[1] It uses a sample-based approach to emulate the acoustic sounds of a full orchestra, such as the strings, brass, woodwind, and percussion sections, with multiple configurations for each instrument, allowing for variations in timbre.

[1][2] It can also use multiple forms of sound synthesis to produce other software synthesizer audio.

[8][9] In July 2009, Michael Fakesch (former member of the band Funkstörung) produced a score for the Philips commercial Carousel (which won the Film Grand Prix award at the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival[10]) using the HALion Symphonic Orchestra and Cubase.

[12] Version 4 of the main edition of HALion was announced at Musikmesse 2011,[13] introducing sound synthesis features to expand beyond purely sample-based audio.

[15] Version 6 of HALion, announced at Winter NAMM Show on 19 January 2017 (alongside version 3 of HALion Sonic), introduced new features such as customization macros and user scripting (using a LUA-based scripting language[16][6]).