KVR Audio

Harry_HH · Post by **Harry_HH** » Wed Apr 18, 2018 9:10 am

topaz wrote:What a confusing thread.

So it doesn´t differ from the other threads in the Kvr. Or maybe its a little bit too conventional and normal.

royosho · Post by **royosho** » Wed Apr 18, 2018 9:59 am

lol, sorry, I blame myself. Originally I was hoping to purchase a full orchestra, however I've realized I can't afford one at the quality I'd like. Instead, I'm trying to build a small chamber orchestra, specifically a "piano trio" - piano, cello, violin.

fmr · Post by **fmr** » Wed Apr 18, 2018 10:03 am

royosho wrote:lol, sorry, I blame myself. Originally I was hoping to purchase a full orchestra, however I've realized I can't afford one at the quality I'd like. Instead, I'm trying to build a small chamber orchestra, specifically a "piano trio" - piano, cello, violin.

Check this one: http://vis.versilstudios.net/vsco-2.html

royosho · Post by **royosho** » Wed Apr 18, 2018 10:31 am

I guess technically Versilian is the best full orchestra under 200. However, I'm looking for something with better sampled/more consistent/realistic sound quality I could eventually use semi-professionally. (Though Versilian is quite good for sketching arrangements and learning composition).

I'm willing to narrow my search to a specific type of chamber orchestra - a piano trio. Usually consisting of a piano, a solo cello and a solo violin. Maybe it's possible to assemble this type of orchestral library for under $200 since it only consists of 3 instruments, rather than a full orchestra. I could start a new thread specifically regarding a piano trio?

DSmolken · Post by **DSmolken** » Wed Apr 18, 2018 11:08 am

I don't think there's a need for separate threads, and quality over quantity seems like a good way to compromise.

If you'd be OK with Ivy Audio Piano In 162 and/or Estate Grand LE, $200 for cello and violin does give you more options. If you can wait for a sale, you might even be able to grab something like Cinematic Studio Solo Strings or Spitfire Alternative Solo Strings and get a wider palette. Spitfire also do academic discounts, if that helps you any. I don't know if there are any upcoming solo strings or quartet releases which would fit in your budget, but keeping an eye for those and trying to catch them on intro pricing...

If you want to buy a better piano, I'd try to get strings and piano that were all recorded in the same concert hall, so it'll be easier to get them to sound coherent. Well, or use very dry sounds and reverb, especially if you go the modeling route with Pianoteq and SWAM strings, but I think that would need a bigger budget, and SWAM don't seem to ever do sales.

Obsolete236871 · Post by **Obsolete236871** » Wed Apr 18, 2018 11:16 am

Free version of Versilian is supposed to be pretty good for semi-professional composition, but it seems that you have higher ambitions. Yes, pro-level libraries have more velocity layers, more variations and probably higher sampling quality. So if that is what you are looking for, then it doesn't seem like there are a lot of inexpensive options around.

For the idea of a trio: at least for piano there are some very expressive and high quality free options for use with Sfozando (sfz format).

Estate Grand LE
http://www.productionvoices.com/estate- ... sforzando/

Piano in 162
http://ivyaudio.com/Piano-in-162

Salamander Grand
http://freepats.zenvoid.org/Piano/acous ... piano.html

Also, check this thread on Bedroomproducersblog:
https://bedroomproducersblog.com/2010/0 ... oy-pianos/

yellowmix · Post by **yellowmix** » Wed Apr 18, 2018 11:24 am

Add $50 and you can get Red Room Palette when it's sale for $249.

nineofkings · Post by **nineofkings** » Wed Apr 18, 2018 1:12 pm

Keep a lookout on VSTBuzz, they often have orchestral libraries for ridiculously cheap. Also look out for secondhand sales on the marketplace here, or even on eBay. A used copy of Pianoteq will get you far and can sometimes be had for cheap.

bigcat1969 · Post by **bigcat1969** » Wed Apr 18, 2018 3:14 pm

Unfortunately I haven't seen any good orchestral sales for some time and I'm wondering if the 'bundle' site have sort of seen their days and are diminishing as the deals seem much less interesting these daze. The Impact Soundworks sale with orchestral colors, full percussion and an upgrade for brass would have fit here.

