VSL

[thelonecynic]

I'm curious about this sound set of M5v2. Can anyone who has used it give their thoughts on the quality and usability of the set? And, if possible, compare it to any of the actual commercial VSL releases on which this is derived or from which it is based?

Basically, I'm hoping to retire my E-MU V2K module. For a replacement, I'm considering whether to get M5v2 for the VSL soundset as my sole orchestral library or the EWQL Symphonic Orchestra Gold Pro bundle. I can only afford one or the other, and if the sound quality and variety between them is quite disparate, then I'd rather go with the better of the two in those areas. I am concerned that EWQLSO imposes a limit of 8 parts with Kompact. There's supposed to be a free upgrade to PLAY, but who knows when this will be available and I don't know whether the parts limitation is at least improved by doubling it to 16.

Thanks.

[emulatorloo]

I am concerned that EWQLSO imposes a limit of 8 parts with Kompact.

I don't have MACHFIVE 2 yet so I cannot address the VSL samples that come with.

I do have Gold however and I wanted to address a couple things:

-- You can open multiple instances of Kompakt player in DP w/o adding to much CPU overhead. So it really isn't that big of a problem.

-- If you are running on an intel mac, Gold w Kompakt player will not run as a plug in as it is PowerPC only. The Play engine will be intel mac capable. (But I do not trust it and I wish they had stayed with NI like Garritan did)

-- However, if you are on an intel mac, you can run Gold in KONTAKT. NI offers a real decent competive crossgrade to KONTAKT if you have an east west library.

-- LASTLY NI KONTAKT comes with a large set of VSL samples too. So that might be an option for you instead of MACHFIVE2

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I know some users here have Gold, Kontakt and MachFive2 -- hopefully they will be able to give you a good comparison.

--

[charlzj]

Hey thelonecynic-

I have some Vienna instruments (Chamber Strings and Solo Strings) as well as MachFive 2. I have not done a detailed comparison yet. Nor have I really dug into the Rules feature for creating MachFive layers.... (I'm still waiting for them to fix the loop bug)

But a quick trial of some of the MachFive2Vienna patches left me with these impressions:

Sonically, the two versions are comparable. The thing that left me scratching my head was that the MachFive legato patches don't really play legato. (I'd be curious to know if anyone else had different results.) In Vienna, the legato works beautifully. Also, the MachFive Vienna collection is not nearly as comprehensive as the big Vienna orch libraries - of course it's a "light" combination of the Vienna instruments. I don't need all the orch instruments, so I plunked down the cash for specific Vienna string libraries that I use frequently.

Legato issue notwithstanding, if you just need a little of all the orch instruments, MachFive's collection will get you there for a fraction of the price of a comprehensive Vienna library.

I should mention that I am beta-testing an RTAS version of VIs and it will run about 8 instruments simultaneously in ProTools (48k/24 bit) before it hits the wall. Previously, I had to use FXpansions's VST-RTAS adaptor or Plogue Bidule in order to open VIs in ProTools. So far this beta version of RTAS VIs is making me very happy. I have to assume this means they will release the RTAS version soon.

[charlzj]

Forgot to mention - I also have the EW Symphonic Platinum Pro bundle. Of course Vienna and EW each have their own strengths. I'm not doing film scores - I do string arrangements on records. So my preferences may differ from yours.

For me, the Vienna instruments are unbeatable in terms of realism. They have a "magic" about them that is hard to quantify. The legato, portamento, etc sound amazing and expressive. And I like the fact that they don't have much ambience, so I can add reverb to taste in the context of a track. I do wish there was more vibrato in a lot of the patches...

On the other hand, EW sounds are inherently "bigger" sounding than the Viennas. They do have a lot of ambience built in. So even though there are multiple mic placement versions (at least in the Platinum version), I have to do a lot of tweaking of release samples etc. to dry them up enough to work in a pop music context. They do sound great though, and I often use certain things from EW, for example marcatos which have a nice aggressiveness.

[Shooshie]

For what it's worth, MachFive2 imposes no limits on polyphony. You can run as many channels of as many instruments as you want, and even assign them up to 200 individual audio outputs in MAS. That may be overkill, but I can envision scenarios with quite a few outputs. I regularly use 30 to 40 busses, giving me audio automation on every instrument if desired. It's pretty flexible, and offers more in that regard than any other instrument I've ever seen.

Shooshie

[3over3]

I should mention that I am beta-testing an RTAS version of VIs and it will run about 8 instruments simultaneously in ProTools (48k/24 bit) before it hits the wall.

... you're meaning VIs as in "Vienna Instruments" and not "Virtual Instruments", right? I got all excited as it read like Digidesign were bringing out native VST hosting in Tools!?!?!

By the way - how's the timing accuracy of RTAS M5v2 for you? I got big problems...

[charlzj]

Yes, 3over3, I am talking about Vienna Instruments. Sorry if that was unclear!

I will run a timing test today on MachFive 2 and get back to you...

[richardein]

The VSL instruments in MachFive2 are very good, for the most part. The harp is gorgeous (can't remember if it's VSL or the standard instruments). I'm using it in conjunction with EWQL platinum and some other sounds (such as old Akai choir sounds that I'm used to). Some sounds are better than others.

Sorry, I wish I could suggest one over the other but can't. I must say that if I had to do it over again, I would have gone VSL rather than EWQL, but they both sound good for certain things, not great for others.