Experiences with new Prosonus Orch collection? [Archive]

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csduke

03-25-2002, 06:24 AM

I am considering the purchase of BFA\'s Prosonus Orchestral Collection (giga) and am interested in opinions from those who now own this new library. The demos I have heard from Donnie and others lead me to believe this is a very good orchestral starter library - especially in light of its pricing. In your opinion, what are its strengths and weaknesses? I presently own DDSS and UltimatePercussion.

Many thanks,

Craig

MrArkadine

03-25-2002, 04:01 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by csduke:
I am considering the purchase of BFA\'s Prosonus Orchestral Collection (giga) and am interested in opinions from those who now own this new library. The demos I have heard from Donnie and others lead me to believe this is a very good orchestral starter library - especially in light of its pricing. In your opinion, what are its strengths and weaknesses? I presently own DDSS and UltimatePercussion.

Many thanks,

Craig<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Craig,

I bought the Prosonus Orchestral about 1 1/2 months ago, and it is my first library ever (I hadn\'t touched MIDI until 2 months ago).

My opinion of this library is that you can\'t get a better deal for a full orchestral library, and that the library is very useful.
I don\'t have any experience with other libraries, so I can\'t compare. The weakest points in my opinion, however, are the solo Non Vibrato Violins and Violas(Nice that you have DDSS!)

The strings are better than I expected as a whole though, and there\'s a bunch of articulations enough to have your back covered in most situations.

The brass section is really nice, as is the woodwinds (Perhaps a little less so, but very nice non the less). Percussion is ok, but there\'s not too many choices in the timpani-drums area(Good you have Ultimate Percussion also)

One area where this library really excels is in FX (Brass, strings, and percussion). You can spend a whole evening just checking the FX in the GS window.

I must recommend this library to you, and I\'m very confident that you will be surprised at how good and usable it is!

To put things into perspective, this library is a remake from the original Prosonus library, commissioned to Donnie Christian by Big Fish Audio. The original library is very old, but very well recorded (In stereo, unlike the Vitous libs). I\'ve found a page on the Internet where Wendy Carlos (The Shinning) praised the strings of the original library (If this means anything to you)

I have some music that I created last month with it. It is exclusively Prosonus (All that I got at the moment http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif )
http://home.attbi.com/~nxcm/ABMind.mp3 (\"http://home.attbi.com/~nxcm/ABMind.mp3\") http://home.attbi.com/~nxcm/Suspense.mp3 (\"http://home.attbi.com/~nxcm/Suspense.mp3\")

I\'ll upload one or two more files later today.

I know that dwdonehoo and zquarles amongst others also have this library, so maybe they could comment on it also.

Please, bear in mind that my mp3s are not representative of all that can be done with this library, because as I said earlier I\'m just a newbie with too little time at the moment http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/frown.gif

Let me know if you have any more questions!

Best Regards

03-25-2002, 04:09 PM

I\'ve found a page on the Internet where Wendy Carlos (The Shinning) praised the strings of the original library (If this means anything to you)

Or: Walter Carlos (A Clockwork Orange) before the (gulp!) operation.

MrArkadine

03-25-2002, 04:26 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Z6:
I\'ve found a page on the Internet where Wendy Carlos (The Shinning) praised the strings of the original library (If this means anything to you)

Or: Walter Carlos (A Clockwork Orange) before the (gulp!) operation.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
HUH?????

Really? WOW, that\'s a first! Ouch...I think I need a glass of water. http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif

Peace

[This message has been edited by MrArkadine (edited 03-25-2002).]

dwdonehoo

03-25-2002, 11:17 PM

\"I know that dwdonehoo and zquarles amongst others also have this library, so maybe they could comment on it also.\"

Yes, the marcato alone is worth the price of admission. I use a number of instruments from this lib combined with others, like SAMS trumpets and timpani, AO, Roland, and CE. Some of my favorite Prosonus instruments are glockenspiel, tubular bells, marcato, lrgbrsnsf st, harp, CB and others. Listen to the marcato towards the end of my \"Bobs Wild Ride\" to see what I mean. Prosonus is all over that song. I really like this collection.

