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EastWest String Machine

Back to the Retro Future

4.6
Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars
11 Reviews
Sale ends in:

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Description

 

Paying homage to the great vintage string synthesizers of the 60s, 70s, and 80s, EastWest's String Machine virtual instrument brings the past into the future. Produced by sound titans Doug Rogers and Nick Phoenix, String Machine includes samples from some of the greats - the Arp Solina, Oberheim OBX, Roland RS-505, and the Roland Jupiter 6 - and allows you to instantly combine them with modern strings, brass, woodwinds, and vocals to create unique vintage vibes perfect for your next pop, rock, or hip-hop masterpiece.

String Machine-s user interface takes inspiration from the design of vintage string machine synthesizers. From the chunky instrument switches adorned along the front panel, to the glide of envelope sliders, and the click of push buttons, String Machine-s form and function is informed by the original hardware units.

String Machines were well known for their ensemble chorus effects, and the one included in String Machine features 3 modes, each with distinct characteristics. With effect emulations modeled from the Arp Solina, and Roland VP-330 hardware units, along with a -Modern- mode, our Ensemble Chorus effect delivers everything from vintage warmth and thickness, to modern transparency and dimension.

String Machine-s use is flexible, owing to its hybrid design of electronic and acoustic instruments. It fits right at home in a variety of genres, electronic or otherwise, but especially suitable for genres heavy on retro nostalgia, like chillwave or pop. Any piece of music that needs a large ensemble string pad would benefit by using String Machine.

INSTRUMENT GROUPS
String Machine features 4 color-coded instrument sections, including string machines and pads (red), string sections (green), solo woodwinds and brass (teal), and choirs and solo vocals (orange). Each instrument section features a number of instruments and alternatives, giving you countless ways to combine them into a diverse range of timbres, and the ease of mixing the individual instrument sections together to create rich, multi-layered pads.

PRESETS
String Machine comes with 17 presets programmed by Nick Phoenix. These presets demonstrate the type of sounds possible with String Machine, but we encourage you to use String Machine as it was intended -- creating your own presets! 
With high-quality sampling of vintage hardware units and authentic ensemble chorus emulations, String Machine is the perfect companion to recreate the classic sounds of vintage string machine synthesizers, and much more. Whether you need a synthy string pad heavy with retro nostalgia, or a rich backdrop for a pop track, String Machine gives you the instruments and controls that empower you to deliver.

Tech Specs

Below are the minimum and recommended hardware and software specifications for using Opus 1.6.1 on Windows and MacOS systems. Update to the latest version of Opus for compatibility with the latest EastWest product releases.

MINIMUM SYSTEM

  • CPU: Quad-core (four cores), running at 2.7 GHz (or above)
  • RAM: 16 GB
  • OS: macOS 10.15 (or later); Windows 10 with ASIO sound drivers
  • Drive: HDD (7200 rpm, non-energy saving)

RECOMMENDED SYSTEM

  • CPU: Octa-core (eight cores), running at 2.7 GHz (or above)
  • RAM: 32 GB or more
  • OS: macOS 10.15 (or later); Windows 10 with ASIO sound drivers
  • Drive: SSD (SATA or PCIe)

Reviews

4.6
Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars
Based on 11 reviews
Total 5 star reviews: 7 Total 4 star reviews: 4 Total 3 star reviews: 0 Total 2 star reviews: 0 Total 1 star reviews: 0
100%would recommend this product
11 reviews
  • YJ
    yongjun j.
    Verified Buyer
    I recommend this product
    Rated 4 out of 5 stars
    Feb 15, 2026
    Bit of one trick pony

    While this isn't the most versatile collection of string machines it's easy to be used and sits well in a busy session. Additional 3 layers are great bonus.

  • BU
    Bernardo U.
    Verified Buyer
    I recommend this product
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Feb 9, 2026
    EW string machine

    Great instrument. Very 70-80s if that suits

    Your needs

  • NR
    Nick R.
    Verified Buyer
    I recommend this product
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Feb 8, 2026
    Vintage Sound w Attitude

    EastWest is no stranger to exquisite sampling, but exhuming vintage sound and quality is really really hard. It's no surprise to me, that EastWest hit it out of the park, but I didn't think it would be a real force multiplier in my latest dystopian and retro synth underscore template. Dudes... I was wrong!!! I never thought 15 instruments and 5 Vocals could deliver breadth and color, but it just does.

    There are only 39 presets to start with, but as soon as you play you realize you can build 100's of great presets of your own because the sample quality is simply that good. The on board ADSR/Chorus and Reverbs are in my opinion the real heart of the Plugin. The samples fit so well together that you can get big and vibrant with the strings/pads/brass or soft and elegant with the winds and vocals. The samples are never fighting for EQ space if you're using the aforementioned correctly. Quick Notes: DO NOT confuse saturation with Gain "The harmonics are on point." Also remember to use the MIDI tool section in OPUS to get your ARP on.

    If you're a synth junkie looking for a Chamber of Secrets in onboard effects outside the built in OPUS player, you're out of luck. This plugin only delivers 4 reverbs, 1 alternate sound per instrument, 1 ADSR per sound section (Strings/Pad - Brass - Winds - Choir Male/Female), 2 chorus options per section and a standard stereo field/volume control. "That's it, and it freaking works!"

    If you're looking for quality vintage sound and worth while…

  • DS
    Dan S.
    Verified Buyer
    I recommend this product
    Rated 4 out of 5 stars
    Feb 4, 2026
    EW String Machine

    Works great, Opus > Play!

  • AD
    Antonio D.
    Verified Buyer
    I recommend this product
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Feb 4, 2026
    Great sound and easy to use!

    Like many EastWest porducts, a supreme product. Lovely sounds and easy to use.

    One of the best investa I made. Thanks audiodeluxe and EW.