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This step-by-step walkthrough shows how to create a static library (.lib file) for use with C++ apps. Using a static library is a great way to reuse code. Rather than reimplementing the same routines in every app that requires the functionality, you write them one time in a static library and then reference it from the apps. Code linked from a static library becomes part of your app—you don't have to install another file to use the code.

This walkthrough covers these tasks:

Prerequisites

An understanding of the fundamentals of the C++ language.

Create a static library project

The instructions for how to create the project vary depending on your version of Visual Studio. To see the documentation for your preferred version of Visual Studio, use the Version selector control. It's found at the top of the table of contents on this page.

To create a static library project in Visual Studio 2019

1. On the menu bar, choose File > New > Project to open the Create a New Project dialog box.

2. At the top of the dialog, set Language to C++, set Platform to Windows, and set Project type to Library.

3. From the filtered list of project types, select Windows Desktop Wizard, then choose Next.

4. In the Configure your new project page, enter MathLibrary in the Project name box to specify a name for the project. Enter StaticMath in the Solution name box. Choose the Create button to open the Windows Desktop Project dialog.

5. In the Windows Desktop Project dialog, under Application type, select Static Library (.lib).

6. Under Additional options, uncheck the Precompiled header check box if it's checked. Check the Empty project box.

7. Choose OK to create the project.

To create a static library project in Visual Studio 2017

1. On the menu bar, choose File > New > Project.

2. In the New Project dialog box, select Installed > Visual C++ > Windows Desktop. In the center pane, select Windows Desktop Wizard.

3. Specify a name for the project—for example, MathLibrary—in the Name box. Specify a name for the solution—for example, StaticMath—in the Solution Name box. Choose the OK button.

4. In the Windows Desktop Project dialog, under Application type, select Static Library (.lib).

5. Under Additional Options, uncheck the Precompiled header check box if it's checked. Check the Empty project box.

6. Choose OK to create the project.

To create a static library project in Visual Studio 2015

1. On the menu bar, choose File > New > Project.

2. In the New Project dialog box, select Installed > Templates > Visual C++ > Win32. In the center pane, select Win32 Console Application.

3. Specify a name for the project—for example, MathLibrary—in the Name box. Specify a name for the solution—for example, StaticMath—in the Solution Name box. Choose the OK button.

4. In the Win32 Application Wizard, choose Next.

5. In the Application Settings page, under Application type, select Static library. Under Additional options, uncheck the Precompiled header checkbox. Choose Finish to create the project.

Add a class to the static library

To add a class to the static library

1. To create a header file for a new class, right-click to open the shortcut menu for the MathLibrary project in Solution Explorer, and then choose Add > New Item. Minecraft windows 10 beta download.

2. In the Add New Item dialog box, select Visual C++ > Code. In the center pane, select Header File (.h). Specify a name for the header file—for example, MathLibrary.h—and then choose the Add button. A nearly blank header file is displayed.

3. Add a declaration for a class named Arithmetic to do common mathematical operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. The code should resemble:

4. To create a source file for the new class, open the shortcut menu for the MathLibrary project in Solution Explorer, and then choose Add > New Item.

5. In the Add New Item dialog box, in the center pane, select C++ File (.cpp). Specify a name for the source file—for example, MathLibrary.cpp—and then choose the Add button. A blank source file is displayed.

6. Use this source file to implement the functionality for class Arithmetic. The code should resemble:

7. To build the static library, select Build > Build Solution on the menu bar. The build creates a static library, MathLibrary.lib, that can be used by other programs.

   Note

   When you build on the Visual Studio command line, you must build the program in two steps. First, run cl /c /EHsc MathLibrary.cpp to compile the code and create an object file that's named MathLibrary.obj. (The cl command invokes the compiler, Cl.exe, and the /c option specifies compile without linking. For more information, see /c (Compile Without Linking).) Second, run lib MathLibrary.obj to link the code and create the static library MathLibrary.lib. (The lib command invokes the Library Manager, Lib.exe. For more information, see LIB Reference.)

Create a C++ console app that references the static library

To create a C++ console app that references the static library in Visual Studio 2019

1. In Solution Explorer, right-click on the top node, Solution 'StaticMath', to open the shortcut menu. Choose Add > New Project to open the Add a New Project dialog box.

