EastWest Hollywood Strings 2 — Free Download

Purpose and Concept

Hollywood Strings 2 is a sequel that focuses on a tight 21-piece chamber ensemble rather than a larger orchestra. Recorded in EastWest’s Studio 2, it offers a nuanced, dry, and clear sound while retaining cinematic quality. The smaller room and ultra-close microphone placement capture subtle details and raw textures, making the library suitable for genres beyond traditional film scoring, including rock and metal.

The design emphasizes expressiveness and control, with articulations like legato, staccato, and rare textural styles such as flautando, each capturing multiple dynamics. The close-miked approach allows the strings to cut through dense mixes without heavy EQ, while still offering depth through additional microphone positions for ambience when needed.

Key Capabilities

The library provides six microphone positions, including three close positions with direct-on-instrument mics, plus main, mid-field, and surround mics. This gives you independent control over the sound, from bone-dry to spacious, and supports Atmos mixing in compatible DAWs. Three mood options—Classic, Soft, and Epic—let you shape the character further.

Each section includes a broad articulation set, such as sustains with vibrato options, spiccato, pizzicato (including Bartók), and expressive legato with portamento and slur variations. Playable trills and runs are also featured, adding authenticity and flexibility for realistic performances.

Workflow and Control

You can mix instruments individually or as a full string section. The close mics allow you to create an intimate, in-your-face sound by muting ambient mics, or you can blend main, mid, and surround mics for more depth. The OPUS engine enables you to download only the instruments you need, offering flexible storage and instant access.

The library is designed for seamless integration into scoring workflows. With extensive articulation mapping, you can assign controls for vibrato, dynamics, and legato style, making it easy to craft performances that range from delicate pianissimo to bold fortissimo. The raw, dry nature of the recordings simplifies mixing, as the strings sit naturally in the mix.

Practical Applications

Hollywood Strings 2 excels in film and TV scoring, especially scenes requiring emotional intimacy or action with clear, punchy strings. The close-miked sound also suits genres like cinematic metal or heavy rock, where strings need to cut through guitars and drums. For hybrid composers, the library blends well with electronic elements due to its dry, controllable tone.

The detailed articulations and flexible miking make it suitable for detailed mockups and final productions. Whether you’re writing a solo-like string section, layering with other libraries, or creating ambient textures, the included effects and harmonics expand your palette. The full strings patches allow for rich, octave-stacked unison lines that cover the entire frequency range.

Key features

• 21-piece chamber ensemble recorded in a tight studio room
• Six microphone positions, including three close mics with direct-on-instrument options
• Broad articulation set with legato, spiccato, and rare textures like flautando
• Three mood settings: Classic, Soft, and Epic
• Playable trills and runs included
• Atmos-ready for surround mixing in compatible DAWs

Best for

Composers needing detailed, intimate string parts that cut through mixes, especially for film scores, rock, metal, and hybrid music. Its close-miked sound offers unique realism when you need expressive control and a dry, upfront presence.