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Post by indiehouse on Nov 19, 2018 12:42:37 GMT -6
I might take advantage and snag one of these. Not sure which to get, mainly for rock/pop.
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Post by Johnkenn on Nov 19, 2018 15:38:18 GMT -6
I've heard good things about them...but man, I still think the VSL Chamber strings rock.
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Post by indiehouse on Nov 19, 2018 16:07:43 GMT -6
I've heard good things about them...but man, I still think the VSL Chamber strings rock. Found this comparison interesting. VSL Chamber at 2:51 Session Strings Pro 2 at 10:50 EastWest Orchestral (just because I already have it) at 7:57 Of the three, VSL sounded the best to me. I liked EW the least. |
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Post by sirthought on Nov 20, 2018 2:14:13 GMT -6
Wow, at first I didn't think there was much difference, but as he went down the list you can hear a big difference in some.
I liked the VSL Chamber and EastWest Hollywood Strings. Was less impressed with the Native Instruments, but it wasn't bad either.
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Post by indiehouse on Nov 20, 2018 6:09:38 GMT -6
Wow, at first I didn't think there was much difference, but as he went down the list you can hear a big difference in some. I liked the VSL Chamber and EastWest Hollywood Strings. Was less impressed with the Native Instruments, but it wasn't bad either. Problem is, I can’t find VSL on sale, which makes it much more expensive than the 50% off Native Instruments stuff. |
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Post by pouletdegrains on Nov 20, 2018 9:38:10 GMT -6
Wow, at first I didn't think there was much difference, but as he went down the list you can hear a big difference in some. I liked the VSL Chamber and EastWest Hollywood Strings. Was less impressed with the Native Instruments, but it wasn't bad either. Problem is, I can’t find VSL on sale, which makes it much more expensive than the 50% off Native Instruments stuff. VSL offers Black Friday deals this year: www.vsl.co.at/en/News/2018-11_Black_Friday_DealsIt's really tempting... Is this library CPU hungry? (I had problems with EastWest in the past). VSL system requirements do not scare me. I will just work on small chamber ensemble. |
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Post by indiehouse on Nov 20, 2018 9:49:15 GMT -6
Problem is, I can’t find VSL on sale, which makes it much more expensive than the 50% off Native Instruments stuff. VSL offers Black Friday deals this year: www.vsl.co.at/en/News/2018-11_Black_Friday_DealsIt's really tempting... Is this library CPU hungry? (I had problems with EastWest in the past). VSL system requirements do not scare me. I will just work on small chamber ensemble. Doesn't look like Chambers is included. Bummer. |
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Post by pouletdegrains on Nov 20, 2018 11:00:49 GMT -6
VSL offers Black Friday deals this year: www.vsl.co.at/en/News/2018-11_Black_Friday_DealsIt's really tempting... Is this library CPU hungry? (I had problems with EastWest in the past). VSL system requirements do not scare me. I will just work on small chamber ensemble. Doesn't look like Chambers is included. Bummer. Yeah, Chambers on sale would have been great... It seems they are trying to develop their customer base lowering the entry cost. |
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Post by popmann on Nov 21, 2018 0:25:17 GMT -6
VSL doesn't put sounds on sale. You need to budget for Vienna Instrument Pro 2. Not optional. It is very light on CPU...as real sample playback always was...the only thing is "hogs" is disk space, since they require installation of full libraries even if you only have license for standard...and VIP2 will do all it's timestetching and whatnot offline and store it there for next time you want it's advanced variations. I feel like my bundle uses about 120GB'ish. Std Chamber+Solo Strings and VI Pro2.
The Kontakt thing is a behemoth of resource suckage on the flip side. I would argue that for $150...you're not going to touch it IF...IF you have the machine to run it on. VSL VIPro2 will run on basically anything.
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Post by indiehouse on Nov 21, 2018 13:07:21 GMT -6
VSL doesn't put sounds on sale. You need to budget for Vienna Instrument Pro 2. Not optional. It is very light on CPU...as real sample playback always was...the only thing is "hogs" is disk space, since they require installation of full libraries even if you only have license for standard...and VIP2 will do all it's timestetching and whatnot offline and store it there for next time you want it's advanced variations. I feel like my bundle uses about 120GB'ish. Std Chamber+Solo Strings and VI Pro2. The Kontakt thing is a behemoth of resource suckage on the flip side. I would argue that for $150...you're not going to touch it IF...IF you have the machine to run it on. VSL VIPro2 will run on basically anything. So you gotta fork over cash for the Vienna player on top of the sample libraries? |
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Post by indiehouse on Nov 21, 2018 13:08:34 GMT -6
VSL doesn't put sounds on sale. You need to budget for Vienna Instrument Pro 2. Not optional. It is very light on CPU...as real sample playback always was...the only thing is "hogs" is disk space, since they require installation of full libraries even if you only have license for standard...and VIP2 will do all it's timestetching and whatnot offline and store it there for next time you want it's advanced variations. I feel like my bundle uses about 120GB'ish. Std Chamber+Solo Strings and VI Pro2. The Kontakt thing is a behemoth of resource suckage on the flip side. I would argue that for $150...you're not going to touch it IF...IF you have the machine to run it on. VSL VIPro2 will run on basically anything. And also, are you saying that you think the Native Instruments is a smoking deal if you have a fast machine? |
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Post by popmann on Nov 21, 2018 16:17:31 GMT -6
I am saying that you have to buy the VSL player, yes.
