I should make an adjustment and apology for my last post. Actually, the solo strings "bonuses" are really much more than just bonuses... they are very significant bonuses! I happen to be a Solo Strings owner, so they don't do anything for me, that's all. And I should have made that clear in my original post -- sorry folks.

For my purposes it's still going to be tough to justify the money... kind of sad, but I understand the idea behind the package, and you can't please everyone. I would certainly say that the Opus bundle is a great set for anyone getting started with VSL.

J.

Thanks for the kind words, J.

/Dietz - Vienna Symphonic Library

Now that the articulations list is available I also have mixed feelings. It seems like a great package for the people who have the Opus1 and little or no other libraries. It also seems to have a balance which doesn't irritate any "full" product owners. Still I'm slightly disappointed for the fact that I can't justify getting it. A lot of different VSL instruments for a reasonable price is more than tempting, but it really doesn't have anything that I don't have covered already or that isn't too limited to tempt me. Opus1 is a great package, so great that many First/Pro Edition felt betrayed because Opus1 buyers got so much for so little money. I was hoping that Opus2 had the same WOW impact in relation to the Horizon series even if it would have meant a higher price (to a limit of course). Horizon series owners could have gotten a discount for the Opus2. If someone has most or all of the Horizon libraries then he/she most likely isn't interested in limited versions and doesn't have to be concerned about the cost.

This is just my initial reaction and I might get the Opus2 eventually. Especially the demos can have an effect. I wish that every Opus2 instrument is included in the demos and that there will be solos for many of them. I just wanted to share my point of view and I hope that VSL sells great amount of Opus2. Even a difficult customer is always right as he/she has the money and the power to decide where to use it. [[;)]]

@Another User said:

Originally posted by janila
Now that the articulations list is available I also have mixed feelings.

I agree with you, janila. Especially the fact that all us Opus 1 users end up paying an extra $200 total (Opus 1 and 2) more than people without Opus 1 as of now. Too bad there isnt an upgrade or something of the like ... *hint* *hint*...

Yes, as an existing Opus1 user I also have mixed feelings about the price of Opus2 alone compared to the bundle. I would like to understand the policy towards this decision.

@mathis said:

Yes, as an existing Opus1 user I also have mixed feelings about the price of Opus2 alone compared to the bundle. I would like to understand the policy towards this decision.

At leat your purchase would be put towards the future cost of the Pro Edition. If I want to buy Opus (for use on a laptop) I have to pay the full price, in other words pay for the use of samples that I already have a licence to use [:(]

DG

there comes a time when manufacturers have to make a decision: either never update their products, or annoy some of their current customers. Complaining about the raw deal original Opus1 customers are getting is kind of like complaining that computers are getting more powerful and cheaper.

When you pay a "premium" for being an early Opus1 user, what you are really paying for is the time you're getting to use it when nothing else is available. Saying new Opus1 customers are getting a better deal is wrong - because they haven't been using the program the whole time you have. Tech products are worth more when they're new. Given this, everyone has to decide themselves when to make the plunge, and then you can't look back. There are always going to be better deals in the future!

...just another opinion.

.....metrobot, you aren't helping. heh [:)]

This is great! I have NO complaints. Thanks to VSL for putting together such a great package.

I have one question: WHEN WILL IT SHIP???

Thanks.

Bill

@Omega said:

.....metrobot, you aren't helping. heh [:)]

er, uh, what I meant was, just what Omega said! Yah, that's it! [[;)]]

@Another User said:

WHEN WILL IT SHIP?

We will ship in Europe starting this week. In the rest of the world it will take another 2 weeks.

Hope you can wait that long [:D]
Anna

@Another User said:

Originally posted by metrobot
er, uh, what I meant was, just what Omega said! Yah, that's it!

Much better. [:D]

@mathis said:

Yes, as an existing Opus1 user I also have mixed feelings about the price of Opus2 alone compared to the bundle. I would like to understand the policy towards this decision.

At leat your purchase would be put towards the future cost of the Pro Edition. If I want to buy Opus (for use on a laptop) I have to pay the full price, in other words pay for the use of samples that I already have a licence to use [:(]

DG

Why the problem though? You can simply install only the samples included in Opus1 into your laptop, and voila!

------------------------------

As a bundle the two Opus packages make a very nice collection (one that I will certainly seek to get), but certainly in value per dollar Opus1 greatly exceeds Opus2. From the first I heard of it, it was instantly apparent that Opus1 was an excellent collection - really, my compliments on the difficult choices of what to include - it is a very well thought out plan. A fully functional VSL orchestra collection all on its own.
That said, it is obvious that Opus2 could only be 'addons' so to speak, since the basics were all superbly covered already. Perhaps this selection is an even harder task, since now we get into what else would each individual user like to have in addition to what is already there?

@jc5 said:

Why the problem though? You can simply install only the samples included in Opus1 into your laptop, and voila!

------------------------------

I was under the impression that the instruments were not chromatically sampled, which would, of course, save RAM.

DG

the website seems to have all prices as 306 JPY ????

how much in GBP please?

ouch - the currency has obviously been entered wrong - it should read GBP of course. would be _very_ cheap if it were JPY [;)]
i've checked the price is correct and changed the currency - sorry for the confusion
christian

I am happy about this new addition, thou I should wish it was maybe a bit bigger and then of course more expensive. But what about a creating a tiny demo ? maybe a demo with Opus 2 alone, or together with Opus 1 ?

anyway, good work folks !

M.A.Hansen

@Another User said:

WHEN WILL IT SHIP?

We will ship in Europe starting this week. In the rest of the world it will take another 2 weeks.

Hope you can wait that long [:D]
Anna

I just want to say that I truly appreciate a company that waits to release information about a new product until it is basically ready to ship (unlike some companies who push back release dates by months!) I'm thankful that there are some good, honest businessmen out there who care enough about their consumers to not drag them along a roller coaster ride of expected shipping dates! THANK YOU!

Also, anyone who has or purchased Opus 2, PLEASE post some demos ASAP. I want to see if this poor college student can justify the $500 (any student discounts?). Thanks in advance.

A quick question,
Are Opus 2 instruments lite versions of ProEd instruments in terms of number of layers, chromatic sampling? Im interested in this issue specially in relation to the strings stuff.
Thanks

The string ensemble instruments (flautando, fast repetitions, runs) are identical with the Pro Edition versions.

best
Herb