Convincing Sampled Instruments

[Louis]

I would like to hear thoughts and opinions concerning sample instrument libraries......primarily acoustic instruments......woodwinds, brass, strings, percussion, drum sets, pianos, guitars, etc. I would like to know in particular which sample instruments of which instrument libraries seem to be most convincing, even to the ears of the most discriminating musicians, where they would have a difficult time discerning whether or not it is a real musician on a particular track or a sampled instrument. I do realize the most difficult sampled instruments to be convincing with on a solo track would be a solo violin or solo sax, though as a section, they are more convincing. I would like to know what sampled instruments many of you users would feel most comfortable using in order to be convincing as a solo instrument on a solo track, and also what section instruments on section instrument tracks. In other words, if you were going to produce a high quality CD, which instruments would you hire live musicians for and which instruments would you feel totally satisfied using instrument samples. I do realize that sequencing skills and use of controllers play a very significant part in this. Let\'s assume that in producing a high quality CD, expert sequencing and controller skills are utilized. Taking all of this into consideration, we can focus on which sampled solo and section instruments are truly convincing, even to the most critical ears.

[SCARBEE]

Try listen to the bass demo at http://www.scarbee.com (\"http://www.scarbee.com\")

I believe it sounds very natural!

Thomas

[Ewen]

For trombone section and solo I use Quantum Leap brass.
For Trumpet section I use Vitous Symphonic Orchestra, I think Vitous\' samples is better than Nick\'s for trumpet section but for solo trumpet I like Nick\'s samples better.

For String sections and solo I find Kirk Hunter\'s Virtuoso Series String Orchestra the most realistic.

[Hans-Josef]

Try the Xsample Library!

http:\\\\www.xsample.de

Ciao,

Hans-Josef

[Hans-Josef]

Uups...
http://www.xsample.de (\"http://www.xsample.de\")

[dandean]

If you are looking for realism, you might be interested in my new Dan Dean Solo Woodwinds Collection....or my Solo Strings or GigaBass Collection. I am a bassist and have to really listen carefully to tell if it was me playing or one of my basses sitting in a track.
Also, the new Woodwinds are incredible. Some instruments have nearly 1,000 samples comprising multiple layers. If its natural detail you\'re looking for, these are for you.

Dan Dean

[lanesp]

Not to toot our own horn (or beat our own drum, so to speak) but, upon reading this string, Donnie decided to whip up a quick demo demonstrating the realistic capabilities of our Ultimate Orchestral Percussion library. This also features our soon to be released, Ultimate Timpani upgrade.

Here\'s a well known, brief excerpt by Hindemith, known for his soloistic use of percussion. The first example is the Cleveland Orchestra percussion section. The second is performed with our sounds. A fairly dry mix, more could be done to match the sound of the original hall but you get the idea.

Oh, and you might notice, ours is performed with the snare of the snare drum on.
http://www.dssoundware.com/sounds/hindemithreal.wma (\"http://www.dssoundware.com/sounds/hindemithreal.wma\")
http://www.dssoundware.com/sounds/Hindemith%20EX2.wma (\"http://www.dssoundware.com/sounds/Hindemith%20EX2.wma\")

Sean Lane
DS Soundware

[This message has been edited by lanesp (edited 12-25-2000).]

[donnie]

We just got our \"non flash\" site up. I know some of you on here couldn\'t access the site because you were on computers that did not have the right plugin. So enjoy and let us know what you think..

Donnie http://www.dssoundware.com (\"http://www.dssoundware.com\")

[Boomer]

Just tried the non-flash site...it works GREAT!! Thanks for taking the time to address this issue. http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif

Best Regards!

[donnie]

hey no problem...I\'m glad you enjoyed it. Please feel free to give any suggestions in the user area.

Donnie

[IOComposer]

Louis,
To answer your post, I use DS Percussion, vl70m/wx5 woodwinds, mixed with xsample (but highly anticipating the Dan Dean WW collection). I have a custom brass solution that I enjoy using which I believe sounds very convincing. I have all of the string libraries and can get reasonably realistic sounding things for some things, but if I were going for absolute realism, I would hire real strings. The strings give the orchestra its depth and I believe that no sample library has pulled off that kind of depth yet. Maybe Gary Garritan will do it, but I\'m still a little skeptical. Bottom line is that the enjoyment that I get from listening to an orchestra has to do with the performance of the players and the nuances and imperfections. Perhaps I\'m this way because I\'ve been a sample jockey for so long, but I can ALWAYS tell sampled verses live because of the depth of sound and the performances of the players. If they sound at all mechanical, then it\'s a giveaway. Truth remains, I value the skill involved in performing musical instruments and I don\'t respect a computer in that way. Although I know the effort involved in sequenceing a realistic performance, I just can\'t respect a program like I would respect a musician. Call me crazy http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/wink.gif
Hope that helps,
-IO

[IOComposer]

Hey Donnie-
Your example sounds great! I added some verb to it and it sounds remarkably close to the real example. It makes me want to compose a percussion piece http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif
-IO

[Louis]

Thank you all very much for your responses!

Louis