Vienna Symphonic Library Forum
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  • Considering Special Edition

    I was looking for a string library when I saw the 30% discount on the complete Special Edition bundle. It's mostly strings I need but this offer is of course temptIng. So my question is, how good string library will I have by buying the Special Edition bundle compared to a library like Dimension Stings? Can the combination of the included orchestral, chamber and appassionata strings in the SE bundle be good enough or are these "cheap"-sounding lite versions?

  • I don't own the special editions, but rather the symphonic cube.  I can say, however, nothing VSL creates is "cheap sounding."  Listen to the special edition demos, and the work of some composers like Wayne Peppercorn on the orchestration-composition sub forum and you will see the special editions can be very rewarding to work with.  

    Just my two cents!  Good luck with whatever you decide.

    Dave


  • Thanks. "Cheap" wasn't the right word of course, and I did write it with quotation marks. I do like the demos.


  • While inexpensive, the Special Edition library is not cheap at all. The raw sound is the same as the full library, as much as to be nearly indistinguishable, unless you look for nuances. SE is a compact, rich, gorgeous sounding orchestra.

    If you need all the nuances, the SE library may appear limiting. My hint is to plan in advance what you really want to do with these sounds, and either go for the SE library or all the Full Instruments you need. If you don't need all the nuances, SE will be easier to use, lighter, easier on your pocket. If you need the most extreme realism, the Full Instruments will do much more.

    Paolo


  • If you do decide to go with the SE you might want to consider upgrading the player to VIP Pro because it has many tools like humanize and time stretch to make those strings or any other instrument sound that much better.