Special Edition Velocity Layers For Orchestral Strings, Are Inconsistencies Intentional?

[DaddyO]

I wanted to get a better handle of the specific velocity layers for the Special Edition Orchestral Strings, so using the detail available in the SE manual  I decided to start an Excel spreadsheet as a filterable reference chart. Surprisingly, I found that there is often a lack of consistency between Violin, Viola, Cello and Bass with regard to the number of layers and/or the dynamic represented within a layer. Is this intentional and part of the necessary design of the library? I assume so, but I have ask.

[jasensmith]

 Did you compare your spreadsheet to the library manual?

Did you test all of the articulations?  Some articulations have more velocity layers than others.

[DaddyO]

The library manual is the source of my spreadsheet. It's the information in the manual that gave rise to my question about inconsistencies. There are variances between different string instruments even for the same articulation. That's why I'm bringing this whole subject up. VSL does things so meticulously I figure there must be a reason for it, but I'm surprised that the inconsistencies exist. Go look for yourself. The Orchestral Strings Violin, Viola, Cello and Bass do not always have a consistent number of layers for the same articulations, and even if they do, the dynamics referent for the layers is not always consistent.

[DG]

@DaddyO said:

The library manual is the source of my spreadsheet. It's the information in the manual that gave rise to my question about inconsistencies. There are variances between different string instruments even for the same articulation. That's why I'm bringing this whole subject up. VSL does things so meticulously I figure there must be a reason for it, but I'm surprised that the inconsistencies exist. Go look for yourself. The Orchestral Strings Violin, Viola, Cello and Bass do not always have a consistent number of layers for the same articulations, and even if they do, the dynamics referent for the layers is not always consistent.

The most important thing is the sound. Velocity layers are a fake way of thinking,. As players we don't think about velocity layers. Even though there are specific dynamics, the way we play them are not always the same, as they are very circumstance specific. therefore when it comes to samples, it might be theoretically good to get some sort of parity across instruments and articulations, the reality is that this is not likely to be successful in all cases./

This is where velocity xFade can really help, because it enables a smooth curve between dynamic levels, without having to worry about what VSL recorded.

DG

[DaddyO]

Thanks, DG.