Native Instruments' Session Horns Pro is a comprehensive 30 GB virtual instrument library designed for contemporary pop, soul, funk, and jazz. Created in collaboration with e-instruments, it offers high-detail sampling of 10 individual instruments that can be played solo or as customizable sections of up to six players. Core Capabilities & Instruments
The library features 10 meticulously sampled instruments, a significant expansion over the standard version.
Three Trumpets, Mute Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Trombone, and Bass Trombone. Woodwinds: Alto, Tenor, and Baritone Saxophones. Includes Tuba for low-end reinforcement in sections.
38 section presets offer common arrangements for popular music styles. Performance Features
These tools automate complex arranging tasks to create realistic performances without deep orchestration knowledge. Smart Voice Split:
Automatically assigns notes in a chord to the correct instruments based on their natural ranges (e.g., trombones low, trumpets high).
Provides over 200 ready-to-play, tempo-synced riffs and phrases that follow your MIDI chord changes. Smart Chord:
Generates full, professional-grade chord voicings from single keys, with black keys acting as modifiers for "color" or "tension" notes (7ths, 9ths, etc.). Legato Mode:
Includes true interval-legato samples for smooth, natural transitions in solo melodies.
Session Horns Pro – contemporary horns | Komplete - Native Instruments
Native Instruments Session Horns Pro is highly regarded as a versatile, detailed virtual brass library specifically tailored for contemporary styles like pop, funk, soul, and jazz. Unlike orchestral libraries, it focuses on tight, bright, and dry small-scale ensemble sounds. Key Features and Strengths
Massive Sound Library: Boasts a 30GB library (ten times the size of the standard version) featuring ten instruments: three saxophones, two trombones, three trumpets, a tuba, and a flugelhorn.
Realistic Arrangements: The Smart Voice Setup automatically distributes voices across played chords to mimic how real brass sections are arranged, preventing the "muddy" sound of simple polyphonic playing.
Performance Tools: Includes the Animator, a phrase library with over 200 ready-to-play riffs that sync to your project's tempo.
Customizable Ensembles: You can build your own sections with up to six assignable slots, mixing and matching solo instruments.
Deep Articulation: Offers 34 articulations, up to four velocity layers, and true vibrato samples for high expressivity. Expert and User Insights
Sound Quality: Reviewers from Sound On Sound highlight its convincing and rich tones, particularly the raspy tuba and pure trumpets. MusicTech notes it as a significant upgrade from the base version for producers of horn-centric music.
Ease of Use: The interface is praised for making complex horn arranging accessible even to those with limited brass theory. Limitations:
Genre-Specific: It is not ideal for orchestral or big band compositions; its tone is strictly modern and "zippy".
System Requirements: Requires at least 6GB of RAM and significant disk space.
Phrasing: While powerful, some find integrating the pre-recorded Animator phrases into existing melodies can be cumbersome.
Subtleties: Some reviewers noted a lack of mechanical noises (like key-on/off clicks), which might affect realism in exposed solo parts. Summary Pros & Cons High-quality, clear, and bright samples High system and storage requirements (30GB) Intelligent auto-arranging for realistic sections Less suitable for orchestral or cinematic work Includes solo versions of all instruments High price point if not bought in a bundle Extensive articulation and effect options
Pre-recorded phrases can be hard to fit into complex melodies
Native Instruments Session Horns Pro is available for purchase on the Native Instruments website. Native Instruments Session Horns review - SoundsAndGear
Native Instruments Session Horns Pro is a comprehensive 30 GB sample library designed for creating contemporary horn arrangements in genres like pop, funk, and jazz. It features 10 detailed instruments and advanced "Smart" features that allow users to create realistic brass sections without needing deep knowledge of orchestration. 🎺 Core Instruments and Articulations native instruments session horns pro
The library provides a versatile selection of 10 brass and woodwind instruments that can be combined into custom ensembles of up to six pieces.
Instrument Roster: Includes three saxophones (Alto, Tenor, Baritone), two trombones (Tenor, Bass), three trumpets, a flugelhorn, and a tuba.
Articulations: Offers 34 distinct playing styles, such as vibrato, staccato, marcato, and specialized effects like growls and grace notes.
