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

[funky lime]

MA2
http://www.orchestraltools.com/resource ... _Ark_2.pdf

you can see that there are no woodwinds listed in MA1 and there's no brass in MA2.

I wasn't talking out of my ass, but I used their official documents about their libraries.
If they were updating their sound libraries in the meantime, they obviously failed to update their documents which give false information about their products. That's all.

No brass in MA2? You mean besides the Tubas, Flugelhorns, Wagner Tubas, Bass Trumpets, and Euphoniums? Maybe you didn't read the whole PDF you just linked? Did you hear the demos? Watch the videos? There's more brass in MA2 than there are woodwinds or strings or anything else. It arguably has some of the most unique brass ensembles available in this type of library.

Yes, woodwinds are limited to bassoons and contrabassoons in MA1 (though 2 unique woodwind sections does not equal "no woodwinds listed"), and there isn't really any traditional orchestral percussion, and is rather more of a film score/trailer assortment. But these libraries aren't marketed as traditional orchestral stuff anyway.

A more accurate criticism would be that MA1 has nothing below mf dynamic, and MA2 has nothing above mp.

[JonSolo]

I wasn't talking out of my ass, but I used their official documents about their libraries.

Nor was I talking out of mine, but I used their official..um I OWN THE LIBRARIES! Looking in Kontakt now, and uh, yep...

Oh I see someone already posted. Thanks.

[jancivil]

I am not sure why you made this comment. I mean are you trying to be contrary (and also just wrong)?

Metropolis Ark is now 3 libraries with one due for release in the next month. MA1 absolutely DOES have woodwinds. MA2 absolutely DOES have brass. (Why did you say that they don't?) Both DO have orchestral percussion that is awesome, as well as choirs and piano (something not available in the Hollywood series). MA1 fits a LOT more than just cinematic stuff, but it has a large sound. MA2 also fits tons of options but focuses on softer sounds.

If you look at the PDF of both MA1 and MA2 on their website "Articulations & Features PDF"
MA1
http://www.orchestraltools.com/resource ... _Ark_1.pdf

MA2
http://www.orchestraltools.com/resource ... _Ark_2.pdf

you can see that there are no woodwinds listed in MA1 and there's no brass in MA2.

I wasn't talking out of my ass, but I used their official documents about their libraries.

Pro tip: this works better when you read the documents.

[jancivil]

Interesting looking library, I have not seen euphonium in samples before.

Chris Hein has cimbasso in one of theirs.

[AstroCastro]

A more accurate criticism would be that MA1 has nothing below mf dynamic, and MA2 has nothing above mp.

I wasn't criticizing anything and stop putting words into someone's mouth.
The thread is about choosing just one orchestral library and Jon Solo mentioned Metropolis Ark:

Berlin Woodwinds are on sale.
The strings sound great, but Hollywood Strings cover my needs...as does Hollywood Brass. Now for bigger stuff...Metropolis Ark!

while both Metropolis Arks are different sound libraries that each one of them don't have all typical orchestral instruments and they complement each other. For someone who is seeking for just one orchestral sound library this had to be pointed out.
Also, I clearly said:

MA is definitely not for everyone. It has a big, lush sound that only fits cinematic stuff.

So, about what exactly you want to argue?

I wasn't talking out of my ass, but I used their official documents about their libraries.

Nor was I talking out of mine, but I used their official..um I OWN THE LIBRARIES! Looking in Kontakt now, and uh, yep...

Oh I see someone already posted. Thanks.

At this point I'm not sure are you stupid or trolling because it doesn't matter what you own and you looking in Kontakt if someone wants to buy their sound library or discuss about them and their official documents are giving false information.
So, person who doesn't own their products can't even know how much of information is false on their website, but you are bizarrely acting like a 7 year old who won the argument while that is not even the point of discussion at this moment, nor did I say that you were talking out of your ass by saying that there is a difference in 5GB of content from the initial release and the current version and by looking at their official document which is still standing on MA1 page you can clearly realize that.

So, are you stupid or trolling or just acting like a 7 year old who thinks that someone should use telepathic powers to find out what content is there in current version of MA1?
Which one is it of those 3?

[JonSolo]

There are dozens of folks who have posted here and at other forums who related that their starter orchestral library was Metropolis Ark I. If epic is your thing, then it is one of the best places to start. This has been stated in reviews, YouTube demos, by Orchestral Tools themselves, and the dozens (perhaps more) individuals who have started there.

My answer regarding the comment of the content was merely due to the misinformation contained in your post. Nothing more nothing less. Please don't make something of this that it is not. I have not resorted to calling you a troll, stupid, or childish. Show me the same dignity at least.

So for the record and the OP can chime in, because since he started this thread we have been in deeper conversation about this and I have been making comments based around his description. And all of my answers have fit exactly what he asked for.

