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  4. Paradox of choice - VSL SE, choirs...

  • Paradox of choice - VSL SE, choirs...

    L
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    Dear forum!

    I fear this post is going to be more of a written soliloquy than a precise question - however, I do hope that maybe one or the other could find some helping words...

    The VSL SE are still on sale and I'll definitely get the SE Vol. 1 Bundle! (Eventually, the VI Pro and one of the MIRx's as well, I guess.) Somehow I feel like buying a lot more than that, but frankly, I think it's because of the -25% tag. 😛

    As I want to purchase the Cinematic Strings 2 (Student discount, yay!) for the somewhat Hollywood-ish sound (I want to work both into the classical and filmic direction), the Vol. 3 isn't too interesting for me, but I actually think about getting Vol. 4 just because of the choir (any full choir package would be overkill).
    --> Would you say that this is a stupid idea (getting 4 just for the choir)?
    Edit: I should have put more emphasis on this aspect --> is it worth getting the Vol. 4 just for the choir?

    I also thought about the SE 2 as well, mainly because of the additional (muted) brass and winds, but also the smaller string ensemble. The organ/guitar also sounds amazing.
    On the other hand, I can always build a provisory chamber ensemble from the solo strings in Vol. 1, I can beef up in the right places with the sounds from my Clavinova (instead of the epic horns for instance), which has also a nice organ etc., or use samples from my GPO for Finale library.
    While those ideas all are no subsitution for high quality samples, it could suffice for experimenting and finding out what I really need.

    One has to keep in mind that I'm doing that for a hobby not a living - a hobby I really want to take more seriously, though. I just enrolled at the music university in a composition class. I have composed for clients but that never required the use of sampling libraries. It was just piano and cello, for instance.

    While I don't want to be stingy, I also don't want to fall for the "omg 25% I need everything"-syndrome we all might know. 😛 Plus, maybe I'll find myself using/missing one thing in particular which I'll have to get covered by another library (be it VSL or something different) and bang, there goes the money, haha. (I've read many times that buying sampling libs can easily become an addiction :D)

    I am aware of the fact that this here is probably the most broad, unspecific and "it depends on what you want to pay and do and need!"-question there might be out on the interwebs but... still... some thoughts on that...? I feel more comfortable by even just posting this thread, haha...

    Thank you, and be sure that the next questions will be more precise,
    Lukas

    PS.: I'm sorry, haha...😢
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    This is of course just from my personal perspective. I think for someone who owns the SE1 packages, the best and most logical addition would be SE2. It adds a lot of great stuff and enhances your virtual orchestra with just the right extras.

    I really love the Chamber Strings, they're my favorite out of the VSL strings range. And an ensemble of that size should really have its place in any orchestral template - be it to be able to write more intimate pieces, layer them with bigger strings to add more definition and sparkle, or use them to simulate divisi. It's also a sound that you can't really simulate by stacking a bunch of solo strings on top of each other.

    The additions to the woodwinds arsenal are lovely. You not only get the a3 ensembles - there are some great special and less common instruments in there that are just the right thing to add for that little extra color. Wonderful stuff like the basset horn, the oboe d'amore (for all those moments where need a really lyrical solo part, but the french oboe is once again too nasal and biting!) or the almost ethnic sounding alto flute. It's also great to have the flute 2 or the Viennese Oboe for detailed writing, dovetailing etc. without having to use the same instrument twice and transpose it.

    A comprehensive template of course wouldn't be complete without the really nice sounding muted brass instruments - and you get a glorious sounding organ on top of that!

    So, bottom line, I think SE2 is a wonderful collection that just makes a ton of sense. And next time you have a little extra cash, do yourself a favor and get a MIRx venue. It will absolutely kickstart and transform the SEs 😊
  • L
    L

    Thank you for your time. :)

    Divisi simulation ... that's a point there... although I might not forget CS2 or GPO means.
    About the winds: Those ensemble patches (in general) "require" monophonic writing, right? Meaning, I can't to three voice polyphony (realistically!) with an ensemble patch...
    @having flute 2: Apart from "high quality" arguments, nothing would speak against the transpose trick, though, no?

    Would you maybe share another two thoughts of yours about that choir thing? I just now downloaded the free Sonatina Choir VST to see if it would suffice for experimenting with choir sounds...

    Kind regards and good night (if you're from Europe. :P )

    Edit: I edited my original post in order to emphasize the choir aspect. :)
  • J
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    @Another User said:


    Would you maybe share another two thoughts of yours about that choir thing? I just now downloaded the free Sonatina Choir VST to see if it would suffice for experimenting with choir sounds...

    I think it's really a shame that there are no separate sections of SE3 and 4. The choir is one of the few VSL instruments where there is no real affordable entry-level version available. The assortment of instruments inside SE4 doesn't really make sense to me - not in the cohesive way that SE1 and SE2 do.

    You might need a choir for your virtual orchestra, but might never have a need for the unusual or left-field stuff that you rarely hear in an orchestral setting, like the bass flute or the euphonium. Offering these things as inseparable parts of the same package seems like an arbitrary choice to me. I can only speak for myself here, but for me it probably wouldn't make sense to get a complete SE4 just for the choir - especially if I didn't have the SE1 & 2 fully covered yet, which to me are far more essential.
  • L
    L

    Thanks a lot for your ample response. :)

    What you write about the sound of the ensemble patches and their usage in mockups sounds perfectly reasonable... While pregnant cats might be a bit exotic, I can see what you are trying to say. :-P

    Maybe the SE 3 & 4 will be splitted into modules at some point. Thank you for sharing your thoughts - I think I will go for the SE1 Bundle and the SE 2. :)