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.

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?

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

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.

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.

I personally use the Gold ProXP library myself, so I can tell you for sure that it's good, but no, it will NOT run on an Intel Mac unless you also have Kontakt, that is true and an unfortunate side-effect of Native Instruments discontinuing development on their Kompakt Player software.

I'm not sure why you'd be asking me about Gold though if you aren't even sure about running Silver. You can get Silver, in its PLAY edition (so without having to worry about Kontakt) for about half the price of what you linked to (the Gold ProXP bundle) — and let's not forget that you still have to tack on the $300 crossgrade price (Kompakt Player -> Kontakt) to that if you want to use the Kontakt version of Gold ProXP.

I'm also not sure why you're consistently ignoring my suggestion of GPO, which sounds like it's definitely your best bet, but it's your money, not mine. Another thing to keep in mind is what sequencer you're using. If you don't have one, you won't be using any of these sample libraries right off the bat, so that's something to consider too. What do you write your music in? If it's Finale, then as of 2009 you'll be able to use ANY VST sample library plugin (so all of the above) and I know that EWQL will work as early as Finale 2007. If you're using Logic then you're also good to go, since it has full support for VST plugins and runs all of the above like a charm.

I personally use the Gold ProXP library myself, so I can tell you for sure that it's good, but no, it will NOT run on an Intel Mac unless you also have Kontakt, that is true and an unfortunate side-effect of Native Instruments discontinuing development on their Kompakt Player software.

I'm not sure why you'd be asking me about Gold though if you aren't even sure about running Silver. You can get Silver, in its PLAY edition (so without having to worry about Kontakt) for about half the price of what you linked to (the Gold ProXP bundle)

Ah, I see.

Okay, well if you're looking for more realistic mock-ups then EWQL is definitely your best bet, but I would still be wary of the Kompakt Player version unless you're willing to shell out way more than $200 for the library itself, then about the same for the full version of Kontakt which you'll need to run the library. Not to mention extra for MIDI controller, at some point.

Keep in mind that PLAY is just a more efficient engine for the libraries, so if you can run the Kompakt version then you should definitely be able to run the PLAY. The reason they've amped up the required specs is partly as an advertising move - if they make people think they'll need more powerful computers to run the libraries, people will oblige and then when they get the new machines, they'll notice a "significant performance improvement" even though they would have noticed that anyway if they had kept their Kontakt versions and upgraded the hardware.

But anyway, at this point I still think EWQLSO Silver (PLAY Edition) is your more economically advantageous bet, and you have plenty of upgrade options from there when you are able to afford it.

Ah, I see.

Okay, well if you're looking for more realistic mock-ups then EWQL is definitely your best bet, but I would still be wary of the Kompakt Player version unless you're willing to shell out way more than $200 for the library itself, then about the same for the full version of Kontakt which you'll need to run the library. Not to mention extra for MIDI controller, at some point.

Keep in mind that PLAY is just a more efficient engine for the libraries, so if you can run the Kompakt version then you should definitely be able to run the PLAY. The reason they've amped up the required specs is partly as an advertising move - if they make people think they'll need more powerful computers to run the libraries, people will oblige and then when they get the new machines, they'll notice a "significant performance improvement" even though they would have noticed that anyway if they had kept their Kontakt versions and upgraded the hardware.

But anyway, at this point I still think EWQLSO Silver (PLAY Edition) is your more economically advantageous bet, and you have plenty of upgrade options from there when you are able to afford it.

Ahhh ok. I think I will get play then. When I said I don't have a MIDI controller I don't mean that exactly as I say it, I have one, but it's so bad, that as soon as I begin to play it I get completely uninspired so I'm planning to buy one that I can actually use and compose music on. If it doesn't work then, I guess I'll have to save up for a better computer.

Thank you for your help! :)

My pleasure, good luck with your purchases. :)

i will give you short guideline.

there are 3 different kind of programms.

kind one is a programm only to notetate music, they sound so bad, you cant imagine.

type 2: you need a notaion software - like cubase, nuendo, logic, protools, whatever. than you have something like colossus - you have to load an instrument, it sounds ok, and thats all.

its very effective to write something in a short time, it doen't cost a lot of money but you will never let it sound "real"

for that you need a very good compuer with a lot of ram. or a lot of computers. than you can take symphonic orchestra or vienna. (i am not speaking about symphonic orchestra gold or such stuff..)

a keyboard would be fine and an excellent soundcard. and a lo of time

but you will get what you want!

your budget isnt that much. try first colossus, its very cool for people who are new in digital composing

i will give you short guideline.

