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  3. Looking for muted brass/ Percussion samples to comp Opus 1

  • Looking for muted brass/ Percussion samples to comp Opus 1

    JT3_JonJ
    JT3_JonJ
    Hello fellow VSL users,

    I'm composing an hour of all original media music to be performed by a live ensemble for my senior recital concert at Cal State Northridge. (it will be sometime in spring 06, and if your interested pm me) In the mean time I'm composing the works with samples, to which I am currently using VSL Opus 1. I absolutely LOVE this library and its functionality in Logic with EXS, but I am a bit disappointed in the brass sounds, particularly the lack of mutes. Thus I'm looking for a nice brass lib complement for OPUS 1.

    The logical choice would be the new OPUS 2 library, which does contain new brass mutes and articulations. However, it also contains samples I doubt I will use often: string runs, staccato reps, performance legato for low winds, timpani glissandi, etc, so why spend $500 for instruments I will not frequently use? Especially when most stand-alone brass libs like Project Sam and Sonic Implants are roughly the same price? (I qualify for SI's student discounts). However this is still an option, though and I would love to hear some feedback from "old" OPUS 1 users who have taken the plunge. Are you happy with this new library? Is it worth the price overall? Is it a good companion to the OPUS 1 lib (I know they are designed to be, but I'd like to know if it succeeded.) What brass mutes are available in Opus 2 (straight and cup?)

    Also, on a somewhat related thought, I'm also writing a piece for Percussion Ensemble and Wind Ensemble, to which OPUS 1 does not have the best variety of percussion sounds. Could you recommend a good, but cheep percussion library? I'm looking into VSL Mallets, which seems to be very extensive and priced well at around $300, but fear it might be overkill. Is there anything similar which is not limited to just Mallets? (I would like some more bell, gong, cymbal sounds too, though the real lack in OPUS 1 is mallets) Is the percussion additions in OPUS 2 sufficient?

    Sorry for the long post, but this is a very important decision I have to make rather quickly, and I want to get the most information possible. I thank you all in advance for your help! I truly do appreciate it, and as payment for your help, I will treat you to a wonderful FREE concert at CSUN next year!

    Thanks again,
    Jonathan Timpe
  • J
    J
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    First of all thanks to VSL for letting us have these borderline discussions and even talk about strictly competitive products here. We are still VSL users even if we don't use or recommend VSL products for every possible task. [[;)]]

    If you need more orchestral than jazzy mallets and overall good orchestral percussion, then Project SAM True Strike 1 is your choise. The virtual instrument isn't completely stable yet but Steinberg is working on an update. Of course it doesn't matter for you if you are a GigaStudio user.

    I've ordered the Kirk Hunter Concert Brass but it hasn't arrived yet. The price is great, amount of programs is huge and based on the few demo clips and programs it should sound nice too. Info and demos available at here.

    Get Project SAM brass if you want to play safe and buy something that has been proven worthy. You can get all SAM stuff as a bundle.
  • JT3_JonJ
    JT3_JonJ
    Thank you for your reply Janila.

    I have done my own research, and the titles you mentioned are right on my list. However, the main reason I posted this topic on the VSL forums (instead of posting elsewhere) was to get some feedback of the VSL options directly from users, particularly for Opus 2 and VSL Mallets. I know there are a few demos online, but I just wanted to chat with a real person about their experiences. I guess they are all busy enjoying their products to reply [:)]

    If anyone has any experience (or knows of other online locations where VSL users frequent) please share your wisdom and experience. I thank everyone who has taken the time to read this post, and I look forward to your replies!

    Jon
  • H
    H
    VSL Mallets are great! A tad overkill, but I'm not complaining!

    -BW
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    @Horse Opera said:

    VSL Mallets are great! A tad overkill, but I'm not complaining!

    -BW
    I would like to buy the VSL Mallets but there is a problem. I would also like to have the Glass & Stones and the FX Percussion seem nice too. If I buy those I will be annoyed by the fact that for the same price I would have gotten the full VSL Percussion and I can't afford it right now. If I got the VSL Percussion I would be annoyed by the fact that I can't get a discount for both Opus1 which I already have and the Percussion when (hopefully) buying the full Pro. Because of this I end up buying nothing. [8-)] VSL should have some kind of "never pay twice for the same sample" policy that would take everything into account. It would be so much easier to get the whole library in pieces instead of paying thousands at once.
  • O
    O
    I completely agree janila. You should be able to select the specific samples you wish to purchase. *hint hint* [:)]
  • J
    J
    Indeed, this is something that would be greatly appreciated.
    I can upgrade from the Opus Bundle to the full package, but that is still a large gap in price... one which I simply cannot afford no matter how much I would want to. If it were possible to upgrade one section at a time, it would make upgrading actually possible for me, and many others I am sure.

    I doubt there is a single person who would not want the full package, but getting there (all in one blow) is easier said than done.. [:O]ops: [[;)]]
  • J
    J
    I wouldn't mind if I got the VSL Pro Edition Percussion slightly cheaper because I've already paid for some of the samples in Opus1 but propably that would be too much different prices and overall hassle.

    My VSL purchases should be taken into account when buying the Pro Edition. That way I could buy the Pro Percussion or even start with the Mallets. The math wouldn't be too complicated:

    I have paid 990 € for Opus1.
    I would pay 795 € for the Percussion.
    Total 1785 € off the price of the Complete Orchestral Package.
    I would have to pay 3705 € to get the rest.

    If I would buy a VSL Horizon product that isn't part of the Pro Edition I wouldn't get a discout when buying the Pro Edition but when buying the whole Cube. Whenever that is going to be available. [[;)]] The Cube is going to include the whole Horizon series, right?
  • H
    H
    Yes, the Symphonic Cube will include all orchestral related Horizon products.

    best
    Herb
  • C
    C
    WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEN [[:D]]

    I have a bank account called "VSL" used for saving money... no shit [[:D]]
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    C
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    @Christian Marcussen said:


    I have a bank account called "VSL" used for saving money... no shit [:D]


    your not the only one. [[;)]]
  • C
    C
    hehe

    Has there been any mention of whether or not SC will be released at the same time, earlier or later than MIR? (early 2006)
  • MartinM
    VSL Team
    MartinM
    If you start by buying the Mallets and FX Percussion, the amount of EUR 80 each will be credited to the Pro Edition Percussion (= EUR 160).
    Starting with the First Edition Percussion you will be able to upgrade to the Pro Edition Percussion without any loss since the upgrade price is the difference between the First and Pro Editiion full prices.
    You can check out all variants at our discount calculator:
    http://vsl.co.at/english/pages/products_%26_shop/discount_calculator/calculator.htm
    All the best,
    Martin
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    @Martin said:

    If you start by buying the Mallets and FX Percussion, the amount of EUR 80 each will be credited to the Pro Edition Percussion (= EUR 160).
    Starting with the First Edition Percussion you will be able to upgrade to the Pro Edition Percussion without any loss since the upgrade price is the difference between the First and Pro Editiion full prices.
    I'm aware of this but as I said, if I buy the Mallets and FX Percussion I'll be annoyed by the fact that the full Pro Percussion wouldn't be that much more and I get nothing for the Pro Percussion because I already have the Opus1. Either I lose 400 € or 800 € compared to getting the full Pro straight from the Opus1. So it's no go as I know I want the full thing if I can ever afford it. Atleast I'll wait for the modular way to buy the Cube what Herb mentioned on another thread.