Just saw that LSS Solo Strings by Aria sounds is on sale. I was considering Tina Guo a while back cause I would like a nice cello sounds. Now this comes up and seems like a fair deal with some extra instruments. Anybody use it?
Feels like a good deal for 40 bucks. Or can anybody talk me out of it?
You can see the deal at: https://audioplugin.deals/ now
LSS Solo Strings by Aria - a useful pickup?
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- KVRist
- 433 posts since 28 Dec, 2017
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- KVRAF
- 2211 posts since 20 Sep, 2013 from Poland
Their stuff comes up on deep discount once in a while. I can remember it coming up in a "what samples have you regretted buying" with really negative opinions, so it's worth looking at other options and at least comparing demos and features.
If affordable cello's what you want, my Vengeful Cello is $59, XSample Contemporary Solo Strings is obscure because the developer does literally no marketing but well-liked, and Waverunner also has a simple cello and violin.
If affordable cello's what you want, my Vengeful Cello is $59, XSample Contemporary Solo Strings is obscure because the developer does literally no marketing but well-liked, and Waverunner also has a simple cello and violin.
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- Banned
- 2524 posts since 4 Jul, 2019
If you have nothing else this is a good deal , otherwise no. It is in my folders with a note "no resale never buy from them again" In my view you are better off just using the built in Kontakt libraries and then saving up for a good library like (different instrument) Bohemian Cello or similar quality. If I had one bit of advice I wished I had followed it would be - use the Kontakt libraries until you can buy something absolutely first rate. Any other purchase should go to interesting extension libraries - like for instance recommended above https://shop.karoryfer.com/vengeful-cello is good, as is xsample (I have both)
and .... never buy a standard library you cant resell - fine for something truly great, otherwise no resell = never ever buy
and .... never buy a standard library you cant resell - fine for something truly great, otherwise no resell = never ever buy
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- KVRAF
- 2315 posts since 11 Mar, 2003
Aria are an odd company. Seemed to start quite well then tailed off. I have a hyrbrid piano library from them for unusual piano sounds. Also and organ an the percussion stuff. They're pretty good. But I wouldn't bother with the strings and choir.
Actually, with Spitfire Audio just announcing BBCSO Discover for $49, you might find that a better buy.
Actually, with Spitfire Audio just announcing BBCSO Discover for $49, you might find that a better buy.
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- KVRist
- 117 posts since 10 Sep, 2019
I'm sorta tempted on it, I had considered paying the old sale price of somewhere around 60 euros for it. I have Aurora Choir and was happy with it other than the lack of an Ooh vowel. It has AEIO but no U... Makes using it as a supplemental character library slightly tougher than it should be but the sounds there are worth it because they're somewhat unique. I'm imagining the same thing going on with LSS Solo Strings, maybe it could be a good character library.
One major thing to note, it has keyswitchable bow directions.
If you do some deep googling you'll find their whole bundle for somewhere around 60, it was not too long ago so maybe they'll do that again at some point.
One major thing to note, it has keyswitchable bow directions.
If you do some deep googling you'll find their whole bundle for somewhere around 60, it was not too long ago so maybe they'll do that again at some point.
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- KVRist
- 114 posts since 3 Jun, 2019 from Madrid, Spain
I recently bought "Aurora Choir" and it is not bad. And this week I acquired LSS strings also by Aria. I think that FOR ME it is a better deal. It covers a hole in my library. I have Symphony Series (NI). But SS does not have solo instruments, and it has a typical problem in string libraries: Slow (beautiful) attacks that are very complicated to use with standard MIDI files, specially as speed is increasing. Yes, Stacatto works well but... combining it with normal long notes sounds unnatural and it takes a lot of effort to play any normal MIDI file. I also have Session Strings Pro 2. Attacks are easier to use (still not ideal) but they are ensembles, not solo instruments.