--------------
Doyle W. Donehoo
Radar Music
http://www.sierra-trails.com/radarmusic.html (\"http://www.sierra-trails.com/radarmusic.html\")
http://www.mp3.com/Doyle_W_Donehoo (\"http://www.mp3.com/Doyle_W_Donehoo\")

csduke

03-26-2002, 06:26 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by MrArkadine:
I bought the Prosonus Orchestral about 1 1/2 months ago, and it is my first library ever (I hadn\'t touched MIDI until 2 months ago).<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Very nice work for a midi novice. Clearly though, you have been composing for quite some time.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>
My opinion of this library is that you can\'t get a better deal for a full orchestral library, and that the library is very useful.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Thanks for all the info. You have validated my suspensions about this library. I believe Prosonus is just what I am looking for.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>
I\'ve found a page on the Internet where
Wendy Carlos (The Shinning) praised the strings of the original library (If this means anything to you)
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I am very familiar with Ms. Carlos - listeningwise anyway ;-) Whatever the gender(s), a real legend in -e music. Check this out \"Switched On Bach Box Set\" Apparently WC rerecorded SOB using Baroque period tuning in Dolby surround format.
CDs also include all MIDI files! Pretty cool. http://www.noside.com/catalog/CatalogAlbum_01.asp?Album_ID=16 (\"http://www.noside.com/catalog/CatalogAlbum_01.asp?Album_ID=16\")
http://www.wendycarlos.com (\"http://www.wendycarlos.com\")

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>
I have some music that I created last month with it. It is exclusively Prosonus (All that I got at the moment http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif )
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Nice work. Right out of the box you say. Impressive! Very nice work.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>
I\'ll upload one or two more files later today.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Can\'t wait. Guess I\'ll get my order out today.

Thanks for the info MrArkadine.

Craig

csduke

03-26-2002, 06:37 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by dwdonehoo:
Yes, the marcato alone is worth the price of admission. I use a number of instruments from this lib combined with others, like SAMS trumpets and timpani, AO, Roland, and CE. Some of my favorite Prosonus instruments are glockenspiel, tubular bells, marcato, lrgbrsnsf st, harp, CB and others. Listen to the marcato towards the end of my \"Bobs Wild Ride\" to see what I mean. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

In BWR do you mean the pick-up 3 eigth-note triplets 3 quarter-note figure at 4:05? I like it! Is this piece mostly realized with Prosonus?

Got to go - listening to the rest of your Mp3 music.

MrArkadine

03-26-2002, 10:36 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by csduke:
Nice work. Right out of the box you say. Impressive! Very nice work.

Thanks for the info MrArkadine.

Craig
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Craig,

Thanks for your kind words. Actually, the
first piece is inspired by the soundtrack to A Beautiful Mind (\"Nash descends into Parcher\'s World\"), so don\'t give me credit for it. It\'s all strings (Orchestra Sus plus Orchestra Tremolo).

I just posted the first piece that I did (About 4 days after getting the Prosonus).
It\'s called \"Dark Ages\", and you can download it at: http://home.attbi.com/~nxcm/Hall1Bright.mp3 (\"http://home.attbi.com/~nxcm/Hall1Bright.mp3\")

You\'ll be very happy to have the Prosonus as your first orchestral library, believe me!

You\'re welcome, and thanks for your comments as well, Craig. http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif

And...Donnie, you need to give me a commission. A COMMISSION I TELL YA! http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/wink.gif

Best Regards

dwdonehoo

03-26-2002, 05:53 PM

\"In BWR do you mean the pick-up 3 eigth-note triplets 3 quarter-note figure at 4:05? I like it! Is this piece mostly realized with Prosonus?\"

Actually, listen at the 3:15 mark for the best example: from there on out Prosonus marcato is used. About half of the instruments were Prosonus. About mid point I downloaded SAMs Trumpets and used them at the end there. Not hard to pick them out! http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/wink.gif Glad you liked it: yours is one of very few comments. http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif

zquarles

03-27-2002, 01:36 PM

Just a quick response regarding Prosonus:
I feel it is a great investment to fill in the holes for your current libraries. I also feel it is a great \"startup\" library. I really dig the FX, some of the brass swells (i\'m not a fan of the solo brass, though.) and the marcato strings.
I think it compliments existing libraries very well too.

csduke

03-28-2002, 09:11 AM

Thank you all for your comments. I received the library yesterday (Big Fish Audio\'s shipping time is really amazing - to Chicago). I did play with the library a bit and was impressed with its size/extent and its sounds. Though I know there are weaknesses in the library, between my UOP, DDSS, and a possible future purchase of BOB, I may finally have an orchestra.

Now all I need to do is learn to use my new sequencer - Logic Gold 5.0. Yikes!

