Hi Beat,

Thank You for the very useful info. and feedback regarding "App. Strings". I have to say that the "App. Strings" legatos are beautiful sounding, they are great for those cinematic/ lyrical large section strings, they are warm, and have a very pleasing "timbre", which is crucial.

I can go ahead, and say they are the best sounding large section legato strings I have heard so far from any strings sample library ! even when compared to the other VSL strings, (and I'm very very picky about strings [:D] I can comfortably give them an "A" grade.

The only detail that is slowing me down from buying this library is the shorter articulations, so, I would love to hear more of the shorter articiation exposed alone in a piece, plus, blended with the legato versions, listening to the currently available shorter articulation demos alone is not easy to make a good evaluation (at least for myself), but hopefully they will not dissapoint, but, it is only after hearing them that I can make a comfortable decision to buy the "App. Strings" extended version.

All The Best,

Muziksculp.

I am currently using the Opus 1/2 strings, and solo strings from the Horizon Series

@Doogie said:

I am currently using the Opus 1/2 strings, and solo strings from the Horizon Series

Then it's real easy i would say. Get App. As you have quiet a few of the Strings 1 & 2 in Opus 1, App will add much more to your pallet than Orchestral strings. And they sound like the best things since sliced bread was invented. [:D]

@Anonymous Joe said:

... what library you already own.

... already have licensed - i have to be strict on this wording [H]
christian

@Anonymous Joe said:

... what library you already own.

... already have licensed - i have to be strict on this wording [H]
christian

[:D] Damn! I keep making that mistake. [[;)]]

@Doogie said:

I am currently using the Opus 1/2 strings, and solo strings from the Horizon Series

An other choice you should look into is Chamber strings For Horizon which is on sale at a rather ridiculous price right now. + App standard edition, and later upgrade to App extended edition when you have more $. The idea here is to take the deal when it's there. You don't see to many of those you know. I also think Chamber strings is a nice little library that can be use for layering and divisi etc..

Just an idea!

Good luck!

@Anonymous Joe said:

... what library you already own.

... already have licensed - i have to be strict on this wording [H]
christian

Are you talking about one of those metal plate you put on the back of your car? If so? I looked in the box and couldn't find one...

...But i did find DVDs with samples on them! So i thought i bought samples as a result. Stupid me. [[;)]]

no, i'm talking about the numbers and characters you put into the boxes of your license control center [;)] and of course about the license agreement you agree to when installing the sample data ...
christian

@cm said:

no, i'm talking about the numbers and characters you put into the boxes of your license control center [;)] and of course about the license agreement you agree to when installing the sample data ...
christian

Bahhh! I never reed those! [:D]

@muziksculp said:

Hi Beat,

...The only detail that is slowing me down from buying this library is the shorter articulations, so, I would love to hear more of the shorter articiation exposed alone in a piece, plus, blended with the legato versions, listening to the currently available shorter articulation demos alone is not easy to make a good evaluation (at least for myself), but hopefully they will not dissapoint, but, it is only after hearing them that I can make a comfortable decision to buy the "App. Strings" extended version. ...All The Best,
Muziksculp.

Hi Muziksculp
I will produce a short sequence with staccatos and short detaches tomorrow. some runs and repetitions > OK? Hop you are patient till tomorrow...
Soon

Beat

@cm said:

no, i'm talking about the numbers and characters you put into the boxes of your license control center [;)] and of course about the license agreement you agree to when installing the sample data ...
christian

Well you were right to mention it because it turns out i forgot to register my last VSL product...

I got to say i love that huge sale you guys are having.
Many thanks for that! [H]

@muziksculp said:

Hi Beat,

...The only detail that is slowing me down from buying this library is the shorter articulations, so, I would love to hear more of the shorter articiation exposed alone in a piece, plus, blended with the legato versions, listening to the currently available shorter articulation demos alone is not easy to make a good evaluation (at least for myself), but hopefully they will not dissapoint, but, it is only after hearing them that I can make a comfortable decision to buy the "App. Strings" extended version. ...All The Best,
Muziksculp.

Hi Muziksculp
I will produce a short sequence with staccatos and short detaches tomorrow. some runs and repetitions > OK? Hop you are patient till tomorrow...
Soon

Beat

Thanks Again Beat,

I appreciate your additional effort in showcasing the shorter articulations of "App. Strings". Patience is no problem... by the way, 'patience' is one quality that we all must have a lot of these days [[;)]] ).

Cheers.

@muziksculp said:

Thanks Again Beat,
I appreciate your additional effort in showcasing the shorter articulations of "App. Strings". Patience is no problem... by the way, 'patience' is one quality that we all must have a lot of these days [[;)]] ).
Cheers.

Hi
Part 1
Handel Bourée: The only two articulations I used for the violins, violas and cellos: Staccato and the Detache Short. Because the d.bass doesn't got the detache articulation I used instead of it the sfz-art.

Part 2
Runs with the stacc-articulation (all instruments) 1st section f, 2nd section mf
Remark: There is the spiccato articulation as well which would be even shorter than stac...

Part 3
Repetition articulations
Remark The double bass does not includ such an articulation

http://www.beat-kaufmann.com/VSL/BK_AppStacDetRep.mp3

Best
Beat

That's not bad at all.