Then I have a few more string libraries that sound really good... but they are oriented to "phrases", cannot be "played" in the standard way. Emotive Strings and Action Strings (both also NI), Spiritoso and Luminoso (Zero G). But when it comes to play an arrangement done by (for example) Band in a Box, some of my free instruments sound better. Especially if I do not spend long time tweaking the "good ones". Examples: The Stroh violin, PocketBlakus cello, Lewis E Pyle violin, ldk1609 (Big Cat)...
That's why I wanted an inexpensive library with decent solo strings. And this one seems to work good enough. Attacks and articulations are very easy to integrate with MIDI (similar to the free libraries), but sampling is much better. Samples are far from perfect, but they are decent.
Library is heavy because it is recorded with 4 mics... but even in this case the long notes are sampled every 2 notes, and only 1 velocity! I would have preferred more real recording time and ONE good dry sound. There are some player flaws... but also in the most expensive of the ensembles.
So for me it has been a good purchase. Good articulations. 4 mics to mix. Good dry sound. The release control is useful. Portamento is well implemented. Very easy to use. Heavy size. No pizzicato. It is like having many of the best smaller free libraries in a "good enough" coherent library that is easy to use and "good enough".
Today, after I purchased it I discovered a few old reviews here in KVR. Just search "LSS" in "instruments" (not samples).
Then I have a few more string libraries that sound really good... but they are oriented to "phrases", cannot be "played" in the standard way. Emotive Strings and Action Strings (both also NI), Spiritoso and Luminoso (Zero G). But when it comes to play an arrangement done by (for example) Band in a Box, some of my free instruments sound better. Especially if I do not spend long time tweaking the "good ones". Examples: The Stroh violin, PocketBlakus cello, Lewis E Pyle violin, ldk1609 (Big Cat)...
That's why I wanted an inexpensive library with decent solo strings. And this one seems to work good enough. Attacks and articulations are very easy to integrate with MIDI (similar to the free libraries), but sampling is much better. Samples are far from perfect, but they are decent.
Library is heavy because it is recorded with 4 mics... but even in this case the long notes are sampled every 2 notes, and only 1 velocity! I would have preferred more real recording time and ONE good dry sound. There are some player flaws... but also in the most expensive of the ensembles.
So for me it has been a good purchase. Good articulations. 4 mics to mix. Good dry sound. The release control is useful. Portamento is well implemented. Very easy to use. Heavy size. No pizzicato. It is like having many of the best smaller free libraries in a "good enough" coherent library that is easy to use and "good enough".
Today, after I purchased it I discovered a few old reviews here in KVR. Just search "LSS" in "instruments" (not samples).
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- KVRist
- 117 posts since 10 Sep, 2019
I think the real question I've been asking myself about this deal: What's the next step up from LSS Solo Strings and how much is the price difference? What similar products are in the 40-80USD range?
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- KVRist
- 414 posts since 25 Aug, 2018
Discover is a full orchestra and covers different territory than LSS Solo Strings.Mr Arkadin wrote: Thu May 07, 2020 5:53 pm Aria are an odd company. Seemed to start quite well then tailed off. I have a hyrbrid piano library from them for unusual piano sounds. Also and organ an the percussion stuff. They're pretty good. But I wouldn't bother with the strings and choir.
Actually, with Spitfire Audio just announcing BBCSO Discover for $49, you might find that a better buy.
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- KVRAF
- 2315 posts since 11 Mar, 2003
Yeah, I didn't read the solo bit for some reason, just LSS Strings. Anyway I see you can get Discover for free so what's to lose?courtjestr wrote: Mon May 11, 2020 3:35 amDiscover is a full orchestra and covers different territory than LSS Solo Strings.Mr Arkadin wrote: Thu May 07, 2020 5:53 pm Aria are an odd company. Seemed to start quite well then tailed off. I have a hyrbrid piano library from them for unusual piano sounds. Also and organ an the percussion stuff. They're pretty good. But I wouldn't bother with the strings and choir.
Actually, with Spitfire Audio just announcing BBCSO Discover for $49, you might find that a better buy.