Craig

csduke

03-28-2002, 01:55 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by pantonality:
Craig,

This Prosonus Collection sounds real interesting. I need more percussion at this point and you mentioned that was a weaker spot.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Pantonality,
I said that I had UOP but did not mean to suggest Prosonus\' percussion is weak. On the contrary, subsequent to writing that post I have done a very quick sounding of some of the Prosonus percussion. Firstly, is seems generally complete including Celeste, harp (very nice), 3 Glocks (diff mallets), harp, 5 timp (diff mallets), 3 xylophone (diff mallets), triangle, etc. Strangely, this quick look did not show a snare nor timp rolls. Hmmm? I could have missed them though.

From this first hearing I would say it is generally good but certainly not as extensive or of the consistant high quality as UOP (don\'t know anything about LOP).

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>
You mention Logic Gold 5.0. As a Logic user I\'m aware that Platinum 5.0 is out, but according to EMagic\'s web site Gold is at 4.7 (funny I\'m running 4.81). If you really have Logic Gold 5.0 I\'m curious where you got it? What can I say, I want it!
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I was exaggerating a bit. I received Gold 4.8 in January and finally got my serial dongle working a few days ago (bad dongle)(5.0 comes with a USB dongle!) and I am waiting for Gold 5.0. So, I am actually starting with 4.8 and hope to be on 5.0 in a couple of weeks (so they tell me). Not sure if it will make a difference for my foundational learning curve.

Let me know if you want more complete information about Prosonus\' percussion. I\'m enjoying the strings right now.

Craig

MrArkadine

03-28-2002, 03:01 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by csduke:
Thank you all for your comments. I received the library yesterday (Big Fish Audio\'s shipping time is really amazing - to Chicago). I did play with the library a bit and was impressed with its size/extent and its sounds. Though I know there are weaknesses in the library, between my UOP, DDSS, and a possible future purchase of BOB, I may finally have an orchestra.

Now all I need to do is learn to use my new sequencer - Logic Gold 5.0. Yikes!

Craig<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Hey Duke,

I\'m glad to have been helpful, and I\'m happy you have good first impressions on the library. I told you... http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/wink.gif

Looking forward to hearing your first piece done with the Prosonus!

Best Regards

MrArkadine

03-28-2002, 03:04 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by pantonality:
Craig,

This Prosonus Collection sounds real interesting. I need more percussion at this point and you mentioned that was a weaker spot.

You mention Logic Gold 5.0. As a Logic user I\'m aware that Platinum 5.0 is out, but according to EMagic\'s web site Gold is at 4.7 (funny I\'m running 4.81). If you really have Logic Gold 5.0 I\'m curious where you got it? What can I say, I want it!

Steve http://www.mp3.com/stevechandler (\"http://www.mp3.com/stevechandler\")
aka Ettienne http://www.mp3.com/ettienne (\"http://www.mp3.com/ettienne\") <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Steve,

It was me who mentioned that the library is a little bit lacking in the drum department (Although percussion is ok, as I also said).

However, there\'s so many things about this library that are great (including its amazing price), that you really can\'t go wrong adding it to your arsenal of sounds.

Best Regards

MrArkadine

03-28-2002, 03:12 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by csduke:
Firstly, is seems generally complete including Celeste, harp (very nice), 3 Glocks (diff mallets), harp, 5 timp (diff mallets), 3 xylophone (diff mallets), triangle, etc. Strangely, this quick look did not show a snare nor timp rolls. Hmmm? I could have missed them though.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Csduke,

Some of that in the Orchestral Percussion Mix gig. But not much. That\'s exactly what I miss in the otherwise fairly complete percussive section of this library.

clonewar

03-28-2002, 07:28 PM

Has anyone been able to compare the strings from the Prosonus library to the Ultimate Strings library? I\'ve read about looping and tuning problems with US but I like the demos for the library. Any opinions?

Francis Belardino

03-28-2002, 07:41 PM

Ulitmate Strings

New price too.

If you can\'t grab GOS... my vote would be US.

I have always been happy with it.

pantonality

03-28-2002, 11:35 PM

Craig,

This Prosonus Collection sounds real interesting. I need more percussion at this point and you mentioned that was a weaker spot.

You mention Logic Gold 5.0. As a Logic user I\'m aware that Platinum 5.0 is out, but according to EMagic\'s web site Gold is at 4.7 (funny I\'m running 4.81). If you really have Logic Gold 5.0 I\'m curious where you got it? What can I say, I want it!

Steve http://www.mp3.com/stevechandler (\"http://www.mp3.com/stevechandler\")
aka Ettienne http://www.mp3.com/ettienne (\"http://www.mp3.com/ettienne\")