Dave,
I have to admire your tenacity! And for what it's worth, i worked with several fine euphonium players in earlier years, who brought the instrument to life. It's a lovely tone, and played well is extremely adaptable in most ensembles.
(I once wrote a euphonium part in a eight piece, because the bassoon player was ill. I have to say it sounded glorious, and the player, Jim Wilson, who passed away a little while ago, played it with a great deal of understanding considering the part was for bassoon in the first place. The other players wanted him to stay!)
I have little doubt given the ever expanding VSL library that a Euphonium will turn up in the grand scheme of things.
Laurent.
While i read what you've written carefully, i will be frank with you. The part that went missing in much of the discussion (and rubbish) over the weekend was the inclusion of the VI.
It may be that some have become a little blase about VST/AU instruments as there are more and more on the market, but the VI is a significant addition to the new cube package.
So it's not just a case of 'upgrading' and whose got which package, but the means (at last) to bring the library to life in a work efficient and highly creative way. I've watched the videos a few times now, and i think the impact of this fine, cutting edge instrument got lost in the morass of accusation and greed.
It is a masterful addition to the VSL portfolio, and i don't think, given the price of the new packages (ten volumes) that the 'percentage' breakdown of 24bit samples and VI is being seen as correct. It was as if the VI was a minor addition, and that's certainly not the case. Indeed, every time i mentioned it, someone would jump in and try and dismiss the VI as little more than a plugin, and it is certainly not just a plugin. I think the reactions were a mix of envy and fear, but you must draw your own conclusions about the motives of the most strident objectors.
So while i respect and defend your right to ask questions, i cannot agree with your premise that the Cube is 'just an upgrade' , and should be sold as such. And, in reality, the standard edition meets the criteria that VSL stated.
'You will never pay for for the same sample twice.'
It's true.
The 24bit remapped samples are hardly the same samples as 16bit unmapped (or alternately mapped). More fine tuning, new structure to fit with the VI etc.
And most of all, each volume is sold seperately with VI to handle and manage the content.
It's up to you if think the cost of the new samples are more important than the VI, but i have to say IMHO, the VI is the real genius in these volumes, and worth as much if not more than the samples.
I guess it's a matter of perspective.
Regards,
Alex.