And yes, i mean i would actually sell my VSL bundle, but i mean....that NI thing is $150 on this sale. Youd have to give me nearly 4 times that for the VSL bundle used. New its over $1k.
NI thing uses a SHIT TON of resources. All resources....RAM, disk bandwidth, CPU for scripting, means its also latent to play....and doesnt sound as good. But, it sounds good enough that if you cant get it done with that, VSL wont help you. If you want the best, its not that. But it is unprecedented for $150.
While ive never used the non pro of the new version, the v1 “non pro” SS was a JOKE. Horrible. Use....less.
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Post by pouletdegrains on Nov 21, 2018 17:29:06 GMT -6
Thanks for all this useful information! I have spent some time on the VSL website checking the various options. The standard player is offered with any library purchase, making Chambers Strings vol.1 an entry level at 295 euros. However it seems to lack functionality compared with Vienna Instruments Pro 2 (edition of envelopes, time stretching, routing,...).
Vienna Ensemble Pro seems to allow an interesting workflow, allowing to load multiple instruments without having to open additional instances of Vienna Instruments. On what I have read on VSL forum, it is even lighter on CPU. Free Epic Orchestra library. On sale at 145 euros. But it's definitively not Chamber Strings, my favorite sounding one...
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Post by indiehouse on Nov 21, 2018 17:41:42 GMT -6
I am saying that you have to buy the VSL player, yes. And yes, i mean i would actually sell my VSL bundle, but i mean....that NI thing is $150 on this sale. Youd have to give me nearly 4 times that for the VSL bundle used. New its over $1k. NI thing uses a SHIT TON of resources. All resources....RAM, disk bandwidth, CPU for scripting, means its also latent to play....and doesnt sound as good. But, it sounds good enough that if you cant get it done with that, VSL wont help you. If you want the best, its not that. But it is unprecedented for $150. While ive never used the non pro of the new version, the v1 “non pro” SS was a JOKE. Horrible. Use....less. Any other recommendations for string libraries for use in rock/pop? I like the small ensemble sound versus the bigger epic sound. |
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Post by b1 on Nov 21, 2018 18:16:21 GMT -6
Speaking of myself, I look at Spitfire Labs near the top of the list or first if I have an inkling for something new without breaking the bank (Kontakt required). They are doing some exotic incantations of Orchestral sounds lately; in addition to their regular/traditional offerings. Some if it is perfect for rock or indie.
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Post by popmann on Nov 21, 2018 19:33:16 GMT -6
I am saying that you have to buy the VSL player, yes. And yes, i mean i would actually sell my VSL bundle, but i mean....that NI thing is $150 on this sale. Youd have to give me nearly 4 times that for the VSL bundle used. New its over $1k. Any other recommendations for string libraries for use in rock/pop? I like the small ensemble sound versus the bigger epic sound. Do you not have the machine for the $150 SSP2? I mean, maybe I was hyperbolic...just relative to VSL, which is a breeze on anything...it's "modern" in it's resource suck. As Kontakt stuff goes....SSP2 is solid and cheap as chips. 8DIO has some Divisi sections in their--whatever they call it this week (they keep repackaging their string samples-Anthology?). Spitfire's Chamber strings are utterly gorgeous sounding, but not that intimate. And neither much cheaper than VSL. (good)String libraries are NOT cheap...which is why SSP2 stands out. Unfortunately, there's no "right answer"...I just did an abnormal amount of string arranging for my own stuff and...and not a single tune uses only one library. |
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Post by indiehouse on Nov 21, 2018 19:44:48 GMT -6
Any other recommendations for string libraries for use in rock/pop? I like the small ensemble sound versus the bigger epic sound. Do you not have the machine for the $150 SSP2? I mean, maybe I was hyperbolic...just relative to VSL, which is a breeze on anything...it's "modern" in it's resource suck. As Kontakt stuff goes....SSP2 is solid and cheap as chips. 8DIO has some Divisi sections in their--whatever they call it this week (they keep repackaging their string samples-Anthology?). Spitfire's Chamber strings are utterly gorgeous sounding, but not that intimate. And neither much cheaper than VSL. (good)String libraries are NOT cheap...which is why SSP2 stands out. Unfortunately, there's no "right answer"...I just did an abnormal amount of string arranging for my own stuff and...and not a single tune uses only one library. 2012 Mac Mini. I was hoping to buy one decent library and be done with it. I have the EastWest stuff, but it’s hard to use and sounds more cinematic than rock/pop. |
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Post by popmann on Nov 21, 2018 21:38:45 GMT -6
