Vienna Symphonic Library Forum
Forum Statistics

200,179 users have contributed to 43,194 threads and 259,060 posts.

In the past 24 hours, we have 1 new thread(s), 10 new post(s) and 68 new user(s).

  1. Home
  2. Sample Libraries
  3. Vienna Instruments Libraries (legacy)
  4. VI Series after 2025 question

  • VI Series after 2025 question

    M
    M

    Hello,

    I have heard about the VI series ending, but I'm not exactly sure what that means. If I have the files for all VI instruments downloaded, will I be able to still install them on a new computer after 2025, or do they become totally unusable? I understand that VSL is ending support, but that doesn't mean the instruments can't be used if you already own them, right? I'm confused and can't seem to find any real details. All I find are posts of people complaining about the situation and VSL Admin giving little detail. Can anyone clarify this for me or at least point me in the direction something on the webpage that explains this?

    Also, I wanted to write directly to someone at VSL, but I no longer see any way of getting in touch with support via email. Does anyone know how I can get in touch with the folks in charge?

    Thanks,

    Mike

  • mducharmeM
    mducharmeM

    They won't stop working. You'll still be able to install them. However, there is a possibility that the VI player may become incompatible with newer OS versions that come out in the future.

    The VI series are almost all ported over to the Synchron player as well, making up most of the "Studio Series" outside of the piano lineup. Those use the same samples as the VI series, but in the Synchron player, and that is still developed and so those are still supported.
  • S
    S
    @mducharme said:

    They won't stop working. You'll still be able to install them. However, there is a possibility that the VI player may become incompatible with newer OS versions that come out in the future.

    The VI series are almost all ported over to the Synchron player as well, making up most of the "Studio Series" outside of the piano lineup. Those use the same samples as the VI series, but in the Synchron player, and that is still developed and so those are still supported.

    Right...but I have to pay for them again for synchron. I own ALL of Strings and Woodwinds. Not spending another $5k to have the same samples with a new player. It should be a free update.
  • mducharmeM
    mducharmeM
    @Synetos said:
    Right...but I have to pay for them again for synchron. I own ALL of Strings and Woodwinds. Not spending another $5k to have the same samples with a new player. It should be a free update.

    You aren't paying for the samples again, but a crossgrade price for the new programming. I understand from their perspective it involves reprogramming the library again manually from scratch in the new player, so they do charge an upgrade fee to cover the costs for the reprogramming work.

    From what I recall, VSL charged a similar upgrade price for owners of the old Giga cube to the Vienna Instruments versions, due to the reprogramming work involved.
  • S
    S

    I dont see any upgrade path in my account. It simply appears I would have to purchase Synchron libraries new...no discount on "my price" when I add them to the cart. I own Full Extended VI libraries for all Strings and Woodwinds...plus other stuff.

    Synchron FULL for strings and winds is about $2500. Not happening.

    I just wont use VSL libraries any longer. Plus VEP7 is unstable disaster atm. I guess I am clearly leaning toward just uninstall it all and moving on.

    If VSL wants to keep me in the fold, they can drop Full Synchron Strings and Winds vouchers into my account. Else, I am simply a disgruntled former customer.
  • mducharmeM
    mducharmeM
    last edited
    last edited
    @Synetos said:
    I dont see any upgrade path in my account. It simply appears I would have to purchase Synchron libraries new...no discount on "my price" when I add them to the cart.

    Because the Synchron libraries are not based on the VI ones at all. The Synchron libraries are the new ones recorded in their ambient Synchron stage - they are entirely new products, not based on an older VI product at all. You want the "Studio" libraries, which are the VI libraries ported to the Synchron player (except the Studio pianos, which are new).

    If you add the Studio libraries to your cart, you should see the discount.
  • S
    S
    @mducharme said:
    @Synetos said:
    I dont see any upgrade path in my account. It simply appears I would have to purchase Synchron libraries new...no discount on "my price" when I add them to the cart.

    Because the Synchron libraries are not based on the VI ones at all. The Synchron libraries are the new ones recorded in their ambient Synchron stage - they are entirely new products, not based on an older VI product at all. You want the "Studio" libraries, which are the VI libraries ported to the Synchron player (except the Studio pianos, which are new).


    If you add the Studio libraries to your cart, you should see the discount.

    Okay, thanks. It seems about a 75-80% discount off list price. While much better, it's still $550 for my strings and woodwinds. Seems steep for just a new player and lose of feature depth. I stand by my position that this should be a free upgrade for existing VI owners.

