|
Post by b1 on Sept 20, 2015 11:56:34 GMT -6
I was wondering what libraries others have found to be useful. I was looking at the UVI Orchestral Suite, but am finding it seems mainly suitable as a layer, maybe. It gets tedious designing a sound-set, but feel that's all the UVI package would be - one element of a sound-set. Anyone satisfied with that one or can you recommend any others you may find inspiring? I'll just throw this out there: the East-West Libraries are outrageously priced, but if I was scoring for film, would gravitate to that maybe.
|
|
|
Post by indiehouse on Sept 20, 2015 14:55:51 GMT -6
I was wondering what libraries others have found to be useful. I was looking at the UVI Orchestral Suite, but am finding it seems mainly suitable as a layer, maybe. It gets tedious designing a sound-set, but feel that's all the UVI package would be - one element of a sound-set. Anyone satisfied with that one or can you recommend any others you may find inspiring? I'll just throw this out there: the East-West Libraries are outrageously priced, but if I was scoring for film, would gravitate to that maybe. I have the East-West stuff. They are expensive, but have ridiculous sales all the time. Half off, but one get one, etc. I would never pay full price.
|
|
|
Post by b1 on Sept 20, 2015 15:13:48 GMT -6
I must always check at the wrong times, lol. I'll check more often, especially since half-price is possible! I think it's probably the standard for serious work, without hiring outside help. Was hoping to hear of any new kids on the block! Maybe not though... alas.
|
|
|
Post by indiehouse on Sept 20, 2015 15:31:48 GMT -6
I must always check at the wrong times, lol. I'll check more often, especially since half-price is possible! I think it's probably the standard for serious work, without hiring outside help. Was hoping to hear of any new kids on the block! Maybe not though... alas. Sign up for their mailing list. I get emails about their sales all the time.
|
|
|
Post by b1 on Sept 20, 2015 15:44:43 GMT -6
I must always check at the wrong times, lol. I'll check more often, especially since half-price is possible! I think it's probably the standard for serious work, without hiring outside help. Was hoping to hear of any new kids on the block! Maybe not though... alas. Sign up for their mailing list. I get emails about their sales all the time. Will do... Thanks for the heads-up!
|
|
|
Post by 79sg on Sept 20, 2015 15:49:22 GMT -6
|
|
|
Post by b1 on Sept 20, 2015 16:06:10 GMT -6
I'm listening to Albion 1 samples. $249.00 'til Oct 1. Is that the original one being discontinued? It looks like it's loops and a VSTi Synth?
|
|
|
Post by popmann on Sept 20, 2015 16:06:35 GMT -6
I have the QLSO Gold+Extra Mics. While not technically allowed by their EULA to "sell it", if you were willing to donate some money to me, I'd send you the box/discs/iLok (w/license on it obviously) and my East West password for you to "use for as long as you need to". The short answer is there are two factors--do you want quick/easy or realistic? They literally can't be both. When I did more string work, I used the EW for quick mock ups....and VSL when I needed to do the final tracks. LASS was probably the best compromise between fast and real....but, it was impossible (IME) to get it to do SPECIFIC things....so, it was automagical what their scripting determined was "right"....or fall back to playing them like an old school sample (which is basically what the EW is). I didn't buy because of that. They couldn't do what the VSL I owned could when you spent time programming....and they weren't as quick and lightweight as the EW.
|
|
|
Post by b1 on Sept 20, 2015 16:17:33 GMT -6
I have the QLSO Gold+Extra Mics. While not technically allowed by their EULA to "sell it", if you were willing to donate some money to me, I'd send you the box/discs/iLok (w/license on it obviously) and my East West password for you to "use for as long as you need to". The short answer is there are two factors--do you want quick/easy or realistic? They literally can't be both. When I did more string work, I used the EW for quick mock ups....and VSL when I needed to do the final tracks. LASS was probably the best compromise between fast and real....but, it was impossible (IME) to get it to do SPECIFIC things....so, it was automagical what their scripting determined was "right"....or fall back to playing them like an old school sample (which is basically what the EW is). I didn't buy because of that. They couldn't do what the VSL I owned could when you spent time programming....and they weren't as quick and lightweight as the EW. That's a lot to mull over. I guess I'm looking for a step up towards realism. Doing each instrument layered by hand now is not quick & easy, borderline subjective realism, occasional fouled up presets, on & on. Gotta be a better way. Is the VSL Toontracks? (ViennaSymphonic). What's the LASS?
