EastWest has announced its most nuanced and intimate string library yet. A long-awaited sequel, Hollywood Strings 2 brings the sounds of a tight 21-piece group recorded in EastWest Studio 2, home to classic themes from The Beverly Hillbillies, Hawaii Five-O, and the soundtracks to Encanto and A Star is Born.

Hollywood Strings 2 provides all the essential articulations, including legato, detache, pizzicato, staccato, spiccato, marcato, col legno, and even rare textural styles like flautando, each with up to four dynamics, ensuring an unparalleled level of expressiveness and realism. From the delicate intimacy of pianissimo to the commanding authority of fortissimo, and everything in between, articulations are captured with exacting detail by an extensive array of microphones, giving composers unprecedented control over the performance and sound of the strings.

Every instrument is mic’d closer than ever before, capturing the grit, depth, and air of every note in the finest detail possible. Users can independently control 3 separate close mic positions (including mics attached directly to the instruments), plus main, mid-field, and surround mics. Hollywood Strings 2 is even Atmos-ready to create Atmos mixes in DAWs that support it. Epic arrangements are impressive, but there’s more to strings than scale alone… and while its predecessor is indeed epic, Hollywood Strings 2 goes even further, molding itself to any task.

Hollywood Strings 2 is scheduled for release on April 25th, 2024. It is available to pre-order now for $399 USD, and a purchase includes a free copy of String Machine.

More information: EastWest / Hollywood Strings 2