KVR Audio

Astralv · Post by **Astralv** » Thu Jun 06, 2019 3:02 am

Hey there

I always been early adopter of every NI upgrade and currently have Komplete Ultimate 11. Last year I could not afford to upgrade to 12 due to being new home owner. It been long year without buying any synths or libraries. But now that NI Upgrades are half off, I need to break a credit card... I would like to buy KOMPLETE 12 ULTIMATE Collector's Edition at $300, but I have soooo many other things I could spend extra $100. Please, tell me, what is the difference between SYMPHONY ESSENTIALS and SYMPHONY SERIES? Once in a while I use orchestral sounds, but I have large collection of hardware synths and some other Kontakt orchestral libraries (not sure what I have). I am thinking- a year ago- I would not think twice to pay 100$ to upgrade Symphony collections, but now- credit card, monthly payments, interest... I could also use Machine expansions. The frustrating thing is that I bought like 20 or 30 of them one at a time at $25 to $50 each, and now they just include all 50 with Collectors Edition. I am definitely a collector, as I have very little time to use my synths and still did not use any of my Maschine expansions, yet- I have Maschine and Maschine Jam waiting for like 2 years for me to use them... So- Collectors Edition at $300 or Ultimate at $200? Thank you so much!

D Midas · Post by **D Midas** » Thu Jun 06, 2019 4:08 am

How about neither, you have no time to use them and no money to buy them.

jancivil · Post by **jancivil** » Thu Jun 06, 2019 5:03 am

"Essentials" is a kind of disingenuous word for less articulations there, it would then take up less space on disk.

ShawnG · Post by **ShawnG** » Thu Jun 06, 2019 5:35 am

according to NI there are WAY more articulations in symphony series, more microphone mixes available, true legato mode and a couple other things. Probably if you need to sound like a real orchestra on its own, you'll want the symphony series. If you just want some symphony-ish backing tracks for a pop or rock song, essentials is probably fine. (actually for that, the VSL instruments in the factory sound bank are probably fine as well.) It is only 100 bucks though. FWIW I went ultimate, not CE. I'm not an orchestral composer.

Astralv · Post by **Astralv** » Thu Jun 06, 2019 5:42 am

D Midas, good point, but once an addict, always an addict. A year of obstinance was a big commitment. Now house remodel is almost done, so I need inspiration to get back in to working on music. Was the Massive X already released or are we still waiting? I can use Thrill and- I don't think Kontakt 6 is required yet, but it is good to have. The 50% off updates is only once a year. And I don't expect them to have Komplete 13 this fall.

Jancivil, do you have full versions? I am wondering if the number of instruments remains the same. Most of collections in it had like 6-7 instruments- I was hoping there would be more. They also sound very dry and there is no effects. It is a good thing, but also would be nice to have them dressed. The phrases in arpeggiator were generic- up and down style. Is it any different in the full version? Articulation- I mostly use Legato or staccato, I am not trying to fake real instruments.

Shawn, so no more instruments than in Essential and no effects? That is underwhelming.

Thank you for your replies.

ShawnG · Post by **ShawnG** » Thu Jun 06, 2019 6:27 am

It's an orchestral library, the assumption is that you'll want a flute to sound like a flute. I only have essentials, but the GUI has an effects tab with EQ, convo reverb, Compression and Filtering, and its in Kontakt, so all you gotta do is click on the wrench on the sound header and you can add any effect you want. save yourself some snapshots, and you can have all sorts of crazy stuff going on. not really what the library is designed for, but there's nothing stopping you from running your tubas through a filtered, flanged leslie if you really want to. if you aren't bothered by extra articulations, little need to get the full symphony.

Cinebient · Post by **Cinebient** » Thu Jun 06, 2019 5:16 pm

Also no real legato on the essentials.
But on the N.I. website you can compare them...

Blaster · Post by **Blaster** » Thu Jun 06, 2019 6:28 pm

I would say that if you have to ask, it's probably not for you.

jancivil · Post by **jancivil** » Thu Jun 06, 2019 8:47 pm

I have only seen the full version. I don't know how good the Essentials pseudo-legato is, I'm kind of a stickler for the performance of real legato.
If you're not very worried about realism, well Essential is kind of the entry level and the expenditure for a full may be kind of a waste.
I think from the demos and considering the source, the sound is there.

Elektronisch · Post by **Elektronisch** » Fri Jun 07, 2019 5:27 pm

I am definitely a collector, as I have very little time to use my synths and still did not use any of my Maschine expansions, yet- I have Maschine and Maschine Jam waiting for like 2 years for me to use them... So- Collectors Edition at $300 or Ultimate at $200? Thank you so much!

Uhm...dont buy dont upgrade and use that goddamn Maschine Jam that is collecting dust for 2 years. Or send me that money you are going to waste, because it doesnt matter where you will use it, its still going to waste

or treat your family instead, giving/sharing is proven to bring joy and happyness

JoaquinAce · Post by **JoaquinAce** » Sun Jun 09, 2019 4:30 pm

Do you have a need for a full orchestra or do you only use orchestral sounds sporadically? If I would do extensive movie scoring, for example, I would get the series. If you are a collector of orchestral libraries, I would get the series. If you just like to buy libraries in general and never use them, I would get the series. If your music requires the odd orchestral sound and you have exhausted all your other orchestral sounds, use the essentials. For my purposes, the essentials do the job and more.

What's the difference between NI SYMPHONY ESSENTIALS and SYMPHONY SERIES?