Symphony of Voices Help

[Francis Belardino]

Ok, so I have Extended Classical Choir and Voices of the Apocalypse.
I, for months now, have swayed backed a forth about purchasing Symphony of Voices.
I understand that Miroslav has a new choir library coming soon but I already have
too much invested in choirs. So, just to round things out...SOV, is within my budget.

Here is the part where I sell myself:

I like the ideal of a darker, more mellow choir.
I like the ideal of a naturally ambient choir.
I like the ideal of phrases, articulations and effects.

So, now for my question:

Can users of SOV give me a few reasons why they like and currently use it
and a few reasons why they don\'t?

Also, King had mentioned how Giga will convert a sample that has 2 velocities into 2 giga files
for example) so, with that said I assume its a ton of programming to get SOV full giga ready.

Thanks again and again and again and again (must be a loop http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif)

[This message has been edited by Francis Belardino (edited 02-18-2002).]

[Damon]

I just like the library period! http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/wink.gif
Its definitely a more mellow sounding \'london\' choir then VoTA, but you also get boys choirs, gregorian choirs, phrases, solo soprano and male tenor multisamples, effects, etc.
A very cool CD.
Ask Ilio to send you their free \"Jukebox\" demo CD of 9 or so short demos from SOV. I think you\'ll like it.

[This message has been edited by Damon (edited 02-18-2002).]

[Francis Belardino]

There\'s one vote for SOV http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif

Thanks Damon.

[jubal]

The ChickenSys convertor will keep the different velocities/dynamics (p/f) in one gig file...at least the new one will. Regardless of whether you get SoV that tool is a good purchase, if you might buy future Akai/Emu,Roland,etc. libraries.

SoV and Vocal Planet are great libraries...different enough from VotA to warrant their purchase for me.

[Francis Belardino]

There\'s two votes for SOV.

That\'s cool about Chicken System. I have a few prosamples CD that might beneifit from that software too.

Yes, I do plan on getting more Akai/Ilio stuff. I really dig Heart of Africa. I have a few african samples but nothing that wild. Plus, there is some choir on that CD as well.

Anyway, back to SOV....hummmmm? http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by Francis Belardino (edited 02-18-2002).]

[Lance_M]

I hate to run in on your topic like this, but while we\'re sort of on the topic of Heart of Africa, what do y\'all know about it? I\'ve been looking at it long and hard myself. http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif

[Francis Belardino]

Oh great! There goes my thread!! http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif Just kidding. Have you listen to the demo?
It\'s wild!! Amistad all the way!

SOV. I take it that all the solo phrases (soprano/Tennor) have their own key and tempo?... makes them limiting?

[This message has been edited by Francis Belardino (edited 02-18-2002).]

[This message has been edited by Francis Belardino (edited 02-20-2002).]

[Francis Belardino]

May I bump this up? http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif hehehehe, just did!

Just looking for any last minute comments. I think I may place the order today. I was hoping Sound Chaser had this title...they have great prices. Sent an email.

[Damon]

Go for it Francis! It\'s like a 6 or 7 CD set of nothing but killer choir sounds, swells, boys choir (for that Elfman like sound), lyrical phrases and fx.
I think it was the second CD ROM I bought and I still love it and find it very usable.
If you got the dough and need mellow choir sounds it\'s totally worth it dude! http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/wink.gif.
You\'re gonna love the \"lamenting\" and \"lyrical\" soprano phrases. They\'re gorgeous.
Oh, and the gregorian monk stuff is fantastic as well!
Here\'s a tip though...If you\'ve got enough hard drive space, just take the larger samples and leave the \'lite\' ones so they won\'t take up more space on your hard drive.

[Francis Belardino]

Thanks Damon. Your post gave me that warm, fuzzy feeling http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif

Can\'t ya tell I\'ve been burned a few times? http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif

hahahaha. I\'m sure we ALL have now and again.

I blieve the Akia version is 5 CD\'s.
I will have to get Chicken System software...I want to make sure it converts complete not break into a giga file per vel.

[PeterRoos]

Hi Francis,

I am not sure that there will be a difference between what ChickenSys converts and what the GigaConverted converts.

As I told before, I have a lot of patches in a \'p\' version and a \'f\' version. These are on the AKAI CD-Roms as separate programs. I cannot image that ChickenSys will just automatically create a single program with velocity switch for these programs. IMO you can do that with the Editor, but I don\'t think it\'s automatic.

Actually quite curious if I am wrong with this... (meaning that I need to buy yet another app, sigh - I first want SoundStage!)

