I've now had time to listen to most of the new demos. There are some very good things there and I think that the whole production team should be congratulated.
I do have a few thoughts which (at the risk of being flamed) I will share:
I think that the layering of Solo Violin in Leia's theme mostly seems to work well. Where it doesn't work is on passages that are high, as I seem to hear too much solo violin, which suddenly makes the whole section seem small.
I tried to approach Schindler's List with an open mind, but I have come to the conclusion that I am never going to like the solo violin. I think that it is not the individual notes that don't work (for me) but the transitions. Part of the problem is that with the use of portamento (which in itself is good) leads to unconvincing string/timbre changes. This can also be a problem with the string section patches as well, but is much more pronounced when there is only one player.
The only real criticism is for the opening of Danse Macabre. I'm afraid that yet again it involves the solo violin...! The patch used for the opening section is totally wrong as it has vibrato. I know that you don't have non vibrato patches (something that would be very useful for the violin section armoury, particulary on fp notes) so I don't really know how you could programme this bit better, but it really doesn't work as it is.
DG
I do have a few thoughts which (at the risk of being flamed) I will share:
I think that the layering of Solo Violin in Leia's theme mostly seems to work well. Where it doesn't work is on passages that are high, as I seem to hear too much solo violin, which suddenly makes the whole section seem small.
I tried to approach Schindler's List with an open mind, but I have come to the conclusion that I am never going to like the solo violin. I think that it is not the individual notes that don't work (for me) but the transitions. Part of the problem is that with the use of portamento (which in itself is good) leads to unconvincing string/timbre changes. This can also be a problem with the string section patches as well, but is much more pronounced when there is only one player.
The only real criticism is for the opening of Danse Macabre. I'm afraid that yet again it involves the solo violin...! The patch used for the opening section is totally wrong as it has vibrato. I know that you don't have non vibrato patches (something that would be very useful for the violin section armoury, particulary on fp notes) so I don't really know how you could programme this bit better, but it really doesn't work as it is.
DG