I find this whole thing about "getting a free review copy" highly problematic. To me, it becomes a type of viral marketing. It pretends to be unbiased but who really knows, especially if it isn't made clear that a free copy was provided in return for a review.
EDIT: this was written in response to @GingerMaestro comment previously, not directed at Cory's efforts.
I am not to familiar with his videos but much respect for promoting this kind of content
I'm off to watch.
-DJ
Corey states that he does not get free libraries for reviews. (Not saying you said that) I'd like to know if you are just kind of pulling this out of thin air or can you list some specific reviewers you are talking about.This site is an interesting place. This isn't directed solely at Cory as it seems to be a problem overall here but it seems like people who do the reviews don't have the ears to be doing them. There's obvious problems with libraries that they miss or seem oblivious to. Chops are all over the place. As someone who's primarily a player, I often want to know about the playability of libraries which really isn't represented well in these reviews.
I couldn't figure out why so many people here start review channels and make review videos until I realized people get free libraries for doing reviews. Now it makes sense why there's so many unqualified reviewers, reviewing.
Lol last thing I need is someone trying to tell me to drop hundreds of dollars on a library with problems because they're unable to hear phase issues.
I don't even watch any of the review channels anymore. I just watch the walkthroughs from the manufacturers and try to piece it together from those.
I like his videos too, but I have to agree with you here. I think Cory neglected some important differences between core and pro. It's like he brushed them off because they weren't important to "him" but I think he should still recognize that they may be important to others and worth mentioning. He mentions that the only difference are the Mic positions but that's just part of it. Regarding the strings from Spitfire's own website here is what they say:I answered yes...however, with regards to the SF orchestra...reviewing only the core version does not due this library diligence. I mean yes, if he was reviewing libraries for their economical value I'd say possibly...but with regards to the winds (since that's what I have), you definitely need the additional mics in order to get the most from the library's sound...the playability and articulations are the same...but as far as the sound...not really close. There is a numerous amount of mic combinations you can have, including adding the stereo mixes, along with a close mic instance...very flexible. I think it's a bit misleading to those on the fence about the core versus pro versions. Granted, the strings only have additional mics for the pro...but the woodwinds gives you 4 additional instruments, and say if you get the core strings, but then you buy the pro winds...you will eventually want the pro strings as well...same for the brass (like 5 additional instruments). So may as well go pro from the start (for some). Especially during their sales...40% off is a great deal.
The fact that he doesn't have the money to review the pro versions (and make multi's for them too) was what sparked this idea (of SF sending him review copies) by me. I was not implying he should get everything for free, but should get the pro in response to his high quality reviews of the core's.I like his videos too, but I have to agree with you here. I think Cory neglected some important differences between core and pro. It's like he brushed them off because they weren't important to "him" but I think he should still recognize that they may be important to others and worth mentioning. He mentions that the only difference are the Mic positions but that's just part of it. Regarding the strings from Spitfire's own website here is what they say:
The Core version of Studio Strings features a standard (8, 6, 6, 6, 4) player setup, with access to the default Tree microphone position. With Professional, you have access to 7 extra unique microphone positions, a large band section (16, 12, 12, 12, 4) and 2 divisi sections (4, 3, 3, 3), on top of what is offered in the Core version. You can use these divisi options to create a chamber section, or even layer them with larger sections.
These extra Divisi sections alone can be a big deal for some. I love having them in LASS 2. I don't own any of these series from Spitfire but they are on future wish lists, unless I end up with LASS 3 whenever it comes out. I still appreciate the time Cori puts into his videos and I'm sure it's hard to think of everything worth mentioning so he does his best to give us some of the best reviews you can find online.
Chops are all over the place. As someone who's primarily a player, I often want to know about the playability of libraries which really isn't represented well in these reviews.
Of course it is a review of just the core and not pro, however he says in his review of studio strings "the only thing that version" (referring to the extended version) "offers is more microphone positions which is nowhere near the value for money you get when just purchasing the regular library"Perhaps it's just me, but the reviews of the Studio Core series, were actually a review of the Studio Core Series, not the Pro Libraries.
Have you stopped to consider that he may only have the core libraries, and not the pro versions ? It would be pretty ridiculous to attempt to review a product he doesn't have, wouldn't it ?
Of course it is a review of just the core and not pro, however he says in his review of studio strings "the only thing that version" (referring to the extended version) "offers is more microphone positions which is nowhere near the value for money you get when just purchasing the regular library"
So there is an assertion made here about the value of one over the other and in that assertion the only thing mentioned as the difference between the two is more mic positions, which isn't the case. Still, I'm a fan of his videos and I'm glad he takes the time to make them.
He did get an NFR copy of Afflatus but was transparent and open about that right at the start.Corey states that he does not get free libraries for reviews. (Not saying you said that) I'd like to know if you are just kind of pulling this out of thin air or can you list some specific reviewers you are talking about.