Beat, do you thing Appassionata would do well in a baroque setting? Because it sound like they would, which surprise me a bit as this was not the goal as i understand it.

Hi Beat,

Thank You very much for creating some additional demos showcasing the shorter articulations of "App. Strings" They sound very good !

Yes, this is very helpful in further evaluating "App. Strings", although, I still would like to hear some additional pieces using the "App. Strings" short and long articulations mixed together in a piece (I'm guessing that some additional user demos might show up, which can demonstrate this a bit further).

I have a few additional questions,

Q1) Which 'short-fortissimo' articulation of the "App. Strings" has the the most prominent bow/scrape of the bow type component of the sound, as far as the short articulations are concerned (Marc., Stacc, Spicc ?), and is it possible to increase the presence of scrape part of the sound by boosting some of the mid and high frequencies via EQ ?

Q2) How do you like the string Tremolos when playing various dynamics (pp, mp, ff, fff) ?

Q3) What exactly are the 'Harsh' articulation ? (i.e. how are they actually played by the string players ? and how useful are they in general string writing (or are they meant to be a special effect type sound ?)

Q4) How do the 'Performance Interval Fast' for (legato, spic., marc., harsh) differ from the normal (legato, spic,marc, harsh), just a bit more explanation, here would help get a clearer picture (I'm guessing they have an interval detection mechanism, but, just a a little more info. on this would be great).

Q5) Are there any future plans to further complement the current content of "Appa. Strings" with additional material.... maybe "Appa. Strings 2" ?

Hi muziksculp,

I'll try to answer your questions based on my experience with the App Strings.

A1) If you want more bow sound use the Harsh articulation, if that is to aggressive of a sound use spiccato. It really depends on the length of the note since spicc is shorter than Marc and stacc. If you want to bring out the bow noise more I would recommend an Exciter not an EQ.

A2) The tremolos are quit dramatic since the ensemble size is large. This articulation is a powerful sound in App Strings but of coarse you can control it via velocity xfade control which will allow for realtime dynamic/velocity control.

A3) The Harsh articulation IMO could be used succesfully in stabs, highly dramtic or emotional phrases that need rhythmic accents...It does walk the line of being an effect but it is not uncommon in modern orchestral concert and film music.
The sound was created by the player striking the string very forcefully and heavily.
Its a full, dense sound with a strong attack.

A4) The FA or Fast articulations are unique to VSL. They use a Speed controller which automatically detects how fast you play. VSL recorded these articulations at difference speeds, normal and fast. The VI can switch the samples in realtime as you play your sequence. The benefit being that all you have to do is play your phrase and the VI will properly choose the appropriate sample without you having to think about a thing or use any controllers. It definitely adds to the realism of a performce.

I recommend you visit the video tutorial page. There is a short video on this feature, it will explain and demonstrate the Speed controller. I garauntee you will be blown away if you've not seen it.

Its quit an ingenious mechanism.

A5) One thing about VSL is that they never release any information about upcoming products. So, if there are any plans for a v2 of the App Strings there would be no hint of it until it hit the streets.

Also, I don't see a point in it. The product is perfect and achieves the goal VSL set for themselves and it fills a hole in the market place. I can maybe see them adding updates to it but to release a whole new set of samples would be redundant and unneccassary.

I hope I have aided you in making your decision and answered your questions.

David Mikautadze

@muziksculp said:

Q1) Which 'short-fortissimo' articulation of the "App. Strings" has the the most prominent bow/scrape of the bow type component of the sound, as far as the short articulations are concerned (Marc., Stacc, Spicc ?), and is it possible to increase the presence of scrape part of the sound by boosting some of the mid and high frequencies via EQ ?

Q2) How do you like the string Tremolos when playing various dynamics (pp, mp, ff, fff) ?

Q3) What exactly are the 'Harsh' articulation ? (i.e. how are they actually played by the string players ? and how useful are they in general string writing (or are they meant to be a special effect type sound ?)

Q4) How do the 'Performance Interval Fast' for (legato, spic., marc., harsh) differ from the normal (legato, spic,marc, harsh), just a bit more explanation, here would help get a clearer picture (I'm guessing they have an interval detection mechanism, but, just a a little more info. on this would be great).

Q5) Are there any future plans to further complement the current content of "Appa. Strings" with additional material.... maybe "Appa. Strings 2" ?

Hi David,

Thank You Very Much for taking the time to answer my questions in detail.

I'm sure "App. Strings" is a 'First Class' sounding set of large section strings, that can easily complement other sample string libraries (both VSL and others Libraries).

All The Best,

Muziksculp

@muziksculp said:

Hi David,

Thank You Very Much for taking the time to answer my questions in detail.

I'm sure "App. Strings" is a 'First Class' sounding set of large section strings, that can easily complement other sample string libraries (both VSL and others Libraries).

All The Best,

Muziksculp

No problem.

The funny thing is that once you really discover how powerful the VI is you'll want more of the other libraries and VSL will begin to take over your compsitions [:)]

Thats what happened to me. I have the Sonic Implants Complete Orch, East West Gold XP, Miroslav complete (giga), as well as the VSL Complete Pro Ed giga....once i got the VI I was hooked and the more I used it the more I leaned toward using it more.

The quality of sounds and samples is one thing but the true beauty of the product is the VI software.