    If I understand correctly, Studio version gives up all multiple mic positions and is a simple stereo sample playback?

    What level of articulations? I owned extended, but I dont see a distinction from standard to extended.

    Would it be fair to say, it is far from the original VI level of detail, and is basically just salvaging some more common articulations?

    Is there a known time limit for the discount pricing?

  • mducharmeM
    mducharmeM
    last edited
    last edited

    The Studio version doesn't have multiple mic positions, but the Vienna Instruments versions you already have don't either. The VI player didn't support multiple mic positions - that's the main reason why Synchron player was developed in the first place.

    The Studio versions are based on the full/extended VI libraries.

    For level of detail, it depends on the library - a few of the earlier libraries to be ported are incomplete, but the most recent ones like the Studio Orchestral Strings and Studio Brass are a complete port of all techniques/articulations to the Synchron player, as 1:1 as you can get. I would hope in the future after they finish porting the last few libraries, they will go back to the earlier incomplete ones and try to complete them with the missing techniques. Studio Woodwinds is mostly there but is missing a few techniques. The libraries often have much nicer crossfades as a part of the reprogramming process - crescendos and diminuendos with velocity crossfade become very smooth between layers in the Studio version vs the old VI version.

    No, there's no time limit for the discount and it goes on further sale every now and then too.
  • S
    S
    @mducharme said:

    The Studio version doesn't have multiple mic positions, but the Vienna Instruments versions you already have don't either. The VI player didn't support multiple mic positions - that's the main reason why Synchron player was developed in the first place.


    The Studio versions are based on the full/extended VI libraries.


    For level of detail, it depends on the library - a few of the earlier libraries to be ported are incomplete, but the most recent ones like the Studio Orchestral Strings and Studio Brass are a complete port of all techniques/articulations to the Synchron player, as 1:1 as you can get. I would hope in the future after they finish porting the last few libraries, they will go back to the earlier incomplete ones and try to complete them with the missing techniques. Studio Woodwinds is mostly there but is missing a few techniques. The libraries often have much nicer crossfades as a part of the reprogramming process - crescendos and diminuendos with velocity crossfade become very smooth between layers in the Studio version vs the old VI version.


    No, there's no time limit for the discount and it goes on further sale every now and then too.

    Thanks again for your expertise and insight!

    I must have been thinking of BBCSO. Honestly, I have sooooo many libraries and plugins. Geesh!

    Upon reflection, I am probably just getting wrapped around the axle a bit, because it feels like another burn...similar to how Waves pulled this with their subscription model.

    The money I spend on software and gear are investments for me. I need to rethink that. They are tools, not assets, therefore an expense. I need to remind myself that no software is tangible, and it has a lifespan of usefulness. Tools of the trade. My guitars can last much longer, if properly maintained. My computers expire, software expires. Recordings last, but only to the extend they are accessible. The list goes on.

    I will probably just sit tight and wait to see what happens over the coming years. I do not need to upgrade anything at the moment.
  • J
    J
    last edited
    last edited
    @Synetos said:
    @mducharme said:

    @Synetos said:
    I dont see any upgrade path in my account. It simply appears I would have to purchase Synchron libraries new...no discount on "my price" when I add them to the cart.



    Because the Synchron libraries are not based on the VI ones at all. The Synchron libraries are the new ones recorded in their ambient Synchron stage - they are entirely new products, not based on an older VI product at all. You want the "Studio" libraries, which are the VI libraries ported to the Synchron player (except the Studio pianos, which are new).




    If you add the Studio libraries to your cart, you should see the discount.


    Okay, thanks. It seems about a 75-80% discount off list price. While much better, it's still $550 for my strings and woodwinds. Seems steep for just a new player and lose of feature depth. I stand by my position that this should be a free upgrade for existing VI owners.


    If I understand correctly, Studio version gives up all multiple mic positions and is a simple stereo sample playback?


    What level of articulations? I owned extended, but I dont see a distinction from standard to extended.


    Would it be fair to say, it is far from the original VI level of detail, and is basically just salvaging some more common articulations?


    Is there a known time limit for the discount pricing?

    Well when they introduced these studio libraries they offered extra discounts which made it more attractive. Beyond that they just ended their 25% yearly(?) discounted vouchers and every so often there are other sales that can stack with the vouchers… with patience you may be able to upgrade them for cheaper(before your VI series stops working hopefully too)

    please don’t comment to me about how lame it is missing the voucher sale as I am mentioning it because going forward it may benefit you… YMMV