|
|
|
Post by 79sg on Sept 20, 2015 16:19:33 GMT -6
There are some loops but there's instruments and ensembles, requires Kontakt player 4 or 5. Strings, brass / horns, woodwinds. Also, all patches come with 4 mixable/ routable and selectable mic positions C(lose), T(ree), A(mbient) and O(outrigger). Recorded at AIR Studios to 2" tape. Personally, I think it sounds great.
|
|
|
Post by b1 on Sept 20, 2015 16:27:54 GMT -6
There are some loops but there's instruments and ensembles, requires Kontakt player 4 or 5. Strings, brass / horns, woodwinds. Also, all patches come with 4 mixable/ routable and selectable mic positions C(lose), T(ree), A(mbient) and O(outrigger). Recorded at AIR Studios to 2" tape. Personally, I think it sounds great. I'm going to go over the videos & site to get a better grasp of the system. I like what I heard on the first 3 tracks. Thanks for bringing this to the table!
|
|
|
Post by 79sg on Sept 20, 2015 16:35:27 GMT -6
One other reason I like Spitfire Audio (aside from the quality) is they pay all of the musicians they hire royalties on their libraries. I'm fairly certain they discuss this on their site. Good luck with your decision.
|
|
|
Post by popmann on Sept 20, 2015 16:41:43 GMT -6
VSL=Vienna Symphonic Library....are they related to Toontracks now? Yikes. Talk about extremes. EZNoobToyZ and VSL. Do they call it Strings From Hell now? With Symphonic Metal presets? I kid....sorta....
Industry standard for a long time running. I had it for Gigastudio in like 2k....upgraded to the VI....built a whole machine for it, in fact.
It's a huge PIA to do anything quickly. It's a programmer's wet dream because you can achieve whatever you can imagine and have the patience to massage CCs.
Realism has VERY little to do with sample quality. They're all X snap shot quality. It's ALL in the player--how it handled legato and articulations....and in some cases polyphonic legato and dynamic voice leading. The East West is lovely old school point and play string samples with multiple mic positions so you can tailor the sound itself....larger ensembles--it's an ORCHESTRAL library (with the all the sections represented)....where my VSL (I don't have the full $6k+ guy) is small Chamber Ensembles and Solo strings more appropriate for pop style arrangements. Very few pop/rock dates are done with orchestras, you know?
|
|
|
Post by b1 on Sept 20, 2015 16:58:44 GMT -6
VSL=Vienna Symphonic Library....are they related to Toontracks now? That just rolled outta my head. I don't believe so. Dynamics, Legato and Articulations are my big problems. I'm hoping to go the nice player route with options. Just can't get too expressive at all now. Minimal expression requires maximum effort! I'm going to examine all of this closer. Thanks a bunch!
|
|
|
Post by Johnkenn on Sept 21, 2015 13:35:45 GMT -6
I have VSL Chamber Strings and they have served me really well...
|
|
|
Post by b1 on Sept 21, 2015 14:44:47 GMT -6
I don't doubt that John. I think the thing that turned me off to VSL before was the packages were so divided. Looking at the Chamber Strings at Sweetwater, they have Volume 1 & 2, with Vol. 2 containing the "subtle articulations". $470.00 for those two. If I only needed Chamber Strings in the background, it wouldn't be so bad. The full VSL package is over $10,000.00... If I was doing/peddling solely Movie Scores, it would be doable.
I'm hoping to get a more full Suite, to not be hindered from a complete composition if desired or to only use occasional Strings, or whatever, I could pick and choose instruments. Still investigating/lamenting over all of the suggestions, including VSL.
|
|
|
Post by NoFilterChuck on Sept 21, 2015 16:09:42 GMT -6
i do everything with LASS and 8dio's Agitato over here. Here's something I programmed the strings on:
|
|
|
Post by formatcyes on Sept 21, 2015 16:23:05 GMT -6
NoFilterChuck your link is not working "this video not available"
|
|
|
Post by b1 on Sept 21, 2015 21:28:37 GMT -6
i do everything with LASS and 8dio's Agitato over here. Here's something I programmed the strings on: Nice work Chuck! I listened a couple of times. That track is crying out for the Sax treatment!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2015 3:37:16 GMT -6
AFAIK East-West Platinum is what most agree is desirable for such a task. Most cinematic, for a long time the best sounding lib. But yes - pretty expensive. There is a competitor that has not been mentioned yet, but is very interesting and a fair bit cheaper, Kontakt Libraries.... It's ProjectSAM's Symphobia products. I don't have them, but if i would need something like this professionally, i might think twice and perhaps would buy this one instead of the East-West top of the line product. Except if i would be absolutely sure it pays off in the longer term, if the best ist needed. E.g. if you have regularly o.k. paying customers for movie or tv music production.
|
|
|
Post by jazznoise on Sept 22, 2015 4:45:55 GMT -6
I don't use orchestral stuff for much more than roughs, so I use one of the Kontact libraries. I can double out the trumpet parts myself, which adds some realism. But it's usually orchestra + guitar + synths and the density also hides my lazy/cheap attitude towards this.
