Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Watch Next ➤ youtu.be/7_BST6HjbNg?si=moQWQTYynKUekz0G
youtu.be/S3ifVPkxYC0?si=Znk7P6on1FweR10U
Pocket Strings from The Crow Hill Company is a free string instrument plugin for music production that combines recorded orchestral strings with vintage synth layers in a compact, easy-to-use interface.
In this video, I take a look at Pocket Strings and demonstrate its main sounds, controls, presets, effects, and sound-shaping options. The instrument includes long, short, and pluck articulations, along with Orchestra, Epic, Analog, and Vintage Synth sounds that can be blended together. I also demonstrate the automatic bass switch, pattern shapes, Glass controls, reverb options, and several presets to show how the instrument can be used in an actual music production workflow. Pocket Strings is designed as a lightweight alternative to much larger orchestral collections, making it useful when you want string sounds without installing a massive sample library.
What's covered in this video
* The video begins with an introduction to Pocket Strings from The Crow Hill Company and explains how the free instrument is positioned as a compact production-ready string plugin rather than a replacement for large orchestral collections from Spitfire or EastWest.
* The main interface is explored, including the Long, Short, and Pluck string articulations and the simple controls used to shape the instrument.
* The Orchestra, Epic, Analog, and Vintage Synth sound categories are demonstrated, including how the controls allow you to blend between the different sound sources.
* The automatic bass switch is shown as a way to add additional low-end content to the string sound without requiring a separate bass instrument.
* The different shape controls are demonstrated, including patterns that can make the sound fluctuate over periods ranging from one to four bars.
* The Long, Short, and Pluck sounds are played individually to demonstrate the differences between sustained strings, shorter notes, and plucked string textures.
* Pocket Strings presets are explored to show how quickly different sounds can be accessed without manually building every patch from scratch.
* The built-in reverb section is demonstrated with options including Chamber and Hall, showing how ambience can change the character and depth of the strings.
* The Glass section is explored with its gain and amount controls, including a comparison with the Glass effect turned off for a more basic dry string sound.
* Additional sound-shaping controls are demonstrated, including fade-in and fade-out behavior and quicker variations that create more movement in the sound.
* The video concludes by discussing the practical strengths and limitations of Pocket Strings, including its fast loading, small size, vintage synth layers, songwriting applications, and relatively limited articulation options.
* Pocket Strings is presented as a useful free instrument for pop, rock, indie, cinematic, ambient, and film music, particularly when a lightweight string instrument is more appropriate than a large orchestral library.
Mentioned in this video: Pocket Strings, The Crow Hill Company, Spitfire, EastWest, Orchestra, Epic, Analog, Vintage Synth, Long, Short, Pluck, automatic bass switch, Glass, Chamber, Hall, presets, reverb, fade in, fade out, pop music, rock music, indie music, cinematic music, ambient music, film music, orchestral collections, string instrument, vintage synth layers, music production, songwriting
0:00 Intro: Free Pocket Strings Plugin
0:16 Pocket Strings vs. Massive Libraries
0:31 String Articulations And Sound Layers
0:45 Automatic Bass And Pattern Shapes
1:09 Orchestra, Synths And Presets
1:27 Reverb And Glass Controls
1:47 Fade Effects And Sound Shaping
2:10 Pocket Strings Presets In Action
3:00 Strengths And Limitations
LINKS
FREE
thecrowhillcompany.com/explore/pocket-strings
* SoundGym 20% discount coupon: ➤ gregkocis.com/sgym20
* Deals on Plugin Boutique – gregkocis.com/ypki
* Save Big on Waves Plugins – gregkocis.com/pnw2
* Native Instruments LIMITED TIME – nativeinstruments.sjv.io/55P6G2
The links to iZotope, Plugin Boutique, Mastering The Mix, SoundGym, Native Instruments, iZotope, and Waves are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them. This helps support the channel at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use or believe bring real value to producers and songwriters.
