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  4. perf-spiccato or perf-rep_spi?

  • perf-spiccato or perf-rep_spi?

    PaoloTP
    PaoloTP

    Hi,

    While building my Solo Violin preset, I have to decide between the "perf-spiccato" articulation from the Perf Interval folder, or the "perf-rep_spi" one from the Perf Repetition folder.

    The first one has only two velocity layers, but 2188 samples.

    The second one has three velocity layers, but only 675 samples.

    Both have nine repetitions.

    The first one is a bit longer and a bit more relaxed. I prefer to use the second one, harsher and shorter, as the base spiccato articulation. But is there a reason to choose the one over the other? Are there different use cases?

    Paolo
  • bbeliusB
    bbeliusB
    Hi Paolo, the perf spicc is designed for runs and the perf rep spicc for repeating notes. But as always: use the articulation that sounds best in your context! Best, Ben
    Ben@VSL | IT & Product Specialist
  • P
    P

    This is, again, a very good example of lack of information. VSL should really do some kind of explanation page (or video) showing all the patches, abbreviations and why and when they should be used. I find it very frustrating to go through the forum each time, in order to find the missing information.

    This is what I learnt from the forum:

    Everything with "performance" in its name means it is connected. The first one is used for intervals, the second one for repetitions (as the patch name suggests). Actually, I'm mixing patches and not strictly use the repetition performances for repetitions only. Use what sounds best to you.
  • P
    P
    last edited
    last edited

    @bbelius said:

    the perf spicc is designed for runs

    Really? I didn't know that. I thought it would be used for normal spiccatos, too.
  • bbeliusB
    bbeliusB
    last edited
    last edited

    @Pixelpoet1985 said:

    This is, again, a very good example of lack of information. VSL should really do some kind of explanation page (or video) showing all the patches, abbreviations and why and when they should be used. I find it very frustrating to go through the forum each time, in order to find the missing information.

    Use whatever fits best (this is the only truth when working with samples). This even happens when a musican playes live: He uses a combination of different techniques combined with attack, release, intensity to shape the sound to express his feelings. Even in a simple legato line not all notes may be played legato. Sometimes staccato notes are played as short detaches, sometimes it is the other way around. Imo it is impossible / not usefull to tell for what you should always use which samples.
    With a sampled instrument you get colors, but it is up to you to paint the image.

    The names of the samples should give you an idea how these samples sound and in which context they may be the first choice. And if you played a little with some VSL instruments you know what sound to expect from which sample-name, even if you are playing a complete new instrument, because the VSL instruments are named consistently. Here is my understanding of the difference of performance samples:

    General: Performance samples are samples with sampled transitions between two notes.

    - Performance intervals (fast): intervals, samples with transitions inbetween. The exact name characterizes the transition or the style of the note (legato, portamento / marcato, spiccato). Use the fast variant for runs where available.

    - Performance repetitions: Note repetitions. Use it for repeating notes and some quick ostinatos.

    - Performance trill: Main use-case: trills. But also usefull for quick transitions with small pitch-steps (for example quick arpeggiato, ornaments, very fast legato...)

    Mostly you will need to use multiple articulations to get a result as close as possible to the real sound.

    Regarding tutorial material: the newer products have demonstration videos where Paul explains the different articulations. For the older libraries you will find videos on the VSL Youtube channel. Here is the link to the Solo String library:

    On this page you can also find MIDI and preset data of the demos: https://www.vsl.co.at/en/Music (demos with tutorial files have a red play button)

    Best, Ben

    Ben@VSL | IT & Product Specialist
  • PaoloTP
    PaoloTP

    Ben, very clear, thank you. My doubt was caused by the fact that I preferred the perf-rep_spi sound as my base spiccato articulation (being more aggressive), but found the perf-spiccato used toward the end of the Sarasate tutorial. By listening carefully, I understand that that spiccato is used in a relaxed way, so this precise quality of that patch was used there.

    Paolo
  • W
    W

    I was thinking the confusion here is due to the fact that you can use either one, but in general the "perf-rep" samples across the board have more individual variations.  You can see that in VI as you play.  So you can choose whatever one you want based on the passage of music.  In a passage that is only a few reps, the "perf" articulation might actually sound better, but in a longer more exposed passage  the "perf-rep" might be better  and less mechanical.  

    The same thing has happened to me on legato perf-rep vs. a smooth long detache.  There are more variations on the legato perf-rep but sometimes the playing of the detache, or the length of the samples, fits better and the fewer samples are not noticeable.  So there is not a single rule to be applied except you get more variations with the perf-rep samples.  
  • PaoloTP
    PaoloTP

    William, that's a very smart way of dealing with these articulations! Thank you!

    Paolo