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New from Strezov Sampling: Afflatus Chapter - Part one: Strings

Back to the actual library, I had another listen to the walkthroughs. Maybe its just my ears, but the Divisi sounds drier, like its using close Mics only compared to the full section.

Is it just me, or have they employed the same technique Hollywood Strings did to get Divisi?
This is the reality of how sound works. The size of the sections and how loud they play will effect the amount of air moving in a room which will literally reflect how much reverberation will happen. 3 players playing at piano is quieter and move less air than 6 players thus you get a sense of a more intimate or in your case, "dryer," sound. There are many ways to compensate for this like asking the smaller sections to play their dynamics louder than written to match that of the larger sections but then you lose the realistic expectations of what a true pianissimo or fortissimo really is with an ensemble of that size.

I haven't asked @Strezov as to how they recorded the divisi but my guess, having been working with the library for a while now, is that the half sections were the front desks and the full ensemble includes the desks further back. This would make sense in that you hear what sounds like a closer sound since only the front section is playing. I hope that all makes sense.

Best,

Chris
 
I haven't asked @Strezov as to how they recorded the divisi but my guess, having been working with the library for a while now, is that the half sections were the front desks and the full ensemble includes the desks further back. This would make sense in that you hear what sounds like a closer sound since only the front section is playing. I hope that all makes sense.

Best,

Chris
Yep, it's as simple as that. It's another session though (so different day cause we wouldn't be able to do the material in just one day) so preamp levels are slightly different. Sorry for missing this - thanks Chris!
 
Spitfire? CineSamples? Just from the top of my head. But I don't use poly legatos anyway, so...

You should try the polyphonic legato of Freyja, Wotan or Afflatus and you'll understand the difference immediately. It works smoothly without any problem, no artefacts due to the several changes of voices at the same time, with no limitation of the number of voices, and the script is well made, unlike many other trys of polyphonic legatos by other sampling companies. Plus the fact that you can have the auto divisi at the same time (even if you don't care) make it way more realistic in the end and appealing for a lot of people.

I believe that but at this point that brings nothing needful to my table. What it can do is inspire other developers to make similar libraries with features I'd consider worth paying for.

If they are inspired by this kind of stuff, their libraries would be as expensive as this one or more expensive, because they'll need at least the same amount of time and of money to produce the library. Anyway, if you don't find the library interesting for you because of the kind of stuff you find in it.. well that's probably that it's not designed for the way you work and your workflow, and i can understand that :)
 
Spitfire? CineSamples? Just from the top of my head. But I don't use poly legatos anyway, so...
Yeah, that's my problem as well. I don't normally use polyphonic legato's, so for me it's only usable for sketching. And if I need a lot of divisi writing, I just use LASS. I think that's mostly the reason why many developers don't do it. It costs a lot to record everything many times, and you can already get decent results in the sample world without true divisi. But I also understand and appreciate the path Strezov has taken with this library. I might be more interested in the brass and woodwinds with the same concept. I also want to say it once more...I really like the sound and some of the articulations are just phenomenal.

-Hannes
 
I was really looking forward to buying this one in 2018, will do in 2019 or during the next sale.
(I hope SS has sales, this will be my first library from them)
 
@Strezov , George can you advise if crossgrade price (that I see in my account) will change when intro pricing ends or does it stay the same regardless of when I buy? I (sort of) asked this earlier but it might have been missed or not realised as a question. Thank you.
 
I was really looking forward to buying this one in 2018, will do in 2019 or during the next sale.
(I hope SS has sales, this will be my first library from them)
I personally don't see SS doing a sale on this in 2019 (not even for black Fri a year from now), but rather adding 'free' content to what is already there to make it even MORE IRRESTIBLE. ;)
 
Spent the past two days using Afflatus in a pop track. Here are some observations:

I really like this company - I read somewhere they try to do minimal processing on their samples to preserve realism. I feel some of my libraries are so over-processed they start sounding fake - not so with these strings.

I would describe Afflatus as "charming." Beautiful tone with interesting and innovative patches. This is what I hoped Spitfire Studio would sound like (and unfortunately that library will sit unused on my SSD until SF deems it worthy to update it with better scripting.)

Afflatus is on the dry side, although not totally so, but dry enough for my pop tracks. It sounds like close mics are mono and are for providing detail to the decca and/or hall mics. I'm currently using a mix with faders at +2 close, 0 decca, no hall, reverb off.

They're nimble and playability is very good. Viola Chamber seems a tiny bit out of tune on some notes as I played it in but it seems to hide among the rest of the strings in the mix (can you program Kontakt yourself to adjust tuning?)

