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  • VSL package differences?

    V
    V
    Hi,

    I'm about to take the plunge and buy a VSL set, but I was wondering if someone could help me out with a couple of questions. Having browsed the websites of various music shops, there appears to be a bewildering array of package choices. However, taking into account budgetary considerations, I've come across two packages of interest: the "Symphonic Cube Standard" and the "Vienna Symphonic Library Pro Edition - Complete Package". The former appears to be slightly less expensive than the latter, but having read the descriptions, I'm not really sure what the differences between the two are. Could anyone shed any light?
    I also have one further question, to which the answer is probably quite subjective, but I'll ask anyway. How long, approximately, could I expect it to take from receiving my VSL set to being able to use it in any meaningful way (including installation and learning how to use the software)? The reason I ask is that I have a project on which I'd like to start using these sounds within a week or so, and I don't know if it's hopelessly unrealistic to think that I may be familiar enough by then to use my new VSL kit.
    Hope that's not too long-winded a first post!
    Thanks in advance,

    Vische
  • PaulP
    VSL Team
    PaulP
    last edited
    last edited
    Hi and welcome Vischebaste,

    the Pro Edition is the predecessor of the Symphonic Cube. The Pro Edition relies on third party sample players (GigaStudio and EXS24mkII), whereas the Symphonic Cube is powered by our own Vienna Instruments (VST/AU). Please find our Video Tutorials of the Vienna Instruments here.

    The Symphonic Cube also incorporates many sounds from our Horizon Series (e.g., Chamber Strings, Epic Horns, WW Ensembles....), so you have more instruments available within this package. We have re-edited the samples from both the Pro Edition and the Horizon Series heavily to fit your needs in connection with the Vienna Instruments, and the samples are in 24 bit quality..... using realtime lossless decompression!

    Apart from the number of samples and instruments, the Vienna Instruments really make a big difference, as you stay on 1 MIDI Channel with each instrument or section, whereas you have to use multiple MIDI channels with the Pro Edition (one MIDI Channel for each articulation....)

    Just my 2 cents. Please feel free to contact support@vsl.co.at any time with further questions!

    Best,

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

    Many thanks for your prompt reply! Clearly, the Symphonic Cube appears to be the one to go for. Just out of interest, does the realtime decompression put much extra strain on the processor? (I'm running a 2.0gHz Dual G5 with 2.5gig Ram)
    Also, just wondering if you had any views on my other question, as to how long approx it takes to get up and running with the Cube - installing, plus learning the basic operation of the Vienna Instrument? I understand it's an answer that will vary from person to person, so it's no problem if you'd rather not be drawn on that one!
    Thanks,

    Vische
  • PaulP
    VSL Team
    PaulP
    last edited
    last edited
    Hi Vische,

    I´ve seen people get started within a day, but they have already used our previous libraries, which means that they have already understood the structure of the samples.

    I guess if you really spend some days to find out more abou how the Vienna Instruments integrate in your workflow (also with the help of the Video Tutorials), you should be fine.

    The Symphonic Cube contains 800.000 samples, which can be distributed onto different computers. The bottleneck for a comfortable workflow is the amount of RAM - the more the better, the more machines, the better.

    Here are some test results on different machines.

    Any other opinion or advice on Vische´s situation is of course welcome [;)]

    Best,
    Paul
    Paul Kopf Head of Product Marketing, Social Media and Support
  • V
    V
    Hi Paul,

    Many thanks for the advice again. Initially I'll only be running the Cube on a single computer (Dual 2 gHz G5 with 2.5 meg ram), so it sounds as though, at the very least I'll need to increase my ram size by a couple of gig. I'm planning on distributing the samples over 5 Raid0 sata drives though, which I'm hoping will help from overloading the drives.
    Thanks again,

    Vische