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  4. Appassionata vs HolyWood Strings.

  • Appassionata vs HolyWood Strings.

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    Hello all and thanks in advance, I have LASS, Sym.Orch and CS2 as String Libraries. I am down to HolyWood Strings or Appassionata Strings. I am leaning more towards Appassionata becuse i already have Symphonic Orchestra. LASS is another Story, their Library is a real MESS. I need some help deciding: 1. VSL vs HolyWood?? 3. What about the Free Player and Player Pro? Computer Power is of no worries, i have a Monster for that. Thank you ALL! Nedim
  • D
    D

    This has been discussed here before, and you're unlikely to get any unbiased views! You would be better off asking the question on a neutral forum, rather than a company one.

    DG
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    C

    I have all the libraries you mentioned above excpet Hollywood Strings.  I went with Appassionata.  They layer amazing with Symphobia and LASS.  That with having VSL solo strings makes an unreal arsenal of strings.  I did also just buy 8DIO Adagio Strings and they sound amazing but have some issues right now being so new.  Hopefully they will address them.

    Maestro2be
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    W

    Well, I am not unbiased I admit.  However,  go over to the orchestration forum and listen right now to "Ben Hur Love Theme."   You are not getting that sound from any current library other than VSL Appassionata.  (Often layered with Solo Strings.)  Of course, if all you want is string pads and chugga-chugga ostinato, then any library will do.  But if you are seriously interested in the most intense and realistic string scoring -  just go listen to that performance.  You don't need opinions, just sound.  And that has it. 

    The free player is very good to do a first scoring with, since most of the time you do not need all the intensive controls of the Pro player when doing MIDI.  I still like using it to begin with, and then convert the project to Pro and do tweaking and detail work. 

    btw many people recommend not only the Appassionata strings but also Solo, because most film composers have found that the layering of VSL Solo with Appassionata is an unbeatable combo, not only for actual solos but also for the subtle addition of texture and expression you get with the layering. 

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    B
    Thank you William, i am definetely going with Appasionatta...but i was wondering...is there actually a way to Demo any of the VSL Libraries? If yes, how and where do you get them? Thanks
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    Two ways to demo VSL products that do not offer a typical click here to download demo option.

    1.  There was a hard drive that used to be sold with samples on it for demoing purposes and you needed a demo key installed on an authentic elicensor.  I have no idea if this is still sold or not.

    2.  Contact VSL Sales department and discuss your options with them personally (not on the forums).  They may or may not be willing to do something special for you.  It is a case by case scenerio and I do not work for them so I am not attempting to speak on their behalf.

    Additionally, You have already been given the answer you needed a few times now by the way incase you are still in limbo.  Appassionate layered with Solo instruments to pull out that first chair vibrato as well as it makes it a little more intimate (by this I mean up close and personal).  Adding a solo string to a larger section sample allows you to move closer to the sound as well as begin to create divisi sections when using solo, chamber and appassionata (you can also use another library section like symphobia for divisi but, I do not recommend this as much because the strings sound so different than appassionata that it can sound a little odd).  Layering them on top for additional color is good, but you may not like the results of VSL Solo, Symphobia section & appassionata trying to play 3 different parts.  But that is your decision.  With what you have already, adding VSL solo's with appassionata should give you incredible results.  If it doesn't, it's not the samples.  Like me, I still learn everyday it isn't the samples causing me issues, it's me causing me issues.

    Maestro2be
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    N

    Given the libraries you already have, an underlying question is: what (additional) sounds are you after?  Of the two libraries which one will best enable you to get your desired sound?  Which library will integrate the easiest into your workflow?  Which library will help you cover sounds/techniques that you are currently missing?

    To me, the wealth of articulations in the VSL libraries, and the well laid out and logical VI software matter.  Another advantage of VSL is the flexibility of the libraries.  As you can find in the demo section, a wide variety of styles is possible, compared to demos presented by some of the competitors.