How well can VSL sound with a Notation program as opposed to from a sampler?

[Dolman]

I am very new to all of this, so please bear with my ignorance.

As I understand it, there are primarily two ways to compose with a library such as VSL:

1- With a Keyboard (midi) and a sampling program (Kontakt, Vienna Instruments, etc)

2- Input the notes into a notation program

Now I am completely in-the-dark on #1, and a little daunted by it... which is why I'm trying to stick with notation programs.

I'm currently using a new product called Notion 3, which is fantastic for notation purposes. The sounds for the solo strings are a little lacking, so I'm looking at buying VI's "Solo Strings". (which can sound GREAT)

Now I am curious as to how well a piece can sound using only a notation program?
An excellent example of the VI solo strings is Jay Bacal's (?) Beethoven String quartet op59, which I doubt was done with notation. But could notation come close?

I have more questions, but let's open up the discussion to this for now :)

Thanks guys,
Jared

[andi]

Hello Jared!

Thanks for your interest.
Our Vienna Instruments sample player software comes with all of our products, so you will not need another one.

This sample player can be used with DAWs (like Cubase, Logic, ProTools, ...), notation software or played live with a keyboard and MIDI controllers.

The best sounding orchestral mockups you will probably get with with DAWs, although as an experienced user you can get pretty close with notation software.

Notation 3 currently supports (and perfectly integrates) our Special Edition and Special Edition PLUS.

Our Solo Strings will work with Sibelius or a DAW software.

Best regards,
Andi

[Dolman]

Hello Andi thanks for replying! I'm aware that Notion 3 is compatible with Special Edition and Special Edition PLUS, but (at least from the demos) they give me the impression that the solo violin, viola, and cello don't sound near as good as in the "Solo Strings" set. Is this true? (my main purpose here is to get a GREAT string quartet sound) Also, if you wouldn't mind - Whats a typical breakdown look like of how you would use Solo Strings with Sibelius? Because I imagine it would be pretty close to what Notion's is. ( I know that I can import the solo strings into notion, it just sounds like it will be more work than with the SE an SE plus) Here's how I'm assuming it works: -You start up Vienna Instruments -You load, lets' say, the "solo violin" samples. (you load them all at once I'm guessing?) -You then import the instrument into Sibelius (or in this case, Notion) -Sibelius will then use the appropriate sound? My only real confusion is I'm sure that your libraries are full of many files (Legato runs, short notes, long notes, stac., etc.) but when using a notation program, do you simply load All of these files, and the software (sibelius) will use the appropriate file? I hope I make sense- I'm very new to all of this. Thanks!

[andi]

Hi Jared!

The Special Edition is not worse than our dedicated releases like the Solo Strings. The difference is, that there are not as many different articulations.

You could use the Solo Strings with Notion, but you will have difficulties switching between articulations.

In Sibelius the so called sound sets will take care of the articulation changes. We offer Sibelius sound sets for the following products:
Special Edition, Special Edition PLUS, all string collections, all woodwind and brass collections, Harps, Percussion

The Notion guys also have implemented automatic articulation changes based on your notation marks. For now only Special Edition and Special Edition PLUS are implemented here.

Best,
Andi