And still, for the record, my observations on Metropolis Ark are accurate. Not troll, stupid, or childish. It is better to comment about things you have experience with, and not just read online: an honest observation, not a slam.

[JonSolo]

Interesting looking library, I have not seen euphonium in samples before.

Chris Hein has cimbasso in one of theirs.

Actually they are sampled in Metropolis Ark II as well as Berlin Brass Exp A. I would say the MA2 has a darker tone than the Exp A. Also in Exp A is the Contra Trombone which is a hard find anywhere but adds some fantastic texture for a richer score. I have done so much with those two to offer depth to my basses it is unreal.

[funky lime]

I wasn't criticizing anything and stop putting words into someone's mouth.

I was merely correcting you because you made false statements about two different products (MA1 has no woodwinds, which is false, and MA2 has no brass, which is also false). Your posts are right there, that's why I quoted them, rather than "putting words into someone's mouth."

You linked two PDFs which proved your own point wrong; it's as if you didn't even read them.

[Rockerpreneur]

Not sure why the conversation still going..

I think I've found the answer and try to do my homework. Thank you for everyone who contribute to this conversation.

Now I read and watch as many reviews as I could to get the complete picture about each library.

Thank you Jon for bringing the Met Ark 1 to the table. After read some resources, I found many agree that the Met Ark 1 is the best choice for epic. I watched also their videos and seems like indeed they're designed best for epic. It just that somehow, I keep thinking about Majestica. I like their sound much by watching their videos and the price ( when it's on sale ) is right. I'll wait for what the next month's sale bring in. But if somehow I decided to go with Majestica, I believe Jon will don't mind, as he also advice me to just wait for the sale if maybe I decided to go with them.

In other side, thank you also for Jancivil and anyone who mentioned VSL. I decided to also go with them along the way. The problem is, I can't afford them all. All I can do is carefully picking one by one I could afford. But it's okay for me if I ended up to just use few of them. Everybody should started somewhere. And I started miles away behind you all, so just wish me luck.

I assume you're all concerned and worried about me as someone who's asking this question and you're willing to help. The answers provided these far is enough and I'll do my homework. Again, thank you but I know you're all busy and I can't ask any single question I have in mind without doing anything in my side.

If I have any other questions, I'll let y'all know.

Have a good day everyone..

[Crayzie]

I would go with Versilian Studios Chamber Orchestra.
But it's just me.
Pretty nice sound, not bad GUI and great overall looking.
I'm not classical composer, who writes symphonic music with large orcheestral sections, I don't do movie scores either. So for pop/hip-hop/rock music - it's pretty enough:
Small orchestral section + solo instruments, harp and chromatic. That's all I really need.

[jancivil]

I wasn't talking out of my ass, but I used their official documents about their libraries.

Nor was I talking out of mine, but I used their official..um I OWN THE LIBRARIES!

At this point I'm not sure are you stupid or trolling because it doesn't matter what you own and [...] their official documents are giving false information.

So, are you stupid or trolling or just acting like a 7 year old who thinks that someone should use telepathic powers to find out what content is there in current version of MA1?
Which one is it of those 3?

Wow. So... Jon reported, as someone that has the libraries which document they contain, eg., Bass Trumpet, Euphonium, Wagner Tuba, Ring Tuba, Cimbasso, that they do contain [Brass; and the other, Woodwinds] these. But since you were found out as having ignored this now the company is providing bogus documentation. You might want to read the thread again calmly.

[jancivil]

thank you also for Jancivil and anyone who mentioned VSL. I decided to also go with them along the way. The problem is, I can't afford them all. All I can do is carefully picking one by one I could afford.

Except when I bought the Percussion Full (when I was atypically flush), I've bought singles, download singles. It suits me because I compose that way, small groups of more or less soloists on monophonic instruments, winds and brass usually.

[Acknowledgement]

EastWest Hollywood Orchestra.

[Fleer]

EastWest Hollywood Orchestra.

Now that’s a huge set of libraries. But you’re right. They’re still up there.

[jancivil]

Interesting looking library, I have not seen euphonium in samples before.

Chris Hein has cimbasso in one of theirs.

Actually they are sampled in Metropolis Ark II as well as Berlin Brass Exp A. I would say the MA2 has a darker tone than the Exp A. Also in Exp A is the Contra Trombone which is a hard find anywhere but adds some fantastic texture for a richer score. I have done so much with those two to offer depth to my basses it is unreal.

Euphoniums, I suppose you mean. Yeah, I know of that instrument from childhood from records by Stan Kenton. Kind of a less-hard baritone horn but I believe it has quite more range. And tougher to play as a beginner.

I got the VSL flugelhorn, fantastic library, deep. And the Bb trumpet, also very deep. Singles, download only.

Do you mean contrabass 'bone?

BTW, nerd factor here, didya know that the flugelhorn is technically the alto tuba? IE: tuba, conical bore as is the euphonium, vs cyndrical bore eg., trumpet, baritone horn.