Vienna Symphonic Library Forum
Forum Statistics

194,606 users have contributed to 42,924 threads and 257,981 posts.

In the past 24 hours, we have 2 new thread(s), 8 new post(s) and 118 new user(s).

  1. Home
  2. Sample Libraries
  3. Vienna Instruments Libraries
  4. Next purchase help

  • Next purchase help

    D
    D
    I have the VI solo strings. I like the strings sound in my Roland RD700 BUT I would like something along the same lines that is more realistic.
    Would Chamber strings be the best bet here? And do I really need the extended libary for just basic background string sounds? I do not want a full orchestra.
    Just decent set of strings for background in world beat music.
    THANKS in advance.
  • J
    J
    this is a tricky question...

    Vienna samples *can* cast a bad light on other sound sources. While putting VSL samples with a synth adds some realism, it also works the other way-- the realism can be tainted by the synthetic elements as well. However, I guess that one could put Chamber in the foreground and carefully "ghost" the parts with a synth source.

    The question you might want to ask yourself is what are you ready to spend right now. My personal recommendation would be Orch Strings I & II, but it's two volumes. Chamber is one volume-- so some decision needs to be made with budget vs the desired sound. And no-- you don't have to buy a full orchestra with brass and winds if you don't want them.

    If buying two volumes is out of the question, then Chamber is your choice. If you need the texture of a larger string section sooner than later, then Orch I & II should be considered soley for the sake of the results.
  • D
    D
    Just to be clear, I do not intend to use the VI with the Roland strings but INSTEAD of the roland strings. Would the Chamber strings work out well for this purpose? This is hard to explain in a post. But it should sound like a string section but not huge.
  • J
    J
    last edited
    last edited

    @deswind said:

    Just to be clear, I do not intend to use the VI with the Roland strings but INSTEAD of the roland strings. Would the Chamber strings work out well for this purpose? This is hard to explain in a post. But it should sound like a string section but not huge.


    I understand.

    VSL Strings in general do not sound "huge" per se. Even Orch I & II have a certain amount of intimacy, and this can see benefits with the use of some solo instruments in combo. I use different combos of all the strings to get a variety of textures and effects.

    However, have you checked out the demos of Orch I/II and Chamber to compare the sound of each? Chamber *is* very nice, but only you can determine what constitutes "too small* or *too large* for your projects. Chamber's intimacy can get lost in a mix depending on what else is going on. It's a little hard to just pad with Chamber where its strongest aspects tend to be focused more on the linear detailing-- shaping melodic lines and counterlines.

    At the same time, I've been able to get a certain amount of warmth out of Orch I/II without it getting to thick or heavy a string sound-- which would probably be more a case for Appassionata Strings anyway.

    If prices were even on both, I'd recommend Orch I/II for general use. Chamber Strings (with some solo) would be nice for something like an "Elanor Rigby" arrangement... if that's the sound you want. It will also work well for a Bach, Mozart or Haydn type of string section, but it could sound thin on works of Beethoven or later...

    What kind of music are you doing?

    What other instruments are you mixing with these strings?
  • D
    D
    Thanks a lot for replying to my posts. I am looking for more of a string "pad" sound. So it sounds like Orch I/II is the way to go. Have not check those products out yet.
  • J
    J
    last edited
    last edited

    @deswind said:

    Thanks a lot for replying to my posts. I am looking for more of a string "pad" sound. So it sounds like Orch I/II is the way to go. Have not check those products out yet.


    You are wise to ask questions before buying. Information is power!!

    Hey-- here are some demo links for you:

    Chamber Strings:

    http://vsl.co.at/en-us/67/4587/4590.vsl
    Bach Prelude
    Grieg Holberg Suite Sarabande

    Orchestral Strings I/II:

    http://vsl.co.at/en-us/67/4587/4591.vsl
    Barber Adagio

    The differences will be quite obvious, I think.

    Best,
    J.
  • S
    S
    You might also check out Appasionata Strings for a "pad" sound. Cheaper than going with Orch Strings I/II as well.