UVI Orchestral Suite - opinions

[ChamomileShark]

hi, I've just got Falcon with 2 free expansion packs from UVI

They've now given me a voucher for 100 euros for a library which I wasn't expecting.

I'd be interested in owner's opinions of the Orchestral suite library - it would only be 39 euro as it's on offer.

I don't have many sample libraries - just the Kontakt factory one - how does it stack up to that?

The world library looks interesting too - but that's a fair bit more expensive and I'd probably use it less - I'm not a fan of loops and phrases.

Otherwise I'd probably go for the Emulator II library.

Another question - I think you can import the UVI libraries into Falcon - can you therefore reuse and process those samples within Falcon like you could with the Alchemy libraries?

[SJ_Digriz]

It's hard to say really. I own it and it is good quality. It's a little limited from an articulation standpoint. But, it has a distinctly different tonality than the Kontakt default (which I believe is a very cut down VSL Epic library, unless they've moved to something else). I actually use the percussion quite a bit. But, not the rest.

The samples are wrapped, so are not directly usable, however resampling is easy enough.

[SJ_Digriz]

By the way, you don't really "import" the libraries into Falcon. UVI use a format that both the workstation and falcon can read. Falcon just has a lot more stuff available to go beyond simple library playback than the workstation.

[JonSolo]

No. Not even for $39. It is not good as a starter, filler, anything. There may be some usable material there, but if so, I never found it. And I do not consider myself very picky. I own TONS of orchestral libraries, and this one I just had to get rid of. It pains me to say that because UVI DOES make good products for the most part. This was just not one of them.

If you want a budget orchestra, Philharmonik 2 is the best bet. Otherwise, save your money for a larger dedicated library such as Hollywood Orchestra.

[SJ_Digriz]

I think the main issue is that UVI instrument libraries (real instruments) aren't friendly to use. People are used to Kontakt keyswitching with all kinds of fancy scripts doing things. The Orchestra Suite has some good sounding stuff in it, but it requires a lot of old school sequencing to get it working up to snuff.

[ChamomileShark]

thanks both for your replies - I sort of thought it would be an amazing bargain and as they say, if it seems to good to be true...

@SJ_Digriz, can I just clarify, when you say

I actually use the percussion quite a bit. But, not the rest.

Do you mean from the Kontakt or UVI library? I think my main interest are strings, solo and ensemble and winds - I'm less interested in brass and percussion.

[SJ_Digriz]

thanks both for your replies - I sort of thought it would be an amazing bargain and as they say, if it seems to good to be true...

@SJ_Digriz, can I just clarify, when you say

I actually use the percussion quite a bit. But, not the rest.

Do you mean from the Kontakt or UVI library? I think my main interest are strings, solo and ensemble and winds - I'm less interested in brass and percussion.

I mean I find the percussion instruments in the UVI library to be very easy to use and they sound good to me. Again, IMO it's not that the UVI library sounds bad, it's that it is hard to program. That's my opinion, so worth about 2 cents.

[ChamomileShark]

ok, I'm not great on programming so I think I'm better using the 100 euro voucher for the Emulator II library and buy / build up string and woodwind libraries from 3rd party Kontakt libraries

thanks!

[SJ_Digriz]

ok, I'm not great on programming so I think I'm better using the 100 euro voucher for the Emulator II library and buy / build up string and woodwind libraries from people like Spitfire.

thanks!

Again, IMO
Strings = Spitfire, although I haven't heard the new VSL Synchron strings

Brass = VSL or Spitfire

Woodwinds = VSL

[SJ_Digriz]

Oh and for solo strings, the Bohemian stuff from Virharmonic is killer. Also, for cheaper libraries I think Audict have done a great job. In reality there are a gazillion great things out now. For a base sketching orchestra I'd probably go with Versilian Chamber Orchestra. It sounds great and is very easy to use. Sonivox has some great stuff ... the list is really painfully long and excellent. Disclosure: although I think Miraslov is pretty good, I can't stand ST3 or the Miraslov Engine from IK. So, if you get along with the base environment, the actual library is ok.

[JonSolo]

I agree about Miroslav and Philharmonik 2. Just not the best engines, and I would love to enable the modwheel to do dynamics. I was just thinking of "intro" level libraries. If I really got messy I would say Berlin Inspire!

Just to voice some thoughts-

Strings- Cinematic Studio Strings, Hollywood Strings Diamond
Brass- Hollywood Brass, stuff from Musical Sampling
Winds- Berlin Woodwinds

Spitfire makes great products, and I own a lot of them. But I prefer their niche products such as LCO, BH, and the extended Albion series for sound shaping. I love my above list for orchestration.

[rasmusklump]

I think UVI Orchestral is pretty good

[ChamomileShark]

just wanted to say thanks again for the recommendations - I've made a note of these and I'll be looking at these in detail in time for Black Friday, Christmas etc.

[gaf_thit]

How does Kirk Hunter Virtuoso Ensemble stack up to Philharmonik 2? Wondering since both are on sale atm.

Sorry for not coming with an answer, but a question. No, intention of hijacking.

[JonSolo]

Just as a quick note, Berlin Woodwinds are on sale now. They are on closeout due to a newer library getting released. As they are they are great. Anyone who snags them now is eligible for an upgrade (for a cost...$200) when the new library comes out.