WOW!! I already OWN the Apassionata Strings, and I'm excited after hearing this demo!!

It has to be the most realistic sounding Orchestral Strings samples demo I've heard yet, and shows that there's NO excuse for not getting the ABSOLUTE BEST out of this particular set of sounds-keep up the good work, Simon, and VSL!!

I agree this is one of the best sounding demos here, nothing harsh about it. Magnificent!

Wonderful Simon - great textures and emotion.


Rob

This shows off the rich string textures really well. I've heard a lot of Simon Ravn's pieces and they always sound excellent.

I'd like to know if the instrument used was part of the standard content? It would be also really nice to know the name of the instruments that were used in general so i can go a see if they are part of the standard or the extended content? The thing is i cant afford the whole package, and it's the one way for me to know how this or that articulation sounds. If Simon cant answer this I'll take any advise from those who own the library. That shouldn't be too hard to figure out?

Also, i think i heard the cello portamento being cut off at the beginning. Like a shorter portamento. Do i hear this right? Can Vi do that? I have know idea what this thing can do?

And great job Simon, as always!

Thank you!

@Another User said:

Also, i think i heard the cello portamento being cut off at the beginning. Like a shorter portamento. Do i hear this right? Can Vi do that? I have know idea what this thing can do?

Yes and no. There is only one length of portamento, but since I wanted a less prominent portamento than the standard one, I layered a the portamento articulation - which I faded in and out using the ADSR - on top of the standard sustain programs.

Simon,

I just wanted to chime in with the others and say how well done this demo is. The phrasing is also one of the things about it that makes it so beautiful. It's great to hear work that is as impressive for its musicality as it is for its technical virtuosity.

- Paul

Thanks a lot for your reply Simon, it's been very helpful. It's easier to hear the articulations now.

I didn't expect the layering sustain trick to work so well. [H]

And again, great job with the music. Your demos has made a big impact in my decision to by IS, and looks like it will have the same effect here. Wise choice VSL.

Simon-- lovely and tender work. My only unsolicited critique is that I would like to hear a somewhat longer development of the Asian material at the end.

Best,
Jay

JBacal, you are absolutely right. I only did it this way due to time constraints. And I wanted to give Herb something fairly quickly. I will do another demo in a totally different style later.

Agreed - this is top notch, and especially the phrasing - as has been said - it makes it work musically - it's a very complete piece.

Excellent - and Inspiring! - Thanks!

Miklos.

Hey Simon,

wow, your little piece of heaven is very nice. I really dig it.
I just have a little critique on the mixdown...partially the strings are a bit too loud and could have a bit more reverb on it so that the parts where you have lots of dynamic in it are getting a bit smoother in the strings. I'm speaking of the Strings parts when the whole Orchestra is playing ff. Sometimes it sounds a bit unnatural/wavey in my opinion. With wavey I mean when the dynamic of the strings is a bit like waves. When you listen to it loud it doesn't preponderate so much but if you pipe the volume down you'll hear what I mean.

Just my thoughts of it. I'm a beginner so please be gracious with me [:)]
Really nice track. The emotions are stunning.

My best
Stephan

I really like the way this music ebbs and flows, the continual subtle dynamic change helps it to breathe. I wondered how you achieve the volume variations? I sometimes use an expression pedal but it feels a bit clumsy and it's also hard to get the initial position right, maybe an external MIDI fader transmitting CC11 data would be a better way?