Question About EWQL Diamond Editions And Play 5

[wagtunes]

I actually asked this over at Soundsonline but that forum is about as dead as can be. So maybe somebody here knows the answer to these few questions.

Short background. I purchased EWQL Hollywood Strings, Brass and Woodwinds Gold as part of the CC2 collection back in 2013, shipped on a hard drive.

I've been content with Gold up to now but really feel I am missing the close mic positions so want to upgrade to Diamond.

Here's where I'm a little fuzzy on what upgrade path I'm entitled to.

Hollywood Brass, Strings and Woodwinds, going from Gold to Diamond, given the current sale price, is no difference in price between the upgrade and buying Diamond for the first time. Each one is $199 either way. Kind of sucks but I guess that's life.

However, the Hollywood Orchestra collection (Brass, Strings, Woodwinds and Percussion) is only $499 even as a first time buyer. I am assuming that because I don't have Percussion, I'm not entitled to the $250 Gold to Diamond upgrade on the whole package. If somebody can confirm this, that would be great.

So it appears my only real option is to just buy Hollywood Diamond Orchestra straight out. I still save $100 over buying the 3 separately plus I get Hollywood Percussion for free.

Make sense? Something I'm missing? Any feedback is welcome.

Finally, about Play 5. Yes, I'm still using Play 4 because I've been using the same old libraries that I got back in 2013. Is Play 5 really an improvement? I know how weird Play 4 can be when using multiple instances with libraries malfunctioning and my having to reload them. So any feedback you can give me on Play 5 will also be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[Googly Smythe]

No clue as to upgrades, but with Play 5, at the very least you get an authorised SSL channel on every output. I have had no problems with it.

[JonSolo]

Hopefully I can be of some help. I have about 18 EWQL libraries now. And Play 5 is definitely a step up from 4. I find it less quirky and a bit snappier on my system. It also comes with things like their Spaces reverb, SSL channel, and even some Ohmforce effects. Personally I think you will like it. I have not had any malfunctions.

As to the libraries. I think you don't have a rock solid upgrade path given you are missing the percussion. There are advantages to having both Gold and Diamond such as Gold is 16 bit, and Diamond is 24 bit. Depending on the size of your project, you could pick and choose.

I think I paid $699 for Diamond full and never looked back. It is so rich. The percussion is really good. Initially I had an issue with one or two samples not being found, but EWQL sorted that out really quickly for me. I still have the fixes for them if it becomes an issue.

They will send you a new hard drive as Diamond is not available (yet) as a download, though the updates are. And, I could be wrong, but you might get the Harp Diamond with it at no charge, but don't count on that in case their policy changed.

[wagtunes]

Hopefully I can be of some help. I have about 18 EWQL libraries now. And Play 5 is definitely a step up from 4. I find it less quirky and a bit snappier on my system. It also comes with things like their Spaces reverb, SSL channel, and even some Ohmforce effects. Personally I think you will like it. I have not had any malfunctions.

As to the libraries. I think you don't have a rock solid upgrade path given you are missing the percussion. There are advantages to having both Gold and Diamond such as Gold is 16 bit, and Diamond is 24 bit. Depending on the size of your project, you could pick and choose.

I think I paid $699 for Diamond full and never looked back. It is so rich. The percussion is really good. Initially I had an issue with one or two samples not being found, but EWQL sorted that out really quickly for me. I still have the fixes for them if it becomes an issue.

They will send you a new hard drive as Diamond is not available (yet) as a download, though the updates are. And, I could be wrong, but you might get the Harp Diamond with it at no charge, but don't count on that in case their policy changed.

Thanks Jon. I was hoping you'd respond to this as I know you're as big into this stuff as I am. I've lived with Hollywood Brass, Strings and Woodwinds for so long that I almost gave up on ever getting Diamond. But I really feel I miss not having the close mics. And I'm sure there has to be more than that. I'm definitely upgrading. I just don't know how's the best way to go about it. I can get Hollywood Orchestra right now for $499, which in itself is a very good deal, so I might just do that.

As far as QL Spaces, I purchased that as part of my CCC collection when they shipped me my hard drive. So you're saying they're going to ship me yet another hard drive? I'm guessing then that the additional articulations are not on the drive I currently have and just having a license won't activate them. Correct?

Sorry for all the questions. Just want to make sure I do this right.

[shidostrife]

Hollywood percussion is currently $108 in audiodeluxe. If having that does qualify you for the $250 upgrade, it'll end up cheaper. I'd suggest asking their support whether that is the case.

[JonSolo]

Yes if you can get it cheaper, then by all means do!

And no matter what, you will be getting a new HD with the Diamond on it whether you upgrade or buy outright.

Check on the above mentioned, because that is at least $150 cheaper as an option.