Obviously there are no demo versions but here are a couple of comments that might help.

I also got GPO and was very disappointed with the quality of the samples but the interface was, at least, playable in a somewhat musical way without much effort. Then I got VSL Opus 1/2 and was disappointed with the playability of the samples (partly because Halion is such a piece of crap), but the sound was top-notch. My guess is that your experience with the Kontakt VSL library is similar. At that point, I started dreaming of a library that combined professional-quality samples with a playable interface.

Well, my dream almost came true - VI is now the most playable interface I have used. So, it now wins in terms of playability AND sound. It's not a panacea, though - you'll need a separate instance of the VI for every instrument in the orchestra, so it's a bit of an organizational nightmare. If VSL would change that "feature" I would say the library is darn near perfect.

rgames

I have never used VI (I'm planning on purchasing SE ASAP) but I don't think you should blow your money on an expensive reverb. Not everyone uses expensive reverbs, not everyone needs to. It depends on how much of this --> $$$ you got and if you are a hobbyist or a professional.

Anyway, to say you "NEED" to invest into an expensive reverb is like telling someone you can't make good music with VSL if you don't have an expensive reverb. When I get VSL (4 weeks from now?) I'll post demos of using QuikQuak RaySpace like an Altiverb and we'll see if I can get by.

Does VSL give demo licenses to retail locations?

If not, they should. I'm currently trying out a few things that way. Granted, if you're not buddies with the guy who runs the store, you would have to check them out IN the store, but still.

I would've NEVER bought a $2k synth back in the day with getting to test drive. I'm fearful of this paradigm switch. Sure, when we were talking about instruments that were $180 or something, maybe one could risk that based on audio clips...but, now that we're walking into $300-$5k instrument libraries? No thanks.

Right now, I'm auditioning a piano library which I don't want to name...but, a popular one...that I think plays pretty awful. I have 8 year old piano samples I think sound better. But, if I'd not been able to audition them? Anyway--the flipside is true, too. He gave me a demo copy of another, which didn't sound like my kinda thing, but turned out to really spark me musically with it's sound.

I've bought orchestral libs before that I was utterly disappointed in.

I own the VSL VI for Solo Strings and Chamber Strings. The only thing I'm disappointed in is price. [:O]ops: I must say that overall, they are easily the "best programmed" strings I've used. Meaning, with a little CC set up and practice, you can actually PLAY most of what you need to live on the keyboard. They also sound nice--although, honestly, there are a lot of libs that sound nice, IMO.

So, I feel for you. I do. I'm the WORST about not wanting to lay down money on "hyped libraries" having been burned so often. Luckily, FWIW, I don't feel that way about the VSL instruments. They've worked flawlessly for me and allowed me to do things much easier due to the instument/patch/matrix programming.

On reverb...ehh...I get that. these samples are dry as a witch's...well, they're dry. They long for verb. Good verb is highly underrated by the "grew up recording ina computer" set. "Good" is also relative. I use a PCM91--I know folks who would say that's barely useable. [:D]

popman et al,
currently VSL does not have an end-user demo product, it is somehow hard to weigh between limiting instruments, articulations, velocities playrange vs. data size and still allowing to demonstrate the great features for performance detection of the vienna instruments player.

if your favourite store does not have VSL products for demoing (i.e. is not member of the VSL authorized dealer program) ask them to get in touch with the regional distributor

what i personally often find very saddening is the fact that actually so-called solution providers (however they received that title) don't have any clue (or time?) how to setup a computer for demoing VSL products regulary, so it might be worth to spend some time in our demo zone to find out what _is_ possible to receive with vienna instruments libraries.
christian

Thanks alot, this a good idea as I still want to examine the performance detection tool, I will be in England during August, may be there a can find a decent VSL distributer.

@Elan Hickler said:

I have never used VI (I'm planning on purchasing SE ASAP) but I don't think you should blow your money on an expensive reverb. Not everyone uses expensive reverbs, not everyone needs to. It depends on how much of this --> $$$ you got and if you are a hobbyist or a professional.

Anyway, to say you "NEED" to invest into an expensive reverb is like telling someone you can't make good music with VSL if you don't have an expensive reverb. When I get VSL (4 weeks from now?) I'll post demos of using QuikQuak RaySpace like an Altiverb and we'll see if I can get by.

Hah, you NEED to learn to read. [:D]

What did I actually write? [8-)]

DG

I think West LA Music in Universal City (Los Angeles) has copies of VSL for people to demo. Otherwise, score a NAMM badge and go to Winter NAMM (Also LA area, Anaheim).

Emperor, our distributor in UK is time+space whereas for qatar normally it would be bestservice
i'll ask if someone from the team is around there in august, otherwise: visit vienna, it's nice here too [;)]
christian

christian, thanks, I am planning for Vienna next year. This time my vaction will be in London and Abergavenny. [:)]

@Elan Hickler said:

When I get VSL (4 weeks from now?) I'll post demos of using QuikQuak RaySpace like an Altiverb and we'll see if I can get by.

Keep me informed if you've done some renderings with QuikQuak, cos I'm interesting in this reverb.