2. At the top of the dialog, set the Project type filter to Console.

3. From the filtered list of project types, choose Console App then choose Next. In the next page, enter MathClient in the Name box to specify a name for the project.

4. Choose the Create button to create the client project.

5. After you create a console app, an empty program is created for you. The name for the source file is the same as the name that you chose earlier. In the example, it's named MathClient.cpp.

To create a C++ console app that references the static library in Visual Studio 2017

1. In Solution Explorer, right-click on the top node, Solution 'StaticMath', to open the shortcut menu. Choose Add > New Project to open the Add a New Project dialog box.

2. In the Add New Project dialog box, select Installed > Visual C++ > Windows Desktop. In the center pane, select Windows Desktop Wizard.

3. Specify a name for the project—for example, MathClient—in the Name box. Choose the OK button.

4. In the Windows Desktop Project dialog, under Application type, select Console Application (.exe).

5. Under Additional Options, uncheck the Precompiled header check box if it's checked.

6. Choose OK to create the project.

7. After you create a console app, an empty program is created for you. The name for the source file is the same as the name that you chose earlier. In the example, it's named MathClient.cpp.

To create a C++ console app that references the static library in Visual Studio 2015

1. In Solution Explorer, right-click on the top node, Solution 'StaticMath', to open the shortcut menu. Choose Add > New Project to open the Add a New Project dialog box.

2. In the Add New Project dialog box, select Installed > Visual C++ > Win32. In the center pane, select Win32 Console Application.

3. Specify a name for the project—for example, MathClient—in the Name box. Choose the OK button.

4. In the Win32 Application Wizard dialog, choose Next.

5. On the Application Settings page, under Application type, make sure Console application is selected. Under Additional options, uncheck Precompiled header, then check the Empty Project checkbox. Choose Finish to create the project.

6. To add a source file to the empty project, right-click to open the shortcut menu for the MathClient project in Solution Explorer, and then choose Add > New Item.

7. In the Add New Item dialog box, select Visual C++ > Code. In the center pane, select C++ File (.cpp). Specify a name for the source file—for example, MathClient.cpp—and then choose the Add button. A blank source file is displayed.

Use the functionality from the static library in the app

To use the functionality from the static library in the app

1. Before you can use the math routines in the static library, you must reference it. Open the shortcut menu for the MathClient project in Solution Explorer, and then choose Add > Reference.

2. The Add Reference dialog box lists the libraries that you can reference. The Projects tab lists the projects in the current solution and any libraries they reference. Open the Projects tab, select the MathLibrary check box, and then choose the OK button.

3. To reference the MathLibrary.h header file, you must modify the included directories path. In Solution Explorer, right-click on MathClient to open the shortcut menu. Choose Properties to open the MathClient Property Pages dialog box.

4. In the MathClient Property Pages dialog box, set the Configuration drop-down to All Configurations. Set the Platform drop-down to All Platforms.

5. Select the Configuration Properties > C/C++ > General property page. In the Additional Include Directories property, specify the path of the MathLibrary directory, or browse for it.

   To browse for the directory path:

   1. Open the Additional Include Directories property value drop-down list, and then choose Edit.

   2. In the Additional Include Directories dialog box, double-click in the top of the text box. Then choose the ellipsis button (..) at the end of the line.

   3. In the Select Directory dialog box, navigate up a level, and then select the MathLibrary directory. Then choose the Select Folder button to save your selection.

   4. In the Additional Include Directories dialog box, choose the OK button.

   5. In the Property Pages dialog box, choose the OK button to save your changes to the project.

6. You can now use the Arithmetic class in this app by including the #include 'MathLibrary.h' header in your code. Replace the contents of MathClient.cpp with this code:

7. To build the executable, choose Build > Build Solution on the menu bar.

Run the app

To run the app

1. Make sure that MathClient is selected as the default project. To select it, right-click to open the shortcut menu for MathClient in Solution Explorer, and then choose Set as StartUp Project.

2. To run the project, on the menu bar, choose Debug > Start Without Debugging. The output should resemble:

See also

Walkthrough: Creating and Using a Dynamic Link Library (C++)
Desktop Applications (Visual C++)

Article Content

Kontakt, the sampling instrument from Native Instruments, is arguably the most used sampling platform on the market with hundreds of 3rd party sample libraries available. There is a free version that has limited functionality and the full version which sells for $399. The full version also comes with their entry-level bundle, Komplete 13, currently selling at $599.

