It is very easy when starting out to spend lots of money, sometimes not wisely.

One advantage with VSL is the wide range of possible writing styles.

IMO, when starting out the SE libraries can make a great deal of sense.  It is a very inexpensive way to get the basic sounds of a full orchestra.  The drawback is, that over time, one generally wants to upgrade to the full libraries.  What complicates things a bit is that for the full libraries, in the end, one needs both the standard and the extended portions of the library, as the extended portion of each library really does help when seeking to emulate real instruments.

As for key libraries, perhaps AP strings (since you are interested in a larger sound), Woodwinds I, Brass I, and basic percussion (perhaps not the extended here).  Given your goals, starting with key full libraries, even the standard portion only, might be the better way to go, since that is a clear goal.

As for software, do consider VI Pro as well, although it is less daunting to start with the free VI (and anything done in the free VI will transfer to VI Pro).  VI Pro adds a great deal of flexilibity, particularly in terms of humanization and the stretching feature (to name two).  The stretching feature will allow you to create different articulations (shorter and longer detaches, for one example).  Particulary if you decide to start out with the SE libraries, VI Pro can help you create articulations to fill in some of the gaps, though it is even more valuable with the full libraries.

One option would be to buy the very minimum number of VSL libraries you need to start out, and then continue to save money in order to take advantage of one of the VSL special offers - VSL generally has special sample purchasing offers about twice a year or so.  If you are a student, generally - though not always - there has been a student special about once a year, at the end of summer/early fall.

@Peter Alexander said:

I'm one of the "old hands" Beat spoke about, except I still have a lot of hair left...

..which I don't have any more... [:'(] 

Beat

Just to clarify, when Peter speaks of 'Level 2' he's referring to the Extended version of libraries, which add fancier articulations (for example, trills) to the basic styles you get in the Standard version.

I love VSL.  If there is a complaint, it is that it is confusing which products to buy.  Ensemble, Vienna Suite, MIR...I honestly don't know what those are or when to use which one.

I have Vienna Instruments Pro and Ensemble.  I have no idea when to use Ensemble, or why I would need the Pro version.  No idea what Vienna Suite and MIR are.  Not a criticism: just a comment that a very clear description would help.

There is a video for the Pro Version of Ensemble, but a chart with when to use which product and why would be helpful.

Thanks.

Much has been said already, so I just add a few thoughts:

1. As your starting budget is rather high, and "starting" to me implies that you eventually plan to extend your libraries later on, I would not advise you to buy the complete SE, but only the basic Volume 1, so you have all the standard instruments of the Orchestra. This is only 310EUR so you still have plenty of money left for further consideration. If you plan to use less frequently used instruments like basset horn, alto flute and so on, you might add volume 2. As you are planning to extend your library in the future, do not go for the vol1+2PLUS, as they give you some additional articulations, but never the flexibility of the extended versions of the bigger libraries.

2. The introductory offer for Dimension Strings is great, so go for it, but keep in mind, that you cannot use it as your only string lib at the beginning, as you only have the violins, maybe in june the cellos, but the release date for the violas and basses is unknown. The appassionata strings I (full) could be a nice addition.

3. The Vienna suite might be a very good collection, but it still is just a collection of producing tools, all of which can be found in any DAW such as cubase. You have to learn, how to set up a virtual orchestra with digital reverb plug-ins, EQs and so on, you can learn this with the Cubase effects as well. If in the end there is monay left, I would rather buy MIR, cause this is unique technology.

4. Maybe you still have some money left for one or two collections like Brass I or Woodwinds I, consider what you need more, maybe you can get the extended version of your preferred section

5. If you are in favour of one specific instrument, there is still the opportunity to buy its full version as a single instrument.

Symfoniq, FWIW, given my own compositional preferences, I chose Orchestra Strings over AP Strings (also have Solo I and Chamber I).  The Orchestra Strings was VSL's first ensemble strings library and is set up differently from all their other string modules.  Rather than libraries I and II being divided into normal and sordino, orchestra strings is divided into violins/violas, and cellos/basses.  You may have noticed that, but in the past some have missed that key difference - you will need both Orchestra Strings I and II.  The sordinos in OS are a bit more limited than in some of the newer libraries, but certainly provide enough.  As for AP Strings, I find the lack of articulations in the bass section to be particularly problematic (some others do not find that to be an issue).

Especialy for smaller ensembles, the Chamber Strings are also very good, and the Solo Strings are excellent.  For those who prefer writing for smaller ensembles, sometimes Chamber Strings have ended up being the first full strings library purchased.  Before AP Strings existed, one common technique was to layer OS, CS and SS.  Of course, with Dimension Strings, new realms of possibilities have emerged (I don't currently own DS).

IMO, what cannot be overemphasized is the importance of purchasing libraries that mesh with the style(s) you intend to write.

