Native Instruments LCO Producer Strings v1.1.0 [KONTAKT]

• Product: LCO Producer Strings
• Publisher: Native Instruments
• Version: 1.1.0
• Requirements: Kontakt v8.6.0 or later
• Source: native-instruments.com/lco-producer-strings/

LCO Producer Strings successfully translates the London Contemporary Orchestra’s experimental vision into a production-ready instrument. While it won’t replace traditional orchestral libraries, it excels at bridging acoustic and electronic worlds with authentic grit and emotion. A compelling choice for producers seeking distinctive string sounds.

Strings with Attitude: A Producer’s Deep Dive into NI’s LCO Producer Strings

As a producer, I’m constantly on the hunt for orchestral sounds that feel contemporary and raw, not sterile or overly polished. Traditional string libraries are beautiful, but they often don’t fit the gritty, emotional vibe of modern pop, hip-hop, or electronic music. This is the exact creative gap that Native Instruments’ LCO Producer Strings aims to fill. Capturing the “fearless and innovative” spirit of the London Contemporary Orchestra—renowned for their work with artists like Radiohead and Frank Ocean—this library promised something different.

My goal here is to give you my honest, first-hand account of whether this instrument truly delivers on its promise of bringing a modern, experimental edge to orchestral strings.

Key Takeaway

Native Instruments’ LCO Producer Strings is a brilliantly unconventional string library that excels at creating modern, gritty, and textural string sounds. Its innovative four-layer hybrid engine and unique articulations make it an essential tool for pop, hip-hop, and electronic producers who want to move beyond traditional orchestral sounds and inject their tracks with authentic, cutting-edge character.

First Impressions: Not Your Grandfather’s String Library

From the moment I loaded the first patch, it was clear this was not a typical string library. Recorded at London’s legendary RAK Studios by engineer Fiona Cruickshank, the sound is immediate, raw, and full of character. This library embraces the beautiful imperfections of a live performance, focusing on textures and experimental techniques rather than pristine classical articulations.

The Four-Layer Engine: A Playground of Texture

The heart of this instrument is its intuitive four-layer hybrid engine, which allows you to blend violin, viola, cello, and synth layers simultaneously.

• Intuitive Blending: In my testing, this engine proved to be a playground of texture. I could easily create “vivid kaleidoscopic textures” by blending different instrument layers and performance techniques. The color-coded interface dynamically changes as you work, providing excellent visual feedback on which instruments and articulations are active.
• Hybrid Sound Design: The ability to seamlessly blend the acoustic performances with evolving synth beds and granular textures is a standout feature. I found the built-in effects, including compression, delay, and reverb, were perfect for transforming a “lush shimmer” into a “gritty saturation” while maintaining a cohesive, musical sound.

Articulations for Modern Music

This is where LCO Producer Strings truly distinguishes itself. The articulations are specifically designed for the needs of modern production, not classical orchestration.

• Cluster Blooms: These are dense harmonic clusters that expand and evolve, perfect for creating atmospheric tension.
• Harmonic Flickers: Ethereal, shimmering overtone effects that add a touch of magic to a track.
• Percussive Pizzicatos: Aggressive, punchy plucked attacks that are perfect for rhythmic parts in hip-hop and electronic music.
• Spectral Tremolos: Glitchy, textural movements that are fantastic for sound design and creating a sense of unease.

My Honest Look: Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
A revolutionary approach to orchestral sampling, perfect for modern genres.	May not be suitable for traditional classical or conventional film scoring needs.
The four-layer hybrid engine is powerful and enables complex textural creation.	Requires a familiarity with the LCO’s experimental aesthetic to get the most out of it.
It is Kontakt Player compatible, so no full Kontakt license is required.	The articulation count is limited compared to more comprehensive orchestral libraries.
The NKS optimization provides an excellent workflow with Kontrol keyboards.	The $99 price point is higher than some competitor offerings in the “texture” space.
The recording quality from RAK Studios with Fiona Cruickshank is exceptional.	The gritty, glitchy character, while a strength, may not suit all musical contexts.

My Recommendation: Who Should Buy This Product?

LCO Producer Strings is a specialized tool, and it’s brilliant at what it does. I would highly recommend it for:

• Pop and Hip-Hop Producers who want to add authentic, edgy orchestral elements to their tracks.
• Electronic Musicians looking for organic, textural layers to blend with their synthetic productions.
• Film and Game Composers working on contemporary, experimental, or hybrid scores.
• Bedroom Producers who need professional, modern string sounds without getting bogged down in complex orchestration.

This is not a replacement for a traditional orchestral library. It is a creative weapon for making modern music.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Final Verdict

Native Instruments LCO Producer Strings is a resounding success. It brilliantly translates the experimental and raw energy of the London Contemporary Orchestra into an intuitive, production-ready instrument. While it won’t replace your go-to library for traditional orchestral work, it excels at bridging the gap between the acoustic and electronic worlds with authentic grit, emotion, and texture.

For any modern producer looking for a distinctive and inspiring string library that breaks the mold, this is a fantastic and highly recommended tool.