There are of course many other options for sampling instruments and libraries including Sampler & Simpler from Ableton and Sampler (formerly EXS24) & Quick Sampler from Logic Pro. If you choose to make your own sampling instruments these are great choices and are definitely more user friendly. Check out my article “The Fundamentals of Sampling Instruments and Libraries” for information on samplers in general. But if you want access to the largest variety of 3rd party libraries you really need to get Kontakt.

I have assembled a list below of my current favorite Kontakt instruments. Unfortunately, I have not had the opportunity to play everything available on the market, and there are many I hope to try in the future that are not on this list. But what is here I can strongly vouch for. I base these recommendations on 12 criteria:

1. The sounds sound real (if they are intended to, that is). Orchestral instruments and ensembles are the most challenging and expensive libraries to produce, hence the associated prices.
2. If applicable, the instrument has a wide assortment of articulations, including standard and extended playing techniques.
3. The instrument is “deep-sampled,” a term that might be used a bit often lately. But this refers to each note being sampled with various velocities, articulations, playing techniques, round robins, various mic choices & positioning, etc.
4. The instrument is playable with a variety of controllable parameters such as dynamics, expression and vibrato that can be mapped to a MIDI controller and automated.
5. If the instrument is based around sound design, it should include a large variety of samples and means to combine them to ensure the possibility of unique results.
6. The interface for sound design and electronic-based instruments is important for playability, since with these sorts of sounds it is often more about texture and timbre rather than tonal content. So the existence of a morphing XY pad or other intuitive GUI control that can be MIDI mapped is a desirable feature.
7. Sound design-based instruments especially need to have an onboard effects section. Robust effects collections will typically include EQ/filtering, distortion/saturation, compression, limiting, delay and reverb. More advanced instruments will also include customized routing capabilities. The closer you can get to the perfect sound using a minimum of external plugins the better.
8. Electronic and sound design instruments should have a modulation section that might include LFOs, envelopes and step sequencers.
9. Sound design and hybrid instruments should allow for significant user customization. The library sounds should be unique and well-conceived.
10. The library should be searchable by keyword or search matrix with presets easily and quickly loaded.
11. It sounds good immediately! When you’re looking for a sound, you want to get there as fast as possible, and clunky or unfriendly interfaces just make the process that much more difficult.
12. It sounds great, it’s is fun to use and gets me the sound I want super fast.

I will admit that not everything listed below checks every box above. But all these instruments hit the last point, and it can be argued that that’s the only one that really matters.

Native Instruments

It seems appropriate to start with Native Instruments, the developer of Kontakt. The Komplete bundles come with a fairly large selection of instruments, all of which are well-designed and capable of great sounds.

Thrill

This is a fantastic sounding instrument that can morph between a huge selection of searchable textures derived from orchestral and hybrid sources. The main XY pad control makes this a playable texture-based instrument that fits well with many film genres such as suspense, action, horror and (obviously) thrillers. With some investigation, I found that the XY parameters were controllable via MIDI CCs 2 and 3. So I mapped my Senselcontroller, via a little Max/MSP patch, to control the Thrill interface. By the way, the Sensel Morph controller uses replaceable rubberized control surfaces such as drum pad, keys and other overlays and is capable of touch sensitivity and MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression, one of the amazing features in MIDI 2.0). It is an incredibly versatile controller with a very small footprint. My application in this instance is using it without any overlay, as a simple XY controller. I’ve included a screen-shot of the patch below for those Max-inclined folks.

Simple Kontakt Library Creator

Other NI Favorites Include:

Rise and Hit – an outstanding instrument for generating transitions, whooshes and hits that allows for tempo-based durations.

Kinetic Metal – fantastic metallic textures in a steampunk-inspired GUI.

The Giant – a wonderful collection of prepared piano sounds that allows for layering of samples and convolution effects. Great for percussive and sustained textures.

The Grandeur – a solid grand piano library with controllable hammer, damper, pedal and string sounds.

Hybrid Keys – although I already have a ton of synths, this instrument is excellent at quickly combining sounds for unique results and definitely fits #12 in my list of criteria.