One question which is sort of sacrificing now for the future, is have you considered getting Kontakt either on sale for $200 or if you get lucky this summer cross grading from Drum'mica for $125. The Kontakt Factory Library is a decent intro library and imo an upgrade over the free world. This opens up the whole world of Kontakt non-player instruments and the option of cross-grading to Komplete & KU. Obviously I'm biased, but to me it is easier to make higher quality instruments using Kontakt and, for instance, I would consider my sketching orchestra made with the VSCO2 samples far better than the maize or sfz versions.

Long ago I made a list of the 'instruments' in KFL and came up with 189 plus 40 legacy.
https://www.native-instruments.com/foru ... ry.198873/

On VI-C there is a thread about the sound of the library...
https://vi-control.net/community/thread ... ary.63190/

fmr · Post by **fmr** » Wed Apr 18, 2018 3:31 pm

royosho wrote:I guess technically Versilian is the best full orchestra under 200. However, I'm looking for something with better sampled/more consistent/realistic sound quality I could eventually use semi-professionally. (Though Versilian is quite good for sketching arrangements and learning composition).

I'm willing to narrow my search to a specific type of chamber orchestra - a piano trio. Usually consisting of a piano, a solo cello and a solo violin. Maybe it's possible to assemble this type of orchestral library for under $200 since it only consists of 3 instruments, rather than a full orchestra. I could start a new thread specifically regarding a piano trio?

If you look for a good trio, you will need to check for great solo instruments. For piano, best option will be Pianoteq (forget sampled pianos - Pianoteq beat them all, IMO). Stage version will cost you € 99

For the solo violin and solo cello, I would go with Vienna Symphonic Library: https://www.vsl.co.at/en/Solo_Strings_B ... _Strings_I

For what you want, I think these would be the best options, but even with the Standard VSL and Pianoteq Stage, you will be in the € 375 region - beyond € 200, of course. But this is with absolutely no compromise in terms of quality, and with the possibility to grow from there.

Anyway, the VSCO Pro Edition is quite good for an orchestra library. In the entry level price it's the best you can get, IMO. http://vis.versilstudios.net/vsco-pro.html

kevvvvv · Post by **kevvvvv** » Wed Apr 18, 2018 6:03 pm

Shame the OP isn't using Studio One.

Presonus Symphony Orchestra is amazing for the money <£100

Check out the spec

https://shop.presonus.com/products/soft ... -Orchestra

Here's the review

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hF2U_dT9NI

jancivil · Post by **jancivil** » Thu Apr 19, 2018 1:00 am

misspoke

royosho · Post by **royosho** » Thu Apr 19, 2018 5:32 pm

I have 2 - 3 more days before I make a purchase and I'll keep a look out for some nice solo strings at a discount price. However, I still think the Tina Guo Legato Cello lead patch, combined with another instance of the instrument's sustain setting for chords and a nice piano isn't a bad starting point. Since working with higher quality samples is different from what I'm used to (ensembles, synthesis and live guitar music) I'd have an opportunity to learn the strength an weaknesses of the instruments and familiarize myself with the process of creating acoustic realism at a higher level. Plus a decent sounding piano is useful in any setting and I could possibly upgrade the cello to the full version at a discounted price. I'd continue to look for solo or ensemble strings to further increase my musical options in the future, however most likely I'd plan to crossgrade to kontakt full since it opens up another world of possibilities. I even found spitfire strings for 16.00 on ebay for kontakt full, not sure whether it's legit... https://www.ebay.com/i/202287463740?chn=ps
These are the options I'm considering and I'll make a decision soon. Thanks for all the help and suggestions!

[Edit] Spitfire Alternative Strings is a repackaging of the Artisan Cello/Violin plus a new Viola/Bass (both new additions sampled without legato? hmm...) However the original Artisan Cello and Artisan Violin sound perfect for what I'm looking for! Both were around 70 each, however aren't on the spitfire website anymore. Are they available anywhere?

Amram · Post by **Amram** » Thu Apr 19, 2018 6:37 pm

How is C. Bechstein Digital compre to pianoteq?
https://www.bechstein-digital.com/

dandezebra · Post by **dandezebra** » Fri Apr 20, 2018 12:07 am

Didn't Albion V - Tundra go on sale a few weeks ago for $199? Could wait for a similar sale again. There stuff isn't totally dry but it is fantastic.

Best First Orchestral Library Under 200 Dollars?