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  3. Still trying to make up my mind about Opus & Solo String

  • Still trying to make up my mind about Opus & Solo String

    S
    S
    I really am considering those 2 libraries, but I'm still hesitating because I'm a hobbyist, a Halion user, and that makes a lot of money....
    therefore I do need sme additional information/clarification, possibly from the people who sell them (VSL) to make up my mind :
    Regarding Opus :
    - is the only compromise in Opus is "just" a few less instruments & articulations, and 50% less samples (one sample every whole step instead of chromatic), but NOT less velocity levels ??
    - the performance tool in Opus is it just for legato (no repetion, no alternation) or complete as in performance set ?
    - are there DEFINITE plans to allow Opus owners to GRADUALLY fill in the gaps and upgrade , with several additionnal opuses (let's say one instrument's family at once, for example) , or is it planned to provide just one steepy VIP upgrade from Opus to Pro ??
    -------------------------
    Regarding Solo Strings :
    - are the solo strings without compromise, at pro edition level, I mean : with ALL performance tools (legato, repetition, alternation), AND chtromatic sampled, with as many multi level velocity as in pro edition ?
    -------------------------
    Thanks in advance for your replies.
  • J
    J
    Well, I've purchased exactly the combination you're talking about -- my Solo Strings are still on back-order -- and am now using the Opus 1.

    Opus 1
    - I've been warned about Halion and disk-streaming... so, let's just say - be warned.
    - As far as I can tell, the "standard" instruments are whole-tone sampled, but due to the nature of the perf-legato instruments, they really need to be chromatic, which they are.
    - no perf-repetitions, as far as I can tell
    - I'm also wondering about the upgrade path, now that I'm totally "hooked"
    - even with the above limitations, the Opus 1 is amazing -- a totally new composition experience. I've owned the Advanced Orchestra set for a few years and there's really no comparison. Well worth the money -- I'd say "Do it!"

    Solo Strings
    - certainly it is my impression that this is a full, pro edition equivalent set, since the viola and bass are not (as far as I know) even represented in the Pro Edition. So, the Solo Strings seems intended for all VSL owners, from Opus to Pro. Though I realize my uncertainty doesn't really answer your question.

    Anyway, I'm a new music/concert music composer -- not a hobbyist, but also not a "film score guy" making big cash. I do quite a bit of contemporary dance stuff, for which I need high quality output and realism, but again, there's not much money in it. I simply realized a few years ago that if I was going to compose at the computer at all there could be no "middle-ground" -- that is, if the samples were not exressive and exciting, then the whole computer-based composition process would limit my ideas, and be more of a hinderance than a help. Since then I've put a great deal of time, effort, and thought into making the computer-based composition process more rewarding, and less limiting. I feel strongly that these libraries are a definite step in the right direction. A Pro Edition upgrade path is my only real wish for the future...

    hope this helps a little.
  • P
    P
    Having coordinated the LA beta test team, I was anxious to really hear Opus 1, which I did last night. Overall, this library is a STEAL! Get it. It's pro quality at an incredible price.

    The Horizon solo strings are the Pro Edition solo strings in a separate package except that you have solo viola and bass.

    The Horizon Mallets package is the same as the Pro Edition Mallets and Celeste. They are exceptional and well worth having. In fact, if you get Opus 1, Mallets and Solo Strings, you have a superb library for production.

    I have the Pro Edition, and if I were to retitle Opus 1 it would VSL Pro Essentials, because that's what Opus 1 is - the essentials. The complete Pro Edition gives you everything imaginable with loads of choices to write anything you want. Opus 1 gives you the essentials to write nearly everything you want with a taste of the Performance set and Legato Tool to produce much while still having much more available with the full set.

    If Opus 1 has had advantage, it's that simpler means learn and user faster. The quality has not been changed at all. So don't anguish in your mind over whole step vs. chromatic samples.

    Opus 1 sounds superb.

    Peter Alexander
    peter@truespec.com
    http://www.truespec.com/store/samplelibraries/vienna/horizon/index.shtml