Best blend of libraries?

[Chalfant]

Hi Everyone,


I’ve enjoyed reading these forums and would appreciate some advice on the right mix of libraries and sampler.

I use Cubase SX 3 and was planning on Gigastudio 3
I am building 2 additional PCs that I plan on loading orchestral samples to.

I cannot decide what libraries to get because not sure which would mix together best.
I own GPO, AO and The Ultimate Strings. The latter 2 being too old.

My style is background romantic strings/ scoring stuff with a new age feel from time to time.

I’m NOT good at editing, although haven’t put the time into learning but am willing.
Willing to switch to K2 if need be
Due to style want something a little wet sounding, very warm too
My budget is only about $1500

What I like so far is-

KHSO Emerald
EWQL Gold
Vienna Horizon Opus 1 and 2
OR the VI Orchestral Strings 1
Symphonic String Collection OR Mini.

Some type of mixture of these is what I’m leaning toward.

Any ideas or feedback? Thanks so much

[Steve_Karl]

I originally bought Gold and then bought Emerald as a replacement for gold's strings. Gold and Emerald blend well. I'm beginning to switch over to Emerald wood winds now also for the same reason. They're more articulate and more playable in my opinion, same as the strings.

[zebu68]

Consider : Halion Symphonic Orchestra 27 GB 24 bit ,includes Halion Strings 2
9 GB. The price is very good ,and You need only ONE computer. :) Why to complicate things ?? It is not so difficult to make it easier and better and cheaper !!!!????
Look at www.steinberg.net (http://www.steinberg.net)

This way you can save a lot of troubles ,time and money because you need
no Giga ,no K2 no new computers , with one word no new toys !!!!???? http://northernsounds.com/forum/images/icons/icon7.gif

[Justus]

It's weird! Everybody seems to like Emerald so much. For me it's interesting as well, but as I have Opus 1 it won't blend very well.

Here is a german Emerald test with samples of the instruments:

http://www.neotrax.de/modules/smartsection/item.php?itemid=18

In my opinion these aren't too good examples, are they?
I hope it sounds better played together as a whole orchestra.
Some day I might purchase it.
BTW: I love the Solo Trumpet (see link)

Regards,
Justus

[drjohnny79]

Justus: I totally agree with you. When I was to buy my first orchestral library, the two options which I´ve read alot about and that was within my budget was KH Emerald and Opus 1. After listening to some demos, I decided to go for Opus 1. There is something about the KH Emeralds brass that I dont like.

I realize Emerald is alot cheaper and that Mr Hunter seems to be a really nice guy who keeps improving his library. Still, I´m a little bit surprised that everyone seems to love the sound of Emerald. Maybe there´s something I´ve missed? :confused: :D
/Johnny

[tradivoro]

The thing with the KH brass is, you have to really try out all the patches till you find one that sounds good in all situations... I know that there are a couple, but there are a lot have a certain bite to them, or the attack is kind of strange... But the ones that sound good, sound very good and I"m pleased with them... There are solo brass which sound great as well, particularly the trumpet...

[Chalfant]

Thanks for all the input.

Zebu, the Halion Symphonic Orchestra is worth looking into, thanks.
Just not sure if I want to go with an instrument or not though.
I've really been leaning more toward samples and using Giga or K2.

The demos of HSO are quite good, it's early for me here so will listen again later.

Steve: Thought those 2 might go together well, thanks for that.
Justus: Thanks for the link, I'll check it out.
Thought those 2 wouldn't fit also.

Thanks again

[Chalfant]

[quote=I realize Emerald is alot cheaper and that Mr Hunter seems to be a really nice guy who keeps improving his library. Still, I´m a little bit surprised that everyone seems to love the sound of Emerald. Maybe there´s something I´ve missed? :confused: :D
/Johnny[/quote]

I thought the demos sounded rich and realistic, it's only a demo though.
Perhaps I'm missing something, who knows.
Ultimately ya gotta go with what you like I guess.

[Justus]

Listen to the demo "Follow me" here:
http://www.kirkhunterstudios.com/v2demos.html

It's so beautiful! I can't believe it's all Emerald.

[geronimo001]

Listen to the demo "Follow me" here:
http://www.kirkhunterstudios.com/v2demos.html

It's so beautiful! I can't believe it's all Emerald.

WOW! that's a really nice demos.

What i really like about emerald is that is has that ''sound stage'' sound that i really like, kind of what you would find in older movies...I cant exactly put my finger on it but i really like it. + the price is;) .

It's just a mather of time before i get it.

[dko22]

HSO seems to be worth looking at when it's released. The demos sound clear and reasonable natural. I have to say that what to me makes Emerald appear to stand out is a greater warmth and blend of sound --also a thrilling brass attack-- than I have heard elsewhere and this very much to my taste. Those who like a more pristine sound may prefer HSO or Vienna etc. How well KH blends with other libraries I'll leave to others. To me the main point is it blends internally.

[geronimo001]

Looks like i was right, i just read this in the demos description.


From the 1962 film "Mutiny on the Bounty", this piece features a really cool, studio orchestra sound so often found in film scores of the late 1950's and early 1960's. Lush and romantic muted strings, set with a tropical island feel.

[Justus]

Right! :D

Does anyone have additional demos produced with KHSO?

[Chalfant]

Listen to the demo "Follow me" here:
http://www.kirkhunterstudios.com/v2demos.html

It's so beautiful! I can't believe it's all Emerald.

I heard that the other day, just listened again and I gotta say I love them strings.

geronimo, I agree, love that older sound.

[Chalfant]

Right! :D

Does anyone have additional demos produced with KHSO?

Yeah, anyone??!! Love to hear them, please :p

[Chalfant]

HSO seems to be worth looking at when it's released. The demos sound clear and reasonable natural. I have to say that what to me makes Emerald appear to stand out is a greater warmth and blend of sound

I've noticed that many VIs and plugs sound that way, I mean very clear, almost too much so for my taste and very "digital"

That's one reason that sample cds are more preferable to me.

It's kinda like comparing vinyl to a cd.

If you have a great turntable and cartridge, good speakers and amp a record will always sound better

[Chalfant]

BTW - my copy of Emerald arrived today...:p

Congrats, let me know what you think...........

[Von Richter]

The thing with the KH brass is, you have to really try out all the patches till you find one that sounds good in all situations...

Don't forget to check out all the section mute layers... I've started to gravitate towards the trombone mutes f and pp layers, which I'm using heavily in my next cue.

[Justus]

Any new pieces?

[JBacal]

Listen to the demo "Follow me" here:
http://www.kirkhunterstudios.com/v2demos.html


Excellent demo. Really enjoyed this piece.

Best,
Jay

[JPGIII]

Does anyone have Halion's String Edition? I've listened to the demo (there's only 1 on their website!) but I'm curious how you guys like it. I have Gold XP from EWQL which has some really nice strings but there are still times I just can't get a good sound. Might be I just need more practice hehe :). Still, nice to know what options are avaliable.

(though I dread the idea of having to have a USB key).

[Tobias Erichsen]

I do have HSE 1 for a couple of months now and have recently
upgraded to HSE 2 for really nice price ;-)

Unfortunately I need to upgrade my computer now since I have
not enough RAM to use really use this library :-( and I was
going to wait until the price-cuts of Intel and AMD have been
done (in about a months time).

The HSE 2 is supposed to have the same the string-sections that
the HSO is including - so if your are in for just the strings, there's
no need to go for full HSO...

Tobias