Spitfire Audio

Spitfire Studio Strings Professional

Spitfire makes incredible instruments and particularly excels in orchestral sounds. While I have many string libraries I often find myself reaching for Spitfire Studio Strings when I want a particular arrangement of strings. For instance, you can choose to have 16, 8 or 4 first violins and corresponding numbers for violin 2, viola, cello and contrabass. There is a full collection of articulations, round-robin choices, mic type & positioning, a powerful ostinatum section for creating rhythmic & melodic content using short articulations and a unique “tightness” control for tweaking the attack of the samples. I typically map dynamics, expression and vibrato controls to a MIDI controller which can greatly enhance realism when automated, giving every note and gesture a dynamic and timbral contour.

Other Spitfire favorites include:

London Contemporary Orchestra Strings – this string library has a few more contemporary techniques such as effects they refer to as: “twitchy,” “granular trem,” “granular to normal trem” and “slow wide vibrato” to name a few. Great for orchestral textures and special effects.

Spitfire Symphonic Brass and Spitfire Studio Woodwinds – similar to Studio Strings, these are robust libraries of configurable solo and ensemble brass & wind sections with a high degree of control.

Spitfire Chamber Strings – one of my favorite ensemble string instruments — great for quickly getting a string section together without having to build one from scratch.

ProjectSAM

The Symphobia Series

While I have not had the opportunity to explore other ProjectSAM libraries, I cannot say enough about Symphobia. The Symphobia 1 library comes with many ensemble configurations including strings, winds, brass, and mixed ensembles. The interface, while appearing relatively sparse in terms of parameters, is surprisingly powerful and you can get a great sound immediately. Depending on the preset, you can access some very cool textures such as clusters, glissandi, rips and other contemporary effects. In addition to the instrument presets it comes loaded with several multis conveniently organized by genre. I am very anxious to explore more from ProjectSAM!

Best Service

The Orchestra Complete 2 by Sonuscore

I recently acquired this beast by Sonuscore and can say without a doubt I will be using it a lot! It comes with a complete collection of orchestral sections including choir, keys, harp plus special string and brass effects that work great for transitions, stings and rich textures. Where The Orchestra 2 really shines is in the 80 multis that include a custom interface allowing for control of six instruments, three independent arpeggiators and two envelopes. Standard onboard effects include EQ, compression and reverb. The mixer view is convenient and far better than the typical multi view set-up in other Kontakt multis. The arpeggiator section can quickly generate rhythmic complexity and gratefully, there is an Export MIDI option that gives you access to the arpeggiator output as MIDI, a feature often sadly lacking in other instruments. The search matrix is smartly organized by instrument, meter, character and feel. If you’re looking for a way to get rich orchestral timbres and rhythmic complexity in a matter of seconds, you cannot go wrong with this beautiful instrument by Sonuscore.

Cinematique Instruments

Vertigo Strings

This is a unique orchestral ensemble string library that generates textures via various bowing-style effects and vintage emulation effects like tape delays and rotary speakers. It also includes a string patch sampled from a Roland JX 3P and a vintage harmonium.

Kirk Hunter

The great sounds from Front Row Violins by Kirk Hunter paired with a seemingly tactile response make the usefulness of this instrument immediately apparent. Choose from solo violin up to 16 players with a selectable vibrato control that includes Classical, Romantic, Baroque, Celtic, Lush, Western and solo styles. A dedicated duration control for staccato sounds is also a unique feature. A full selection of articulations and continuous controls for vibrato, dynamics, and expression are included to make this a really good choice for all your solo violin and violin section needs.

Orchestral Tools

I really like Berlin Percussion, especially its collection of cymbals and cymbal effects. It is my go-to instrument for cymbal rolls and swells. It includes the full range of orchestral percussion — mallets, drums, unpitched metals and assorted toys. The thundersheet samples are particularly satisfying. There are plenty of mic and positioning options, round robins and dynamic choices that help to make this a pro-level percussion instrument. Noticeably missing is timpani, which is sold separately.

Cinesamples

When it comes to brass, Cinebrass Pro is hard to beat. The full set of articulations, accessible mixer controls for various mic positions and velocity mapping controls that can be used in conjunction with a pedal control for durations make this a uniquely playable brass instrument that is a must-have. Instrument ensembles offer a wide range of groupings with special effect articulations and solo settings as well. The Monster Low Brass Cluster is delightfully aggressive!

