If you had to choose just one Orchestra Sample Library, Which one is it?

[Bladerunner1962]

I may sound like a VSL fanboy (I am not), but if you just want an epic orchestral sound, have you checked Vienna Ensemble Pro? It comes with the Epic Orchestra bundled, and costs "only" € 285. I don't have VEP (yet), so, I can't speak for Epic Orchestra, but the examples in the site sound quite good. Take a look:

https://www.vsl.co.at/en/Vienna_Softwar ... semble_PRO

This said, I am another advising Metropolis Ark libraries from Orchestral Tools. The only con Orchestral Tools libraries is the price (quite expensive). But the ARK are not so expensive when compared with similar products, and they are VERY good.

It's some time ago, to have a look to VSL or Metropolis Ark from my side.
The reason: these are "passive instrument" orchestra libraries, where I have to invest
from my point of view too much time, until I'm ready to play/improvise orchestra live, cause
I have to combine all instruments manually and set up key ranges manually.
In the past I missed especially within VSL string/cello runs and phrases. So also additional know how
and work invest is required, working with recording/midi files.
Or does that change meanwhile in VSL?

General: are string/cello runs/phrases included in Metropolis Ark and VSL?
Are there multis given in order to play a full orchestras incl. e.g. brass, percussion?

[Rockerpreneur]

Great and fluid discussion here!

There was in one of the last postings here a question, how epic "The Orchestra" (Best Service) sounds.
From my point of view really epic, cause the string runs/phrases are included beside brass and strings...spread over the keyboard with different sections.

There was also a question, what is the aim with orchestra libraries. I'm not a composer or producer.
So I don't work with midi recording files in order to develop e.g. a score.
My aim is to improvise live...also in playing orchestra's beside my other VST stuff.
And here for me "The Orchestra" is the best choice. I guess, there should be some Videos in the web, where users demonstrate, what happens in playing with this library.
I don't know any other orchestra libraries, which are function similar.
Sonokinetic started with this kind of libraries, which includes all instruments. But the playing workflow is not suitable for me, cause you have to use in special way the sustain pedal in order to start string runs/phrases. "The Orchestra" has only to play.

The Orchestra is still on my list as they are a complete package and less expensive than others, while also have a good sound. Look like can be an ideal starting point.
Still do my homework.

Thanks!

[Rockerpreneur]

For me, the only concern is the sound. Soundwise, which one that designed best for epic music from first place. Say, like the Sonokinetic Sotto, they are designed best for dellicate strings. For now, I'm looking for one that designed best for epic.
Mean is, I have workaround for any other aspects.

For others, maybe they have their own concern when looking for sample, but in my my case, that was my concern.

[Rockerpreneur]

So maybe now the choice is between the Ark, Hollywood Strings and The Orchestra.
Any thoughts to help me decide?

Ark I doesn't go below MF dynamic, so if you try to go quiet with it, the timbre sounds off. Ark II, on the other hand, can get pretty big and loud based on the demos, even though it hovers around the MP dynamic. It's a pretty well-known trick that you can get big, epic sounds (specifically with boomy percussion, though I'm sure it could apply to other stuff as well) by playing stuff in the lower dynamic range and just adding gain. So, with that in mind, I'd assume that Ark II is probably slightly more flexible.

Before you drop too much money, definitely check out the Jasper Blunk freebies over on BigCat's blog. They are the best "epic" sounds in the free realm, though it's limited to trumpets, trombones, french horns, and violins (and only a couple articulations of each). The trumpet "matrix swells" in particular are quite lovely, even compared to some commercial libraries' offerings.

I found these free stuff very usable and can be a nice addition here and there.
Thank you.

[Rockerpreneur]

With all virtual orchestration, the answer is really "it depends on what you want to do with it" because there is probably not a library in existence that does everything. No matter how good a library is, it has limitations. The question is whether those limitations matter to you for making the kind of music you are looking to make. If you want to make typical modern cinematic mock-ups easily, The Orchestra doesn't look to be a bad solution, but again I can't specifically endorse it because I haven't used it.

I have mention in previous post I was looking for an epic and big orchestral sound. So it will mostly ensemble and all instruments must be covered, all in one package.
I don't mind about realism by now. An epic orchestra library as a starting point, then adding other products for realism, details etc along the way.

Thanks!

I may sound like a VSL fanboy (I am not), but if you just want an epic orchestral sound, have you checked Vienna Ensemble Pro? It comes with the Epic Orchestra bundled, and costs "only" € 285. I don't have VEP (yet), so, I can't speak for Epic Orchestra, but the examples in the site sound quite good. Take a look:

https://www.vsl.co.at/en/Vienna_Softwar ... semble_PRO

This said, I am another advising Metropolis Ark libraries from Orchestral Tools. The only con Orchestral Tools libraries is the price (quite expensive). But the ARK are not so expensive when compared with similar products, and they are VERY good.

Hi,
I found that the price of VEP 6 is for upgrade from VEP 4 or 5. Any idea where to get VEP 4 or 5? Does these still selling?

Thanks.

[fmr]

Hi,
I found that the price of VEP 6 is for upgrade from VEP 4 or 5. Any idea where to get VEP 4 or 5? Does these still selling?

Thanks.