Dynamic Layers: Samples include up to four velocity layers and round robins to ensure a natural, "human" feel during playback. 🛠️ Intelligent Performance Features
Session Horns Pro includes several assistive tools that simplify the complex task of arranging brass parts. Native Instruments Session Horns review - SoundsAndGear
Inside the plugin, you get a dedicated 8-channel mixer. You can balance the trumpet against the trombone in real-time. The built-in effects are surprisingly usable:
Session Horns Pro remains a "workhorse" library. While it may not have the hyper-realism of the newest sample libraries on the market for orchestral scoring, it is arguably one of the most musical tools available for commercial music production. If you need a brass section that plays stabs, falls, and melodic lines in a Pop or Funk context, this is a solid choice.
Verdict: Highly recommended for pop/funk producers; less essential for orchestral film composers.
Native Instruments Session Horns Pro Go to product viewer dialog for this item. – The Ultimate Brass Tool for Modern Production
If you’ve ever tried to program a convincing brass section using generic samples, you know the frustration. It often sounds "keyboard-y" and lacks the bite and swing of real players. Session Horns Pro
by Native Instruments (developed by e-instruments) was built specifically to bridge that gap, offering 10 times the detail of its predecessor. What is Session Horns Pro? At its core, Session Horns Pro
is a 30GB Kontakt-based library featuring a 10-piece brass ensemble recorded in high detail. Unlike orchestral libraries meant for film scores, this is a contemporary tool designed for Soul, Pop, R&B, Funk, and Latin tracks. Included Instruments: Saxophones: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and Baritone. Trumpets: Three distinct trumpets plus a Flugelhorn. Trombones: Two trombones. Low Brass: A Tuba for that deep, punchy low end. Key Features That Actually Save Time
Customizable Sections: You can build a custom section of up to six instruments or choose from 38 curated presets that match common radio-ready setups.
The Animator: This is a game-changer for non-arrangers. It’s a phrase library with over 200 riffs that automatically sync to your DAW's tempo. You can control these riffs via keyswitches, making it feel more like "performing" than "programming".
Smart Voicing Assistant: Writing for brass is tricky because different instruments occupy different ranges. The Smart Voice mode automatically splits your chords among the instruments in your section, ensuring your arrangement sounds like it was written by a pro.
Deep Articulations: With 34 different articulations—including rips, shakes, and falls—and up to four velocity layers per note, you can capture the "human" imperfections that make brass sound real. Sound and Performance
The library is aimed at a tight, modern sound. It’s punchy and "in-your-face," making it perfect for a Bruno Mars-style pop track or a gritty Stax-inspired soul tune. For those who want more control, the library offers both a "Performance" patch (for real-time playing) and "Single Articulation" patches for surgical precision in your MIDI editing. Technical Specs: Size: 30GB (compressed).
Format: Runs in the free Kontakt Player or the full version of Kontakt.
Effects: Includes built-in EQ, compression, tape saturation, and a "humanize" knob to add subtle timing variations. The Verdict
Session Horns Pro is arguably the best "bang for your buck" library if you need radio-ready brass. While it isn't designed for classical or cinematic orchestral work, its ease of use and the "Animator" feature make it an essential tool for producers who need high-quality horn sections without hiring a live band.
Are you looking to use this for live performance setups or strictly for studio arranging?
Session Horns Pro – contemporary horns | Komplete - Native Instruments
Native Instruments Session Horns Pro is a 30 GB library designed for contemporary brass arrangements in genres like pop, jazz, and funk. This guide covers the essential workflows and features to get you started. Native Instruments 1. Choosing Your Instrument Type The library includes twelve separate files categorized into three main types: Performance:
The primary interface for real-time playing, featuring built-in riffs and voicing assistants. Key Switch: Native Instruments' Session Horns Pro is a comprehensive
Allows you to switch between different articulations (e.g., staccato, marcato, vibrato) on the fly using specific MIDI notes. Solo Instruments:
Ten individual instruments (including 3 saxophones, 2 trombones, 3 trumpets, tuba, and flugelhorn) for detailed solo lines. Native Instruments 2. Core Performance Features Smart Voice Split:
Automatically distributes notes in a chord across the section for authentic voicing. For example, if you play a 4-note chord, it assigns the lowest note to the trombone and the highest to the first trumpet.
