Even though the First Edition isn't complete and has a few obvious holes (like forte legato trumpets), I for one am glad to have it now as opposed to not having any VSL at all until this summer when the more complete Pro Edition is released. The fact that the First Edition will be discontinued is an obvious sign that it is merely a transitional step to the pro edition that allows us needy composers to begin using VSL right away. I think it's worth every penny as is - I certainly paid more for a lot less with the Miroslav set.

As for comparing the cost of the Pro Edition to EWQLSO - all I have to say is that you get what you pay for. Compare it at the "price per individual sample" and then decide which is more affordable.

When the Pro Edition is done, we'll make our final decision what the free update will include. Top on the list are the forte performance legati for trumpet and trombones ensembles, also range extensions for performance legati of violins and bassi, and maybe looped versions of basic sustains and tremolos. [:D]

Herb

@glennm01 said:

Um...what's EWQLSO?

Vaporware, up to now! [6]


/Dietz - Vienna Symphonic Library

@herb said:

When the Pro Edition is done, we'll make our final decision what the free update will include. Top on the list are the forte performance legati for trumpet and trombones ensembles, also range extensions for performance legati of violins and bassi, and maybe looped versions of basic sustains and tremolos. [:D]

Herb

That's really nice to hear. [:)]

I would consider not suppressing the first edition. I think it is always a good idea to have a scaled product range so that you will also get sales from people with less to spend.

This would win the custom of people not willing to consider a 5k expenditure from the start. People buying VSL today have no doubt in their minds that they will purchase the upgrade. 3k-budjet people like me are put off, and seriously considering the only alternative: EWQLSO. I am very sure it would be worth VSL's while to make the first edition a completely rounded product (no missing articulations at all!!!) if it gained them a small wave of three-thousand dollar sales, and it kept a fairly large potential client base from moving over to EWQLSO.

It would be a terrible shame for VSL to lose sales to EWQLSO because of a handful of missing patches.

Sincerely,

Leon

PS: Glennm01, EWQLSO stands for East-west/Quantum Leap Symphonic Orchsestra. It is due out in one month (March).

Herb - I too hope that the first edtion isn't left without completion. I understand that the pro edtion requires more of an investment for VSL, but the first edtion should at the very least have the instruments rounded off with bass trombone (very important for film composers), picciolo and brass ensemble. Also, as you stated above - the forte trumpet and more sustained string loops should absolutely be part of the first edtion. As it stands now, it isn't really a complete orchestra.

The VSL is excellent, and I am mostly happy with my investment, but you will be facing some competion in the near future. Show all of us that invested in VSL at it's earlest state that it was indeed the best choice, and that we can expect at the very least a completed library from the first edtion. I for one would look for that first edtion completion before I would be willing to invest further into the Pro edtion.
Keep up the great work.

Well, I've loaded it up (cube & performance set) on a newly installed firewire drive, and have not yet heard a sound...but I'm disappointed. No piccolo? No bass clarinet? No Bass Trombone? I sincerely hope to return here and eat my words, but the inititial impression is "incomplete". My co-worker is currently lamenting the issue over his versions as well...

We'll post the free First edition upgrade content shortly after the Pro Edition release.
I'm sure you'll will be satisfied.

best wishes
Herb

In all honesty,

NO library is complete when you purchase it. The mere fact the option to get SO MUCH more (albeit with upgrade prices) is more than any other library is/hasbeen able to offer.

Even the upcoming QLSO will have "missing" instruments and articulations. GOS has "missing" stuff, SISS has "missing" stuff, DDBE...etc...add infinity. Its no different for VSL.

As well, everyone's perception of "complete" is different.

Many people will be happy and feel something is "complete enough", many will not.

Another point, once this is made out to be a "competition" between libraries we will lose sight of whats really being offered here (and there). Which is, some really incredible tools to get us closer to realizing our music (not tools *to* realize our music, but *get us clsoer to*, sometimes we'll need more than one set of tools for the job)

Having access to just about every orchestral library out and getting info on alot of future libs, I'm in a unique position that has me realising that nothing will be "perfect", and maybe its this access that has gotten me to accept this resolve [:)]

This doesn't mean I dont sympathize with budget concerns and trying to get the most out of purchases as we can... (offering free 1st edition upgrades...insane considering the size)

EWQLSO won't have celesta and need at least one big, fast, full RAM computers. VSL can work on "not-so-fast" computers, so if you have to upgrade your computer(s), you will need more $$$

Free upgrade with some patches, EWQLSO (no upgrade), free help (files, forum, instrument, etc), VSL has his own studio so you can ask everything you want [:)]

It's my opinion about EWQLSO and VSL [:D]

Take care,

Mathieu Laprise
Sonomax inc.

To me at this point, it's all about expression. To realize my music, many articulations are neccesary. The fewer the arts. the less creative choices. Every library pales in comparison to VSL when it comes to articulations (GOS is pretty good). From a strickly mathmatical point of veiw, The first Edition has 9x the amount of articulations as QLSO (when narrowed down to actual gigs), The pro edition though 2K more will have about 25 times the amount of articulations. That's a huge amount.

Woa! I posted this months ago!

I now think VSL is utterly wonderfull in absolutely all respects [:)] For personal preference (hall sound) and mainly economic reasons I'm going with EWQLSO, but I look forward to getting at least the performance set in the future.

Peace!