Big thumbs up for Kirk Hunter Virtuoso Ensembles.....

[MikeInBoston]

The new Kirk Hunter Virtuoso Ensembles is the best collection of ensembles that I've ever heard. For $199 (intro price), it's a steal. The woodwinds are sweet, the brass sound like brass, and the strings are lovely. And the ensembles are very configurable. In my opinion, they sound better than Symphobia, Albion, and the rest. I use ensembles all the time when I sketch for orchestra, and later I will split the chords into individual instrument tracks. These ensembles are so good, I may end up doing a lot less splitting. Can you tell that I like them? LOL!

Mike

[MIDI Life Crisis]

Dude! - seriously, thank you! I only listened to the YOuTube demo and was sold fast. Definitely bought in. I am in your debt, sir. This is exactly what I have been waiting for.

[dix]

Yep. Pretty impressive for $200. Kind of hard to pass up.

...the aforementioned youtube for easy ref: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RgN09DGq-8

[buzzsmith]

Thanks. I'll check this out later.

Buzzy


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[MIDI Life Crisis]

I got to play with it for a few minutes last night. Just as Mike in Boston claims, it's really a great VI (for Kontakt). My only issue is it is showing up as being in DEMO mode. I'll try and get a note out to KH about that, but if there's an authorization scheme I didn't find it in the PDFs.

[buzzsmith]

I got to play with it for a few minutes last night. Just as Mike in Boston claims, it's really a great VI (for Kontakt). My only issue is it is showing up as being in DEMO mode. I'll try and get a note out to KH about that, but if there's an authorization scheme I didn't find it in the PDFs.

Thanks.

I may buy later today or tomorrow after I check out the demo.

Your first impressions: Think it can get close to the sweet "Nashville Sound" string sections of old (or new)? My projects are about 20% cinematic/symphonic with the balance being pop, rock and country.

Buzzy


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[MIDI Life Crisis]

I found it to be better ensemble simulations than any other VI. The last time ensemble sequencing was that easy was with the Emu Proteus 2. Obviously, this is superior and really focuses on the four main orchestral groups. The piano is pretty lame, but we're spoiled. How's that C7 doing? My G5 is so ready for a rebuild. Within the next year for sure. Hopefully sooner, but I digress (or is that "butt eye digresses?").

[dix]

MLC, would you say it holds it's own with other orchestral libraries sound wise, or is it just the ensemble arranging feature you like? ...like I say, at $200 it's a great deal but I'm always reticent to add yet another library that'll need updating and maintaining in perpetuity.

[MIDI Life Crisis]

MLC, would you say it holds it's own with other orchestral libraries sound wise, or is it just the ensemble arranging feature you like? ...like I say, at $200 it's a great deal but I'm always reticent to add yet another library that'll need updating and maintaining in perpetuity.

It won't replace some solo instruments, and there are some samples of sounds that I haven't heard in there yet: ethnic instruments in particular. But as far as quick and dirty, on the fly kind of writing it seems like a great investment. Frankly, I don't often write like that, mainly because the quality of the ensembles wasn't there. Brass and winds in particular always sound a little flat and inhuman. Everything I tried in the KH Ensembles VI has sounded great. I can't say that for many other packages.

And to think we have Tab Hunter to thank for all this... oooops, I mean Kirk Hunter...

[artfarm1]

I've had this for about a week.

Yes, it's excellent for many reasons. I also love Kirk Hunter, and own his 'Spotlight Strings' and the whole 'Diamond Orchestra'.

Does this new ensemble library replace them? No.

But, for sketching and even some final recordings they're excellent. You won't get the same articulations, ability to adjust section sizes, or be able to get a real dry sound as you can out of the other libraries, but it is incredibly useful.

I might have bought it just for the percussion and hits alone. Excellent material!

Anyways, I' m a huge fan of the Kirk Hunter 'sound'. This package is a great way to get into his sound world.

[artfarm1]

... must add!

Kirk Hunter's libraries sound marvelous when run dry and processed by MOTU's ProVerb with a nice IR reverb of your choosing.

(Wish I hadn't spent money on some of the other so-called 'name' libraries. They're gathering hard-drive dust)

'Spotlight Strings' is incredible, from soloists to a nice full section of each string instrument.

And 'Diamond Orchestra' can cover any needs. Lots's of choices in there.

[tbrianmann]

Guys you're kidding right. This is horrible, nice interface for sure, but sound is primitive and organ like in response. Don't understand your like.

[artfarm1]

Love Kirk Hunter libraries... because in a final mix his instruments don't sound 'synth-like' and they have some body to them.

And they blend and add body to any other library out there. Find your own reverb settings depending on the project.

You have to learn them, like practising any instrument.

I've had music played back in large indoor (arenas) and outdoor venues over excellent sound systems, using Diamond Orchestra with a little mix of other libraries' instruments when called for, and have been extremely pleased, as were the people hiring me.

[dbender]

Guys you're kidding right. This is horrible, nice interface for sure, but sound is primitive and organ like in response. Don't understand your like.

Is that based on your having bought it and actually played it? Or is it based on trying a demo? Or is it based on listening to the online audio demos?

[MIDI Life Crisis]

I suppose it ultimately comes down to taste and how you use the sounds. Not everyone likes likes pizza. This amazes me, yet there it is. How can that be?

Back o/t... I'm not a fan of recreating (or attempting to) by multi-hundred track counts and sequencing every little articulation in the belief you can fool some of the people some of the time. OTOH, I do write orchestral music that fools some of those people and found the KH Ensembles to have the best quality for a single all-in-one package. No extra cheese in there.