VSL vs GOS

[alanlastufka]

I am a college student (which should read: money is tight) and I have been working on an opera for the past two years, programming every instrument in Finale and running it into a MIDI keyboard for playback. I was recently introduced to the world of sampling and fell in love...

With 95% of the opera I'm writing being for voice and strings exclusively, I was thinking about purchasing the Garritan Orchestral Strings (GOS) with Quantum Leap's V.O.T.A. which would keep the purchase within reasonable cost (GOS and GIGASTUDIO 160 package: $1,099 and VOTA: $499). But then I heard the demos of the VSL. [:D]

The price is really becoming the deciding factor, especially because I don't have Giga, and even the Musician's Friend price on that is over $500, but its included with the GOS package.

I know my system can handle it:
Pentium 4 2.4GHz W/ 500MHz FSB
768MB RDRAM
60GB 7200rpm HDD (For Software)
120GB 7200rpm HDD (For Audio)
DVD+RW
and
Cubase SX

Is there anyone who has used both and can make a recomendation? I heard VSL is working on a Choir much like VOTA, it sounds like this might be the way to go, but squeezing out the extra $4,000 for the cost over GOS and VOTA is hard.

PLEASE advise.

[Craig Sharmat]

Alan,

While I think GOS has amazing programming and many people like it's sound, I gravitate toward VSL and SISS for strings (BTW I have some demos on this site). I also think that at some point, if you remain a musician you will expand beyond strings and choirs and wish you had more to play with. VSL has the most articulations of all the orchestral libs so it will be easier to realize a written score with it. Having these sounds available might also inspire you to write in different ways. As far as finacial hardship goes, no one walks in your shoes so i certainly can't tell you where you stand if you buy these libs. If you can swing it don't limit yourself as you are trying to grow. Anything that puts you into deep debt avoid. I'm a conservate guy and that's my 2 cents.

[esperlad]

I own both VSL and GOS, and I use Finale too. I personally would choose the VSL strings, and then upgrade to the Pro Edition strings when you can. The solo strings will be a must have item.

If you have a short aria, or an excerpt, I would be happy to make a recording for you to help you decide.

[William]

Hello Alan

That's very impressive you're working on an opera, and good luck with it. I would urge you to get the Vienna if at all possible. I actually wish I hadn't spent the money on GOS, because I ended up not really liking the basic recorded sound, which has a cold nasal quality in many of the instruments, and it has nothing remotely like the Vienna legato, nor anywhere near as many dynamic variations, which to me are essential for strings.

I also have the V.O.T.A. and it is very good, with some incredibly beautiful sounds, but extremely difficult to program words for. I'm trying to do that on a couple of pieces I'm working on, but avoiding it because I know how much work it's going to be. But if you don't have that library yet it's definitely worth the money also.

William Kersten

[Simon Fox]

You can't be truly musical without legato. And VSL is the only one that will give you that vital element without headaches. It can be very expensive to save money and buy cheap, then find you need to get what you really wanted anyway!

Good luck,

Simon

[mike harper]

[6]

honda VS BMW- you get what you pay for! VSL

[Rob Elliott]

My GOS sits there and really is only used for FX (which that library does well), but as soon as VSL includes string FX and ambient noise, I'll probably not even use GOS anymore. Strong recommendation for VSL.

Rob

[Russell Wilson]

GOS was a waste of money. Go with VSL. No doubt about it.