As a cellist, I often hear people say they wished they knew how to play the cello. While it takes years of discipline to master this incredibly versatile and beautiful instrument, those looking to add cello to their songs gain the ability to do so through the world of VSTs.
We live in an amazing time where we can now add cello to our compositions with just the click of a button. Furthermore, these plugins can enhance your music-making it sound like you’ve hired a professional cellist. Today we look at some of the best cello VSTs on the market today.
The Best Cello VSTs Highlighted
- Bohemian Cello – Somber, soft, and feathery
- Tina Guo Cello – Classical and contemporary
- Emotional Cello – Film-scoring, pop, and songwriting
- Blakus Cello – All composers of any genre
- Hollywood Solo Cello – Film-scoring and pop-production
- Chris Hein Solo Cello – All genres
- SWAM Cello – All genres
7 Best Cello VST Software Today
Now that we know what we are looking for, we will break down each Cello VST by who should be using them, what tone you’re looking to accomplish, pricing, system requirements, DAW support, and more.
1. Bohemian Cello by Virharmonic
Bohemian Cello by Virharmonic pulls your heartstrings with intense emotion. It offers EMOTIVE function providing a soft and feathery performance. Bohemian Cello contains very realistic articulations for a more somber approach. This VST allows for immense control and behavior forcing within your cello lines.
- Who’s it for? For advanced composers of any genre.
- Tone: The tone is somber, soft, and feathery.
- Price: $229
- DAW Support: All popular DAWs supported, good for Steinberg’s Cubase.
System Requirements:
MacOS | Windows | |
System | Mac OS 10.8 to mac OS 10.15 Catalina (64-bit) | Windows 8 to Windows 10 (64-bit) |
Memory | 4GB RAM (8 GB+ highly recommended) | 4GB RAM (8 GB+ highly recommended) |
2. Tina Guo Cello by CineSamples
This VST includes both iterations of Tina Guo’s plugins – Tina Guo Cello Legato and Tina Guo Vol. 2. Depending on the use of the volume, they range from soft and expressive to faster passages and articulations. Theses VSTs can achieve more contemporary articulations such as Sul Ponticello and Harmonics.
- Who’s it for? With both volumes, this cello VST is wonderful for both classical and contemporary composers.
- Tone: Vol 1. and 2. covers a wide variety of tones that you can achieve from classical to contemporary.
- Price:
- Tina Guo Legato – $99
- Tina Guo Vol. 2 – $99
- Tina Guo Bundle – $179
- DAW Support: All popular DAWs supported, good for FL Studio.
System Requirements:
MacOS | Windows | |
System | Mac OS X 10.10 or higher (i5 CPU or higher) | Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 10 (latest Service Pack, 32/64-bit) Intel Core 2 Duo or AMD Athlon 64 X2 |
Memory | Minimum 8GB RAM Recommended | Minimum 8GB RAM Recommended |
3. Emotional Cello by Best Service
Emotional Cello was recorded by real musicians with real vibrato. With this VST you can achieve quick avant-garde passages and slower ones very well. You can also create unusual and unconventional articulations you will not find in most competitive products.
- Who’s it for? Great for film-scoring, pop-production, and song-writing. MIDI controller recommended.
- Tone: The lows are warm and the highs are bright. Excellent and authentic cello tones especially for your avant-garde needs.
- Price: $259
- DAW Support: All popular DAWs supported, good for Pro Tools.
System Requirements:
MacOS | Windows | |
System | Mac OS 10.12 – 10.15 | Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 10 |
Memory | Minimum 8GB RAM Recommended | Minimum 8GB RAM Recommended |
4. Blakus Cello by Embertone
Blakus Cello by Embertone achieves a dichotomy of harsh and soft tones. This VST has a large library of a wide variety of articulations. One of the best and authentic-sounding cello VSTs for its price.
- Who’s it for? Perfect for all composers of any genre. MIDI controller recommended.
- Tone: Best immediate articulations so far on the list behind the Tina Guo volumes. Incredible and realistic range.
- Price: $99
- DAW Support: All popular DAWs supported, good for Steinberg’s Cubase.
System Requirements:
MacOS | Windows | |
System | Mac OS X® 10.4 / 10.5, G5 1.8 GHz | Windows 7 or Windows 8 |
Memory | 4 GB recommended | 4 GB recommended |
5. Hollywood Solo Cello by EastWest
Dynamics and vibrato depth are linked together with the Mod Wheel offering a truly unique and realistic tone. Add exquisite and emotional tone to your music from real musicians with this plugin. You have probably heard this cello VST in major films and commercials.
- Who’s it for? Excellent for film-scoring and pop-production. MIDI controller is highly recommended.
- Tone: Contains a bright and welcoming tone with realistic vibrato.
- Price: $79.60
- DAW Support: All popular DAWs supported, good for StudioOne.
System Requirements:
MacOS | Windows | |
System | Mac Pro Late 2013 edition (model with round enclosure) or above | Intel Core 2 Quad, or AMD Quad Core 2.66GHz or higher |
Memory | 16GB RAM or more | 16GB RAM or more |
6. Chris Hein Solo Cello by Chris Hein
Chris Hein is a recording artist known for his spectacular string recordings. This cello VST contains over 10,000 samples, 38 articulations, and 4 different legato transitions. Play smooth passages to ‘screaming loud’ passages while still sounding completely natural.
