KVR Audio

Blakus · Post by **Blakus** » Wed Dec 19, 2012 8:42 pm

$149 intro price good through December from http://www.strezov-sampling.com

Check out the demos here:
http://soundcloud.com/strezov-sampling/sets/storm-choir

chokehold · Post by **chokehold** » Wed Dec 19, 2012 9:16 pm

Looks and sounds very interesting, especially considering the price.
I see it works with Kontakt 4, that's a big plus.

But what I don't get, even after watching the video... what is it with these syllables? Are there only 5 fixed syllabes without a possibility to vary them?
What if I don't need a "szkaw" or "rraw" ... but maybe a "taah" - is there a way to get one? Probably not.

And also, what is it with one dynamic FFF step?
Aren't there P or MF or whispering dynamic steps?

Cheers

Blakus · Post by **Blakus** » Wed Dec 19, 2012 9:37 pm

Hey chokehold!

There are only 5 syllables, but these have been chosen quite carefully. The library is really not designed to cover all aspects of choir performance, but excels in dramatic "epic" situations. I wouldn't suggest this library if you are trying to replicate actual words either! Softer dynamics can be somewhat simulated with the mod wheel via a filter and volume, but again this isn't it's forte. Often in epic choral music, a variety of syllables is not as sought after as much as intense performance and beautiful tone. You can adjust the offset to create variations of syllables, i.e. rraaw (which is basically raaah with a nice vowel modulation on the release) can be turned into aaaah by increasing the offset to remove the beginning of the syllable.

Hope that helps a bit!
Let me know if you have any more questions. You can follow the facebook page too for more regular updates and information https://www.facebook.com/StrezovSampling

Also note that I'm not actually the developer, but I did have a part in the creation of the library.

chokehold · Post by **chokehold** » Wed Dec 19, 2012 9:55 pm

Thank you for explaining!

Don't misunderstand my questions, I'm not suggesting the library might be missing any functionality, I was merely trying to establish the boundaries of what's possible with it.

Just trying to justify buying it.
But if it's so limited... I don't know. There's the EWQL Symphonic Choirs that don't quite cost double than this at the moment, and they offer a lot more possibilities for the affordable plus in price... gad, how I hate spending Christmas money. ^^

Blakus · Post by **Blakus** » Wed Dec 19, 2012 10:07 pm

Haha, oh I totally understand that! My wallet is hurting from my Christmas spending spree!

It really depends how you think you would most use your choir. I personally don't care about what they're singing, I just want "that" amazing choir tone. You're right though, there are other options out there that will offer more flexibility. I find the tone of these singers/recordings is just so satisfying to play! There's something special about the smaller ensemble size. It's definitely a personal thing!

Here's a little piece I made with it recently that is not so "epic", more classical I suppose you could say.

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/3363455/AftermathSCBlakus.mp3

Blakus · Post by **Blakus** » Sun Dec 30, 2012 10:06 pm

2 more days for the introductory price!
Here's a piece I worked on yesterday that has some subtle useage of the choir.

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/3363455/Return.mp3

updog · Post by **updog** » Tue Jan 01, 2013 6:35 pm

while i do think this product is attractive, i find the 5 syllables a little restraining. there should have been two or three more, to make it sound less like the choir is just repeating words. maybe as a future update?

sorohanro · Post by **sorohanro** » Wed Jan 02, 2013 6:54 pm

Actually, I think it sounds very good and fit it's purpose.
Of course, if you want to have a choir that actually sing a text and you don't mind your RAM and CPU going nuts and you like to deal with iLok and stuff, get EWQL Choir.
This one runs in Kontakt (not Play engine), doesn't require iLok and has a smaller footprint (2.5 GB VS 40 GB).

SamiMatar · Post by **SamiMatar** » Fri Jan 04, 2013 7:48 pm

indeed. Its a very good library for what its worth. These smaller, simpler libraries tend to be very playable and useful. I believe thats the purpose.

J-Rokujuushi · Post by **J-Rokujuushi** » Sat Jan 05, 2013 9:10 am

I picked this one up a few days ago, and while I haven't made anything with it yet, I can see it being very useful. I've been needing something better than QLSO's choirs and more powerful than the Kontakt library's choirs, and this fits the bill perfectly. The syllables may not be enough to write lyrics with, but it adds enough variety to breathe some extra life into choral lines that the basic vowel sounds I had before simply couldn't achieve.

I guess what I'm saying is that it's a budget choir, but it's a damn good one, and I'm quite happy to have it in my library.

Blakus · Post by **Blakus** » Mon Jan 07, 2013 6:57 am

Here's a track I made today, it also happens to show exactly what I love about this choir - such an EPIC yet transparent tone. Fits so easily into a mix. I've obviously pushed it back in the mix for this piece.

http://soundcloud.com/blakus-mfm/ruins-epic-orchestral

jim_miller · Post by **jim_miller** » Sat May 25, 2013 9:42 pm

[quote="Blakus"]Here's a track I made today, it also happens to show exactly what I love about this choir - such an EPIC yet transparent tone. Fits so easily into a mix. I've obviously pushed it back in the mix for this piece.

All your compositions are awesome. Wish I had more time to compose and record. Also wish I'd known about the $149 into price when it was still available (and I could have afforded it back then). Anyhow, I am looking for a composer to work with me on what may be a regular nature series. I'd love to discuss this with you if you are interested.

Thanks,
Jim

Aloysius · Post by **Aloysius** » Wed May 11, 2016 7:14 pm

VSTBuzz: 60% off “Storm Choir 1” by Strezov Sampling

http://vstbuzz.com/deals/60-off-storm-c ... 80ad68775b

mickeyl · Post by **mickeyl** » Mon May 16, 2016 9:07 am

Given that this library is almost 5 years now and there have been a lot of newer ones, would you still consider this a good investment if, say, you also have Metropolis Ark 1 (which also contains an "epic" choir patch)?

Aloysius · Post by **Aloysius** » Mon May 16, 2016 9:09 am

If you're asking me, I don't know. I just posted the deal from a recent newsletter, in a thread (this one) that looked relevant.

After all this time, there don't seem to any reviews in print or on youtube, at least none that I could find. That's probably not a good sign.

New Epic Chamber Choir from Strezov Sampling - STORM CHOIR