Virtuoso Series Pro/Ruby demo.

[Von Richter]

I thought I would quickly try out the new Kirk Hunter Virtuoso Pro (formerly Ruby) strings on the main theme of my current project (Which is live instruments on the finished recording).

To my ears, the new KH strings are especially rich, with a complex timbre that adds tons of depth.

This uses the full string combo patch only.

I varied the use of the "human" attack control, and I gradually brought in the non-vibrato sustains towards the end.

Dynamics are just a bit of cc7.

The reverb is a small touch of KHhall.aiff impulse.

Also used are oboe, trombone, and flute solos from Emerald.

Check it out here:
http://www.myspace.com/richtervon
Title: "The Observer"

[geronimo001]

Do you know if there are portamento instruments in there? Or gliss?

Well done by the way!

Thanks!

[Von Richter]

Do you know if there are portamento instruments in there? Or gliss?

Well done by the way!

Thanks!

Thanks!

There are up and down slides but I didn't happen to make use of them here.

[mech289]

Wonderful work and sound.. My next investment. The sound is outstanding..Joseph.

[geronimo001]

How much is the Virtuoso series Pro? And what's included? I find the new website a bit confusing...

Does that include Emerald and the solo strings too?

Thanks!

[germancomponist]

Hi Von,

a nice example. I am still waiting to hear more of your work whish (I think) you will record with Kirks new librarie in the next days! ;)

Best,

Gunther

[KirkHunter]

Nice snippt Mr. Von....as always.

The first release of the Virtuoso Series Pro Concert Strings will start tomorrow, or early Tuesday for EXS24. Kontakt 2.2 SOON to follow. We're meeting about the final pricing early Monday morning. The Concert Strings alone are 20 GB, which is the total size of Emerald. And once again, those of you who already own Emerald (no matter where you purchased it) are entitled to discount rates...we're working on that! :))

Geronimo: There will be, in the future, an option to pick up the full blown total Virtuoso Series Pro package which will include Emerald (if one does not already have Emerald). However, that is still a ways away in development.

So watch at www.kirkhunterstudios.com tomorrow (5/7/07) about the pricing, etc.

[germancomponist]

The Concert Strings alone are 20 GB, which is the total size of Emerald.

He he, smile, so now I must buy already again a new hard disk :)

[Von Richter]

Wonderful work and sound..

Thanks glad you liked it! This has suddenly become a huge theme and variations for orchestra which I will sequence and post when I get the chance. I got a flurry of inspiration last night and started sketching rapidly... It gets into some pretty wild contrapuntal brass fanfares towards the middle.

[maceasy]

Well, looking at the site the lite versions seem to offer best value. Although if they are only missing mute and FX sounds can that really explain the vast difference in the size of the libraries? (Actually I prefer libs with a modest footprint). The other question of course is once they are all available will the concert, studio and solo strings be packaged together? (for a deal)

[JohnnyFoster]

Well, once again I learn not to have pre-determined expectations in life...

For example : when I purchased the Emerald Library for $325.00, and got what I got, and then saw that Ruby was to be soon available, it was an exciting thought to think that perhaps Ruby pricing would be along the same lines ( albeit more than Emerald, of course ). As I saw that Ruby would be filling the "gaps" of Emerald, it was encouraging to invest in Emerald, and then "complete" the library as a whole with Ruby. My thoughts were, that perhaps Ruby might be $500 total, and the whole library would be in place.

Wrong. As great and as improved as the modularity of the new Virtuoso Pro ( from being previously Ruby ) may indeed be, the idea of what I thought my pricing as an Emerald owner would be ( for Ruby ), and what it will in reality, be as a total were I to purchase the whole Virtuoso Series, is vastly different, to say the least...

I'm not disputing that the quality doesn't warrant the pricing of Virtuoso ; it's just a bit of a feeling of "bait and switch" that I've got here. I was excited about Ruby and the continued value I would be getting ( like I was used to getting with Emerald. )

Long story short : Can I still get Ruby ? Please please ?!? :)

I want what Ruby was shown to be, to complete Emerald. When I get $3000-5000 of disposable dollars, then of course, I'll spring for the whole Virtuoso Series Pro, as I know it'll be The Best.

But for now, I still want Ruby. Or at least what I was under the impression it was for so long by the looks of the website all of these months...

