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Spitfire Studio Brass

Urgh... another pointless anti-Spitfire thread, destined for the drama zone.

6 Spitfire libraries in, and I'm yet to be disappointed. All excellent quality, all great value.

If I ever have a problem, I go to the Helpdesk, and have never found a group more responsive and helpful, in any industry. Example: I had a problem with loading/saving the ostinatum - contacted the help desk, who were incredibly helpful, and did a ton of things to try to fix it, over a long period; when they were eventually unable to resolve it, they also contacted NI to see if it was a Kontakt issue; then I was passed on to another Spitfire support guy while he went on vacation so that I wouldn't have to start again from scratch; first guy then continued where he left off when he go back from vacation, following up to see how things were without my asking. Eventually, I resolved that it was a weird problem on my computer, nothing to do with Spitfire's software, after which it worked perfectly. The support desk were just glad it was resolved, and not a hint of a snarky, 'we knew it wasn't our fault'. Just glad to help.

Bleating about issues on forums before fully checking out the problem and whether it can be fixed doesn't help anyone. Getting the support you need first, and then posting here to say how you resolved the problem does help others and would be far preferable. If you get poor support, post that too - but in my experience, I doubt you'll get that from Spitfire. But the endless, mindless speculation and negative comments does nothing to help anyone, and just drives away yet another developer, and in this case, I think a developer who demonstrably does FAR more than any other to generate and support a community: LABS, PianoBook, monthly journal, quick tips, creative cribs, charity donations; educational discounts, composer interviews, and many others. This is not a company here to rip you off. It's a company that loves what they do, uses themselves the tools they make, and wants to make the best product they can for a community they feel part of. We as the community have 2 options: we can recognize this, and deal with genuine feedback responsibly in the hope of mutual benefit, or we can childishly score points on an anonymous forum. It's a choice guys, but collectively, these choices have consequences.

I've been down the rabbit hole of getting involved in discussions like this before, and not wanting to go that route again, this will be my only contribution.

But from my perspective, and I'm sure many others, as a parting comment, I'd like to say thank you to @paulthomson, thank you @christianhenson and thank you @Spitfire Team and @SpitfireSupport. Your products have greatly enriched my life. I came into this hobby largely because of your products, and I continue to get many hours of enjoyment through using them, and learning about the craft through the support you generously freely provide.
 
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Calling it a "pointless anti-Spitfire thread, destined for the drama zone" when several people (myself included) have bought libraries from this thread is... well drama.

Users asked an opinion and got them. Some they liked, some they didn't. They asked.
They were backed up with examples and detailed descriptions from both sides of the fence.
They detailed the bug reports submitted etc etc.

I'm getting the feeling on here that users can't be disappointed with a purchase if the 'majority' either don't reply or agree? Otherwise it's an attack, moan or drama. If that's the case... I'm out.
 
Calling it a "pointless anti-Spitfire thread, destined for the drama zone" when several people (myself included) have bought libraries from this thread is... well drama.

Users asked an opinion and got them. Some they liked, some they didn't. They asked.
They were backed up with examples and detailed descriptions from both sides of the fence.
They detailed the bug reports submitted etc etc.

I'm getting the feeling on here that users can't be disappointed with a purchase if the 'majority' either don't reply or agree? Otherwise it's an attack, moan or drama. If that's the case... I'm out.

My ears were by far the biggest variable in purchasing the Studio Professional. And I was right, it's an excellent library and has provided me with enough inspiration to finish a piece 24 hours after purchasing it. And now I'm starting a whole 'nother piece with woodwind choir and celesta.

I can think of few things (beyond audio of course) that can vouch better for a library than a member's avowal of massive inspiration from that library. At least, for me it would be a great impetus. But hey, à chacun ses goûts.
 
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I can think of few things (beyond audio of course) that can vouch better for a library than a member's avowal of massive inspiration from that library. At least, for me it would be a great impetus. But hey,
à chacun ses goûts.

