I would really like to back up what noldar12 said. He is absolutely right about the differences between the two libraries. I've been jumping all over the place with libraries and was never satisfied, finally I settled with VSL. The reason is simple, as my budget is quite limited at the moment, I can't afford a full orchestra, but with VSL I can progressively increase my collection. I started by replacing the sounds I found most unsatisfying in the libraries I have, which was the Brass section, and I invested in building myself a good brass section with VSL. Eventually I will replace the Strings, with the reassurance that the Brass integration won't be lost.

VSL also has very strong softwares behind it, from VI and VI PRO to VE, which is fantastic (and free!) which actually compensates the limitations of the software I use (Sibelius). Not to mention Vienna Suite and MIR. If you can't afford VSL SE I would actually go for something really simple (maybe even GPO?), and gradually replace the instruments with VSL as you are able to afford it. EW will make a big hole in your pocket and as far as I know you won't be able to upgrade it without upgrading the whole orchestra.

About the standard/ extended complexity, I would like to help with this because I was really confused and made a big mess of this myself.

VSL Special Edition Standard: Basic Articulations for classic orchestral instruments

VSL Special Edition Extended: Basic Articulations for exotic orchestral instruments (needs Standard installed)

VSL Special Edition Full: Combination of Standard with Extended

VSL Special Edition PLUS Standard: Extra Articulations for the classic instruments (needs SE Standard installed)

VSL Special Edition PLUS Extended: Extra Articulations for the exotic instruments (needs SE Extended and SE PLUS Standard installed)

VSL Special Edition PLUS Full: Combination of PLUS Standard with Extended (needs SE full installed)

WOW. My head is spinning. Maybe this is a cultural thing, or my ADHD but whoever named these products should be shot. I may be more confused than ever.

Q1... If were to purchase -every- product in the 'Special Edition' line, what would I need?

Q2... The reason for getting this is...

I'm writing a full opera that will eventually be mounted (no jokes, please) by a local orchestra. Because I know my forces ahead of time, I'm writing this 'tour de whatever' for more of a 'chamber orchestra' size (45 players if I get lucky) than 'Star Wars Part VI'. I have been told that this stuff sounds a bit like Bartok's Music For Strings and Hindemith's 'Mathis'

I currently own several cheap-o sample libs (GPO, Halion Symphonic Orchestra) and I'd like to move up to something that can give a semi-realistic mock-up. The mock-ups are for -me- more than anything else... they're not to impress people with their epicness...they're to help -me- with the orchestrations since I have -very- limited rehearsal time and I've already had a case where I made some mistakes as to balance between sections (ie. how many flutes it takes to balance against 6 celli). My hope is that I can avoid such gaffes with a better sounding lib.

I budgeted $1k for this.

In short... What SKUs do I need to purchase to do Music For Strings?

---JC

Hello Jc

@Suntower said:

Q1... If were to purchase -every- product in the 'Special Edition' line, what would I need?

Q2... The reason for getting this is...

A1: The Special Edition Bundle, FULL Library

A2:A great choice of articulations for many instruments. 

Best, 

Paul

Thanks. Still a few more questions to get this all sorted in my mind...

1. On your web site, is the 'FULL' package... basically -everything- in the Special Edition series $1,830 USD?

2. Can I get the same FULL package, by purchasing

http://audiomidi.com/Vienna-Special-Edition-Bundle-P10786.aspx

and this...

http://audiomidi.com/Vienna-Special-Edition-Plus-P10775.aspx

...together?

3. I've been researching and I think I only need the Special Edition -standard- for woodwinds, brass and percussion, but I -do- need the Chamber Strings. What SKUs do I need to get the Chamber Strings?

Thanks,

---JC

Hi JC, 

Special Edition BUNDLE.

3. I've been researching and I think I only need the Special Edition -standard- for woodwinds, brass and percussion, but I -do- need the Chamber Strings. What SKUs do I need to get the Chamber Strings?

You can get the Extended Libraries, which contain many other additional instruments. 

Alternatively, you might also want to look into the download collections of the Special Editions. As they come with more licenses, they will be more expensive than buying the DVD versions, but they are split up into sections.

I´d stick to the DVD versions, they are the best deal if you are looking for a comprehensive orchestra. 

Best, 

Paul

I -think- I'm getting closer.

If I get this from AudioMidi:

Vienna Symphonic Library Vienna Special Edition Bundle $795

...then I go to your web store and purchase the Extended Library Upgrade for 125 euros and then I have the Chamber Strings, right?

OR...

I can get the

Vienna Symphonic Library Vienna Special Edition - Extended Library Upgrade $570

from Audio Midi and basically get the full package for all 4 sections right? IOW: Does this get me the 'full' package ($1,830) in terms of sample content?

I don't know that I'll need additional licenses... and I have an open credit with AudioMidi I want to use.

Thanks for working with me here,

---JC

Hello JC, 

No, that´s not like it is. Unfortunately this is not really well presented on the audiomidi.com website, in my eyes. 

The Vienna Special Edition Bundle for 795 USD is the Standard Libraries for both SE and SE PLUS. 

