I've been experimenting with my own modwheel blend patches for section strings, using up to six layers and custom crossfade curves, that combine various sustains from Opus 1 and Chamber Strings. The resulting cres/dim realism and evolving textures on long notes is extremely convincing, and wonderful to play in real time. Quick, efficient and realistic. But if I use the Perf Tool, I'm back to single layer (or at the most, two). The PT is an amazing innovation, and full credit to Herb and the team, but it is inherently limited by the staggering number of transition samples that would be needed by multi-layer crossfade patches. Also, you are stuck with one portamento/transition speed. This is where I feel that Synful has the edge. Granted, the current crop of demos do not come even close to VSL (and may never) - something about the sustains just don't "gel" - but the note transitions, with their varying degrees of portamento and attack characteristics are quite staggeringly realistic, especially on the solo violin. And it's all done in realtime (albeit with a 1 second latency to allow for processing).
Which begs the question: can the two technologies be combined?
Synful for the attack/transition characteristics, and VSL for the "body" of the sound?
You will not find a more loyal VSL devotee, and these thoughts are in no way a criticism of their outstanding work, but I am beginning to baulk at the sheer number of articulations that I need even for Pop string arrangements, and the increasing amount of time that it is taking to manually piece them together, not to mention the hardware that's required (I already have 3 networked PCs with max'd out RAM). I want Synful's intelligent articulation selection & playability, but with VSL's sound quality.
Am I hoping for the impossible?
Mike.
Which begs the question: can the two technologies be combined?
Synful for the attack/transition characteristics, and VSL for the "body" of the sound?
You will not find a more loyal VSL devotee, and these thoughts are in no way a criticism of their outstanding work, but I am beginning to baulk at the sheer number of articulations that I need even for Pop string arrangements, and the increasing amount of time that it is taking to manually piece them together, not to mention the hardware that's required (I already have 3 networked PCs with max'd out RAM). I want Synful's intelligent articulation selection & playability, but with VSL's sound quality.
Am I hoping for the impossible?
Mike.