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  4. thinking about getting VI Solo Strings...

  • thinking about getting VI Solo Strings...

    G
    G
    I might be getting the VI Solo Strings for Christmas, I am not sure though. There were a few things I was wondering.

    - What is the difference between the Solo Strings and the Chamber Strings? Are the Chamber Strings meant for a chamber orchestra?
    - Do I need a special keyboard. I have an 88 key midi keyboard. It is a Studiologic TMK-88, it is not the most advanced keyboard. Do I need something more advanced? The keyboard I have does not have a pitch wheel, it has one sustain pedal, and 4 velocity levels.
    - Can I play the Solo Strings in real time? This is really the key thing I am wondering. How well do the Solo Strings play in real time? I know that Garritan Solo Strings are can be played in real time, do they compare to VI Solo Strings as far as being played in real time and in general?
    - Is installing VI Solo Strings easy. I am aware that you have to download some copyright software, which stinks I think. I prefer just installing and typing in a product key.
    - What all do I need if in order to get VI Solo Strings up and running?
    - I have a SB Audigy 2 Platinum EX. Is this an exceptable sound card?
    - Can I use VI Solo Strings with Linux?

    If y'all have any other useful information that would help me in making a choice in this massive investment, please let me know.

    Thanks and Best Regards,
    Preston
  • J
    J
    Hello Preston.

    - Chamber Strings are sampled groups of 6 violins, 4 violas, 3 cellos, and 2 basses. Solo Strings... well... solo! ;-)
    - No special keyboard. Your 88-key will be great.
    - Real time playback is very good. You can try the "Universal" patches (as long as you get the Extended Library), which are very intuitive. You can't avoid using keyswitches, of course, for making use of all the different articulations.
    - Installation is a weak-point, for sure. You do all the authorization stuff in Syncrosoft's LCC software. It's kind of a drag, but I suppose a necessary evil, in our times. Companies like VSL are suffering from piracy problems, and I guess we must suffer right along with them. Having said that, though, the manual and tutorial videos cover this all very clearly, and are easy to follow.
    - What you need to get them up and running is a reasonably fast PC with LOTS of RAM. Start with 4 GB, I'd say. I've run the Solo Strings with no real CPU problems on a P4 2.8 GHz, which is actually not very fast by today's standards. They're pretty easy on CPU.
    - The sound card should really have ASIO drivers. I don't know about that one, in particular.
    - No Linux support. Personally, I think that would be great for slave machines, but VSL have stated that it would make for a support nightmare, with so many flavours of Linux, and I can definitely see their point.

    Hope this helps.

    Oh, and by the way... you're talking about an absolutely AMAZING library. Totally without rival, IMHO. You really can't go wrong.

    cheers,

    J.
  • G
    G

    Thank for the gracious reply. That information is exactly what I was looking for. 

    Many Thanks,

    Preston