You will still need the EXTENDED Libraries for the SE and SE PLUS, which is 990 USD and can also be purchased at audiomidi.com, as it is an Authorized Dealer of ours. 

Your price will be 795+990 USD = 1785 USD. I guess the best idea is to talk to audiomidi.com directly, if you want to use your open credit. 

Best, 

Paul

Thanks. Hopefully last question:

If I buy this from AudioMidi:

Vienna Symphonic Library Vienna Special Edition Bundle $795

...then I go to your web store and purchase the

Special Edition – Strings PLUS Extended Library Upgrade

for 125 euros from here: http://www.vsl.co.at/en/211/261/216/1630/1646/551.htm

...and then I would have the Chamber Strings, right?

---That's my main goal at this point: The Chamber Strings. What Vienna products do I need to purchase in order to get -those-?

Thanks for your patience,

Hi,

Unfortunately you cannot mix DVD products and download products, so this is not a good way to go.

You could get the Special Edition FULL Library (NOT the bundle), and add the SE PLUS Strings Standard and Extended Library as download instruments from our website.

If you want the Chamber Strings exclusively, get the Chamber Strings Bundle Full Library. You can also order that from audiomidi.com.

Best regards,

Paul

@Paul said:

You could get the Special Edition FULL Library (NOT the bundle), and add the SE PLUS Strings Standard and Extended Library as download instruments from our website. 

If you want the Chamber Strings exclusively, get the Chamber Strings Bundle Full Library. You can also order that from audiomidi.com.

LOL. You guys must be accountants on the side. I've filled out tax returns that were less complex. 😄

OK, let's see if I've got this straight: 

Q 1. So there really is no way to save money to get SE... with the Chamber Orchestra bits... over just getting SE Bundle Full.

Q 2. If I get SE Bundle Full, is there an upgrade path to Chamber Orchestra I and II? Or would I have to start over if I find out that I need some of those articulations?

---JC

PS: One thing that has been confusing to me in our back and forth is that neither AudioMidi or Sweetwater include the 'FULL' packages in their catalog. I called both and they assume (as did I) that  'BUNDLE' and 'FULL' are one and the same thing---they did not realise the difference. Also, the folks at AudioMIDI did not realise that Extended Library Upgrade and 'Plus' Extended Library Upgrade were two separate products... they don't even have them as separate items in their catalog. So I hope you can understand at least a part of my confusion... I know you have that FLV on your site to walk people through it, but still, I'm clearly not the only one who is confused. FWIW: In English 'Bundle' and 'Full' are often used interchangeably in marketing products.

OK...

Suntower,

Here's my suggestion:

Get the Special Edition/Special Edition Plus Bundle. It's a DVD set, and buy buying together, you save a little.

The extended versions of both of those libraries are active for a limited time automatically. ( 90 days, 6 months, I'm not sure) During this time you can use both standard and extended versions of both libraries. At the end of this time period, if you want to continue to use the extended versions you can then buy the license for the extended versions and activate them permanently on your computer. If you didn't use the extended versions much and don't buy them, then you've saved yourself some bucks.

Perhaps you're right. Next confusion: where can one find the trial period length for the extended libs?

ALSO: Can I use SE on -3- machines? (I have VEP)

Hi, 

The trial time for the Extended Libraries is 30 days. 

All VI Collections come with 1 license, so they can be used on 1 computer at a time. 

Best, 

Paul

Got it.

1. Is there a discount for additional licences?

2. Is there an upgrade path from SE to the Chamber Orchestra?  For example, it appears that the bits of Chamber Orchestra included in SE Plus do not include Bartok Pizz. is there a way to add just those missing articulations without having to purchase Chamber Orchestra separately?

Thanks,

---JC

Hello JC,

1) There are no additional licenses available for the Special Edition.

2) You cannot pick single articulations. Of course there is an upgrade path from the Special Edition to Chamber Strings (depending on what you have, you get a discount).

Here are the discount details.

Best,

Paul

@Another User said:

2) You cannot pick single articulations. Of course there is an upgrade path from the Special Edition to Chamber Strings (depending on what you have, you get a discount). Here are the discount details.

1. I'm stunned. This is such good news I have to double check: If I purchase SE Standard and SE Standard Extended Lib together, I can then get the -complete- Chamber Strings I for $55?

2. Can I install SE on one Vienna Key and Chamber Strings I on another?

Thanks!

---JC

 PS: I dunno if it's just me, but the e-mail subscription thing doesn't work for me at all.

No, this is your discount, this means, you pay 55$ less than the normal price.

Sorry to interupt your daydream  ...

Thanks, yeah, I figured... CRAP. It's just that VSL's prices are -so- much higher than the various American companies I keep thinking there -must- be some better discount. If I were looking for the more typical EPIC sound, I'd have -several- choices within my budget. <sigh> But from what I can tell there simply are no competitors to Chamber Strings.

---What about my other question: being able to run SE on one dongle and Chamber Strings on another?

---JC

Hello Suntower, 

yes, you can have your licenses on different key (and each license can only be on 1 key). 

Best, 

Paul