@Tripit said:

I've always loved Oboe, and I've written one or two long pieces that really featured Oboe as the primary solo instrument but I can't seem to get the VSL Oboe to hit me the way I want. It's very nice, but it just doesn't come alive for me. Like I stated before, I think to me, it sounds a little sterile and lifeless somehow.
But, that's just me. I'm sure there are those out there that would disagree and love it.

I know what you're saying, I get that problem with the solo french horn (reg), unless the overall texture is very thin I'll prefer to use the horn à 4 for single horn passages, the solo horn, seems a bit thin to my taste in mf-fff and doesn't give me what the horn à 4 gives. I would propose that someday VSL comes up with an extended Solo Horn library, thin horn sound, medium, thick, very thick, etc... I think that would be very important for good orchestral sound.

We already produced a second solo horn included in Brass II, which offers a thicker sound.

best
Herb

Goodness! Is my lib missing something? [[:|]]

Yeah, I have Brass II, the Wagner tuba which is pretty much the thickness and sound of 2 horns can be used in place, didn't really think of that, and I even did a demo for it! [:O]ops:

I think Herb was maybe referring to the triple horn on Brass II? [8-)]

Triple horn is meant to go higher but I don't think it has a thicker sound. [8-)] [8-)]

[[;)]]

Higher and a little lower, but that was not the main goal that we've decided to record this horn. We also looked forward to get a different sound.
Choice of instrument, miking and musical performance were dedicated to this approach, which should be of course noticeable. [*-)]

@Guy said:

Triple horn is meant to go higher but I don't think it has a thicker sound. [8-)] [8-)]

[[;)]]

Well I don't know what it's meant to do, but I does sound thicker to my ears. I usually prefer it over the standard horn.

@herb said:

Higher and a little lower, but that was not the main goal that we've decided to record this horn. We also looked forward to get a different sound.
Choice of instrument, miking and musical performance were dedicated to this approach, which should be of course noticeable. [*-)]

You're probably right, I'm sure I didn't give it a chance, if people say there is a difference then there must be a noticeable difference.

Thanks herb, [[;)]]

I agree with Guy on the Oboe d'amore being a very different instrument. I was thinking at a basic compostional level, one might want to write for that instead of oboe. But you certainly cannot play an oboe solo with oboe d'amore as they are totally different instruments.

On the french horn I never noticed any problem with the solo, and in fact love it. The triple horn has a deeper tone, and is another wonderful sound, but the regular solo f horn has a beautiful tone I wish I had obtained in my years of practice and performance as a horn player [:'(] Also, the regular f horn is a crossfade sustain instrument, which is huge for the lazy MIDI orchestrator!

I looked for a demo of the triple horn, I managed to find one, and the sound is better than I thought.

Sur les toits de Paris

http://www.vsl.co.at/en-us/67/4587/4597.vsl

Not sure about the composer though....

Guy, you are wrong. That composer is excellent. I am deeply offended that you insulted him. I really think you ought to just consider how what you say here has an effect on the people you criticize. After all, they are trying to make a living too.


Also, have you considered removing all mirrors from your household?

@William said:

Guy, and I say this will all respect, you may need to slacken up just a bit...

Didn't expect that, what do you mean William?

I presume you're kidding, because you DO know that THIS composer I mocked is myself?

o.K. I needed to explicate more carefully, considering the delicacy of these issues...

Sometimes very talented people develop certain "problems." Rudyard Kipling with his "brownies." Guy Bacos, the fine composer, with this other person who seems to be posting here as well. I have no idea of who he is.


Of course I have no such problems. I am disturbed however by this person named William who keeps sneaking into my bedroom in the middle of the night.

Once again William read my previous post, you're jumping too false conclusions.

I was joking. I thought that was obvious.

End of my part of this discussion. Good luck to all of you!

William, were you pulling an Andy Kaufman?

Yes, he is always an inspiration. [[:|]]

@William said:

I was joking. I thought that was obvious.

That's funny but not VERY funny....

Well, that gave me a chuckle [:D]

Also Guy - that's a classic! Composing a demo for an instrument, and later forgetting about it and it's sound [:)]

All good stuff.