Danny Elfman’s Best Sample Library for Film Scoring

A full orchestra may be a luxury your production can’t afford. In that case, you may be limited to a small ensemble or strictly synthetic music production.

Synths and samples offer a whole range of sounds and rhythms—digital instrumentation, percussion, vocals, and orchestra—that could never be created or duplicated by an orchestra. You may even prefer the level of control you have on the overall sound of your score when you’re adjusting every fader and filter. Conversely, you may want to capture some of that sound with live players.

You’ll see a lot of synthetic music in the suspense and horror genres because of the way it can create piercing, atonal attacks or subtly menacing atmospheres. Achieving the warmth and beauty in a synthetic score is much more challenging. (Pro tip: If you’re limited by budget, grounding a synthesizer score with piano is a good way to create an emotional connection with the viewer while still exploring the experimental potential of synthetic sounds.)

For more than 30 years, Danny Elfman has established himself as one of the most versatile and accomplished film composers in the Hollywood industry. 2015’s The End of the Tour, directed by James Ponsoldt and composed by Danny Elfman is a great example of Danny’s use of his custom sampled arco acoustic bass sounds, piano harmonics, and overtones as well as his 1903 Marimbaphone.