Question : if Virtuoso Series is the end all - be all, then why did I get Emerald again ? Because - I thought that I would be able to complete it with Ruby, and for along the same pricing point. What a disapointment. There really should be a Ruby to complete Emerald, AND the top tier / Rolls-Royce priced Virtuoso Series for Hans Zimmer and his posse..

Sniff, sniff ( sob ! ) ( ok - I'm done crying now... )

Best,
John.

[Braindrop]

Yeah, I feel the same way Johnny. I'm happy I got KHE, I still love it. But part of the reason I got it was the whole Ruby upgradeability. If I'm going to go the expensive modular path, I'm going to get VSL.

caveat emptor

[kbaccki]

On the bottom of the page with the pricing info Kirk added a note at the bottom concerning creation of a version of the pro libs that are in line with the original intent of ruby. If there's a market for ruby (and my guess is there is), and stripping down the pro libs to get to ruby level is relatively cost-free, then I'm sure Kirk will fill that void when he has the time.

[ThomasL]

To get back OT...

Nice little snippet there Von Richter! Great work! Is the brass from Emerald?

When can we hear the whole of it?


Best
Thomas

[JohnnyFoster]

Sorry, Thomas - didn't mean to "mess everything up" here with my "off-topic" comments...

Best,
John.

[ThomasL]

Sorry, Thomas - didn't mean to "mess everything up" here with my "off-topic" comments...
Ooops!

:o

Didn't mean to step on any toes here, honest!

:|:

[KirkHunter]

I want what Ruby was shown to be, to complete Emerald. When I get $3000-5000 of disposable dollars, then of course, I'll spring for the whole Virtuoso Series Pro, as I know it'll be The Best.


Don't worry.. READ ALL BELOW (oh, fyi, the full version of VSPro will NOT be NEARLY 3000.00!)

(Read all of this, because there are significant things that have NOT yet been announced that ARE announced here.)
As I stated, anyone who purchased Emerald would get that price deducted from the full version of what was then called "ruby". As you know, "ruby" became Virtuoso Series Pro. The size of this full version has grown quite large since the original concept of "Ruby" and has extensive programming beyond that of Emerald. If you were to purchase ALL (Concert Strings, Studio Strings, Solo Strings, Concert Brass, Studio Brass, Solo Brass, additional woodwinds and additional percussion) of VS Pro (formerly Ruby), that cost would be about $1500.00, with an estimated size of over 60GB...possibly 80. We could not justify something this large being much less than this, or we would simply not create it. Therefore, if you were to purchase all of VS Pro, it breaks down like this:

Concert Strings Price - $599.00
Discount Upgrade Price - $449.00 a savings of $150.00

Studio Strings Price - $399.00
Discount Upgrade Price - $299.00 a savings of $100.00

Solo Strings Price - $299.00
Discount Upgrade Price - $249.00 a savings of $50.00

All Brass (Concert, Studio and Solo ) Price - $199.00
Discount Upgrade Price - $174.00 a savings of $25.00

New Percussion (Harpsichord, Harp, Tymp Rolls) - $50.00
Discount Upgrade Price - FREE if buying all of the above whether at a discount or the "Non Emerald Owner" price.

So as you can see if you were to purchase these modules as a whole, and you are an Emerald Owner, you would be saving $325.00, AND get the percussion for free.

I've really tried to work this out so that I can release things "modularly" because THAT is what everyone wanted. If I were to wait until ALL of the "modules" were finished, the entire package would cost $1496.00, and YOUR price would be $1171.00. If you compare this price to similar competing developers, you'll see that this is still quite a bargain. I've discussed the pricing with quite a few folks out there who think the price as stated above is still too low...but I'm doing the best I can by saving in the area of printed material etc.

BUT WAIT..there's more!
The original concept of Ruby is NOT dead. It is currently being developed as VSPro Lite (Virtuoso Series Pro - Lite Edition).. This orchestral library will still be larger than Emerald but will not be NEARLY as costly as the full blown version of VSPro. As a matter of fact, I anticipate that this "Lite" version may well be a lot more successful than the full blown version. It's just that in the recording and programming stages, I could not ignore some of the really cool things, tho' not necessarily "essential" that were happening, which in turn, made VSPro grow so big. Therefore, look for this lite version to price around $595.00 for the whole thing, which means Emerald owners would only have to pay $270.00 for it. Additionally, any "Lite" modules that come out of this are subject to an "Emerald Owner" discount. That will be announced soon as well. Trust me when I say that whatever you elect to choose, it's always a really good "bang for buck" compared to other libraries out there.