there are 3 different kind of programms.

kind one is a programm only to notetate music, they sound so bad, you cant imagine.

type 2: you need a notaion software - like cubase, nuendo, logic, protools, whatever. than you have something like colossus - you have to load an instrument, it sounds ok, and thats all.

its very effective to write something in a short time, it doen't cost a lot of money but you will never let it sound "real"

for that you need a very good compuer with a lot of ram. or a lot of computers. than you can take symphonic orchestra or vienna. (i am not speaking about symphonic orchestra gold or such stuff..)

a keyboard would be fine and an excellent soundcard. and a lo of time

but you will get what you want!

your budget isnt that much. try first colossus, its very cool for people who are new in digital composing

That is the most misleading explanation possible. While your description is vague and possibly misinterpreted in your very own words, but I think MidTown already has an idea of what software he's after.

I like to put my 2 cents to Midtown's quest for sample library. If there's one advice I'd give to people starting out with sampling, I'd say that don't restrict yourself to that "new to samples" notion. The world of sampling is more than just sample playback. Yes, starting out, you would choose to use very inspiring libraries. But the thing I notice is that for most people, they don't ever switch to the "none-beginner" practices and tools. If you're really into making music FROM THE COMPUTER (as I would imagine from your film scoring aspirations), sampling is a good knowledge to know.

If I'm not mistaken logic comes with exs24 sampler, play around with that. There are still a few libraries out there sold in this format.

It's an irony that most people worry about quality of sound so much that they'd spend hundreds of dollars on libraries and avoid learning the solid techniques behind making good results. We're all looking for quick and easy preset solutions, and it's really hard to snap out of that mode. Good library doesn't always mean good results.

My suggestion ;), up to you if you want to take it.

i will give you short guideline.

there are 3 different kind of programms.

kind one is a programm only to notetate music, they sound so bad, you cant imagine.

type 2: you need a notaion software - like cubase, nuendo, logic, protools, whatever. than you have something like colossus - you have to load an instrument, it sounds ok, and thats all.

its very effective to write something in a short time, it doen't cost a lot of money but you will never let it sound "real"

for that you need a very good compuer with a lot of ram. or a lot of computers. than you can take symphonic orchestra or vienna. (i am not speaking about symphonic orchestra gold or such stuff..)

a keyboard would be fine and an excellent soundcard. and a lo of time

but you will get what you want!

your budget isnt that much. try first colossus, its very cool for people who are new in digital composing

Thank you for the explanation, but I already have Sibelius 5 and Logic Express 8. I know what type of program I'm looking for, Colossus is not what I want.

Kaiyoti, it may seem as if I want to get very technical with my sampling, however that is not the case. I would like something that sounds realistic, but I don't really want to get extremely involved. The reason I'm looking into sampling is because I'm very bad with notation, so many times I sit down at Sibelius and try to get an idea out, but by the time I figure out how to notate it the idea is gone. I think if I can just make a quick sketch using a sample library first it will really help me compose. I know it sounds like I don't need something that realistic, but the way I am I always like to get the best even if I don't need it. :) Thanks though.

Keep in mind, also, that GPO requires a very powerful computer as well. I used to be running on a Celeron 1.3Ghz with 512MB of RAM, and it could only crack out one string section. It even says on Keyboards review on the downside of Garritan "CPU/Computer Intensive".

I now use Reason 3 (it's not 4) coupled with GPO lite. I can complete pretty realistic full orchestra samples, run the full orchestra, and using ASIO4ALL get a REALLY low latency and still run it all perfectly on my Celeron 1.3.

I've still been frustrated with Strings...

Get more RAM. That solves most of GOP's real-time rendering problems.

Get more RAM. That solves most of GOP's real-time rendering problems.

Lol...Freudian slip?

HAHAHAHA!!!! I wouldn't be surprised it if was! :P

hi. im actually so confused right now. i am pretty much a n00b at all terminology. so basically all i know is that i want a program that makes it sound realistic when i press play in sibelius 5. i dont know anything about "sequencers" or "sample librarys" or basically what its called. however i am interested in this EWQLSO gold play edition thingo. would i be buying the right thing if i bought this program? help please! im so confused...

hi. im actually so confused right now. i am pretty much a n00b at all terminology. so basically all i know is that i want a program that makes it sound realistic when i press play in sibelius 5. i dont know anything about "sequencers" or "sample librarys" or basically what its called. however i am interested in this EWQLSO gold play edition thingo. would i be buying the right thing if i bought this program? help please! im so confused...

No such program exists. Revise your expectations.