However, for my pop purposes, I'm not liking Afflatus by themselves (maybe not quite aggressive enough) - but they blend fantastically with VSL. For legatos I get the quick, precise response from VSL with the warm realism of the Afflatus Chamber patches. Previously I've been blending VSL with LASS but now prefer the refined tone of Afflatus for blending.

The shorts are my new favorites of all my libraries and I'm using the Roofchase patch blended with VSL chamber spiccatos.

Now on to the big topic: pricing. On the other thread I was way off on my prediction of $299 lol! Now that I've seen the content, they are of course worth much more than $299. Afflatus with intro price and discount cost me $751.53, and the regular price at the current exchange rate would be $905.86. I feel this is overpriced, and here's why:

For comparison, Spitfire Studio is $499 and for all the problems does have a ton of patches specifically for string production. I also like the tone of Spitfire Studio so if they can work on their legatos (and add a performance patch) I might start using it.

Afflatus, at nearly twice the price, has far fewer patches, and many of these are quirky things I'd never use in a million years. On occasion I use portamento and will miss it. The "Pads" patch, while cool, is a lot of content I don't want or need, and it really could be a stand-alone library for $99. I feel like I've paid for quite a bit in Afflatus I'll never use (I predict I'll use just individual chambers, lush, minimals and shorts.)

As I said before, I really like the company and I really like Afflatus. I'm not mad I just spent $751.53 but I might be a little irritated if I had spent $905.86 :) Plus, I'm excited about the upcoming update with first chairs.

And remember, my needs are specifically for pop - I'm using my strings in mixes with drums, bass, keyboards and electric guitars. Those doing symphonic mockups / cinematic might be over-the-moon with Afflatus and have no reservations whatsoever.

In summary, if you're depressed about not being able to afford Afflatus right now, don't be. While it is a lovely library you'll get by just fine with what you have - and perhaps you'll snag a great deal on it when it will probably go sale in the future.
 
Maybe it's me but as a sales plan going forward today, it seems counter intuitive to charge 800 euros today assuming that it cost that much to make and the price is fair and then add more content later that costs the company more money but then you keep the price the same? Maybe the price could be lower now instead? Perhaps the target audience is different and the company has chosen to sell Ferrari's and Lamborghini's instead of Volkswagens or BMW's. Sigh... I wish I could afford a Lamborghini.... :sneaky:

Inflated Prices for Affluent People = AFFLATUS
 
Spent the past two days using Afflatus in a pop track. Here are some observations:

I really like this company - I read somewhere they try to do minimal processing on their samples to preserve realism. I feel some of my libraries are so over-processed they start sounding fake - not so with these strings.

I would describe Afflatus as "charming." Beautiful tone with interesting and innovative patches. This is what I hoped Spitfire Studio would sound like (and unfortunately that library will sit unused on my SSD until SF deems it worthy to update it with better scripting.)

Afflatus is on the dry side, although not totally so, but dry enough for my pop tracks. It sounds like close mics are mono and are for providing detail to the decca and/or hall mics. I'm currently using a mix with faders at +2 close, 0 decca, no hall, reverb off.

They're nimble and playability is very good. Viola Chamber seems a tiny bit out of tune on some notes as I played it in but it seems to hide among the rest of the strings in the mix (can you program Kontakt yourself to adjust tuning?)

However, for my pop purposes, I'm not liking Afflatus by themselves (maybe not quite aggressive enough) - but they blend fantastically with VSL. For legatos I get the quick, precise response from VSL with the warm realism of the Afflatus Chamber patches. Previously I've been blending VSL with LASS but now prefer the refined tone of Afflatus for blending.

The shorts are my new favorites of all my libraries and I'm using the Roofchase patch blended with VSL chamber spiccatos.

Now on to the big topic: pricing. On the other thread I was way off on my prediction of $299 lol! Now that I've seen the content, they are of course worth much more than $299. Afflatus with intro price and discount cost me $751.53, and the regular price at the current exchange rate would be $905.86. I feel this is overpriced, and here's why:

For comparison, Spitfire Studio is $499 and for all the problems does have a ton of patches specifically for string production. I also like the tone of Spitfire Studio so if they can work on their legatos (and add a performance patch) I might start using it.

Afflatus, at nearly twice the price, has far fewer patches, and many of these are quirky things I'd never use in a million years. On occasion I use portamento and will miss it. The "Pads" patch, while cool, is a lot of content I don't want or need, and it really could be a stand-alone library for $99. I feel like I've paid for quite a bit in Afflatus I'll never use (I predict I'll use just individual chambers, lush, minimals and shorts.)

As I said before, I really like the company and I really like Afflatus. I'm not mad I just spent $751.53 but I might be a little irritated if I had spent $905.86 :) Plus, I'm excited about the upcoming update with first chairs.

