Why can't I have any bongos[:(]
Tom Toms just aren't the same.
-
I want some bongos!
-
Well, it would be great (maybe) if VSL covered all the bases, but that's a bit much to expect.
The Percussion library is a bit of hit-or-miss: some instruments are covered in great detail, whilst others are not.
I decided on a case-by-case (and contextual) basis when to use the Percussion library or not.
My main source for world percussion is B.F.D.'s Percussion expansion pack. It has lots of articulations and depth.
It too has some weirdness though, and arrogantly includes "the kitchen sink" while leaving our MAJOR stuff.
For instance, it barely covers Brasilian percussion at all. Nor does East/West Quantum Leap's SD2/PRO.
Sadly, Latin Percussion has been more or less neglected by the better sample houses. I don't know why this is.
In the case of VSL, it makes sense, as these instruments rarely show up in orchestral literature.
Although even there, I should check and see whether South American composers tend to call for them or not.
The bongos and congas, as well as timbales etc., in B.F.D. take some work to sound good -- the default settings are flabby.
-
Well, good source for bongos and latin percussion is Culture from Yellowtools or Flying Hands Percussion IMHO .... But also in the base library of Kontakt are useful latin percussions ... If VSL does them they should also include hits with sticks and mallets etc. that would be nice ... best
