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  • Range of solo bass

    Why did VSL decide to release the solo bass with a range descencing only to D1? If the instrument can play the D then presumably it has the low C. The low C is quite frequently used in contemporary chamber music. Why, oh why, did you not include it?

    This decision makes even less sense to me considering that the ensemble double bass range descends to B0.

    Michael Matthews

  • Hi Michael,

    it's a four string instrument, lowest sting E1.
    Four string instruments are the common choice for solo playing.

    best
    Herb

  • Hi Herb:

    Thank you for the reply. I know that it is a four-string instrument. My point was that as a solo instrument in contemporary chamber (and orchestral) music, the solo bass is often expected to tune down to the low C. Look at the Crumb Madrigals for example. I would imagine that I am not the only composer in your user demographic who works in this way. You obviously had your bass tune down to a D (or else transposed the sampled E). Composers generally limit themselves to the E, or go all the way down to the C. A bass that descends only to D seems to me to be neither fish nor fowl.

    I love your samples dearly, and now use them pretty much all of the time for my work. It is just frustrating that in such a comprehensive library that such small additions are left out.

    All the best,

    Michael

  • Just stretch it down, that should work very well.
    Remember older libraries (Ultimate Strings, Advanced Orchestra, Mirous Vitous) also used this approach.

  • Thanks very much for the suggestion. I will have a shot at it.

    Michael