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Welcome Golophei,
thanks for your interest in VSL's products.
Of course I'm biased - but I think it's save to say that MIRx can't be put into the same category with any other plug-in your arsenal includes already. ;-) ... the same is true for MIR Pro, to an even bigger extent. Maybe these videos can give you an idea of what I'm talking about:
-> http://www.vsl.co.at/en/211/1343/1348/2456/2113.vsl
Kind regards,
As a new VSL SE user, I would suggest to first learn the basic free VI player. Once you are confident with the basic player, then consider getting VI Pro. VI Pro will provide many features beyond the basic free player. Particularly with the SE libraries, the "stretch" feature of VI Pro will enable you to create a number of different articulations that can help extend the SE libraries.
Also, if you can afford it, consider getting both the standard and plus portions of the SE libaries. The Plus portions add additional key articulations not included in the standard portion of the SE libraries. Depending on the type of writing you intend to do, SE 1 and 1 Plus may be enough. Or for a larger orchestra, getting both SE 1 and SE 2 would provide more options.
I agree with Noldar's advice. Depending on what style of music you write, I'd start with SE 1 (and possibly SE 2) and MIRx. Then move on to VI Pro.
Because you are new to VSL (unless you get a good deal) I wouldn't recommend buying the full SE collection to start out with. That is because after awhile you may outgrow the limited articulations in the SE and want to purchase some of the full libraries. However, some people just have the complete SE and are very happy with it, especially because it is a lot less taxing on your computer then the full libraries are.
Edit: I just reread you're original post and you mentioned that you could afford the full bundle of the SE. Right now ilio is selling it for $1,931, and for less then $600 more you can buy the standard version of the cube for $2,494! If you have the computing horse power and want to drop $2k - $2.5k I'd pick the standard cube over the full SE in a heart beat!
I believe that MIRx only comes with one license. If you were to get the cube and need to spread your samples accross multiple computers, some others users can probably recomend the most affordable way to run MIR. Purchashing VEP, MIR and MIR 24 would probably push you over your budget. You may be able to run MIRx on multiple computers, idk.
Michael
Thank you so much to Noldar and Mschmitt for all your great advices. Mschmitt, I've followed your suggestion and looking up on the "Cube" and its sample content. Your were right that it is a much bigger and detailed bundle. It is over my total budget but very tempting. I see that it does not include the Imperial Piano nor the Saxophone. Am I missing a lot?
I am not really a classical composer. The type of music work I do is sound track for independent films, drama plays, pop and hevay rock music. Occasionally I would do couple pieces that is for battle scenes, sometimes classicalish. Would Cube be too much for me? Would SE be enough for me?
Thank you and have a great day!
@Golophei said:
I am not really a classical composer. The type of music work I do is sound track for independent films, drama plays, pop and hevay rock music. Occasionally I would do couple pieces that is for battle scenes, sometimes classicalish. Would Cube be too much for me? Would SE be enough for me?
In this case I would stay within the SE realm because you're probably only going to use the orchestral elements to augment what you already have anyway.
Also, the plug ins you already have will work fine for what you're doing. MIRx I think would be overkill for you, however Vienna Suite might be of interest in the future. Watch for a sale or special offer.
So, purchase as much as you can in the SE realm to include the Bosendorfer Imperial. Pianos are included in some of the SE collections but they are limited to only three(?) velocity layers (I think) which is very limiting unless you just want to do arpeggio stuff with it. I think some saxes are in the SE collections too but, again, you are limited to certain articulations, whole tone sampling, and fewer velocity layers.
From how you describe your music SE would probably work really well for you. The cube is really for classical composers who are writing for anything from chamber ensembles to full orchestras. Plus, they usually go onto buy the extended version of the libraries in order to get all of the additional articulations, which I don't think you would use.
You might want to consider getting the Standard Version of Appassionata Strings I, instead of Volume 3 of the SE. I have a feeling you would use Appassionata a lot, and they are basicly the same price. That is unless you need muted versions of your strings. Be sure to listen to the Appassionata Strings demos to see if that's a string sound you would use. (I know for me, it's going to be my next VSL purchase.)
Once you get one or more VSL libraries, I'd try out MIRx. I'm pretty sure you can demo it for free. It's so simple to use and sounds amazing. There's a good demo of it used with just SE Vol 1 http://www.vsl.co.at/en/211/442/478/449/287.htm.
One thing to keep in mind with MIRx, is that it can only be used on VSL instruments. You can't use it as a plug-in in your DAW to run it on other companies virtual instruments or audio tracks. (Someone correct me if I'm wrong)
The Vienna Suite is a great collection of effects for the classical composer. I really like it because there are eq and compressor settings for (I believe) every VSL instrument. Which makes getting a good sound very easy. However, it sounds like you already have a lot of similiar effects, so it may not be worth it for you to buy the Suite. I belive you can demo it as well though.
One thing to keep in mind is that all of the VSL instruments are sampled "dry." That is no reverb, and they can sound rather flat without effects. This was done on purpose, so that you can put them into any mix that you want and you aren't stuck with one specific sound. You'll want to use either MIRx or another reverb on them to get them to sound natural. (The Vienna Instruments Player that you get free when you buy an instrument includes a descent built in reverb.)
Michael
Based on your additional comments, I would more strongly suggest getting at least SE 1, and 1 Plus, SE 2, and 2 Plus. SE 2 will include a number of less "classical" instruments that you probably will find of use.
Also what will you be using in terms of percussion libraries? Given your interests, you might want to take a look at the standard collection percussion library. The percussion in SE is somewhat limited, and getting something more complete might be a good idea.
As has been already suggested, take a look at AP Strings. The SE libraries are quite good, but the full libraries - as they should be - are much better. Again though, if you need extensive muted strings, then the SE version would be the choice.
Thank you so much Jasensmith, Michael/Mschmitt and thank you so much Noldar for all your patient detailed explanations. Both of you have saved me so much money and time. Much appreciate for your kindness.
I am going to do more reading for the sample content and listening to more demos as bothe of you have suggested.
thank you and take care!
Sam
I'm not exactly what I think most people are meaning by 'classical composer' but I always want as much articulation as there is.
I agree with look at the full percussion but I don't know why this 'go for the standard' is so emphasized, ie., I don't know you won't use the extended.
I think rather than going whole hog with SE and using your whole budget you want to have strong reasons for choices.
MIRx is very different than say the algorithms of a Lexicon emu. And it decides for you where everyone is seated.
Demo the software products and see.
I agree with look at the full percussion but I don't know why this 'go for the standard' is so emphasized, ie., I don't know you won't use the extended.I think rather than going whole hog with SE and using your whole budget you want to have strong reasons for choices.
The standard edition of some libraries were suggested to keep within the OP's budget.
Yes, obviously not buying the extended is less money. Does Samuel need all of SE? I can't know. I read somewhere in here that his budget would cover that, and I reckon little if anything else. So I can relate to that. It sounds like essentially sweetening a pop, or show, or rock sound but I'm not sure that means 'lacks curiosity'. I just said, have strong, focused reasoning for expenditures.