So don't kill me for wanting to get REALLY good stuff out there even if it is not for the "faint of heart" pricewise.

Additionally, I'm always open to suggestions.

KH

[tfishbein82]

Don't worry.. READ ALL BELOW (oh, fyi, the full version of VSPro will NOT be NEARLY 3000.00!)

(Read all of this, because there are significant things that have NOT yet been announced that ARE announced here.)
As I stated, anyone who purchased Emerald would get that price deducted from the full version of what was then called "ruby". As you know, "ruby" became Virtuoso Series Pro. The size of this full version has grown quite large since the original concept of "Ruby" and has extensive programming beyond that of Emerald. If you were to purchase ALL (Concert Strings, Studio Strings, Solo Strings, Concert Brass, Studio Brass, Solo Brass, additional woodwinds and additional percussion) of VS Pro (formerly Ruby), that cost would be about $1500.00, with an estimated size of over 60GB...possibly 80. We could not justify something this large being much less than this, or we would simply not create it. Therefore, if you were to purchase all of VS Pro, it breaks down like this:

Concert Strings Price - $599.00
Discount Upgrade Price - $449.00 a savings of $150.00

Studio Strings Price - $399.00
Discount Upgrade Price - $299.00 a savings of $100.00

Solo Strings Price - $299.00
Discount Upgrade Price - $249.00 a savings of $50.00

All Brass (Concert, Studio and Solo ) Price - $199.00
Discount Upgrade Price - $174.00 a savings of $25.00

New Percussion (Harpsichord, Harp, Tymp Rolls) - $50.00
Discount Upgrade Price - FREE if buying all of the above whether at a discount or the "Non Emerald Owner" price.

So as you can see if you were to purchase these modules as a whole, and you are an Emerald Owner, you would be saving $325.00, AND get the percussion for free.

I've really tried to work this out so that I can release things "modularly" because THAT is what everyone wanted. If I were to wait until ALL of the "modules" were finished, the entire package would cost $1496.00, and YOUR price would be $1171.00. If you compare this price to similar competing developers, you'll see that this is still quite a bargain. I've discussed the pricing with quite a few folks out there who think the price as stated above is still too low...but I'm doing the best I can by saving in the area of printed material etc.

BUT WAIT..there's more!
The original concept of Ruby is NOT dead. It is currently being developed as VSPro Lite (Virtuoso Series Pro - Lite Edition).. This orchestral library will still be larger than Emerald but will not be NEARLY as costly as the full blown version of VSPro. As a matter of fact, I anticipate that this "Lite" version may well be a lot more successful than the full blown version. It's just that in the recording and programming stages, I could not ignore some of the really cool things, tho' not necessarily "essential" that were happening, which in turn, made VSPro grow so big. Therefore, look for this lite version to price around $595.00 for the whole thing, which means Emerald owners would only have to pay $270.00 for it. Additionally, any "Lite" modules that come out of this are subject to an "Emerald Owner" discount. That will be announced soon as well. Trust me when I say that whatever you elect to choose, it's always a really good "bang for buck" compared to other libraries out there.

So don't kill me for wanting to get REALLY good stuff out there even if it is not for the "faint of heart" pricewise.

Additionally, I'm always open to suggestions.

KH
Woodwinds?

[KirkHunter]

Woodwinds?
yes. New bass clarinet and contrabass clarinet. Also, we're going to "clean up" some of the Emerald Woodwinds.

[cmdratz]

Don't worry.. READ ALL BELOW.[...]$1500.00[...]VS Pro[....]Therefore, look for this lite version to price around $595.00 for the whole thing, which means Emerald owners would only have to pay $270.00 for it. Additionally, any "Lite" modules that come out of this are subject to an "Emerald Owner" discount. That will be announced soon as well. Trust me when I say that whatever you elect to choose, it's always a really good "bang for buck" compared to other libraries out there.

So don't kill me for wanting to get REALLY good stuff out there even if it is not for the "faint of heart" pricewise.

Additionally, I'm always open to suggestions.

KH
:heart: Thankyou for commiting to putting in all the present and future work into both editions of VSP, K.H. )(~ (and to those who helped him decide on it:|:).

[mech289]

Von, I am very interested when your piece is finished. Let me know. I have listened to it a few dozen times now. Again wonderful work on this piece..Joseph..

[Von Richter]

Von, I am very interested when your piece is finished. Let me know. I have listened to it a few dozen times now. Again wonderful work on this piece..Joseph..

