Checking Out: Albion Colossus by Spitfire Audio
With choices for orchestra size, microphone position and effects in addition to the expected expression and dynamics faders, Spitfire Audio Albion Colossus just may change the way composers think about scoring projects.
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Checking Out: Albion Colossus by Spitfire Audio
Spitfire Audio Albion Colossus just may change the way composers think about scoring projects. This 7th release in the Albion series shakes things up by offering two sizes of orchestral sample sets, giving users the choice between a small, chamber-style group and a larger symphonic ensemble. Additionally, Albion Colossus features a slider for microphone positions, allowing users to adjust the depth of playback from close mics to outriggers. These controls let users craft the perfect sonic palette to fit their score needs. This new approach adds such incredible control of sonic dimension and makes so much sense that I am perplexed as to why we haven’t seen this innovation before
Albion Colossus normally sells for $449.00 from Spitfire Audio
Thoughts
This powerful instrument offers two sizes of orchestral samples, giving users the opportunity to choose between a small, intimate chamber orchestra and a larger “epic” cinematic sample set. This is done with the “SCALE” control slider.
Additionally, Albion Colossus features a slider for microphone positions (DEPTH), allowing users to adjust the depth and realism of their recordings. With this level of control, users can craft a massive range from one instrument to find the sonic palette that fits their project’s needs. The developer has also added a “HYPE” adjustment with the “big knob” in the center to allow us to choose our effects and enhance the signal from loud to louder.
Captured at Clockwork Studios, based in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Albion Colossus’ sonic fingerprints are a fresh take from the usual halls the developer has sampled in the past. It still retains that sophisticated AAA orchestral sound we have become accustomed to from Spitfire but has a subtle new flavor and a refined character different from that of Air Studios or the Abbey Road series.
Looking back at the Albion series, I am not sure how this fits in with the existing Albion releases as they are now recorded in different halls. I will need to test out blending the different Albion libraries together to see how well these orchestras in different rooms work together. The new Albion Colossus lacks the add-ons of any Evo-Grid instruments, Brunel Loops or the Stephenson’s Steam Band we found in Abion One which made it an all-in-one toolkit. And if I am going to get really critical, the articulations are just a step above bread and butter collections meaning there will be some limitations to how far you can work alone in the new Albion Colossus as a toolkit.
The key takeaways from this release are versatility and inspiration. Not only could this change the way composers work on score, with the ability to go from small intimate mixes to bombastic epic-effected orchestral sounds, but the microphone position slider and the hype. filters, delays, and EQ give users the ability to morph seamlessly into hybrid orchestra, unlike anything we have seen yet.
Facts
Albion Colossus downloads as just over 110 GB and runs in Spitfire Audio‘s stand-alone VST Au AXX plugin.
Spitfire Audio recommends a minimum of Minimum: 2.8GHz i5 minimum (quad-core), 8GB RAM for Mac users ( Mac OS 12 to Mac OSX 10.13) with a recommended Mac with 2.8GHz I7 (six-core), 16GB RAM. The plugin does support Intel and M1 Macs.
For PC users the instruments run on Windows 10 or Windows 11 (latest Service Pack, 64-bit) with a minimum of a Intel 2.8 GHz i5 (quad-core) or AMD Ryzen 5 but a recommended machine with an Intel 2.8 GHz i7 (six-core) or AMD R7 2700. Note that the plugin runs 64-bit DAW required (32-bit DAWs not supported)
Albion Colossus normally sells for $449.00 from Spitfire Audio
Demos of Albion Colossus by Spitfire Audio
Videos of Albion Colossus by Spitfire Audio
Contributor Don Bodin reviews Albion Colossus by Spitfire Audio
“With choices for orchestra size, microphone position and effects in addition to the expected expression and dynamics faders, Spitfire Audio Albion Colossus just may change the way composers think about scoring projects.”