A phrase library with over 200 pre-arranged riffs that stay in sync with your project tempo. One-Shot Mode: Plays the riff to the end with a single tap. Rhythm Mode:
Only plays the rhythm of the riff, allowing you to choose your own notes. Voicing Assistant:
Helps manage section harmony and unison modes, which can be controlled via the mod wheel. Native Instruments 3. Sound Shaping & Articulations Articulations:
Includes 34 different techniques like vibrato, sforzando, staccato, and growls. Pitch Wheel Control:
Used to trigger "doits" and "falls," common brass techniques. Built-in Effects:
Accessible via the "Sound" button, offering a compressor, EQ, tape saturation, and twang effects to polish your mix. Custom Sections:
You can arrange up to six instruments into a custom section. Native Instruments 4. Setup Tips How to Effectively use Native Instruments Session Horns Pro
The ensemble trumpets are sampled as a pair. For a massive sound, duplicate the track, transpose it down one octave, and mix it in at 30% volume. This gives you a "French Horn" undertone without muddying the mix.
Session Horns Pro is a versatile virtual instrument designed to provide arrangers and producers with professional-sounding brass sections. Unlike orchestral brass libraries (which focus on cinematic or symphonic textures), Session Horns Pro is tailored for Pop, Funk, Jazz, R&B, Reggae, and Indie Rock. It focuses on playable articulation, realistic voice leading, and a "studio session" sound.
Native Instruments Session Horns Pro is not just a sample library; it is a compositional aid. It respects the physics of brass instruments and the logic of music theory better than any other product in its price range.
If you have ever tried to write a horn line and felt frustrated that your MIDI sounded like an organ with a trumpet wallpaper, Session Horns Pro will feel like a religious experience. Turn on the Smart Voice Split, load the "Modern Pop" preset, play a C major chord, and smile. Finally, your DAW sounds like a band.
Rating: 4.8 / 5
Native Instruments Session Horns Pro: A Comprehensive Review
Native Instruments is a renowned brand in the music production industry, known for creating high-quality software and hardware for musicians, producers, and composers. One of their most popular products is Session Horns Pro, a virtual instrument that emulates the sound of a professional horn section. In this blog post, we'll dive deep into the features, sound quality, and usability of Session Horns Pro, and explore how it can enhance your music productions.
What is Session Horns Pro?
Session Horns Pro is a sample-based virtual instrument that allows you to add realistic horn sections to your music. The instrument features a comprehensive library of samples recorded from a professional horn ensemble, which includes trumpets, trombones, and saxophones. With Session Horns Pro, you can create complex horn arrangements and add a touch of authenticity to your productions.
Key Features
Session Horns Pro comes with an impressive set of features that make it a versatile and powerful instrument. Some of the key features include:
Sound Quality
The sound quality of Session Horns Pro is exceptional. The samples are incredibly realistic and detailed, with a clear and present sound that sits well in the mix. The instrument's multi-instrument approach allows you to create complex horn arrangements that sound like a real ensemble. The articulations and rhythmic patterns are also well-implemented, providing a high level of nuance and expressiveness.
Usability
Session Horns Pro is relatively easy to use, even for those who are new to virtual instruments. The interface is intuitive and well-organized, with clear and concise controls. The instrument's presets and rhythmic patterns provide a great starting point for creating horn arrangements, and the effects and processing tools are straightforward to use.
Use Cases
Session Horns Pro is suitable for a wide range of music productions, from pop and rock to jazz and classical. Here are a few examples of how you can use the instrument:
Conclusion
Native Instruments Session Horns Pro is a powerful and versatile virtual instrument that can add a professional-sounding horn section to your music productions. With its high-quality samples, flexible articulations, and comprehensive effects and processing tools, Session Horns Pro is an essential instrument for any musician, producer, or composer looking to add a touch of authenticity to their music. Whether you're creating pop, rock, jazz, or classical music, Session Horns Pro is definitely worth considering.
Specifications
Alternatives
If you're looking for alternative virtual horn instruments, here are a few options to consider:
Overall, Native Instruments Session Horns Pro is a top-notch virtual instrument that can elevate your music productions to the next level. With its exceptional sound quality, flexible features, and intuitive interface, Session Horns Pro is an essential instrument for any musician, producer, or composer looking to add a professional-sounding horn section to their music.
Native Instruments Session Horns Pro is a comprehensive virtual instrument designed to bring the sound of a professional four-piece horn section into your digital audio workstation. Developed in collaboration with e-instruments, this library offers a high level of detail and flexibility for composers and producers across various genres, including pop, funk, soul, and jazz.