Peter

[Francis Belardino]

How goes it, Peter?

I am not sure also. I am going on what Jubal had said. It sure would be nice.

Ohh, King?

Hehehee...., http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif

I plan on purchasing Heart of Africa too and BOB and then that is it!! Well, at least that is what I told my wife http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif

By the way. Thank you for the JPEG\'s. You really did help. Q?: Did you have to create all of the folders (YIKES!) or did Giga in convert?

[This message has been edited by Francis Belardino (edited 02-19-2002).]

[Francis Belardino]

Michael Seltzer at Sound Chaser phoned the maker of Chicken Systems for me and found out that the software will convert AKAI (p/m/f, etc)samples into one giga file.

Plus. Sound Chaser is selling SOV for $419.99!!! They rule!! Im sold!

http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif

ps. Chicken System software $64.99 at Sound Chaser.

[jubal]

http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif

So, I just did a quick experiment. In SoV there is an Akai Partition (A) that has a folder called \'Choir Ahs\'. In that folder there are programs as follows:

LC Ahs-V A
LC Ahs-V B
LC Ahs-V C
LC Ahs-V +A
LC Ahs-V +B
LC Ahs-V +C
LC Ahs P A
LC Ahs P B
LC Ahs P C
LC Ahs F A
LC Ahs F B
LC Ahs F C
......etc.

The A,B,C designate how much memory the program takes with A=Full version or most samples (always use this). The \'+\' designate that this version has a slower attack. The \"-V\" programs are velocity switched programs between p/f.

Anyway, GigaTranslator allows you to convert to gig at the folder level or the program level. I usually do the folder level. I then get a .gig that contains all of the programs as instruments. When all is said and done I can choose the instrument \'LC AHS-V A\' which is the \'London Choir Ahs Velocity Switched Full Version\'. I could also choose the p or f version, but as you can see they are all in one .gig file. Like I said you can make a .gig with just the p or f version if you choose at the program level.

When trying to convert at the folder level with GigaStudio 2.5 own Akai convertor I get an error. The program level conversion works fine however.

....just more info.



[This message has been edited by jubal (edited 02-19-2002).]

[PeterRoos]

Well, I guess never to old to learn (old to spend some money!)

[Francis Belardino]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size=\"1\" face=\"Verdana, Arial\">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by PeterRoos:
Well, I guess never to old to learn (old to spend some money!)<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hahhahahahahahahaaaaaa http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif

BTW. Great work, Jubal.

So, now I am freaking out, waiting to get my hands on SOV. Did you know that I have been thinking about buying this library for 3 years now? Hahaha, I\'m such a geek.

[PeterRoos]

OR to spend some money (typo...)

[Francis Belardino]

\"Anyway, GigaTranslator allows you to convert to gig at the folder level.\"

Ok, wait. First, you did this with Chicken, right?

Second: Let me use GOS for example. When you look at 1stViolins SUS V. in Gstudio there is the + sign next to it...when you click that...all the instruments that are apart of the main are there as well. In other words...

LC AH full mem verion. If I open that file, I get P/F samples all programmed in...but, if I click on the + next to LC AH, I could just open the P or F instrument.

Yikes. What the hell am I asking? I\'m confusing myself now http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif hahaha.
Ok, so that\'s one drink for Jubal, one for Peter...one for King....oh forget it...free drinks for the house for being such a pain. http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by Francis Belardino (edited 02-19-2002).]

[zquarles]

Well it looks like I\'m going to get a tax return, so Francis, I will be joining you in the newly acquired SOV club!
http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif

[Francis Belardino]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size=\"1\" face=\"Verdana, Arial\">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by zquarles:
Well it looks like I\'m going to get a tax return, so Francis, I will be joining you in the newly acquired SOV club!
http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


Yes! Very cool! Oh, and I now believe in the benefits of filing MARRIED!!
Married October 27th 2001

KA-CHING! http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif

ha ha

[Francis Belardino]

Jubal,

What\'s the difference?

LC Ahs-V a
LCM Ahs-V a

[PeterRoos]

LC is both male and female choirs, LCM is just the men

[Francis Belardino]

Kewl!

[zquarles]

Since my mouth is now watering, does anyone have any pieces that they have used SOV with? I just relistened to the ones on the Spectrasonics site and would like to hear some of the stuff my pals here on the board have done!
http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif

[Francis Belardino]

Ditto!

The demos @ ilio.com are cool but, I don\'t care for the main one. In fact it may have been the reason why I waited so long to get it. Kinda muddy and boring.