I don't think the price is for an upgrade. But you can e-mail them and ask to clarify: sales@vsl.co.at

[Rockerpreneur]

I don't think the price is for an upgrade. But you can e-mail them and ask to clarify: sales@vsl.co.at

I just checked the price on Sweetwater and Audio Deluxe is way cheaper..

[fmr]

I don't think the price is for an upgrade. But you can e-mail them and ask to clarify: sales@vsl.co.at

I just checked the price on Sweetwater and Audio Deluxe is way cheaper..

OK, so, it is confirmed that it isn't an upgrade. I checked, and the upgrade version costs $105 while the full version costs $275 (indeed cheaper than the € 285 listed in VSL site)

[jancivil]

The reason: these are "passive instrument" orchestra libraries, where I have to invest
from my point of view too much time, until I'm ready to play/improvise orchestra live, cause
I have to combine all instruments manually and set up key ranges manually.

There is a huge difference between something set up to play a 'tutti' or section tutti live with no manipulation (basically a pop or rock musician sweetening something with the 'effect' of an 'orchestra') and a library which exists to create viable/realistic orchestrations for a serious composer.

In the past I missed especially within VSL string/cello runs and phrases. So also additional know how and work invest is required, working with recording/midi files.

Yeah, imagine that, orchestral music that requires a lot of work.

General: are string/cello runs/phrases included in [...] VSL?

Yes, in most instruments there are scale runs and arpeggi patches. As to presets with a whole orchestra, you can make them but I don't think they create presets for combos of mixed sections, ie., brass winds and strings because it's just so coarse and crude. No offense but you're barking up the wrong tree with VSL vis a vis this approach, you want Symphobia etc basically for that.

Just FTR: the organization is cells [containing patches, aka articulations which may be staccato type; portato type; legato type; sforzando/fp type; detache/sus type; tremolo type; scales/arpeggi; effects, percussion rolls, etc] which are arranged in dimensions, horizontal [typically switched by keyswitch, speed, or velocity] and vertical [typically switched by controller]; matrices containing a number of cells [typically switched by keyswitch]; presets containing a number of matrices.

[jancivil]

Epic Orch with VE Pro is quite basic. I've never used anything other than the [Appassionata lite] strings, which sound fantastic. It's your basic Kontakt Factory Library Orchestra articulations: sus, fp, sfz, tremolo, pizz plus a 'fast' sus. But I must say I use this all the time because of the sound. Also here's your tutti strings, so there's an area where the violas overlap with violins, violas with celli, celli with bassi. I use it for vlns and basses where it's clearly that, typically.

The winds and brass, well I like to articulate these more, and these are very 'classical' type meaning I have not found any use for 'em.

[goldenhelix]

If it hasn't already been mentioned, the Garritan Personal Orchestra might be up your alley. The price ($149) basically can't be beaten. The quality isn't going to match something like VSL but for someone looking to get their feet wet, this might be a really viable option. There is also the Instant Orchestra which is pre-combined sections similar to some of the other libraries discussed. The difference is basically that Personal Orchestra will still be "out-of-the-box" like Instant, but the emphasis is on instruments separated out so you will have to write specifically for french horns, tubas, trumpets, etc.

Honestly, so far people have been answering with what they think the best is, but you might not need the best for what you want to do. A lot of people spend $1000 on their first guitar and then figure out they don't care about playing guitar. You could spend easily that much if not more on your first orchestral libraries and not end up using them. It might be better to start with something more affordable and see if you even like composing with these tools and then upgrade to something else down the road. The thing about these libraries are that they are expensive and you can't just return them if you don't like them. I have probably about $1000 worth of libraries I never use, not because they're bad but because they didn't end up being what I was looking for or have a use for. Just food for thought.

[Vortifex]

..

[Rockerpreneur]

I was asking about GPO 5 in previous post, and also the Miroslav Philharmonik 2. But they might be get skipped..
I'll order ViennaKey or eLicenser and demoing them, since it need some time to arrive in my country. They don't work with iLok..
I think whatever sample we're ends up using mostly, will always nice to have VSL in hand. Their sound look like is top notch. Also, some of their products is not too expensive. Like the Special Edition Percussion set is $45, under $40 if we buy from Audio Deluxe. But I guess it will be one of the best sounding percussion set out there. And the piano is a nice bonus.
I mean, Say once we have $500 worth in total of VSL library and stop there, chance are it will become our go-to orchestra sample. Or even maybe a great foundation of orchestra template we can layer with another library, like the Kontakt based. I don't see any reason why we don't do it best of both world.
When we have ViennaKey they allow us to demo all their products. Then we can just pick one by one the most we likes and will be frequently using along the way. I think I'll go to this route..

[Rockerpreneur]

On VSL website, does the price will be the same in USD?
I found this one a bit confusing, the VEP 6 they have a note this is the price for upgrade, but if this is a full version price, where is the page for the upgrade price?
But better to go with Audio Deluxe or Sweetwater anyway..

[jancivil]

it'll be more in dollars than euros, ask google about conversion rate currently.
the 3-day demo is unrestricted, it simply works until the period is finished so you may want to see if it's for you.

It usually uses resources better than your host will for plugins (with some exceptions in a workflow that isn't demanding as far as a large number of samples-based instruments). That's in 'local host' usage as well as usage involving connecting slaves over the CAT6 cable ethernet. It's essential for whole orchestra (articulated).