The core of Session Horns Pro lies in its meticulously sampled collection of instruments. It features two trumpets, two trombones, and two saxophones—tenor and baritone. These instruments were recorded with precision to capture their natural timbre, dynamics, and articulations. The library provides both solo instrument patches and various section presets, allowing users to create everything from intimate solo lines to powerful, cinematic brass stabs.
One of the standout features of Session Horns Pro is its "Animator" engine. This tool provides a vast library of pre-recorded phrases and licks that can be triggered and synced to the host tempo. It allows users to quickly build complex brass arrangements without needing deep knowledge of orchestration or performance techniques. The Animator covers a wide range of styles, making it a versatile tool for contemporary music production.
In addition to the Animator, the library includes a "Smart Voice Split" feature. This intelligently distributes the notes of a chord across the different instruments in the section, ensuring realistic voicing and harmony. This feature is particularly useful for those who want to play horn parts live on a keyboard while maintaining a natural ensemble sound.
The user interface of Session Horns Pro is intuitive and designed for efficient workflow. Users can easily adjust parameters such as mic placement, room ambience, and individual instrument levels. The library also includes a suite of built-in effects, including compression, EQ, and tape saturation, providing further control over the final sound.
Compared to its predecessor, Session Horns, the Pro version offers a significantly larger sample pool, more instruments, and enhanced articulation options. It includes various mutes for the brass instruments and additional performance nuances like falls, rises, and shakes. This increased depth makes it a more robust choice for professional productions requiring a high degree of realism.
Overall, Native Instruments Session Horns Pro is a powerful and versatile brass library. Its combination of high-quality samples, innovative performance tools, and an easy-to-use interface makes it a valuable asset for any producer looking to add authentic-sounding horn sections to their tracks. Whether you are working on a high-energy funk track or a subtle jazz arrangement, Session Horns Pro provides the tools necessary to achieve a professional result.
The midnight air in the studio was thick with the smell of stale coffee and the hum of an aging preamp. Elias sat at his workstation, staring at a MIDI arrangement that felt like a skeleton without a soul. It was a neo-soul track—smooth, but hollow. It needed the punch of a brass section that didn't just play notes, but breathed them. He reached for his library and loaded Session Horns Pro.
As he scrolled through the articulations, he bypassed the standard presets and went straight for the "Performance" section. He mapped out a four-piece section: two trumpets, a trombone, and a tenor sax. With a few clicks, he dialed in the "Tight" voicing—the kind of brass arrangement that feels like it’s being fired out of a cannon.
He started with the stabs. On the first beat of the chorus, he slammed a chord. The sound wasn't the thin, synthetic chirp of a synth; it was the visceral, metallic growl of real air moving through brass. He could hear the slight "rip" at the start of the note, the imperfections that made it feel human.
Elias leaned into the modulation wheel. As he pushed it forward, the section swelled from a soft, velvety hum into a fortissimo roar. He added "Doits" at the end of the phrases, letting the trumpets slide upward into the ether, and "Falls" that dropped like lead weights at the end of the bridge.
By 3:00 AM, the track had transformed. The "Smart Voice Split" had automatically distributed his messy keyboard chords into harmonically perfect parts for each instrument. It sounded like he’d squeezed a world-class horn section into his ten-by-ten bedroom.
He hit play one last time. The horns didn't just sit on top of the mix; they drove it. They were arrogant, soulful, and alive. Elias leaned back, the blue light of the monitor reflecting in his tired eyes, and finally felt the track push back.
Before diving into knobs and keyswitches, it’s vital to understand the guiding principle behind Session Horns Pro. Native Instruments recognized that most producers are not horn players. We know what a horn should sound like—think of the punch in a Bruno Mars track, the stabs in an old James Brown recording, or the cinematic swell in a movie score—but we don't necessarily know the physical limitations of a trumpet or the fingering patterns of a saxophone.
Session Horns Pro is built on the concept of "section-based performance." Instead of painstakingly programming four separate MIDI tracks (trumpet, trombone, alto sax, tenor sax) and trying to make them play in perfect human unison, Session Horns Pro allows you to play a three- or four-note chord on your MIDI keyboard. The software instantly arranges that chord across the four instruments in a realistic way, respecting the natural range and timbre of each horn. The result: instant, playable, and convincing horn section arrangements. and convincing horn section arrangements.