#howtomakemusicnow
Watch Next ➤ youtu.be/7_BST6HjbNg?si=moQWQTYynKUekz0G
youtu.be/S3ifVPkxYC0?si=Znk7P6on1FweR10U
Pocket Strings from The Crow Hill Company is a free string instrument plugin for music production that combines recorded orchestral strings with vintage synth layers in a compact, easy-to-use interface.
In this video, I take a look at Pocket Strings and demonstrate its main sounds, controls, presets, effects, and sound-shaping options. The instrument includes long, short, and pluck articulations, along with Orchestra, Epic, Analog, and Vintage Synth sounds that can be blended together. I also demonstrate the automatic bass switch, pattern shapes, Glass controls, reverb options, and several presets to show how the instrument can be used in an actual music production workflow. Pocket Strings is designed as a lightweight alternative to much larger orchestral collections, making it useful when you want string sounds without installing a massive sample library.
What's covered in this video
* The video begins with an introduction to Pocket Strings from The Crow Hill Company and explains how the free instrument is positioned as a compact production-ready string plugin rather than a replacement for large orchestral collections from Spitfire or EastWest.
* The main interface is explored, including the Long, Short, and Pluck string articulations and the simple controls used to shape the instrument.
* The Orchestra, Epic, Analog, and Vintage Synth sound categories are demonstrated, including how the controls allow you to blend between the different sound sources.
* The automatic bass switch is shown as a way to add additional low-end content to the string sound without requiring a separate bass instrument.
* The different shape controls are demonstrated, including patterns that can make the sound fluctuate over periods ranging from one to four bars.
* The Long, Short, and Pluck sounds are played individually to demonstrate the differences between sustained strings, shorter notes, and plucked string textures.
* Pocket Strings presets are explored to show how quickly different sounds can be accessed without manually building every patch from scratch.
* The built-in reverb section is demonstrated with options including Chamber and Hall, showing how ambience can change the character and depth of the strings.
* The Glass section is explored with its gain and amount controls, including a comparison with the Glass effect turned off for a more basic dry string sound.
* Additional sound-shaping controls are demonstrated, including fade-in and fade-out behavior and quicker variations that create more movement in the sound.
* The video concludes by discussing the practical strengths and limitations of Pocket Strings, including its fast loading, small size, vintage synth layers, songwriting applications, and relatively limited articulation options.
* Pocket Strings is presented as a useful free instrument for pop, rock, indie, cinematic, ambient, and film music, particularly when a lightweight string instrument is more appropriate than a large orchestral library.
Mentioned in this video: Pocket Strings, The Crow Hill Company, Spitfire, EastWest, Orchestra, Epic, Analog, Vintage Synth, Long, Short, Pluck, automatic bass switch, Glass, Chamber, Hall, presets, reverb, fade in, fade out, pop music, rock music, indie music, cinematic music, ambient music, film music, orchestral collections, string instrument, vintage synth layers, music production, songwriting
0:00 Intro: Free Pocket Strings Plugin
0:16 Pocket Strings vs. Massive Libraries
0:31 String Articulations And Sound Layers
0:45 Automatic Bass And Pattern Shapes
1:09 Orchestra, Synths And Presets
1:27 Reverb And Glass Controls
1:47 Fade Effects And Sound Shaping
2:10 Pocket Strings Presets In Action
3:00 Strengths And Limitations
LINKS
FREE
thecrowhillcompany.com/explore/pocket-strings
* SoundGym 20% discount coupon: ➤ gregkocis.com/sgym20
* Deals on Plugin Boutique – gregkocis.com/ypki
* Save Big on Waves Plugins – gregkocis.com/pnw2
* Native Instruments LIMITED TIME – nativeinstruments.sjv.io/55P6G2
The links to iZotope, Plugin Boutique, Mastering The Mix, SoundGym, Native Instruments, iZotope, and Waves are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them. This helps support the channel at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use or believe bring real value to producers and songwriters.
#howtomakemusicnow
