Free OrchestraFree
- SINEplayerFree
- Splinter intro offer€199, paid once
- Inspire Bundle€209, paid once
- Habitat€229, paid once
- Berlin Orchestra Created with Berklee€299, paid once
- Berlin Orchestra Full€799, paid once
- Berlin Orchestra Pro€1,399, paid once
- Berlin Orchestra Max€2,499, paid once
Soundiron
- RainsongFree
- Iron Pack Bundle$39, paid once
- Hyperion Strings Micro$49, paid once
- Student Bundle$159, paid once
- Kontakt Player Bundle$599, paid once
- The Omega Bundle$999, paid once
In their own words
Orchestral Tools
Orchestral Tools makes virtual instruments from acoustic sources that it conceptualizes, records, and produces. Its free SINE player runs on macOS and Windows, either as a standalone application or in VST, VST3, AU, and AAX formats. The included SINEfactory library has instruments such as piano, strings, and percussion. The free SINEplayer plan lists one orchestral collection, 46 instruments, 242 articulations, 43 total legatos, full dynamic layers, limited round robins, and one microphone position. Users can choose individual instruments and microphone positions rather than download a full collection. SINE offers customizable articulation lists, dynamics and round-robin controls, multiple legato options, and mixing that can combine microphone positions into a single channel. The minimum listed memory is 8 GB RAM, with 16 GB or more recommended on both Mac and Windows. The company was founded in 2005 and describes itself as an independent German company with offices in Berlin and Freiburg. Pricing is freemium: the plan is free, with paid options from €299.
Soundiron
Soundiron develops virtual instruments and sample libraries for songwriters, composers, and sound designers in music and media composition. Its catalog focuses on deep-sampled instruments and sound effects, primarily for Native Instruments Kontakt. Many libraries need the full retail Kontakt version; some support Decent Sampler or SFZ, with formats specified per product. Kontakt libraries run in compatible VST, AU, RTAS, or AAX host sequencers. The free Rainsong library includes rain recordings, one-shots, 58 ambience patches, and 20 sound-designed FX and ambient presets. Paid examples include Iron Pack Bundle at $39 one-time and Hyperion Strings Micro at $49 one-time. Products are delivered electronically by installer and download code. Licenses allow purchased sounds in finished commercial and noncommercial productions but restrict raw or unmixed redistribution. Soundiron supports WAV, NKI, NCW, Decent Sampler, and SFZ formats.