The Soprano/Tenor phrases and stacatto samples are amazing however.

[PeterRoos]

Try on http://www.audiohelp.nl/music/ (\"http://www.audiohelp.nl/music/\")
\"Assisi\"

you\'ll probably never use the Kyrie samples ever again (hahaha!!)

Peter

[zquarles]

Oh here\'s some good stuff that has SOV in it: http://www.billbrownmusic.com/musicG4.htm (\"http://www.billbrownmusic.com/musicG4.htm\")
listen to the stuff from Undying.
Bill Brown rules.

[Francis Belardino]

Bill Browns music: In a word....HOLLY CRAP!

http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif

That\'s 2 words

[JamesGrote]

I\'ve been following this thread quite intently, as I\'m on the verge of ordering SOV as well. (huge Eric Persing fan).

As a big fan of Bill Brown\'s music, I thought I\'d chime in and point this out - Bill Brown stated in an interview that he used a live choir for the Undying soundtrack. I was quite interested in finding this out as I was blown away by this music AND generally love choral music like that. I don\'t know what he used for Return to Castle Wolfenstein, but that also has some cool haunting choir. Incredible music in that game as well.

Nevertheless, this certainly isn\'t going to stop me from getting SOV ;)

James Grote - http://www.BrainFeverMusic.com (\"http://www.BrainFeverMusic.com\")

[This message has been edited by JamesGrote (edited 02-19-2002).]

[zquarles]

Oh okay. He told me all of his choir stuff was SOV, but I guess he didn\'t mean the Undying stuff.
cool! thanks for the info!

[Francis Belardino]

Hey all.

I just wanted to say I am happy to see this thread grow.
SOV has always been at the top of my list and now I have it on order.
I hope to make it work and work well with ECC and VOTA.

[jubal]

Run like the wind Francis and don\'t look back...weeeeeee http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif

I think you\'ll enjoy SOV and GigaTranslator as well. I just recently went back and converted my Akai samples again because of the new release of the Translator, it did a better job at translating the releases and velocity split levels.

[Francis Belardino]

http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif hahahaaa... yes, also I got it from the horses mouth. Chicken will convert into one playable gig. (m/p/f)

Still seems a bit wild to me. You have ChickenSys and have done the conversion of SOV - Giga and it makes one gig file with all velocities. Playable like any other sample?

No, Im not nuts for details...how dare you! http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif

heheheheee

[PeterRoos]

Hey Francis,
I spent some time yesterday evening tweaking SoV programs in the GS Editor. You will definitely need to (or want to) do this as well. Although the overall sound quality is just great, sometimes the programming gets in the way. What about release times of up to 4 seconds ... Also the attack times are sometimes so high (e.g. with some Swell programs), that you never hear the natural swell that it is actually available in the raw samples.
Again, maybe the is handled differently by GigaTranslator than our default converter, but still...
Reducing the release times makes the programs a lot better to control from the sequencer and to keep the mix from getting muddy. These releases are just to fake a cathedral-style reverb, IMHO.
I also tried to make some crossfades with P and F versions, but this was trickier than I thought. You will probably have to fade the F in on top of the P samples, otherwise the change is too pronounced.
But, I am not really proficient with the editor, so this is really just my 2 cents...

Cheers,
Peter

[jubal]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size=\"1\" face=\"Verdana, Arial\">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by PeterRoos:

What about release times of up to 4 seconds ... Also the attack times are sometimes so high (e.g. with some Swell programs), that you never hear the natural swell that it is actually available in the raw samples.
Again, maybe the is handled differently by GigaTranslator than our default converter, but still...
Peter<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yep..This is what I meant by what is different in the most recent versions of GigaTranslator. The releases are shorter, just enough so it is not so abrupt. The attacks for the swells also allow for the natural build up. I was dissapointed in the library at first, but it was really a translation problem in the earlier versions of GigaTranslator and GigaStudio.

[Francis Belardino]

I just purchased Chicken Systems software converter. Will it take care of the release times? I would assume it would seeing how it merges P and F samples, etc.

[PeterRoos]

Great Francis!

you are going to figure this out for the rest of us!

Peter

[Francis Belardino]

All righty then http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif

Release and attacks I assign to GPC 1 & 2 any way so... no biggy.

[KingIdiot]

From what I remember of the undying Soundtrack....which...while I love Bill Browns stuff,...didn\'t impress me.

However it worked perfectly with the game, which is what it was supposed to do.