If you have dual SSDs and 16gb RAM you should be fine for SSP2. East west will be infintently MORE user friendly and any of the above. Theyre WAY the wrong sound for pop....but, if you think PLAY is hard to work with....and go watch some videos on Vienna Instrumments Pro programming. I HATE string arranging. In fact, part of why Id be ok selling the VSL is simply becuase i just did 4 tunes or somrthing and dont currently ever want to do it again.  it was better when they were keyboard “string sounds”—no hope of sounding real or doing anything BUT pad the chords or add some high violin octaves....so, do that quickly—was what it was....now, theyre (most at least) good eniugh to make a realistic arrangement....but only with lots of programming. |
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Post by indiehouse on Nov 21, 2018 23:14:29 GMT -6
If you have dual SSDs and 16gb RAM you should be fine for SSP2. East west will be infintently MORE user friendly and any of the above. Theyre WAY the wrong sound for pop....but, if you think PLAY is hard to work with....and go watch some videos on Vienna Instrumments Pro programming. I HATE string arranging. In fact, part of why Id be ok selling the VSL is simply becuase i just did 4 tunes or somrthing and dont currently ever want to do it again. it was better when they were keyboard “string sounds”—no hope of sounding real or doing anything BUT pad the chords or add some high violin octaves....so, do that quickly—was what it was....now, theyre (most at least) good eniugh to make a realistic arrangement....but only with lots of programming. Yeah, dual SSD's and 16GB RAM. And I def have zero interest in heavy programming. Might do the NI thing for 150. |
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Post by popmann on Nov 21, 2018 23:59:32 GMT -6
The NI won't save you from that. But, it sounds decent and it's cheap.
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Post by mike on Nov 22, 2018 8:10:31 GMT -6
I've always found combining different libraries improved things overall usually and agree with Popmann when he said >
1."String libraries are NOT cheap...which is why SSP2 stands out. "
2. "Unfortunately, there's no "right answer"...I just did an abnormal amount of string arranging for my own stuff and...and not a single tune uses only one library.
3."The NI won't save you from that. But, it sounds decent and it's cheap."
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Post by indiehouse on Nov 28, 2018 16:28:46 GMT -6
popmann have any of you guys used LA Session String First Chair?
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Post by popmann on Nov 28, 2018 16:52:08 GMT -6
I have not used the fist chair stuff. I never got LASS to intonate like sounded "right" to me...
If you really want solo/quartet stuff, you don't want "Chamber strings"...chamber strings are more like you hear on pop records when you think they're "big"--where if you use actual orchestral size sections it's STUPID big. If you want to, for example, duplicate Elenor Rigby, you want solo strings.
But, the SSP2 is smaller than Chamber, I think...and you can turn off half of each section at any point...I've not used it, but if there's competition, it will be Spitfire's new "studio strings"...Spitfire does good stuff (IMO/E)...it would be nice to play with their take on pop studio strings.
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Post by Johnkenn on Nov 28, 2018 19:53:26 GMT -6
Any other recommendations for string libraries for use in rock/pop? I like the small ensemble sound versus the bigger epic sound. Do you not have the machine for the $150 SSP2? I mean, maybe I was hyperbolic...just relative to VSL, which is a breeze on anything...it's "modern" in it's resource suck. As Kontakt stuff goes....SSP2 is solid and cheap as chips. 8DIO has some Divisi sections in their--whatever they call it this week (they keep repackaging their string samples-Anthology?). Spitfire's Chamber strings are utterly gorgeous sounding, but not that intimate. And neither much cheaper than VSL. (good)String libraries are NOT cheap...which is why SSP2 stands out. Unfortunately, there's no "right answer"...I just did an abnormal amount of string arranging for my own stuff and...and not a single tune uses only one library. I have dual ssds - actually I believe I have my VSL Chamber strings coming from my mechanical HD and it does really well. I only have the free player that came with it and it’s fine. I think most of us are just talking about having a good convincing string pad for more rock pop productions. |
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Post by popmann on Nov 28, 2018 22:29:17 GMT -6
VSL's samples are 18 year old? As I said, it will run well on anything. I only switched to an SSD when I moved t o the Macbook. Unlike SSP2, which is a hog...but, will handily beat VSL's old player for simple "pads" with all it's auto voice assign and other input scripting. IMO/E.
All I'm talking about are string arranging for rock/pop productions. Maybe different ones...dunno. I grew up listening to Paul Buckmaster and David Campbell and James Newton Howard arranging pop/rock strings.
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it was better when they were keyboard “string sounds”—no hope of sounding real or doing anything BUT pad the chords or add some high violin octaves....so, do that quickly—was what it was....now, theyre (most at least) good eniugh to make a realistic arrangement....but only with lots of programming.