Thanks Joseph... it means a lot to hear your kind words.

[cmdratz]

Hi V.R.,
After reading this thread a few days ago, I found yet again that I could not access MySpace through my internet filter, SafeEyes (whose fairly standard settings will remain the same). I can however access SoundClick.:|: Would you consider posting your song on SoundClick, or would that be a major PITA?:confused: :)

[karmacomposer]

Kirk,

Besides the fact that we need to hear really good demos (and not just songs, but "patch" or "preset" demos) to justify spending that much more, will there be financing or split payments? Some of us just simply cannot afford $1500 or more in one shot.

As an avid KHSO Emerald user, fan, owner and voicebox, I, of course, want to own the newest and best product from your incredible stable of products. I do not mean, by any stretch, to open a can of worms or stir up the proverbial hornet's nest here.

I hope you can work with some of us on the pricing so we can afford to purchase your kick butt products.

Mike

[maceasy]

Hi Kirk, thanks for clarifying things. The Lite version looks pretty good to me, and a good deal. I'm just wondering if it is possible to see a detailed list of the difference in articulations between the lite and full versions at some point. And of course, i would guess anyway that there would be an upgrade path from lite to full? Sounds like you have been putting in a lot of work!

[tfishbein82]

Kirk,

Besides the fact that we need to hear really good demos (and not just songs, but "patch" or "preset" demos) to justify spending that much more, will there be financing or split payments? Some of us just simply cannot afford $1500 or more in one shot.

As an avid KHSO Emerald user, fan, owner and voicebox, I, of course, want to own the newest and best product from your incredible stable of products. I do not mean, by any stretch, to open a can of worms or stir up the proverbial hornet's nest here.

I hope you can work with some of us on the pricing so we can afford to purchase your kick butt products.

Mike I think you should take a look back through Kirk's explanation.



Concert Strings Price - $599.00
Discount Upgrade Price - $449.00 a savings of $150.00

Studio Strings Price - $399.00
Discount Upgrade Price - $299.00 a savings of $100.00

Solo Strings Price - $299.00
Discount Upgrade Price - $249.00 a savings of $50.00

All Brass (Concert, Studio and Solo ) Price - $199.00
Discount Upgrade Price - $174.00 a savings of $25.00

New Percussion (Harpsichord, Harp, Tymp Rolls) - $50.00
Discount Upgrade Price - FREE if buying all of the above whether at a discount or the "Non Emerald Owner" price.
Since this is being offered modularly, there's absolutely no need to buy all at once - hence, no need to spend "$1500 or more in one shot."

Furthermore, the total price (excluding woodwinds) is only $1496.00 ($1171.00 for Emerald owners).

I think the only thing left to find out is if the quality warrants these prices. More demos will help us figure that out.

[Steve_Karl]

nice work
Yes ... they are pretty rich sounding.

[karmacomposer]

I guess what I meant to say is that, despite the "modular" approach, which is good - some pieces are less expensive and then some are a jump.

I use my KHSO Emerald and love it - so obviously I would want to buy the other products from Kirk. Even with my loyalty discount, almost $1200 is a bit steep for me even in segments. I would like to find out if Kirk is open to a payment structure (kind of like financing)?

If not, I guess I will have to save my pennies and buy it piece by piece (whenever that date will come - my pennies come in slow lately).

Anyway, most of what I typed is probably irrelevant anyway.

Mike

[KirkHunter]

The cost for Emerald owners to upgrade is NOT necessarily as huge as what you say. There is a different option that is more in keeping in line with the original concept of the "Ruby" thing that only costs $274.00. See it for yourself at:
http://www.kirkhunterstudios.com/vpro.php#ruby

[karmacomposer]

Kirk,

I know. I read it. But I like to own the large scale collection. I'll just save up or make more $$$$.

I would still like to hear some good quality demos of how the strings and brass sound.

Mike

[KirkHunter]

Kirk,

I know. I read it. But I like to own the large scale collection. I'll just save up or make more $$$$.

I would still like to hear some good quality demos of how the strings and brass sound.

Mike
working on that as we speak

[dewdman42]

Boy have you been busy. I have been looking forward to Ruby. $275 to upgrade to Ruby is not out of the question for me at some point. The big pro package probably is not in my budget for years to come.

I hope in the future we will be able to find out more details about what constitutes the difference between Emerald and Ruby besides "30GB more samples", and also what constitutes the difference between Ruby (aka Lite Pro) and full on pro.