Anyhow. The in game stuff sounded very much like SOV to me from waht I remember.

Especially the damn phrases. Maybe the title sogn was different...or something. Or maybe there was a real choir layered in....but it sounded like there was some SOV in there for sure.

Francis, you\'ll be dissapointed about whats missing in it \"expresssive vibrato/Big sound\". But its a great library still. Used in con junction with VotA and even ECC, plus some good use of Reverb and myh new \"toy\" sound Stage and some EQ, you can get them to work pretty well together I\'m sure.

Since you\'re looking for a \"mellow\" sound you\'ll like this. Still you\'ll need to work with reverbs and proximity. Worht the $$$ tho, just for the variety....actually jus the boys choir....cuz as of right now there isn\'t another and I love the sound of boys choir.

------------------
Really...I am an Idiot

[Francis Belardino]

I hear what your saying, King... and look at what you get with SOV vs VotA...

5 CD\'s VS. 3
Phrase and words that can be used RIGHT NOW not after hours of programming.
Boys Choirs
Chants
Solo Voices
Natural reverbs
EFX (That\'s a big plus for me)
Etc.

I just had to grab it, ya know? http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif
I know the technology is old-school so to speak but there just seems to be, like GOS, more choices for your money.

Peace.
All said with a big ol\' smile http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by Francis Belardino (edited 02-20-2002).]

[This message has been edited by Francis Belardino (edited 02-20-2002).]

[This message has been edited by Francis Belardino (edited 02-20-2002).]

[Bruce A. Richardson]

Just to pop my two cents worth...

Symphony of Voices is a GREAT sample library, in my opinion one of the best investments. While the Akai-centric programming might seem a little neanderthal to Giga-freaks, the quality and sheer quantity of samples is overwhelming. There is enough material in SOV to keep a person happily creating for years. Eric\'s sister library \"Vocal Planet\" is an excellent investment as well.

Definitely what I call an \"investment grade library.\" No matter what amazing things might be over the horizon, SOV won\'t become useless or defunct.

[Damon]

Amen Bruce! http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/wink.gif

[Francis Belardino]

Bruce,

I was just ready to call it a night and I caught your post. I just wanted to say that I value your opinion. Must have read your AO
review a thousand times http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif

Did you review Symphony of Voices? I know that, Ryan Miglierina did.

Thanks to everyone here who has held my hand http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif

Good night all.

Peace

[This message has been edited by Francis Belardino (edited 02-20-2002).]

[KingIdiot]

Have fun with that sucker and enjoy http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/wink.gif

Bruce is right it is an investment grade library. Very much like AO for choir. Good stuff, limiting, but still usable.

Will buy it at some point. I\'m actually surprised I haven\'t yet...its this damn forum and all the cool stuff coming out dammit!!

------------------
Really...I am an Idiot

[Bruce A. Richardson]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size=\"1\" face=\"Verdana, Arial\">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Francis Belardino:
Bruce,

Did you review Symphony of Voices? I know that, Ryan Miglierina did.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I\'ve written it, it just hasn\'t made its way through the chute yet. The basics are: everything is super well recorded, it translates well from Akai, there are about a thousand different things you can do with it, and you won\'t find yourself hitting bottom for a very long time if ever.

I have a lot of respect for Eric Persing\'s work. He\'s generous in crediting his collaborators, and everything is always done with maximum class.

Vocal Planet is just as well crafted, with killer gospel choirs, and about every ethnicity of vocal sample you can name. Tons of scat/jazz/percussive stuff.

Also, Metamorphosis is killer, absolutely wonderful. You can use it simultaneously in Giga, ACID, and his \"Groove Control\" method (which is very much like a Propellerheads REX file, only using the sampler).

I\'d say anything Eric Persing releases is a safe bet. He knows the score, and knows what sounds make money for people.

Best regards,
Bruce

[Francis Belardino]

Sweet! I have it now but I am locked in this studio (Monster Pro Tools edit session, hehehehe, let\'s not go there) for a few more hours before I can get to my Giga suite. The booklet is great, BTW.

Thanks again everyone. It\'s been 3 years of should I, should I not...I am such a nerd http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif

[dwdonehoo]

OK, now that you all have had some time to chew on this, any examples from y\'all using SoV or VOTA?? Pony up! http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/wink.gif (I did listen to Assisi...very nice.)

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

[zquarles]

Francis-
where did you end up ordering SOV from and how much was it (if you mind me asking)?
I got a quote of 474 from Soundchaser...