Hi Symfoniq.

Could you tell us the specs of the computer or computers you have? This will help out in helping you select the right libraries. SE takes very little horsepower compared to the full libraries, with the trade off of a lot less samples and articulations.

If you want to do orchestral music, and have the computing power to run it, I'd go with the Cube and VS. I think you'll soon outgrow the SE, and the VS comes with presets for each instrument which makes it very easy to get a great "professional" sound.

@Another User said:

5. If you are in favour of one specific instrument, there is still the opportunity to buy its full version as a single instrument.

I'm leaning toward taking this approach instead of buying the full Brass and Woodwinds libraries. Are there any downsides to buying download instruments instead of purchasing the full libraries?

Thank you, noldar12, for your insight on the various VSL string options.

mschmitt, thanks for considering the hardware angle. Based on the VSL boxes I see other people running, I should be in very good shape.

Now another question of my own: In another post in this thread, Mr. Peter Alexander recommends Dimension Brass. I'm interested in this library, but have noticed that I can't find many reviews or opinions expressed. Dimension Brass seems to be something of an enigma. I understand that this library can do things that others can't due to the method of recording, but how does it hold up next to current favorites like CineBrass and Hollywood Brass, or other VSL libraries like Brass I and Epic Horns?

@Symfoniq said:

Now another question of my own: In another post in this thread, Mr. Peter Alexander recommends Dimension Brass. I'm interested in this library, but have noticed that I can't find many reviews or opinions expressed. Dimension Brass seems to be something of an enigma. I understand that this library can do things that others can't due to the method of recording, but how does it hold up next to current favorites like CineBrass and Hollywood Brass, or other VSL libraries like Brass I and Epic Horns?

Hi again

Remember my advice: Collect some experience with most of the libraies coming with SE. Also learn to use the samples and to mix them so that you get a real orchestra.

Once more: Learn to fly the Cessna before you fly an A380 (as I mentioned above).

After some days or weeks you will know whether you need brass instruments for playing divisi (dimension brass) or not.

It's never to late to buy more (full) libraries or in other words to spend your money..

Keep in mind that dimension strings and dimension brass are sample libraies which are even more complicated to get out the most.

So I highly recommend to learn the producing of music (and I mean music not cold additions of samples) with some standard libraries first.

As you can see the thread is staedily growing. Fact is that all of the users here will recommmend their favourite libraries. This brings you not really to your own decisions, because all of the libraries here at VSL are good! So...

A further simple (Cessna-) approach:

Buy the Chamber Strings (full, they are useful in any case) and try to reach a famous mockup (Eine kleine Nachtmusik for example) as close to the real sound as possible together with the suite effects.

This will show you all the details: Does my technique the job, such as the Audio-Interface, the Monitors, the Screens, the PC/MAC, RAMs, Keyboard, Effects, DAW or the Score-program,...).

and also: Will I really invest the amount of time to produce music with samples in the future (1min. of music = 1 day of work is a good relation).

Do I need some training or education before I'm able to... (Midi, Audio-Mixing, Mastering, DAW etc.)

After that you will have another access to all the matters in connection with the theme, I'm sure.

Lots of questions will be answered. Lots of new questions will appear...?

All the best

Beat

@Another User said:

A couple of posters mentioned Appassionata Strings and "big sound." While I like the thick "Hollywood" sound, I'm also a trained classical musician, and sometimes I like my strings a bit more restrained. Would I be better off purchasing Orchestral Strings and layering it with Dimension Strings when I want a bigger sound? It looks like Orchestral Strings has a lot more articulations (flexibility) than Appassionata Strings for about the same price.

Don't get caught up in the Hollywood thing. Seriously. The Appassionatas are the most Berlin Phil sounding string library I've ever heard. It's an absolute work horse regardless of genre.

@Symfoniq said:

Are there any downsides to buying download instruments instead of purchasing the full libraries?

There are no downsides regarding the instruments themselves, if you buy the Full library of a single instrument. The samples are exactly the same as in the Collection. Though, if you only buy the standard lib of a single instrument, it will be not only limited in its number of articulations, but also those patches are reduced in some ways. You still can upgrade them by buying the extended portion later without any loss of money.

You should, though, consider another aspect, that has not been mentioned yet: You need the Vienna Key (a hardware dongle) to run any VSL product. If you loose this key by accident or by theft, then VSL will assume that you gave it to sombody else and will not replace your licences. If the key gets broken after its 2y warranty period, you will get another one, but you have to pay a fee of 30EUR plus 20EUR PER LIICENCE. So, if you have WW1 that would be 2 licences to replace (1std, 1 ext.), if you build up your wood wind choir from single instruments that would be at least 4 licences (fl,ob,cl,bs)

Discussions regarding this issue have come up periodically, you can search the forum for "vienna key". 

@Symfoniq said:

please consider this thread closed