@efiebke_12205 said:

I guess I am interested in knowing the differences between VSL's "Special Edition" instruments and their more "Pro" instruments. Is it the number of articulations? Is it the number of  dynamic "layers" for each note of each instrument? Here is one question that I hope can be answered: Do the "Special Edition" instruments have samples that stretch over two or three notes verses one collection of layers samples per note?

All of this, yes.

The full libraries have a  greater amount of articulations. However, a SE library along with its SE+ extension already offers a pretty good variety of articulations and covers quite a lot of musical ground on its own. You should definitely take a closer look at the sample content on the product pages of the libraries and compare SE libraries with their full library counterparts, in order to find out which of them suit your needs. For example, I think that for a lot of media/production music work, like music for television or games, the SE articulations can suffice. If one is mocking up "serious" orchestral works and very sophisticated music, the high detail and variety of the full libraries might be neccessary for the task.

Certain patches of the full libraries do have one more dynamic layer (some patches perhaps two?), which is of course nice to have. I think VSL has done a fine job in making sure that the SE libraries still sound expressive and musical though.

The SE libraries are sampled in whole tone steps, while the full libraries are sampled chromatically. To be honest, I don't really hear any significant disadvantage in the whole tone sampling.  I'm working with a mix of SE and full libraries, and while I didn't actively listen for differences between half- and whole tone sampling yet,  I can't say that I'm hearing anything in the SEs that irks me in practice. This might of course be different for someone else.

IMO, the greatest advantage of the full libraries, and for me the most deciding factor, is the greater variety of articulations.

P.S.: Sweet and spirited piece you posted earlier!

JimmyHellfire - 

(I like your UserID. . . and if it truly is your name, then good for you! LOL! 😃 I'm just being silly! LOL!)

Thank you for your explanation regarding the differences between the SE libraries. I thought that I read somewhere, a while back, that the SE instruments had samples that stretched over a couple of notes. I wasn't sure, though. You're correct. If done nicely, usually one doesn't know the difference. It certainly is not a show-stopper for me.

I've been using the same orchestral templet, or some variation of it, for a number of years. I need a change in sound. I've been listening to really great renditions on this web site as well as on YouTube of orchestral music created using the SE libraries. As I might have mentioned before, I am deeply impressed by the authenic orchestral sound by a couple of individuals who obviously have "the chops" to create such music.

I finally figured out where to find, on this rather LARGE web-site, the listed articulations of their instrumental libraries for both the SE instruments and their more pro-line instruments.  Given the quality orchestral mock-ups that can be created with the SE bundles, as well as rather generous list of articulations found within them, I'm comfortable purchasing VSL's Special Edition Complete Bundle. I would LOVE to have VSL's entire pro-line collection! But that would require me to work a WHOLE LOT of overtime at work . . . and, I just don't want to work that hard! LOL! (Besides, I need the time to do more composing.)

I do appreciate all of the thoughtful comments that have been shared here. I'll probably be purchasing the SE Complete Bundle within the next week or two.

Cheers. . . 

Ted

Edited to add:
You wrote:
[Quote]"P.S. Sweet and spirited piece you posted earlier!"[/Quote]

I think that you're referring to the composition that I shared. If so, thank you for the listen and kind comment! That, along with a whole much of other orchestral pieces, will be re-done with the new library! Should be fun!

You will do quite fine with the full SE bundle.  You can get the full libraries for individual sections later as you need them.

Best wishes for your success with VSL.  You won't regret your purchase.

As a Special Edition user and hobbyist myself, I think you will find the SE bundle (which includes the two articulation expansions) gives you exactly what you need without needlessly burdening you with a myriad of detail.

I completely agree with Noldar that you ought to add Vienna Instruments Pro 2 right off the bat. It's capabilities are staggering, it's flexibilities amazing. And it's a force-multiplier, in the sense that it gives you the tools to create custom adaptations of the articulations you have, as well as your own combination articulations. As over time you begin to unpack and appreciate it's features, you will find yourself reworking it's setup to better take advantage of them.

Best wishes on your new adventure!

Endorsing the recommendation made by the gentlemen above - in your case, Special Editions are the way to go. And I would consider the PRO player as well - when you know how to make the best out of it, it can make a big difference  for solving issues which can often be a pain to solve without it.

I own the SE Edition and it sounds very vell. I purchased the Single instrument Oboe (standard library) to try, but I can't notice a great difference. There's a new legato fast (very good) and a flatterzunge, the rest sounds the same to my ears (I hoped to find more velocity layers). I think that even the SE Edition is a wonderful and great orchestral collection! 

A Follow Up

Well. . . I just made the purchase for the VSL S.E. Complete Bundle. Purchased it from Sweetwater. Awaiting for Sweetwater to contact VSL to get all of the access codes, etc. Of course, it is around midnight in Europe now. (It's 6:53 PM, EST, here.) I have a few hours wait, then I'll be downloading the VIs for another several hours. Barring any problems between Sweetwater and VSL, all should go well. 

I've been listening to a number of orchestral composition examples that people have made using the S.E. instruments. Again, these examples sound quite impressive. There is no doubt that these examples sound great because the people who created them have "The Chops" to compose the music and manipulate the software to achieve the professional sound. I'm no where near that advanced with my skills, but I'm not that far behind either. So, I'm hopeful.

Without a doubt, though, it will be fun as well as challenging as I learn the tools at hand.

Again, I am grateful for all of the thoughtful input. 

Happy music-making, folks! :)

@Edward Fiebke said:

A Follow Up

Well. . . I just made the purchase for the VSL S.E. Complete Bundle. Purchased it from Sweetwater. Awaiting for Sweetwater to contact VSL to get all of the access codes, etc. Of course, it is around midnight in Europe now. (It's 6:53 PM, EST, here.) I have a few hours wait, then I'll be downloading the VIs for another several hours. Barring any problems between Sweetwater and VSL, all should go well. 

I've been listening to a number of orchestral composition examples that people have made using the S.E. instruments. Again, these examples sound quite impressive. There is no doubt that these examples sound great because the people who created them have "The Chops" to compose the music and manipulate the software to achieve the professional sound. I'm no where near that advanced with my skills, but I'm not that far behind either. So, I'm hopeful.

Without a doubt, though, it will be fun as well as challenging as I learn the tools at hand.

Again, I am grateful for all of the thoughtful input. 

Happy music-making, folks! 😊

Congratulations, Edward. You won't be disappointed.

Did you get VI Pro as well? It's your business, of course, not mine, but I can't imagine investing in the SE Complete Bundle and not spending a tiny bit more to vastly multiply their benefit.

Yes, I did purchase VI Pro. Seemed like a good thing to do, and it wasn't that much more money. (What's a little extra overtime spent at work, anyhow?!?! LOL!)

@Edward Fiebke said:

Yes, I did purchase VI Pro. Seemed like a good thing to do, and it wasn't that much more money. (What's a little extra overtime spent at work, anyhow?!?! LOL!)

Great. Enjoy.