Vienna Symphonic Library Forum
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  • The Trumpets

    Hi,
    I'm new to these forums, and must admit I've been blown away by what I've heard of VSL so far - I'm seriously considering buying it (it'll be a pretty big step up from AO) but I'd like to know how the trumpets handle in powerful brassy melodies (rebel spaceship fanfarish)?
    I've tried other libraries but they often end up sounding like a flok of quacking ducks. I'd really like to know, since brass usually dominates my compositions.

  • The brass in VSL are absolutely outstanding. - both in the quality of the players and in the attention given to the section for the First Edition. I think the brass section seems to have been given more attention than any other VSL section (with the exception of the missing forte Trp/Tbone ensemble patches - if I didn't bring it up someone else would say it.) The number of dynamics (cresc and decresc.) for the horn far surpasses that of any of the other VSL instruments, for example.

  • I honestly believe that what you're looking for in trumpets wont really be found in the 1st edition VSL. I love VSl's trumpets, but they aren't fff enough for that extreme fanfare if you ask me. The horns are brassy as heck and the bones are pretty sizzly as well as meaty at the same time, but the trumpets are more "round" if you ask me. I think they are awesome and play extremely well, not to mention sit in a mix nicely, its just that if you're looking for that piercing fff trumpets, you wont find them here (nor anywhere just yet) DDsolo brass has enough sizzle to get you there, but I can never get them to play chords nicely mostly due to equal tempermant issues, and DDBE doesn't have the same bite in the trumpets. I 'm hoping QLSO nails it or that VSL's pro/symphonic editions nail it. I know Herb has heard it from a few of us, so I'm sure they're looking at it.

    for the most part, you'll be playing unison or octave bones with it, and the sizle from that will bring the trumpets some power so it might be fine [;)]

  • I think it's not at all unusual for trumpets to get their sizzle from the bones that are being doubled an octave below. I speak solely from my own experience of recording live players.

    Another point to mention is that you're certainly not going to get the rapid double/triple tonguing repetitions in other libraries - useful in many fanfares.

  • Thanks for all the info. After what I hear (read?) I'll probably buy 'Brass & Woodwinds' next month when I get paid, and then later buy the other sections, since I don't have too much money to spend at once.
    I've been looking at QLSO as well, but with vienna you also get the woodwinds, which is a definite plus for me.

  • One factor you also have to consider is that the VSL trumpets are C trumpets, which do not "sizzle" quite as much as Bb trumpets.
    Herb mentioned a solo Bb trumpet will be sampled though, which is something I definitely want.
    I don't own the library, but I could tell by the demos that the trumpets sounded slightly different than what I usually hear, which are Bb.

    Anthony Lombardi
    www.mp3.com/alombardi

  • slaroussels Is correct, the repetition tool is going to be a key point with getting the trumpet fanfare/multiple tonguing effect.

  • I absolutley agree with what KingIdiot said in his first post on this topic, word for word.

    You can a good strident melody out of the tpts by using the tr-3_sffz patch in the Dynamics-Specials file - this gives you the John Williams Raider's March timbre, but fairly short sustain.

    But if you want the rattling rasps that you hear in stuff like Don Davis' Matrix score, then, no, this library doesn't deliver... yet!

    The f legato trumpets (coming soon... ish?) will make some difference - currently there's just p. Also, I've read that Herb is planning on recording marcato sustain patches for the trumpets - that should restore some sizzle and sustain.

    Certainly good news for the future.

    Also - the trumpet ensemble features Bb instruments.. no? The solo one is obviously a C instrument, but the ensemble sounds like Bb... and the range extends down to a low F# which would make sense for a Bb instrument.