- Who’s it for? Great for all genres. MIDI controller recommended.
- Tone: Great low warmth and bright tones with realistic vibrato and articulations.
- Price: $259
- DAW Support: All popular DAWs supported, good for LogicProX
System Requirements:
MacOS | Windows | |
System | Mac OS 10.12 – 10.15 | Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 10 |
Memory | Minimum 8GB RAM Recommended | Minimum 8GB RAM Recommended |
7. SWAM Cello by Audio Modeling
SWAM Cello is based on ‘physical modeling’ making it possible to control the sounds of the cello in real-time. You can even assign bow position to knobs on your MIDI controller allowing for ultra-fine tuning parameters.
- Who’s it for? Perfect for all genres. MIDI controller high recommended.
- Tone: Best of all worlds.
- Price: $120
- DAW Support: All popular DAWs supported, good for Steinberg’s Cubase.
System Requirements:
MacOS | Windows | |
System | Mac OSX 10.7 – 10.11 (El Capitan), macOS 10.12 (Sierra) – 10.15 (Catalina) | Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10 |
Memory | 4 GB recommended | 4 GB recommended |
Encore!
We certainly live in an amazing time to be producers and composers with the musical world at our fingertips. A time where we can have the cello, one of the most versatile instruments in the world, featured in our music without the hassle of trying to find and hire a professional cellist. It’s quite incredible what all of these Cello VSTs are capable of and what they can accomplish for composers in the film scene, classical, or even just for fun.
We hope this article helps any of you aspiring composers or experienced ones out there, decide which cello VST works best for your sound! Please don’t hesitate to ask us any questions for more information about these excellent cello VSTs.
…and remember, practice doesn’t make perfect. Practice makes progress!
What To Look For When Choosing a Cello VST
When making this list, we are looking for the best cello VSTs that can capitalize on the complete warmth and elegance of a real cello. We look for sound quality, use of legato, vibrato, staccato, and how easy it is to implement these articulations. Each Cello VST is completely unique featuring actual cellists so make sure to take a listen through all of them to see what may fit your style of music best.
Pricing – VST vs Hiring Cellists
In terms of pricing, some of these cello VSTs may seem quite expensive but I like to look at it like this: you spend $99 for a cello VST recorded by a real professional cellist or you can hire a real professional cellist that will charge $99 (at least) for one recording session.
With that one time purchase of $99, you now have the sounds of a real professional cellist for life. Even as a cellist, these VSTs are most certainly worth it and their quality has me completely blown me away.
Compatibility – System Requirements
All cello VSTs on this list are compatible with OS and Windows operating systems. VSTs will take up some space on your hard drive so be sure to check your computers available space in conjunction with the specs of the cello VST links provided in the list.
DAW Compatibility
In the year 2024, it is rare to find VSTs or plug-ins that are not compatible with today’s more popular DAWs. With that said, all cello VSTs featured today are compatible with all the popular DAWs such as LogicProX, Cubase, Pro Tools, Studio One, BitWig, Ableton, REAPER, and FL Studio.
Be sure to click the links provided on the list to check if your DAW is compatible with these plug-ins.
Frequency of Use
In my opinion, the cello is one of the most versatile instruments in the world and can be implemented in most compositions and music productions. I have been personally featured in classical, contemporary, pop, and even hardcore metal music. The realms within the cello are endless! You can most certainly find a use for the cello in almost any genre.
AMP Features & Tone
As mentioned earlier, this list was created to capitalize on the different sounds and articulations you can achieve depending on these cello VSTs. Every plug-in on this list was recorded by real professional cellists and as you may or may not know, no cello sounds the same.
That is the beauty behind every type of voice that various cellos make. Each cello has a voice of its own.
Skill Level
It can be difficult to maximize your efficiency with these types of plug-ins depending on what you are trying to achieve. If you are trying to reach the most realistic approach with different articulations and sounds efficient, then I highly suggest looking into using a physical MIDI controller.
When using VSTs like these, a MIDI controller will lighten your workload tremendously since you can plug in those articulations and use them much quicker.
Learn More
What is a cello VST?
Cello VSTs specifically work to create authentic legato, vibrato, staccato from recordings by actual professional cellists.
Do you have to have a physical MIDI controller to use a VST?
Some VSTs highly recommend having a MIDI controller to deliver the best results. When deciding on a VST make sure you have all of the appropriate gear to use it effectively.
Does buying a cello VST give you lifetime access?
Compare Cello VST prices
Name | Manufacturer | Type | Price |
Bohemian Cello | Virharmonic | Single Plugin | $229 |
Tina Guo Cello | Cinesamples | Bundle | $179 |
Emotional Cello | Bestservice | Single Plugin | $259 |
Blakus Cello | Embertone | Single Plugin | $99 |
Hollywood Solo Cello | East West | Single Plugin | $79 |
Chris Hein Solo Cello | Chris Hein | Single Plugin | $259 |
SWAM Cello | Audio Modeling | Single Plugin | $120 |