What I will say is a lot of people mainly mess up is how to write for orchestra. If you want it to sound "Classical" and you can't do the appropriate voice leading and range + dynamic range use of each instruments, then you're already in trouble. Likewise if you want something more modernist, that has its own set of rules. I studied it for a number of years and you'd be surprised how much more believable an orchestration can be if you actually voice your Ic-V-I cadences correctly.
|
|
|
Post by b1 on Sept 22, 2015 10:51:24 GMT -6
AFAIK East-West Platinum is what most agree is desirable for such a task. Most cinematic, for a long time the best sounding lib. But yes - pretty expensive. There is a competitor that has not been mentioned yet, but is very interesting and a fair bit cheaper, Kontakt Libraries.... It's ProjectSAM's Symphobia products. I don't have them, but if i would need something like this professionally, i might think twice and perhaps would buy this one instead of the East-West top of the line product. Except if i would be absolutely sure it pays off in the longer term, if the best ist needed. E.g. if you have regularly o.k. paying customers for movie or tv music production. Thanks, Martin. I've never heard of ProjectSAM's Symphobia. It looks like it's compiled by people "in the know". I'll put it on the list.
|
|
|
Post by b1 on Sept 22, 2015 11:07:58 GMT -6
I don't use orchestral stuff for much more than roughs, so I use one of the Kontact libraries. I can double out the trumpet parts myself, which adds some realism. But it's usually orchestra + guitar + synths and the density also hides my lazy/cheap attitude towards this. What I will say is a lot of people mainly mess up is how to write for orchestra. If you want it to sound "Classical" and you can't do the appropriate voice leading and range + dynamic range use of each instruments, then you're already in trouble. Likewise if you want something more modernist, that has its own set of rules. I studied it for a number of years and you'd be surprised how much more believable an orchestration can be if you actually voice your Ic-V-I cadences correctly. I've used parts of the Kontact libraries in the past... That's a great idea about the Trumpet parts - a technique useful for mixing real percussion with samples too. I agree about attention to details of a phrase. It has to be believable from beginning to end. Sometimes you just gotta cheat and mask something in the background. Trying to cut back on that and bring the details out front.
|
|
|
Post by popmann on Sept 22, 2015 11:21:20 GMT -6
FWIW--the difference in what I have and Platinum is that the Platinum samples are 24bit vs 16bit in Gold, since I bought the additional mic pack-which is the other difference in the packages. And you DO want the extra mics NO doubt....
They, like all libraries are peak normalized samples....all running in the same 32bit float engine. Thus....there isn't even a theoretically relevant difference in 24 and 16bit....other than what....-120db dither noise they may have added? I demo'd both--24bit took way more RAM (which at the 32bit OS/DAW time mattered to me) and I couldn't tell any difference--thus I bought Gold with the extra mics.
Unless they've changed something about the packaging/bundle in the last few years, that is.....
|
|
|
Post by b1 on Sept 22, 2015 11:50:14 GMT -6
FWIW--the difference in what I have and Platinum is that the Platinum samples are 24bit vs 16bit in Gold, since I bought the additional mic pack-which is the other difference in the packages. And you DO want the extra mics NO doubt.... They, like all libraries are peak normalized samples....all running in the same 32bit float engine. Thus....there isn't even a theoretically relevant difference in 24 and 16bit....other than what....-120db dither noise they may have added? I demo'd both--24bit took way more RAM (which at the 32bit OS/DAW time mattered to me) and I couldn't tell any difference--thus I bought Gold with the extra mics. Unless they've changed something about the packaging/bundle in the last few years, that is..... lol, I came to the realization a little earlier today about RAM and disks. It seems the 24bit Diamond Strings they have on the site will require a hardware upgrade. So even the 16bit Gold edition with just the Strings will require somewhat heavy lifting. Then add the other instruments and it looks like I'll need to dedicate more than one of my current PCs to the task. It's doable to ensure good results with out pops & clicks. Thanks for the reminder about the mic pack. I guess East-West is on the list, but a little further down, necessarily due to my older technology. When I upgrade hardware, East-West will move up the list. I think at this stage, I'm going to examine the package 79sg recommended, since that will disappear after the end of the month, and it's a more complete sound-set at a lower cost. Still deciding though - and thankful for the input/reminders.
|
|