Orchestral Sample: Free Symphonic Sounds for Every Creator
Orchestral samples bring the expressive power of a full symphony into your creative workspace. From sweeping string sections to cinematic brass and delicate woodwinds, they allow musicians, composers, and producers to access the sonic universe of orchestral music — without needing a concert hall or an expensive setup.
At Infinity Audio®, we believe that access to high-quality sounds should be democratic, not exclusive. That’s why this guide focuses on the best free orchestral sample libraries, while still highlighting a few outstanding commercial options for those seeking specific features or extended depth.
What Is an Orchestral Sample?
An orchestral sample is a recording of real orchestral instruments — strings, brass, woodwinds, percussion — playing specific notes, articulations, or phrases. These samples are organized into virtual instruments or libraries that you can play using a MIDI controller and a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation).
The best samples are recorded in world-class studios or concert halls, with multiple mic positions, dynamics, and playing techniques, offering a realistic, expressive experience.
The Best Free Orchestral Sample Libraries (2025 Edition)
Here are some of the most inspiring and accessible orchestral libraries available for free:
Spitfire Audio LABS – Strings, Brass, Choirs
Beautifully recorded instruments with a minimalist interface. Constantly expanding.
https://labs.spitfireaudio.com/The Free Orchestra 1 & 2 by ProjectSAM
The Free Orchestra series offers a rich collection of cinematic orchestral samples, with strong string sections ideal for trailers, video games, and ambient compositions.
https://projectsam.com/libraries/the-free-orchestraThe Orchestra Elements – Sonuscore
A versatile orchestral library combining strings, brass, woodwinds, harp, and choir in a streamlined package powered by the Ensemble Engine. It allows layering up to five instruments, creating dynamic and complex arrangements quickly. Includes 30 inspiring presets and multiple articulations, making it ideal for cinematic scoring, video games, and TV productions.
https://www.sonuscore.com/shop/the-orchestra-elements/BBC Symphony Orchestra Discover
BBC Symphony Orchestra Discover offers a full orchestral palette, including strings, recorded by the BBC and meticulously sampled by Spitfire Audio. Despite being lightweight compared to its bigger siblings, it delivers outstanding realism and balance, making it an essential free choice for composers seeking professional-grade orchestral sounds.
https://www.spitfireaudio.com/bbc-symphony-orchestra-discover#whats-includedLayers by Orchestral Tools
Layers offers simple but lush full-ensemble chords, including strings. It’s a fast and inspiring way to add cinematic harmonies to your compositions with minimal setup.
https://www.orchestraltools.com/store/collections/layers
Berlin Free Orchestra
Berlin Free Orchestra by Orchestral Tools features a handpicked collection of orchestral instruments, offering a glimpse into the high-end Berlin series — for free. The string sections included are particularly impressive, delivering rich dynamics and a realistic feel, ideal for layering, sketching, or even final arrangements. Whether you’re working on cinematic scores or contemporary pieces, this free library provides expressive strings with professional detail. It runs on the SINE Player and integrates smoothly into any workflow.
https://www.orchestraltools.com/store/collections/berlin-free-orchestraVSCO 2 Community Edition
VSCO 2 Community Edition offers a lightweight, open-source string ensemble. It provides an intimate, natural sound that’s perfect for chamber music, sketches, and polished productions that don’t require hyper-realistic sampling.
https://vis.versilstudios.com/vsco-community.htmlVirtual Playing Orchestra
Virtual Playing Orchestra combines various public domain recordings into a cohesive full orchestral library. Its string sections are versatile and practical for traditional arrangements, educational projects, or when you need a raw, straightforward orchestral sound.
http://virtualplaying.com/virtual-playing-orchestra/Sonatina Symphonic Orchestra
Sonatina Symphonic Orchestra remains a classic free option for starting orchestral mock-ups. Although it doesn’t match modern paid libraries in depth, its string sounds can still enrich compositions, especially when layered creatively.
https://github.com/peastman/sonatina-symphonic-orchestraFree Philharmonia Orchestra String Samples
The Philharmonia Orchestra provides individual string samples recorded for educational use, covering a wide range of articulations. Great for custom building your own ensembles.
https://philharmonia.co.uk/resources/sound-samples/SCC Expressive Strings
A beautifully raw solo string library created by S. Christian Collins. SCC Expressive Strings delivers intimate, nuanced articulations like legato, pizzicato, tremolo, and staccato—making it ideal for cinematic scores and emotional solo passages. Available in SFZ format and fully compatible with free players like Sforzando.
Bonus Tip: Some paid libraries offer time-limited free versions or “lite” samplers. Always keep an eye on companies like Audio Imperia, Cinematic Studio Series, or Heavyocity — they occasionally release demo libraries worth grabbing.
When Commercial Libraries Are Worth It
If you’re working on professional film scores, AAA games, or orchestral mockups where detailed expression, mic placement, and layering are essential, then a few commercial libraries might be worth the investment. The very best in the field include:
Spitfire Audio – BBC Symphony Orchestra Core / Pro
➤ https://www.spitfireaudio.com/Orchestral Tools – Berlin Series
➤ https://www.orchestraltools.com/EastWest Hollywood Orchestra
➤ https://www.soundsonline.com/Vienna Symphonic Library
These libraries are deeply sampled and designed for nuanced control, but they are not essential for every creator — especially when so many free alternatives exist.
Using Orchestral Samples in ONE Instrument®
With ONE Instrument®, you can load, organize, and perform your orchestral samples in a streamlined, creative environment. Whether you’re layering strings with pads, triggering custom orchestral textures, or previewing different libraries in real time, ONE Instrument® helps you focus on the sound — not the setup.
It’s perfect for:
Managing your favorite free orchestral VSTs or AU plugins
Layering orchestral samples with synths, FX, or custom patches
Recording ideas instantly with the built-in recorder
Creating hybrid orchestral scores with zero friction
For many creators, the real innovation lies in combining traditional sounds with modern workflows. And that’s where ONE Instrument® shines.