Vienna Symphonic Library Forum
Forum Statistics

200,638 users have contributed to 43,205 threads and 259,113 posts.

In the past 24 hours, we have 4 new thread(s), 13 new post(s) and 76 new user(s).

  1. Home
  2. Sample Libraries
  3. Vienna Instruments Libraries (legacy)
  4. Next Steps in Expanding New Instrument Library

  • Next Steps in Expanding New Instrument Library

    P
    P

    Hello,

    I'm a VSL newbie and would like some help in what VSL libraries I might get next to round out my current libraries.  I recently purchased and am beginning to use:

    VIENNA INSTRUMENTS PRO 2 

    VIENNA SUITE

    VIENNA ENSEMBLE PRO 5 

    VIENNA MIR PRO 

     

    EPIC ORCHESTRA Standard  Library

    Special Ed. Vol 1 & PLUS Bundle

     

    It is a bit daunting to consider what instrument libraries I should consider adding to my current libraries listed above.  There are so many options and my budget is somewhat limited.  So, I'm asking for any advice and recommendations people could offer.

     

    I don't know if this is a big related consideration or not, but even though I'm interested in as robust an orchestral sound as possible my primary goal is not to create musical pieces that are symphonic per se.  I'm more interested in adding orchestral elements to my music similar to what Don Sebesky did for so many greats such as Hubert Laws.

     

    Please advise what VSL instrument libraries I should consider in expanding my current libraries.

     

    Thank you!
  • J
    J

    If you're looking to expand your palette with additional colors and timbres to choose from, the Special Edition Vol2, or sections of it, could obviously be very interesting. It's a senseful addition to SE1, which basically covers the instruments of the classical period. SE2 expands the collection to the arsenal of the romantic era.

    The chamber strings are always great to have. I think they capture the intimate and detailed sound of the small sections very beautifully, and they're very useful not just for chamber orchestra works, but also for folk and jazz music that needs strings and all kinds of gentle, delicate and elegant arrangements. I would definitely go for those.

    Of course, the muted brass instruments are also great to have. The wagner tuba is great fun. And then there's some quite enjoyable additions to the woodwinds palette - I especially like the bassoon ensemble and some of the solo instruments that are somewhat less common, but beautiful in tone: like the alto flute and the bassett horn. There's also a great church organ in there.

    Another option would be to go for select download instruments. Everything that's in the Special Editions is also available as a download instrument, which is the same sound, but comes with lots of additional articulations and more velocity layers. This can turn out very affordable if you're interested in single instruments that are in the SE2, but don't need the whole package.

    And then there are also instruments that aren't included in any of the SEs, but are still great to have, and also some non-orchestral instruments - like the really wonderful upright bass.
  • S
    S

    Hi all, I am in a similar boat. I have VE Pro 5, and now I want to add instruments. I struggle with trying to decide what I want to start with. I dont quite understand what I get in the extended packages over standard. It seems like a big price jump, but no additional sound samples.

    I was considering buying the Super Pack Standard, but I do not need the brass or percussion at all. Most of what I want to do with VSL is add various string sounds to Singer-Songwriter type stuff. Some solo, all the why to full 'hollywood' string sounds. I also like to use recorders, oboe, etc. I came up with the following list of items to purchase:

    • Woodwinds Bundle Standard Library
    • Strings Complete Standard Library
    • Recorders Standard  
    • Voices complete Standard

    That ends up being about 2K less in cost. I couldnt decide what I wanted for Strings, so decided to buy them all.

    What am i missing by not getting extended version? For the cost, it seems like I must be missing out on alot of expression capability. However, for the most part, the stuff I am doing will be more background, mixed in with pianos, drum kit, guitars, etc. Basically think Folk Rock with a broader sound palette. 

    Any advice would be welcome. Thanks
  • PaulP
    VSL Team
    PaulP
    last edited
    last edited

    Hello Synetos,

    You´ll find a list of articulations that show you what´s included on every product page, divided in Standard/Extended Library, simply click the "Sample Content" link below each product page (this is the link for "Strings Complete").

    A great way to go is our Special Editions, which will give you the basics of many instruments, and you can then specialize later on, if you´d like to add more expression for specific sections, with upgrade pricing (considering the articulations you already have in your Special Editions for the bigger instruments collections you want to upgrade to).

    Best,
    Paul

    Paul Kopf Head of Product Marketing, Social Media and Support
  • S
    S

    Thanks Paul! That is exactly what i was looking for. 

    I have purchased the following, and I am downloading them now:

    • Strings Complete Standard Library
    • Woodwinds Bundle Standard Library
    • Recorders Standard  

    I will see how i like them, and then maybe upgrade to the extended version on the Complete Strings collection, if I need it to accomplish my production goals.
  • PaulP
    VSL Team
    PaulP
    last edited
    last edited

    Hi Synetos,

    Congrats! Let me know if any questions pop up.

    Hope you will find these videos helpful to get started with Vienna Instruments as a software player.

    Best,
    Paul

    Paul Kopf Head of Product Marketing, Social Media and Support
  • S
    S

    Thanks! The overview was a perfect intro! That will save me hours of exploratory stumbling. I watched your setup video a while ago when I bought VE Pro 5. I use that to run my VST Drums and pianos on separate computers.

    I am very excited to start making better recordings with VSL. I believe it will be the ultimate creative production tool to advance my work to the next level both sonically and creatively.  

    What I desire...is the creative ability to compose with the final production sound palette at my finger tips. I still need my live perfomers to perform live with me, but i do not have to imagine what they might be playing while I write...I can hear it.

    Also, VE Pro 5 has enabled me to use my 3+ computers as a DAW/VST farm, rather than one super powerful/crazy expensive machine.  It is actually what brought me to VSL. Frankly, I was blown away by the Oboe quality in the Epic-Orchestra. Something as simple as fiddling with a Oboe, opened my eyes to the sonic possibilities of VSL.

    Experimenting, inspires me. VSL looks to be exactly what I was searching for. I cant wait to see what comes though me, musically, as a result of VSL. I probably should have just bought the whole Full Library of everything. I know me well enough...I will likely want it all before year end anyway. lol

    Thanks again Paul!