The VI-Pro player is miles ahead of Play (which looks like something out of the 80's). Also I can endorse Musos view regarding customer support - I'm still waiting to have a simple EastWest articulation query/bug resloved after nearly 5 months!

In terms of sample comparison, on the orchestral side I would regard VSL samples as more comprehensive in articulations and though perhaps needing more input/work can ultimately provide a greater sense of realism across a greater variety of styles.

If you do plan to go into more detail, I'd suggest a totally neutral forum.  Obviously this one will have a heavy bias.  You'll find that even outside this forum VSL stands strong on its own merits and many of the opinions expressed here are universal opinions, not just opinions of long-time VSL users.  I've seen innocent threads like this turn into flame wars before, and if you were to ask me my own opinion of EWQL's support you would get a very..."strong"...opinion.  It would need to be censored for any children that might be reading :oP  So it's much safer to have discussions of this nature in a forum where there are no potential professional ramifications for the company running the forum.

I move from QLSO to VSL, it's night and day 

Understood, this has been a civil thread so far!

I will also chime in, and say that I've moved from EWQL to VSL.  To me, both the actual samples and the player software for VSL are far better than what is offered by the other company.  For what I am seeking to do, VSL simply works, and for me (an amateur) VSL has fewer of the "write for the samples" issues.  The scope of the articulations of the VSL full libraries also greatly help with realism.

Agreed Noldar, I never ever "write for the samples" with VSL.  Unless there's something truly unusual to the point of being slightly experimental, VSL can do it all.

@BachRules said:

How do the VI strings compare with EWQL Hollywood Strings?

Here you can listen to some additional VSL strings examples. I would recommend Wagner (for DS Violins, Solo & Orchestral Strings), Dvorak & Bach (both for Solo + Orchestral Strings combination) and Mozart (for period performance style chamber string orchestra sound (smaller sections, very limited use of vibrato), made with DS Violins, Solo & Chamber Strings).

@Casiquire said:

Agreed Noldar, I never ever "write for the samples" with VSL.  Unless there's something truly unusual to the point of being slightly experimental, VSL can do it all.

I still dream of being able to do Helmut Lachenmann's Kontrakadenz or Mouvement (vor der Erstarrung) with VSL one day... [<:o)]

Not to play Dog Pile on EWQL but the reason I never went with them for orchestral samples is because they seemed to me to be a one trick pony in that regard. If all you do is big in-your-face Hollywood styled film scores EWQL will, at least, get you there. But it won't get you anywhere else.  That's why VSL is a superior product.  You can do big Hollywood scores, small intimate chamber pieces with various setting arrangements, experimental avant-garde stuff, Pop music, Jazz, whatever...

The reason for this is, of course, their studio where they record everything dry and pure enabling you to create your own sonic environments.

VSL's software is so much more intuitive and user friendly.  As Noldar pointed out, you shouldn't have to be composing for the samples.  Even VSL's standard libraries will take you a long way.

I have EWQL products but unfortunately I have to hose my system down with roach spray before I use it because their Play engine is so buggy.  At least on my system.

Speaking of 'PLAY' let me tell you-AaaaH!!!!!!  lk;jjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjkkkkkkkkkkklj';;jlklklklklklklklklklklk;jlkjiiiiiiiiiiiiiii0000000000000

                    [jasensmith slumps over the keyboard unconscious as Nick Phoenix shoots him in the neck with a tranqualizer dart]  

the question you need to ask yourself when comparing orchestral sample libraries is - could this do the complete Rite of Spring?  This is the single most demanding orchestral piece in history, along with some of Mahler's symphonies and a few other less known works.  Would EWQL be merely a digital travesty of such a work, with workarounds every few bars?  I can answer that for you - yes it would.  

That library could never even begin to do such demanding music.  It is dependent on being used to do relatively mindless film scores.  Especially with the Play engine which is non-existent as an interface compared to Vienna Ensemble's elegance, let alone the samples themselves. 

Now, of course you may be thinking. "But I want to do mindless film scores!"  Yes, of course you may.  But you need to remember - VSL can do those also, but a thousand times better than the libraries that are limited to those.  The VSL version of the Rite of Spring is actually a good performance compared even to live orchestras.  There is no other sample library that can do that.   VSL's success is based upon a uniform system of methodical sampling of all instruments that truly covers the full expressive range of each.  And the way those samples have been incorporated into the musically oriented interface of Vienna Ensemble is a crucial element.   There simply is no comparison right now between VSL and any other sample library.  The combination of the VSL sample recordings themselves, VE, VI, and MIR are unmatched.

Seriously or is it a joke? EWQL has really banned you from their forums? I've always thought they were pretty bad but... that is really... really bad sign for a "BIG" company... [^o)]

Most commercial forums do ban members who are particularly vocal.  It's their way of filtering out people who have some unreasonable grudge against them or people who spread misinformation about them, etc.  EWQL's forum is sort of the worst example possible though.  They deleted comments that I've posted before despite the fact that my tone was very pleasant and I wasn't even saying anything bad about a product, just asking a question.  VSL on the other hand...the mere fact that this thread is still open despite so much discussion about a competitor sort of shows the great attitude the VSL team has, because many other forums don't allow this.

It's normal that VSL does not close this discussion. QLSO is so bad !

I was one of first user of QLSO in France, We had to wait one year to be able to use it. Doug Rogers hate me because I was reporting all the bugs I found on the forum.

I left QLSO's machine gun staccato, to the beautifull staccato of VSL. Same for legato, up and down bow ......

ahem guys, as you know VSl is closing threads and removing posts on very rare occasions ...

but also please consider this is a VSL user forum and though discussing the pros and cons of this or that library are welcome, the thread should not turn into bashing a competitor's product or service please.

otherwise it might be closed ;-)

Nice to read this words... before I buy VSL I wanted to buy EWQO... I was attracted by their big-sound and their incredible deals (75% off!) but in hindsight I prefer quality over quantity (although I was still hesitant).. well... to read these things... I can not be more pleased with my choice!

to cm:

Thanks for your very tolerant post.

I'd prefer to turn this thread into praise for the VSL team, who constantly post helpful answers, at any time of the day or night even.

For me, VSL's support of customers has been spectacular. When there are bug reports, feedback and feature suggestions, all are dealt with swiftly, usually with a speedy response and often a speedy update.

Great products, great people....