Hi Mike, it is a long time since I’ve contacted you. The reason being during COVID I needed something to keep me sane. I started with the VSL Smart Orchestra, then moved to the Big Bang Orchestra - Andromeda but I wanted some solo instruments so Special Edition 1 but more spending nothing on grog etc Special Edition 2. Subsequently more orchestras. But I must say for really nice the Special Edition is brilliant. For big booming the Big Bang is something else. The real trick to the VSL stuff is to learn the controls. In Cakewalk for example I use a MIDI track for the notes and a separate track for the Key Switches and CC controls. I’ll now sit for a rest and watch your video. But I totally agree with your first comment the VSL Special editions are great. But I’m out of SSD space. Keep well Tony. Thanks again.
I'm glad that you have featured VSL Synchron player in this video. The Synchron player provides a very consistent environment across all the VSL libraries. As you mentioned it is very easy to use but it is also almost endlessly modifiable. You can combine articulations and tweak their performance to get just the sound you want. And VSL libraries are consistent in their high quality. And they offer sales and intros. Cakewalk users will find that Articulation Maps are ideal for controlling the dimension tree Synchron menus. Just google and you can find many free already created artic maps for VSL libraries. And disciss.cakewalk.com has a forum devoted to Articulation maps..
The only thing I find inconsistent and I can’t explain from Synchron player, is that the key switches are sometimes on the bottom keys, and sometimes on the high keys. It would be more consistent to keep them all, all the time, on the bottom keys, so you wouldn’t have to think too much when you want to change articulations.
Great review Mike and a nice piece you put together there. Agree re violas - vastly under-rated IMO. I also love the oboe. When you got to the Big Bang Orchestra I said 'Ah but what about the dongle' - glad you mentioned it at the end - it did put me off a bit so I have not bothered with the BBO. The Synchron software looks well thought out but the library is out of my league price wise so I'll just keep on with Miroslav and Garittan PO - by the way IK have a great deal at the moment with Miroslav CE for 25 euro for anyone who wants to dip their toe into orchestral writing!
Mike this sounds wonderful. My question is, what about scoring? Does it have a scoring app in it or how can I transfer this to say Finale or other scoring apps. Thanks much.
Hi Jules, I think it may be possible to integrate with Notion, although I haven't tested it yet. support.presonus.com/hc/en-us/articles/210049003-Using-the-Vienna-Symphonic-Library-with-Notion
Such an underrated/overlooked library. It puts many other developers to shame in sound and playability. Unfortunately they do price themselves out of many peoples budget. Especially since they market this as a starter package. I have SE1 and it is 100% worth it. The viola is the highlight (detache is incredible)
Synchron Player is for a single instrument, you can't stack several instruments like you do in Kontakt. However, VSL also produced Vienna Ensemble (free app) that will let you do what you want, stack instruments and route them as you wish. They also have the Vienna Ensemble Pro version (not free), that lets you stack ANY instruments, not only VSL instruments. It means you can load Kontakt instruments, UVI instruments, VSL instruments or anything else into Vienna Ensemble Pro, and do whatever you wish (stack, route, inserts, sends, fx, etc.)
Although I don't have any experience with VSL I do have both EastWest and Spitfire Audio orchestral products. The fact is they all sound great. The practical differences are in the way the user interfaces are designed. Between the two I own, I prefer the Spitfire interface. It is just easier to set up and control the MIDI CC's to allow "humanizing" the performances. BTW, Christian Henson (Christian Hensen Music RUclips channel) has a great series of YT instructional videos on how to virtually realistically perform orchestral instruments using MIDI controllers and related topics, e.g., how to "voice" instrument ensembles.
![Make your Samples Sound More Realistic - VSL Special Edition [REVIEW]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Lpf6bDpDaQY/mqdefault.jpg)
![Make your Samples Sound More Realistic - VSL Special Edition [REVIEW]](/img/tr.png)
The Pied Piper of Wallets is at it again, I see. Mike pulls out his magic flute and my wallet seems to empty instantly...
Okay, so I didn't think through that last sentence... 😂
LMAO. Best comment on 2 years :)
@@CreativeSauce 😂
@@CreativeSauce You think I'm joking? You've cost me more than my ex! 😁
@@patjackmanesq lol. You won't regret VSL - not sure about the ex.
Great demo, thanks.
Thanks Mike for yet another great video.
My pleasure Nick :)
Hi Mike, it is a long time since I’ve contacted you. The reason being during COVID I needed something to keep me sane. I started with the VSL Smart Orchestra, then moved to the Big Bang Orchestra - Andromeda but I wanted some solo instruments so Special Edition 1 but more spending nothing on grog etc Special Edition 2. Subsequently more orchestras. But I must say for really nice the Special Edition is brilliant. For big booming the Big Bang is something else. The real trick to the VSL stuff is to learn the controls. In Cakewalk for example I use a MIDI track for the notes and a separate track for the Key Switches and CC controls. I’ll now sit for a rest and watch your video. But I totally agree with your first comment the VSL Special editions are great. But I’m out of SSD space. Keep well Tony. Thanks again.
