Orchestral Tools vs Wave Alchemy
Orchestral Tools
orchestraltools.comWave Alchemy
wavealchemy.co.ukSide by side
| Figure | Orchestral Tools | Wave Alchemy |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 9 | 9 |
| Spec score · Music Sample Libraries | 8.7 (#2) | 8.3 (#9) |
| Downloads | SINE is available for macOS and Windows, and the company says it only runs on computers. | Purchased downloads have no expiry or download-count limit, and instrument accounts expose serial numbers, installers and manuals. |
| Founded | 2005 | Wave Alchemy says Dan Byers founded the brand in 2008. |
| Plugin formats | SINE is available as a standalone application and in VST, VST3, AU, and AAX formats. | Triaz is supplied as AU, VST3 and AAX for macOS and Windows, with native Apple Silicon support. |
| Support | Orchestral Tools provides a Helpdesk with FAQ, update, billing, SINE collection, Kontakt collection, and product guide categories. | Customers can contact the team through a form, and the site says a team member will respond as soon as possible. |
| 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. | Wave Alchemy makes virtual instruments, drum machines, effects plugins, sample packs and sound-design content for music producers. |
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
Wave Alchemy
- Magic7Free
- Triaz PlayerFree
- Triaz PlayerFree
- Triaz£79, paid once
- Bassynth£99, paid once
- Drumvolution£99, paid once
- Revolution£99, paid once
- Instruments Bundle£149, paid once
- Ultimate Bundle£199, 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.
Wave Alchemy
Wave Alchemy makes virtual instruments, effects plugins, drum samples, music loops, and sound effects for macOS and Windows. Its Triaz drum-production plugin combines sequencing, layering, mixing, and sound design, with 15,000 samples and more than 700 presets. The sequencer supports polyrhythms and per-step pitch, chance, repeats, and note offset; its Motion Sequencer modulates parameters. Users can import and organize personal samples, then export audio stems, full mixes, one-shots, and MIDI to a DAW. Triaz costs 79.00 GBP once and comes with a 14-day fully functional demo that has fewer samples and presets. The free Triaz Player includes 4,000 samples and 200 presets, but does not allow sequencer editing, Sound Browser use, or personal sample loading. Magic7 is a free reverb plugin with 11 reverb types and 234 presets. Listed plugins use AU, VST3, or AAX formats and offer native Apple silicon compatibility. First authorization requires an internet connection; after successful serial entry, the plugins can be used offline. Instruments and effects can be activated on up to five computers, with one running at a time.