Questions for you all

[ABales]

Hello, I have recently discovered VSL and love what I hear from the online demos. I have a few questions and was hoping you guys could help me out.

1 - I need to see an active demonstration of this system. I live in Toronto Ontario Canada. Does anyone know where I could see VSL in action? Or, if anyone lives close by... would they mind showing me the ropes?

2 - As a general survey.. how long did it take to learn how to use all the software and samples? Do you find the composition process is slowed down by the use of such in depth samples?

3 - Is it possible to dump in midi files and edit them so they use the sounds of VSL?

Thanks very much!

Aaron Bales

[Jordan O_Connor]

Hello Aaron,

1. I live in Toronto Canada as well and would be happy to give you a rundown on VSL. Feel free to email me.

2. I have found the VSL to be very logical and easy to use. Of course the more you know the library the more your productivity will increase. One need not assume - as I did - that the quality of the Vienna Library is directly correlated to complexity of use. To give you another hint, the VSL was the first sample library I bought (and used.) I don't even have a driver's licence and I can drive the Vienna Library. Thus, I was working with the VSL the first day I got it. As to the complexity of the samples, this adds to the pleasure of using the library.

3. Yes, if I understand you correctly, you can. You would use your sequencer (like Cubase, or Sonar, etceteras) within which your midi files would be, they, then, would trigger your sampler (in my case Gigastudio.) Thus, within your sequencer you would load/make your midi files, and edit them as you please, which, in turn, will effect the way in which the samples are played in your sampler which is, of course, where the VSL is.

I hope this helps, all the best.
Jordan

[Simon Fox]

@ABales said:

2 - As a general survey.. how long did it take to learn how to use all the software and samples? Do you find the composition process is slowed down by the use of such in depth samples?

Hello there. I took delivery of a new system just 2 days ago! I'm using a sequencer for the first time and I've never owned a sampler either. The out-of-the-box experience was extraordinary, especially when using the legato tools. Within a few hours I was already able to work on a musical/expressive level, ie. the system was already not 'getting in the way' of the creative process, but supporting it. It does however mean buying the entire set (and will mean going for the pro-edition as soon as it's out) because on this level of realism, even the thousands of samples there are only just enough to get going. It's easy to use *because* it's so extensive, and I suspect will get easier all the time with each hard drive you need to add to the system!!

Hope that helps too. BTW a major reason for going for VSL seems to be the forum: everyone supports each other, so you're never on your own with a problem!

All the best,

Simon

[Simon Fox]

To give an idea, for you and anyone else as a newcomer wondering how quickly they'll be able to get results from VSL, here's the result of what I did between having the system running for the first time on Wednesday night, and Friday night. This is still a 'raw' mix (just reverb over the top), but these are genuine results after just 2 days and completely new to all this. (the sequencer arrived a week earlier so the notes were already in on Weds evening):

http://www.aoon36.dsl.pipex.com/inprogress/gal.html">http://www.aoon36.dsl.pipex.com/inprogress/gal.html

It's a really intuitive system, and I guess it'll get quicker to get results.

Good luck!

Simon

[Jean]

Simon:

Nice composition. One question though. Do you play in stuff by hand, or manually enter the notes in your sequencer? Do you use any quantizing afterwards? I feel it sounds rather "rigid", you know, a bit too stiff...

[Simon Fox]

Thanks very much indeed for the comments. I played everything in by hand (and I've not even bothered to tell the sequencer where the barlines are supposed to be, so no quantisation at all). I've spent most of the time trying to *avoid* rigid-ness!! Actually quite hard to get right when the music has same note-values running all the way through, and is meant to be calm and non-espressivo. But good to know it came across that way - after all, I can still have endless fun shaping it more! I think if a couple of places, especially the violas at the start, had a bit more direction it would generally feel more flexible. Thinking about it, I played it in with a bad synth (VSL hadn't arrived yet) and irregularities were quite disturbing there, so that probably made me a bit stiff!

Thanks again,

Simon

[herb]

Hello Simon,

for a newcomer in this technolgy the result is quite amazing.
I don't want to remember my first steps with my first sequenzing programm. [:O]ops:

Congratulations,
Herb

[Simon Fox]

Thankyou Herb. The work I'm experienced in is producing and editing recordings, and using VSL feels much like editing, only infinitely more fun! [:D]
I guess it'll be easier when I know the samples (and when the pro set's ready!). Certainly I've decided to make this a serious part of my work from now on. That's only possible because the library works so well - which is of course thanks to you and your team.

All the very best,

Simon

[ABales]

I'm glad to hear those fast results Simon. Good work!

I found someone to demo VSL for me and am currently racking my brain as to what route I should take... I'm basically starting from 0 in terms of computers and other gear. I was wondering if anyone had opinions on what computer or computers I should buy what sequencers and samplers... and so on. Any opinions?

Thanks

Aaron

[cm]

aaron, glad to hear you could take a look at a system running VSL - thanks to whoever has been so kind.
your question is hard to answer - it is basically another pc vs. mac thing. both has it's pros and cons. although pcs are cheaper and somehow better expandable the learning curve for the system itself is definitely higher.
whereas you should be up and running with a mac faster and with more or less no tweaking, the assortment of software might be larger for a pc (also depending on your needs)
regarding vsl it's a logic vs. gigastudio question. the first is a more compact thing using exs mkII and currently capable of holding more voices (on a maxed out system), but it's tricky to run two or more systems if one is not enough (this might change with the G5). on a pc you're free to use a sequencer of your choice (many use cubase) and somehow unlimited gigastudios (on extra computers, but each of them would need a soundcard)
so it depends on the kind/size of the performances you're intending to do, the time you have to get familiar with all that stuff and how much money you're willing to spend considering both first mentioned.
i know this statements may be not very helpful, but there are too many aspects to take an unequivocal view
christian