Hey nice to hear from you Tony! Yes, disk space is a big issue. I'm currently downloading the new Eastwest Ooys editions! OMG!
Hey Mike,this was simple,yet beautifull.Congrats.
Hey, thanks!
wow a-mazing sound. incredible rich and detailed. Thanks
Glad you like it!
Lovely piece of music!
I'm glad that you have featured VSL Synchron player in this video. The Synchron player provides a very consistent environment across all the VSL libraries. As you mentioned it is very easy to use but it is also almost endlessly modifiable. You can combine articulations and tweak their performance to get just the sound you want. And VSL libraries are consistent in their high quality. And they offer sales and intros.
Cakewalk users will find that Articulation Maps are ideal for controlling the dimension tree Synchron menus. Just google and you can find many free already created artic maps for VSL libraries. And disciss.cakewalk.com has a forum devoted to Articulation maps..
Thanks for these awesome tips Steve! Much appreciated.
The only thing I find inconsistent and I can’t explain from Synchron player, is that the key switches are sometimes on the bottom keys, and sometimes on the high keys. It would be more consistent to keep them all, all the time, on the bottom keys, so you wouldn’t have to think too much when you want to change articulations.
Yes!
Hey man - thanks for watching, as always :)
Very proud boss. From Nigeria.
Great review Mike and a nice piece you put together there. Agree re violas - vastly under-rated IMO. I also love the oboe. When you got to the Big Bang Orchestra I said 'Ah but what about the dongle' - glad you mentioned it at the end - it did put me off a bit so I have not bothered with the BBO. The Synchron software looks well thought out but the library is out of my league price wise so I'll just keep on with Miroslav and Garittan PO - by the way IK have a great deal at the moment with Miroslav CE for 25 euro for anyone who wants to dip their toe into orchestral writing!
Hi Joe, thank you. And yes, Miroslav is a great tool to have at your disposal also :)
@@CreativeSauce I have both.If i had to pick one , it would be VSL.
sounds great!
Cheers!
There is also a special edition 1 +
Road to 80k🔥🔥👍
Haha - will be getting there with help from good folks like you :)
Thanks!
Is it just me or is youtube's audio SUPER compressed?
Over compression happens, if you upload audio above -13 LUFS. I doubt that Mike went over it. But It could have happened, yes.
True. I always go for -14dB. But I did have some last minute issues with my voice today. Never really satisfied TBH!
Sounds beautiful, but it's very much out of my price range as a newbie! Glad I can support videos like this through Patreon! --Carla
Mike this sounds wonderful. My question is, what about scoring? Does it have a scoring app in it or how can I transfer this to say Finale or other scoring apps. Thanks much.
Hi Jules, I think it may be possible to integrate with Notion, although I haven't tested it yet. support.presonus.com/hc/en-us/articles/210049003-Using-the-Vienna-Symphonic-Library-with-Notion
@@CreativeSauce Thanks Mike.
@@snarf1504 Thanks Snarf.
I'm in the south hemisphere, and winter is coming here.
:) I'm glad someone finally noted this :p
@@CreativeSauce ha! It was quite obvious!
Nice video by the way. As usual!
Have looked at Presonus Symph Orch
Such an underrated/overlooked library. It puts many other developers to shame in sound and playability. Unfortunately they do price themselves out of many peoples budget. Especially since they market this as a starter package. I have SE1 and it is 100% worth it. The viola is the highlight (detache is incredible)
Yeah, I agree in all respects. But this is really my 'go to '. It has a level of refinement others don't have.
is SYNCRON PLAYER suppose to replace the VIP2, is VIP2 being phased out?
Symchron Player works like Kontakt? That is, can you route 16 midi tracks to the Synchron Player and then route 16 audio outputs to the DAW's mixer?
Synchron Player is for a single instrument, you can't stack several instruments like you do in Kontakt. However, VSL also produced Vienna Ensemble (free app) that will let you do what you want, stack instruments and route them as you wish. They also have the Vienna Ensemble Pro version (not free), that lets you stack ANY instruments, not only VSL instruments. It means you can load Kontakt instruments, UVI instruments, VSL instruments or anything else into Vienna Ensemble Pro, and do whatever you wish (stack, route, inserts, sends, fx, etc.)
@@MFJMD564 thanks for the info.
Although I don't have any experience with VSL I do have both EastWest and Spitfire Audio orchestral products. The fact is they all sound great. The practical differences are in the way the user interfaces are designed. Between the two I own, I prefer the Spitfire interface. It is just easier to set up and control the MIDI CC's to allow "humanizing" the performances. BTW, Christian Henson (Christian Hensen Music RUclips channel) has a great series of YT instructional videos on how to virtually realistically perform orchestral instruments using MIDI controllers and related topics, e.g., how to "voice" instrument ensembles.
What do you think is the closest spitfire library to VSL instruments?
Very proud boss. From Nigeria.