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VI Pro and Vienna libraries worth it in 2018?

I understand playability issues and I agree that Vienna makes absolutely awesome software -- really amazing. That said, I use all kinds of libraries that present problems with playability but whose sound I love.
you are right...I'm a sound designer, then I like to create/modify the sound to fit my needs. But I am even an epic/cinematic composer and I would take the good of VSL (the player and the customization) but with a sound more epic than classical. If it isn't possible to create this kind of strings sound with VSL maybe it isn't the right tool for me..
 
If it isn't possible to create this kind of strings sound with VSL maybe it isn't the right tool for me.

Well, we are treading into matters of taste and subjectivity. I think one needs to explore and decide for oneself. Walk-throughs and demos are my method.
 
For sure, JohnG, but sometimes the experience of other users is worth more than many demos..especially users that did it before me
 
For sure, JohnG, but sometimes the experience of other users is worth more than many demos..especially users that did it before me

true, but to JohnG's point, my experience is i find libraries like Spitfire and CSS undesirable.

i don't do much "epic" or trailer - not saying SF or CSS are limited to that style.

so my point of view may not help much.

very subjective.
 
yeah absolutely subjective for some points of view, inspirational under other points of view...thank you all for the suggestions ;)
 
Not even Appassionata or Synchron?
I don't have Syncron or Dimension. I thought this was about the old VSL samples. It's all about what you like. I have heard really amazing songs done with VSL and in the right hands everything works. I just prefer the sound of LASS over VSL.

-Hannes
 
I just threw down for VSL Cube and I'm excited about using it and no I don't think it is even remotely out dated. I also think VSL makes the hands down best VST instrument for orchestral work in terms of performance control.

That being said, VSL is not as "immediate" as some other libraries, for lack of a better word. You have to put some work into the project to make it sound "epic". Other libraries get that big sound much more easily. With VSL you have to use MIRPro or something like that to make it sound big and some will still say you can much more easily get that huge sound using Hollywood Orch or some of the other libraries that have been mentioned, However I do feel the level of control in terms of nuance is unprecedented with VSL...and also, VSL has all the instruments evenly balanced and responding in a similar manner form instrument to instrument, etc.

In short you will hear on this forum a lot of people on both sides of the "is VSL worth it" debate and frankly you just will have to try it yourself to find out if it works for you. I decided I wanted the fine nuance control more than the ability to whip out easy trailer music.
 
Are they worth it? I don't know.

I just got the SE woodwinds/brass/percussion after swearing off of VSL thanks to my experience with their classic strings. I don't regret these new purchases nearly as much, but they have issues that, while few, are really glaring in comparison to more modern options. Plus, there is the dongle drama.

If these things were to ever be resolved, I'd be ecstatic and quick to recommend VSL for everything but strings, even though spatialization is a pain, and I've never been convinced by MIR, at least not in the available demos.

As far as "dry" and extremely playable VI's are concerned, I am just waiting for the day when I can afford LASS, and Sample Modeling's brass. For woodwinds and percussion, I might stick with VSL and get the full versions. My opinions on this stuff change by the day, though.
 
You know what, it's pretty clear that VSL have a lot of people who are real interested in buying into their libraries, but this dongle policy is stopping them from doing so. They have apparently been saying they are going to resolve this for a year or two now

VSL might wish to consider that they could well get such a sales bump from sorting this issue out that it may make it the profits on developing a new library pale into insignificance.

In every other respect they are a great company to buy from:

30 day refund policy - tick
Resale of libraries - tick
lost/broken dongle policy - nope

Just something for them to consider.....
 
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I use the VSL Cube (standard libraries) exclusively. Everything on my Soundcloud is 100% VSL, from concert music string quartets and orchestral works to a few "film/game/epic" pieces. Lots of work to get to know VSL, but the versatility and ability to shape and mould everything to your liking is king.

Cheers!
Dave
 
You know what, it's pretty clear that VSL have a lot of people who are real interested in buying into their libraries, but this dongle policy is stopping them from doing so. They have apparently been saying they are going to resolve this for a year or two now

VSL might wish to consider that they could well get such a sales bump from sorting this issue out that it may make it the profits on developing a new library pale into insignificance.

In every other respect they are a great company to buy from:

30 day refund policy - tick
Resale of libraries - tick
lost/broken dongle policy - nope

Just something for them to consider.....
broken dongle policy - tick
lost dongle policy - nope
 
So you are OK with a fee for every licence you need restoring if you break your dongle ?
no fee afaik, there is 50% fee of course for the one “claimed” to be stolen dongle, not the broken one that you ship to them for replacement.
 
So you are OK with a fee for every licence you need restoring if you break your dongle ?
If your dongle is still under warranty, you do not need to pay anything. Just buy a new dongle every two years and you are good to go.
 
VSL dongle policy is absurd and anyone considering VSL should become completely aware of the consequences of damaging or losing their dongle. The warranty covers if the electronics fail for some reason not related to damage, it does not cover damage. I chose to buy it anyway and try to be careful, but I almost didn't.

  1. If you lose your dongle, you have no recourse, you lost it. VSL will resell you your lost licenses at 50% price as a courtesy.
  2. If you damage your dongle, then you must send it in to VSL and wait while they try to verify that its a legitimate dongle with their stuff. Presuming they can verify that, then they will let you pay a fee to restore your licenses, which as stated earlier is not that cheap, may cost a few hundred bucks to get it all back. I have Cube, which is actually a large collection of libraries...so...it would be costly if I damage this dongle.
  3. If the dongle just stops working due to electronic failure, then you have to send it to VSL and they will try to verify it was the legitimate dongle holding your licenses. If they can verify that, then again, you can restore your licenses for the same fee as if damaged, but if the dongle is still within the two year warranty period, then they will not charge a fee for this.
 
Sorry, I seem to have inadvertently turned this thread into yet another VSL dongle policy thread, which wasn't my intention.

However, you really have to dig deep to discover what VSL's policies, they are not particularly upfront about them.

Come on VSL guy's - fix this, then you will be one of the most, if not the most, customer friendly developer in the market.
 
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