Hey Paul,
My two cents is that perhaps the application of repetitions with the Performance Tool represent a somewhat temporary solution. If you've been reading the Forum carefully (which I know you have... [;)]) you've no doubt seen little hints that the VSL are up to something really big behind the scenes. In theory, the repetition _samples_ are a brilliant idea. It's just the use of the tool that's a little weird... So, I think the repetition samples will really come into their own down the road a little.
Why do I think this?
I've been working for several months now on my own MaxMSP program to take care of sample selection by analyzing midi files. This system, so far, is working very well, and one of the aspects that really shines is the use of repetition samples. In my program it's extremely simple -- when a note is repeated, if the instrument has repetition samples available, and the note durations are equal to or shorter than the available samples, then the repetitions are selected over the standard samples. But when I listen back, the effect of true, performed repetitions is really TOTALLY unlike standard up/down samples or the typical "variation 1"/"variation 2" you see in the majority of libraries. To have a sequence of notes repeated as they would be played by a living performer is a totally different sound, with a markedly different effect -- the musicality is drastically enhanced. Actually, I never noticed until I started using the Solo Strings that I was actually AVOIDING the use of repeated notes in my pieces!
So, to cut this short. I imagine the repetitions will shine, if perhaps a little later in the life of the VSL.
J.
[p.s. -- I've recently ordered a G5 as well, though I'm still awaiting shipment... I'm dying to get my hands on the bloody thing!]
My two cents is that perhaps the application of repetitions with the Performance Tool represent a somewhat temporary solution. If you've been reading the Forum carefully (which I know you have... [;)]) you've no doubt seen little hints that the VSL are up to something really big behind the scenes. In theory, the repetition _samples_ are a brilliant idea. It's just the use of the tool that's a little weird... So, I think the repetition samples will really come into their own down the road a little.
Why do I think this?
I've been working for several months now on my own MaxMSP program to take care of sample selection by analyzing midi files. This system, so far, is working very well, and one of the aspects that really shines is the use of repetition samples. In my program it's extremely simple -- when a note is repeated, if the instrument has repetition samples available, and the note durations are equal to or shorter than the available samples, then the repetitions are selected over the standard samples. But when I listen back, the effect of true, performed repetitions is really TOTALLY unlike standard up/down samples or the typical "variation 1"/"variation 2" you see in the majority of libraries. To have a sequence of notes repeated as they would be played by a living performer is a totally different sound, with a markedly different effect -- the musicality is drastically enhanced. Actually, I never noticed until I started using the Solo Strings that I was actually AVOIDING the use of repeated notes in my pieces!
So, to cut this short. I imagine the repetitions will shine, if perhaps a little later in the life of the VSL.
J.
[p.s. -- I've recently ordered a G5 as well, though I'm still awaiting shipment... I'm dying to get my hands on the bloody thing!]