VSL Woodwinds Ensemble

[Beel]

Hi there,

I´m close to buying the VSL Woodwind Ensemble because I lack a decent woodwind ensemble lib. Currently I use GPO for ensemble and Westgate Solo Woodwinds for solo (obviously ;) ).

Is there any other recommendation besides VSL? Can anyone who is using this lib comment? I´d appreciate any info.

Thanks in advance

Holger

[Beel]

There are other woodwind ensembles currently available but nothing comes close in realisim and playability to the VSL collection. VSL does woodwinds extremely well and this collection does not dissapoint IMO. Since you have not tried the VSL libs you may find one nasty side effect...You will want more of them and the habit can get pricey.

Ouch ! :)
Well, as long as that´ll be the only "nasty" side effect, I´m willing to take the risk.
Thanks for the swift reply, Sharmy. As you use VSL, I guess you know what you´re talking about. Of course I know and love their demos and I am almost sold as long as no one will step in and shout:" I object !"

Best
Holger

[midphase]

Are we talking about VSL or Horizon Woodwinds? And if so, what are the main differences between the two?

[Beel]

Are we talking about VSL or Horizon Woodwinds? And if so, what are the main differences between the two?

Actually it´s from the Horizon series. I believe from the "main" VSL Edition you can only buy a combination of brass & winds.
The VSL Woodwind Ensemble are new recordings and have nothing to do with the VSL Editions. Soundwise I have no clue what the differences are.

Best
Holger

[handz]

Yes, ensemble is a new recording, orginal VSL havn´t got a Woodwind ensemble.

And yes - I think that this lib sounds GREAT, because VSL winds with legato future are unbeatable....and must agree with - when you first try the legato, you will want more;)

[Max Head]

The VSL Woodwind Ensemble are new recordings and have nothing to do with the VSL Editions. Soundwise I have no clue what the differences are.

Best
Holger

There is no solo instruments in Woodwind Ensembles and vice versa.

[WayneSim]

Of course I know and love their demos and I am almost sold as long as no one will step in and shout:" I object !"

You dont have to worry about that! No one in their right mind would object to VSL woodwinds, especially with the aid of the legato tool. I own opus 1 and the legato woodwinds are amazing. And you dont have to worry if you do then feel the need to buy something like opus 1 in the future. Because I would still buy the Woodwind Ensembles without even thinking. It would add some very nice colours to the solo woodwinds in opus 1.

Just talking about the Woodwind Ensembles definitely makes me want it even more. But I cant have everything I want :(.

And you have been warned. VSL = more VSL :p

[PeterRoos]

I wonder what the difference is between mixing VSL solo woods with other libs and using the VSL WW ensembles. Is it much more realistic?

I currently have and use VSL Opus 1 (incl. woods), Dan Dean SW (great!), Westgate (a bit too much air IMO) and an occasional leftover from AO.

Would switching to VSL solo woods and ensemble woods seriously improve the realism?

[Ray Lindsley]

Does anyone have any experience working with the articulations that have been recorded at specific tempos (E.g. 120 bpm) and using them at different tempos? Would you use a time stretch tool?
Thanks

[Beel]

You dont have to worry about that! No one in their right mind would object to VSL woodwinds, especially with the aid of the legato tool. I own opus 1 and the legato woodwinds are amazing. And you dont have to worry if you do then feel the need to buy something like opus 1 in the future. Because I would still buy the Woodwind Ensembles without even thinking. It would add some very nice colours to the solo woodwinds in opus 1.

Actually I am interested in also getting Opus 1... to be honest, I am interested in getting the whole VSL Collection ( once I won the lottery, hehe). Oh well.. :)



Just talking about the Woodwind Ensembles definitely makes me want it even more. But I cant have everything I want :(.

Hey, don´t blame me ;)
But as I stated above, it´s the same with me. I can´t have everything I want... but I am working hard to make it possible.

Best
Holger

[PeterRoos]

Holger,

I agree that one (small) VSL product makes you want more VSL. However, a mix and match approach may be economically more feasible...

Some from ProjectSam, some from Dan Dean (even per single instrument), an occasional great discount deal (EWQLSO), etc.

At first, combining libs from different vendors in your setup can be a nasty job, but once you get the hang of matching them through EQ, proper panning, ambience, etc. they will finally broaden your palette and make it easier to decide on what you "need" next and what you actually no longer need. You will gradually build redundancy and thus choice into your collection.

I think that building your collection based on libs from different vendors is better than focussing on the entire range from a single vendor.

Finally: woodwinds ensembles are in my opinion a luxury deal. If you have different woodwind libs you can realize quite acceptable ensembles yourself. When woodwinds are playing in "ensemble" it is often in a context with a lot of other instruments playing. Woodwind ensemble playing is about power/loudness, not in the first place about expressiveness (as the individual nuances, vibs, etc are merged by the unison playing).

But this is all just my personal opinion... :)

Success,

[Beel]

thanks a lot for all the great recommendation and information.

Actually I do use a bunch of different libs. I should have given a list in my first post but better late then never.
Ok, lets start...

- GOS full
- All SAM except the new First Strike
- Westgate WW Collection (incl. the expanded version)
- KH Solo Strings
- KH Flutes
- The Old Lady (thanks to the Group buy)
- Malmsjö Acoustic Grand from Art Vista
- GPO
- DIVA

By the way, what would you buy next to make that list more "complete" ? I know it misses a good percussion lib, but right now I feel more like getting a great woodwind lib first. I just love woodwinds, ya know.

Fiddling with EQ is another thing I´m not very experienced with. Very often I have that feeling I can´t trust my ears. I guess thats a matter of practice.
I´d love to hear your opinion.
Thanks again.

All the Best
Holger

[janila]

My approach is to have atleast two quality libraries for every ensemble instrument. For solo woodwinds and solo brass I only have the VSL Opus1 versions but I'm very pleased with them. The VSL strings are very usable but need other libraries and an excellent reverb to support them, the brass are great and even better when used with the SAM brass but the woodwinds are simply the best there is. You can't go wrong with VSL if you want quality woowinds, be it solo or ensemble instruments. The legato tool works wonders for the woodwinds.

As a general suggestion the EWQLSO Gold might be a good choise for you as in the group buy it's even cheaper than the VSL ensemble woodwinds and it includes usable woodwinds in both solo and ensemble versions. It would also support your strings and offer you more percussions. In the brass department you'll do better with the SAM libraries. The woodwinds are not VSL but Gold offers a great value for the price.