And remember, my needs are specifically for pop - I'm using my strings in mixes with drums, bass, keyboards and electric guitars. Those doing symphonic mockups / cinematic might be over-the-moon with Afflatus and have no reservations whatsoever.

In summary, if you're depressed about not being able to afford Afflatus right now, don't be. While it is a lovely library you'll get by just fine with what you have - and perhaps you'll snag a great deal on it when it will probably go sale in the future.
Great review! Love the fact that you haven't been blinded by the honeymoon phase.
 
Spent the past two days using Afflatus in a pop track. Here are some observations:

I really like this company - I read somewhere they try to do minimal processing on their samples to preserve realism. I feel some of my libraries are so over-processed they start sounding fake - not so with these strings.

I would describe Afflatus as "charming." Beautiful tone with interesting and innovative patches. This is what I hoped Spitfire Studio would sound like (and unfortunately that library will sit unused on my SSD until SF deems it worthy to update it with better scripting.)

Afflatus is on the dry side, although not totally so, but dry enough for my pop tracks. It sounds like close mics are mono and are for providing detail to the decca and/or hall mics. I'm currently using a mix with faders at +2 close, 0 decca, no hall, reverb off.

They're nimble and playability is very good. Viola Chamber seems a tiny bit out of tune on some notes as I played it in but it seems to hide among the rest of the strings in the mix (can you program Kontakt yourself to adjust tuning?)

However, for my pop purposes, I'm not liking Afflatus by themselves (maybe not quite aggressive enough) - but they blend fantastically with VSL. For legatos I get the quick, precise response from VSL with the warm realism of the Afflatus Chamber patches. Previously I've been blending VSL with LASS but now prefer the refined tone of Afflatus for blending.

The shorts are my new favorites of all my libraries and I'm using the Roofchase patch blended with VSL chamber spiccatos.

Now on to the big topic: pricing. On the other thread I was way off on my prediction of $299 lol! Now that I've seen the content, they are of course worth much more than $299. Afflatus with intro price and discount cost me $751.53, and the regular price at the current exchange rate would be $905.86. I feel this is overpriced, and here's why:

For comparison, Spitfire Studio is $499 and for all the problems does have a ton of patches specifically for string production. I also like the tone of Spitfire Studio so if they can work on their legatos (and add a performance patch) I might start using it.

Afflatus, at nearly twice the price, has far fewer patches, and many of these are quirky things I'd never use in a million years. On occasion I use portamento and will miss it. The "Pads" patch, while cool, is a lot of content I don't want or need, and it really could be a stand-alone library for $99. I feel like I've paid for quite a bit in Afflatus I'll never use (I predict I'll use just individual chambers, lush, minimals and shorts.)

As I said before, I really like the company and I really like Afflatus. I'm not mad I just spent $751.53 but I might be a little irritated if I had spent $905.86 :) Plus, I'm excited about the upcoming update with first chairs.

And remember, my needs are specifically for pop - I'm using my strings in mixes with drums, bass, keyboards and electric guitars. Those doing symphonic mockups / cinematic might be over-the-moon with Afflatus and have no reservations whatsoever.

In summary, if you're depressed about not being able to afford Afflatus right now, don't be. While it is a lovely library you'll get by just fine with what you have - and perhaps you'll snag a great deal on it when it will probably go sale in the future.

I just joined to say thank you! What other string libraries are you using?

While I appreciate the comments from the Strezov staff and reviewers, I was wondering if anyone other than chapbot bought Aflatus yet and could post some examples. I'm curious about how well it blends with other libraries like Berlin Strings, Cinematic Studio Strings and Intimate Studio Strings. I can get Berlin and CSS to sound very close to the walkthrough examples. Like indistinguishable close.

So I don't know if I'm just GASing or if there's actually any real value for me in Aflatus other than the experimental patches that I wouldn't use that frequently, if ever. I feel this library is too specific and does things that I can do with my current samples. If anything Afflatus made me fall in love again with what I have. Am I tripping? Never cared about poly legato and auto-divisi is great but not €650 great.

I can't believe after all this expectation we don't have more users commenting. If you pulled the trigger please speak your mind like chap here.

Thanks
 
Another quick question: Someone else asked about writing convincing fast parts (runs, arpeggios) and didn't get an answer or I couldn't find one. Is it possible?
 
I just joined to say thank you! What other string libraries are you using?
For pop I had always used LASS with Hein solo strings to give it more life, but I'm getting a little ear-fatigue with it so sometimes use VSL chamber. I got 8dio Intimate and have posted tons of quickie demos buried somewhere on that post, but don't need it (it seems more suited to indie/quircky stuff) BUT I love the Intimate runs and longs, and these happen to match terrifically with my current blend of VSL and Afflatus.
So I don't know if I'm just GASing or if there's actually any real value for me in Aflatus other than the experimental patches that I wouldn't use that frequently, if ever.
If it were $499, $599 I'd say maybe but at $900 I'd say no way. You have great libraries.
 