Cinebrass Descant Horn – also check out this instrument for some beautiful solo descant horn samples, “essentially a double horn combining the Bb and alto F horns […] with greater stability in the upper registers.” (source)

Heavyocity

This company makes a slew of great instruments and I’ve never been disappointed by any of them. They are well-known for Damage 1 and the recently released Damage 2. These powerhouse percussive instruments can generate angry rhythmic content, dramatic hits and transitions. An intuitive spatialization interface called the Stage view (seen below) lets you place drums in a 3D space taking advantage of front to back as well as left to right location. A similar concept is used in their Master Sessions Series mentioned below. It comes with a full suite of effects including the featured punish control, which seems to be a saturation control for generating harmonic distortion. It sounds sweeeeet!

Other great instruments from Heavyocity include:

FORZO – traditional and hybrid brass sounds that are punchy and effective with great modulation and processing effects onboard.

NOVO – traditional and hybrid string sounds. A great choice when you want processed string textures.

Master Sessions: Percussion – a series of percussion libraries that include Ethnic Ensembles, Woods, Metals and Drums. All interfaces feature the Stage view, mentioned above, for spatialization and location of sounds, plus full-featured step sequencing, effects and mixing controls.

Gravity – perfect for stings, hits and transitions with a large selection of categorized presets.

Evolve and Evolve Mutations 1 and 2 – this is a series of loop-based sounds that are simply well-produced and highly usable in many contexts. In my experience, it’s just hard to wrong with any Heavyocity product.

Output

This company has grown by leaps and bounds in the last few years both in the quality and variety of their offerings which now include reference monitors and studio furniture besides their arsenal of highly creative processing effects. Their Kontakt instruments are particularly good.

Simple Kontakt Library Creator Mac

Analog Strings is a hybrid string-based instrument capable of unusual timbres and textures. The graphic interface is an elegant example of how visuals and sound can be intertwined to give the user immediate and satisfying control over both worlds. The search matrix is intuitive and well-conceived allowing targeted access to five hundred presets.

Other great instruments from Output include:

Analog Brass and Winds – similar in concept and design to Analog strings with a focus on hybrid brass and woodwind sounds.

Substance – my go-to Kontakt instrument for synth bass sounds. Powerful and thick sounds that can stand alone or provide support for the bottom end in general.

Gothic Instruments

The Dronar Series from Gothic Instruments provide a great way to produce textures based on frequency range (low, mid, high). The instruments come with a nice selection of modulation and processing effects. The front page interface has just a few controls, yet you can attain a huge variety of sounds without ever opening the hood.

In Session Audio

Shimmer Shake Strike

This is my first choice whenever I need some light percussion to accent a piece or reinforce the groove. It comes loaded with a robust collection of shakers, bells, woodblocks, claves, bottles, tambourines and various percussive devices. The interface includes three elegantly designed step sequencers that can adjust velocity and rhythmic subdivisions for each step. Pictures of all the instrument choices make it very easy to find the right sound, all of which can be auditioned on-the-fly. Everyone should give this thing a try!

Sample Logic

Simple Kontakt Library Creator Klc

Sample Logic remains one of my favorite companies and their Morphestra 2 is just one of the many reasons. This a powerful morph-based design that allows the user to combine up to eight samples at a time. You can record moves made on the morph pad and the modulation and processing capabilities can create an infinite variety of unique sounds. The highly configurable randomization features make experimenting really fun! It’s a sound design rabbit hole from which you may never emerge.

Other great instruments from Sample Logic include:

Modern Animated Percussion (M.A.P.) and Rhythmology – rhythmic devices based on sophisticated step sequencer implementation.

Final Thoughts

Let me re-emphasize that this list is not inclusive of all the great instruments currently available, nor is it any sort of ranking. My personal favorites change all the time based on my needs at the time and this list simply represents my current preferences. That said, I’d love to hear what others are using and general feedback is always encouraged

As you accumulate your own libraries you may also find yourself choosing the same instruments over and over again without thinking, and habitual choices can lead to stagnation. So whenever you have a break between projects, use that time to explore those lesser-used tools in your box. You may find some hidden jewels you didn’t even know you had.

Check out my other articles, reviews, interviews, and my video tutorial series, Synthesis 101 available exclusively on The Pro Audio Files.

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