I had to "search with Google" on the last part :)
+1 though
 
After a few hours of playing with Studio Brass Pro I'm generally pleased. Especially at the lower/lowest dynamic layer the sampling and instruments are simply stunning. I find the vast majority sounding musical, very easy to play, and beautifully recorded. The high/highest dynamic layer is generally quite fizzy so this is probably what was intended (it makes the highest dynamic layer sound a bit thin)

I found several jarring transitions between dynamic layers (I think that's what I hear) and some legato transitions that are bit suspect. At the same time, as legato generally requires valve changes and "lack of tonguing", there will be what initially may sound as artifacts but is in fact exactly what you would expect. I found several of those and it made me smile.

Interestingly, I found that the shorts require a fair bit of velocity to get to the highest dynamic layer. The programming seemed different from what was expecting, but as this is my first dedicated Spitfire brass library maybe this is how they program them.
 
So many devs rightfully scared away from this place.
This statement gets trotted out a lot as a truism (not saying from you personally, Paul Thompson just said it as well and usually it's Ashermusic saying it, although he's still around even if he's no longer technically EastWestLurker). It's always surprising to me as I find VIC far more civil than KVR or GearSlutz. Aside from 8Dio and partially Spitfire I'm not sure which other devs have been scared away. May I please ask who else?
 
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Aside from 8Dio and partially Spitfire I'm not sure which other devs have been scared away. May I please ask who else?
Cinesamples, EastWest.

I think a lot about the idea of vulnerability these days. The more you create things and present them to others, the less harsh you tend to be on other's creations.

Every one of us who composes has been through the crucible of presenting your music to others. No matter who you are, how tough you like to talk, every one of us is truly vulnerable in that moment. It's universal.

I think it behooves us to remember that when we post our critiques of others. Not that we shouldn't be critical, but that we shouldn't be cynical.
 
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This thread is not pointless, and absolutely NOT anti-Spitfire. Just because some people say they don't like certain aspects of an instrument - and show the issues, does not make it anti-developer.
I think it is the part where they were saying Spitfire's quality has gone downhill. The discussion about whether or not the library sounds good is one thing because it is a personal preference to sound. But it then goes from I don't like the sound of this library to Spitfire doesn't make anything good anymore and quality is bad. This is the part that is wrong. Many people love this library.

And if we didn't attack people for having an opinion we disagree with, it probably wouldn't get to that point. But that is my opinion. The discussion was very civil for the most part. I've seen worse.
 
Interestingly, I found that the shorts require a fair bit of velocity to get to the highest dynamic layer. The programming seemed different from what was expecting, but as this is my first dedicated Spitfire brass library maybe this is how they program them
The programming on the shorts in particular does differ from SSB.
 
Cinesamples, EastWest.
Thanks Land of Missing Parts. I'm not sure about EastWest. Their presence was EastWestLurker and he didn't really leave VIC, he just left EastWest and became Ashermusic. Shame to hear about Cinesamples, yes it appears they haven't posted since 2017. I wonder why they left?
 
Rightfully? Why - because they don't like hearing people point out problems with their libraries?
Not all feedback is the same. You compose music, and eventually have to submit it to the judgement of others, right? Think about the range of comments you've received and how some are useful and others are outright bruising, personal, or counterproductive. How many times would you be okay with someone on a particular project directing the phrase "so-called professional" toward you in their feedback?
 
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Thanks Land of Missing Parts. I'm not sure about EastWest. Their presence was EastWestLurker and he didn't really leave VIC, he just left EastWest and became Ashermusic. Shame to hear about Cinesamples, yes it appears they haven't posted since 2017. I wonder why they left?
Nick Phoenix shows up every so often. Maybe he's the one that mostly left?
 
="paulthomson, post: 4384655, member: 20262"]Hey Allan,

They tend to be programmed to suit the dynamic of the room so they will vary slightly - but if you want to replace the curve you can here:

P

Thank-you for this follow-thru. Quite pleased and impressed with your earlier personal statement. It is well done, and key to personal WL decision process over next few days. :thumbsup:

You are far more involved, as a professional, than I as a serious home-studio enthusiast, musician. Many years on Reaper Forum have exposed some similar 'excesses' as noted here.
To each his /her own style, but a shame when discussion departs from honest, capable critique of library capabilities. Such enormous talents present here and so much to be gained from your /their regular contributions.


Looking forward to more of your presence, when other responsibilities subside.

 
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