I find myself wondering if the VSL Perf Set legato strings are better than Opus 1, in this aspect.

You are correct in that your example sounds dreadful, however it would be a lot of help if you could post your MIDI file so that I can load it up in my system without making any changes and test it for you with the Perf set .

DG

@MDesigner said:

I find myself wondering if the VSL Perf Set legato strings are better than Opus 1, in this aspect.

Dont count on it. [:(] You can find loads of topics here through the years, with people expressing concern about the legato strings.

I like the violin though - the subtle changes makes it sound more alive IMHO.

I am sorry that I have to chime in with the same opinion. I find the legato strings in Opus 1 hardly usable. There is no binding of notes, each new note starts with a crescendo, giving that typical "old library" effect, which it actually was supposed to improve upon. Furthermore, I can hardly hear any note-to-note transition. It just does not sound like a string section playing notes on the same string in one bow stroke.

For faster lines the Opus 1 legato patches are even completely useless.

If you compare the excellent French Horns legatos with the string legatos you really wonder what went wrong in the recording and/or editing of the strings.

Regarding the timbre changes...they occur in various instruments and in some cases they are very obvious. For example, if you listen to the VI demos, you well hear several examples of these "unnatural" sounding timbre changes.

As the samples in the VI's are locked up, the user has no chance of correcting this, so the greater the need for these problems to be fixed. Besides the timbre changes, there is also some crossfade phasing (again listen to the VI demos).

VSL sounds great, and VI is a brilliant tool...but IMHO, at this point in time...the VI is primarily for users who want ease of use and quick results...but if you want the best quality and most convincing end results possible, then I think the "old" library formats are still of greater interest and will probably not tempt you to move into VI.

Just my 2 cents.

R

I'm not trying to just complain randomly.. I guess what I'm wondering is, does the VSL team think this is OK? I don't understand. Everything else in the library is of top-notch quality. Did anyone even test the strings out? Did they play around with the legato strings, and hear how bad it sounds, and release it anyway?

I don't intend to sound mean or overly critical, but I really do want to know what they were thinking. Part of the reason I invested in this library was for the legato strings. I'm disappointed to find that they are mostly unusable.

I really work a lot with with the legato strings. I always use them without a problem whenever a legato line for strings is recommended.
Personally I prefer stacking solo or chamber strings with the large strings for controlling vibrato intensity and timbre.

some examples:

Princess Leias Theme
http://vsl.co.at/en-us/67/3920/4538.vsl

Danse Macabre
http://vsl.co.at/en-us/67/3920/4057.vsl

Violin ensemble + solo violin (here you hear exclusively performance legato of ensemble violins stacked with solo violin)
http://vsl.co.at/en-us/67/3959/3735/3784/3785.vsl#

Here is a topic link where I've posted some midifiles.
http://community.vsl.co.at/viewtopic.php?p=35865#35865

Further a lot of the other classic and user demos also featuring the strings legati extensively.

best
Herb

Danse Macabre sounded pretty good. Leia's theme didn't sound so hot to me (the violins towards the middle & end). They sounded a bit "lurchy".

Here's an example of a clip I don't think VSL/Opus legato cellos could do:

http://www.samhulick.com/misc/tallis.mp3

If someone can prove me wrong, I'd be more than happy to say I was wrong. [:)] I'd be thrilled if this were possible.

Hello Herb,

I am confused. Are these demos using the SAME string legato articulations as are included in the Opus 1 package? Or are there actually other, smoother legato articulations in the Pro Edition that were used in these demos?

@herb said:

I really work a lot with with the legato strings. I always use them without a problem whenever a legato line for strings is recommended.
Personally I prefer stacking solo or chamber strings with the large strings for controlling vibrato intensity and timbre.

some examples:

Princess Leias Theme
http://vsl.co.at/en-us/67/3920/4538.vsl

Danse Macabre
http://vsl.co.at/en-us/67/3920/4057.vsl

Violin ensemble + solo violin (here you hear exclusively performance legato of ensemble violins stacked with solo violin)
http://vsl.co.at/en-us/67/3959/3735/3784/3785.vsl#

Here is a topic link where I've posted some midifiles.
http://community.vsl.co.at/viewtopic.php?p=35865#35865

Further a lot of the other classic and user demos also featuring the strings legati extensively.

best
Herb

@Peter Roos said:

I am confused. Are these demos using the SAME string legato articulations as are included in the Opus 1 package? Or are there actually other, smoother legato articulations in the Pro Edition that were used in these demos?

I have been wondering the same thing too.

In fact, ironically, I NEVER get the legato strings to sound legato at all! They are always choppy as if I was playing a succession of sfz notes. Unlike the winds and brass which sound so beautiful right out of the box.

Been trying many different settings in the performance tool and it won't help too much. The only thing I can do is to add a long tail with the +RC patch but that makes the strings sound very fake and synthy.

Frankie

Still waiting for that MIDI file.............. [:(]

DG

I too have noticed a large varience in timbres from one string patch to the next. Trying to make 14v Leg, SUS, and sfz all sound like they came from the same session is nearly impossible. Perhaps when layered it isn't as noticable but when soloed out it doesn't sound right at all.
-Chris

@DG said:

Still waiting for that MIDI file.............. [:(]

DG

Right. Sorry DG, it was a quick test and I didn't save it or anything. I'll come up with one later when I have time, and post it here.

@DG said:

Still waiting for that MIDI file.............. [:(]

DG

Right. Sorry DG, it was a quick test and I didn't save it or anything. I'll come up with one later when I have time, and post it here.

No problem, I would just like to test it in the Pro Edition for you before I try to give advice.

DG

Hi Daryl, may I send you something which I do with the legato strings to check too?

I am really curious coz it's so strange that I can never really work with them out of the box.... unlike the wind and brass which work so flawless.

Thanks! [[;)]]

Frankie

I'll check this all tomorrow evening...

DG

I had also noticed that its somewhat a challenge to get string legatos to sound authentic unless you're layering it with the other sections. When writing several pieces lately using VI-14 or VC-8 legato performance patches, it had sounded quite synthetic until I added some brass and wind instruments on top. Luckily this hasn't proven a major problem to me, as I've yet to be in a situation where I've needed legato string sections playing solo.

OK, I've sent 3 files to Frankie, so it's now out of my hands [:)]

DG

Please don't check it with the Pro edition but with the Horizon Opus 1 files... (pleeze...)

I would really be glad to pay for a 1.1 version upgrade that would solve the mentioned problems with the legato strings.

Cheers and thanks for your otherwise excellent products!

@Peter Roos said:

Please don't check it with the Pro edition but with the Horizon Opus 1 files... (pleeze...)

I'm afraid that to do that will require me to re-plumb my system. I probably won't have time until the New Year.

DG