Vienna Symphonic Library Special Edition II

I'm looking for my first sample library and I've found this: Vienna Symphonic Library Vienna Instruments II - Special Edition | Sweetwater.com

The only problem I see is that it doesn't include some things like an oboe ensemble, clarinet ensemble, bassoon ensemble, flute ensemble etc. It doesn't include any woodwind ensembles, only solo woodwinds. I'm not sure if this is a problem or not. As a composer who is just starting out is this still a good choice because I know I can upgrade eventually (maybe within the next 3 months) and get the expanded edition with the ensembles, so is this a good choice for the interrum?

Oh boy, jumping into Vienna as your first sound library is not really too intelligent of an idea...

First of all, the VSL samples ARE extremely high-quality, but they compensate by requiring an extremely good computer (or multiple ones, as is generally the case) to run them efficiently. Also keep in mind that VSL samples are all recorded completely dry, so you're going to need to invest in a good reverb plugin to be able to make anything resembling a realistic mock-up with them - they do NOT sound as brilliant as the demos lead you to believe right out of the box.

Your ensemble concern is understandable but not really a big issue because, as you said, there are expansions to give that functionality if you don't feel like building the ensembles yourself out of the individual patches.

Either way, as a composer who is just starting out, I can't bring myself to endorse a purchase of a VSL library. You simply won't be able to get the most out of it, and the whole process of writing for these samples and, more precisely, the post-production work involved may very well turn you off the art entirely.

If you want to start out as a composer and venture into sample libraries for realistic mock-ups, you can't go wrong with any of the EWQL Symphonic Orchestra products. The price is on par with this package, only it includes far more ensembles and instruments and articulations, is less computer resource intensive, and comes with natural reverb recorded right in the samples so you don't have to worry too much about your mixing right off the bat.

So, to summarize, if you want to be smart about this purchase, my recommendation is that you start and end your searching somewhere around here: EastWest/Quantum Leap Symphonic Orchestra Platinum Plus Complete :: East West/Quantum Leap :: Developers :: Sounds Online

Good luck.

What about GPO for first-time composers?

If his budget is over $200 then he'll get more out of a more robust package like EWQLSO Gold. GPO is nice for starters, but he obviously wants really realistic sounds and an upgrade path, which GPO does not really offer, but EWQLSO does, that's why I just skipped the GPO and recommended its big big big brother.

GPO is also a very solid library though, just not particularly expandable.

Originally Posted by Marius

If his budget is over $200 then he'll get more out of a more robust package like EWQLSO Gold. GPO is nice for starters, but he obviously wants really realistic sounds and an upgrade path, which GPO does not really offer, but EWQLSO does, that's why I just skipped the GPO and recommended its big big big brother.

GPO is also a very solid library though, just not particularly expandable.

Oh my this is really distressing. . I've researched all the EWQLSO packages quite a bit and I've found out that my computer will not run them. So I found this package and saw that it will be able to run this, but it's not a good idea apparently. It said it's good for someone first getting into VSL...are you sure this is a bad idea?

Originally Posted by Marius

If his budget is over $200 then he'll get more out of a more robust package like EWQLSO Gold. GPO is nice for starters, but he obviously wants really realistic sounds and an upgrade path, which GPO does not really offer, but EWQLSO does, that's why I just skipped the GPO and recommended its big big big brother.

GPO is also a very solid library though, just not particularly expandable.

My budget doesn't exceed $500 and EWQLSO Gold is $600.

Oh wow. Okay, if your computer can't run the EW libraries then you DEFINITELY should not be looking at VSL. Pay close attention to how they phrased that, it's in advertising speak, observe:

...for newcomers to the world of Vienna Instruments, offering a useful cross-section of Vienna Symphonic Library's over one million samples.

So yes, it's for newcomers, but to the world of VIENNA SYMPHONIC LIBRARY, not sampling in general, see what I mean? Even if your computer can run this package on its own, you'll still need the added reverb plugins and a sequencer capable of pulling it all together, so you need to keep that in mind as well - just because you can run the samples themselves, doesn't necessarily mean you can make practical use of them.

And yes, you can upgrade to get more ensembles, but then you're looking at a LOT more harddrive space and even more performance hits, so you have to be very careful.

In your case, if you can't run EW's libraries (are you sure that not even Silver will run?) then you should probably be looking at GPO after all.

Garritan Home Page

Originally Posted by Marius

Oh wow. Okay, if your computer can't run the EW libraries then you DEFINITELY should not be looking at VSL. Pay close attention to how they phrased that, it's in advertising speak, observe:


So yes, it's for newcomers, but to the world of VIENNA SYMPHONIC LIBRARY, not sampling in general, see what I mean? Even if your computer can run this package on its own, you'll still need the added reverb plugins and a sequencer capable of pulling it all together, so you need to keep that in mind as well - just because you can run the samples themselves, doesn't necessarily mean you can make practical use of them.

And yes, you can upgrade to get more ensembles, but then you're looking at a LOT more harddrive space and even more performance hits, so you have to be very careful.

In your case, if you can't run EW's libraries (are you sure that not even Silver will run?) then you should probably be looking at GPO after all.

Garritan Home Page

Well the main problem with EWQLSO is that I don't have a fast enough processor. My processor is currently 1.8Ghz, I'm planning to upgrade my RAM from 1GB to 2GB so RAM isn't the problem. It's all the processor. I've gotten mixed opinions on whether it will run. I asked on a computer forum and they said according to system requirements Silver will run, but then they said on the soundsonline forum that it won't run. I'm only planning to use one sample at a time, so what do you think? I know some libraries allow you to have say, a french horn ensemble, a violin ensemble, and a trombone ensemble all open at once, but I only plan to do one ensemble/instrument at a time.

I guess Miroslav Philharmonik will be what I have to settle for.

Hmm. To be honest I think you should be more than fine with that processor, especially considering the fact that you're looking into Silver. Sample libraries are more RAM intensive than CPU intensive, and 1.8gHz is quite a decent processor, even if not by today's inflated standards.

As for Miroslav...the sounds are fine, but they're outdated and not really as flexible or compatible as today's libraries. If you really think Silver won't run, then look at GPO, not Miroslav if you want my advice.

Originally Posted by Marius

Hmm. To be honest I think you should be more than fine with that processor, especially considering the fact that you're looking into Silver. Sample libraries are more RAM intensive than CPU intensive, and 1.8gHz is quite a decent processor, even if not by today's inflated standards.

As for Miroslav...the sounds are fine, but they're outdated and not really as flexible or compatible as today's libraries. If you really think Silver won't run, then look at GPO, not Miroslav if you want my advice.

Hmm so do you think I should try out Silver? I really do not have a big budget (I'm still just a highschool student), but I did find this: audioMIDI.com - EastWest - EWQLSO Gold Pro Bundle

I know East West have tried to move everyone over to play, but this seems like it's at quite a decent price, the only thing I'm worried about is that I remember last year when I was trying to get EWQLSO that apparently the Kompakt player won't run on Intel Macs, so I would need to get Kontakt.