Here's a raw mix of the pop track I was talking about - no effects whatsoever. I added the acoustic guitar on the Blend mix for context (it's a Christmas carol.) You'll hear how nice Afflatus sounds by itself but it isn't solidly on the grid like VSL, which is on the grid but not as warm and fuzzy.

Full Blend: Afflatus + VSL legatos, Roofchase patch + VSL chamber spiccato, 8dio Intimate runs

[AUDIOPLUS=https://vi-control.net/community/attachments/fullblend-mp3.16294/][/AUDIOPLUS]

Afflatus: v, va and cello chamber patches (no hall mic, no reverb)

[AUDIOPLUS=https://vi-control.net/community/attachments/afflatus-mp3.16295/][/AUDIOPLUS]

VSL: vienna symphony violins, vienna chamber va, vienna chamber c

[AUDIOPLUS=https://vi-control.net/community/attachments/vsl-mp3.16296/][/AUDIOPLUS]

[AUDIOPLUS=https://www.vi-control.net/community/attachments/fullblend-mp3.16294/][/AUDIOPLUS]

[AUDIOPLUS=https://www.vi-control.net/community/attachments/afflatus-mp3.16295/][/AUDIOPLUS]

[AUDIOPLUS=https://www.vi-control.net/community/attachments/vsl-mp3.16296/][/AUDIOPLUS]
 

Attachments

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    1.6 MB · Views: 111
  • Afflatus.mp3
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  • VSL.mp3
    1.6 MB · Views: 75
I am going to bed.......after 6 hours of Afflatus.... exhaustion.

Afflatus does legato (2 or 3 notes at a time - slow to medium speed) ensembles great. It goes into Soaring Strings territory and then some (lots more colors-and goes into Auddict Angel strings territory too). It is not a stand alone library - there are lots of missing articulations (CSS has more articulations but Afflatus has the legato variations) - it’s a library that is all over the place - but what it does it does great. It mixes well with VSL using the close mic position and putting Afflatus in MIR Pro. I would say it is the legato (so many style/choices) that you wanted Synchron Strings to be - but never was (except fast legato - Adventure Strings works for that). The Spiccato patches are fun and varied. The detache longs ( tenutos) are beautiful. The basses and cellos single patches are especially good. The Experimental patches can add a lot to a piece - but again they are missing articulations to be complete. It sounds good with OT (put it in Teldex room) but out of place with Spitfire. I could not get it to work with a breath controller (sent an email to Strezov) which is illogical because you have split keyboard sounds (lower keyboard velocity control - higher keyboard mod control - would be good for live if you could use an expression pedal or breath controller). The FX is Ok - but not at Dark Matter level.

Is it worth the money? That all depends on what you have, what holes you want filled (and how much your willing to pay) or how obsessed you are. I always ask myself ......how do I want to fill my life between now and death? ....... so...... I paid (604 euros/$707 US dollars) .......I am sure many of you will too.
Eloy
 
Another quick question: Someone else asked about writing convincing fast parts (runs, arpeggios) and didn't get an answer or I couldn't find one. Is it possible?

Yeah, it was me. No, this library seems not to cover those aspects, I asked already twice in that regards, but my question was either not seen or simply ignored? So that´s also a form of answering my question and so I guess the library probably doesn´t any of that stuff which is fine.. However I will pass on that library because I allready have a great arsenal and don´t see any point for me personally to spent another 800 Dollars on a library which imo misses essentiell stuff, just imo. While I like some patches there too, I am with a big questionmark about the general design aspect of this library (the more of the walkthrough I see)The majority of the patches feel to me like "play and fun"- time patches but not to be useable to do classic serious specific filmscoring (with having freedom in choice, color and orchestration). Though still: they sound great and if someone is just for the sake of sound..man they sound beautiful, definitey. But like for me I like libraries where you dont´write music to the design concept and strenghtes of the library but the music you would like to write with. Not sure if that is possible with Afflatus (just for me) concerning my own style and choice of how I write music. I guess you have a bit to adapt the concept of the library in order to get the most out of it, just simply for me, I am afraid that would not work because the patches dictates their form of usage..
 
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It sounds good with OT (put it in Teldex room) but out of place with Spitfire.
As someone who is heavily invested in spitfire, this kind of answers my former question. That's what i thought i heard while listening to the demos. It's something inherent in the timbre itself and not just the space each library was recorded in.
 
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