The Sound Board

Cinesamples has just released volume 2 of their popular Tina Guo Acoustic Cello for $99:

https://cinesamples.com/product/tina-guo-vol-2



I haven't watched the walkthrough video yet, but although the Mini Phrases and Effects demo sounded quite good (even if obviously limited), the Etude No 1 demo I found really problematic in terms of stereo field and intonation.

I just left their page to make sure someone mentioned it here.

I like the sound of the first library, and I expect I will grab this one to extend the possibilities!

Ms. Guo has a distinctive style, or appears to anyway. And I have found ways to really take advantage of volume 1.Adding the shorts is going to amplify the possibilities.

I would have to agree that the Etude probably does not how off the library well, at least not based on what I could do with the first volume. But I think it has more to do with the performance than the library. I could easily be wrong, I will find out by the weekend!

wst3 wrote: ↑Jan 08, 2019 8:44 pmI could easily be wrong, I will find out by the weekend!

Please do report back!

Whereas vol 1 was a one-trick pony, that pony was very well groomed and behaved. Here it seems like the vol 2 pony can do quite a few more tricks, but I didn't get a strong feeling it did even what vol 1 did well. Would be very happy to hear you come back to tell me I'm wrong.

I'm also debating getting this, as I used to use V1 quite a lot. Not so much nowadays, but that is more for the lack of solo cello I need. As that will change mid-2019, V2 might be a good thing. But I'm also not quite convinced of the demos. And I'm even less convinced by the walkthrough video, where the transitions seemed extremely prominent to me.
Curious for hearing more from people who bought it

This may be worth a look:



Best,

Geoff

Thanks for sharing that, Geoff. I do find Don Bodin's reviews tend to be overly superficial and uncritical, but there was a lot of audio content in that review to help formulate opinions about the library. My opinion on the legato has improved somewhat, but there were still some really troublesome moments. Looking forward to hearing more demos where some MIDI tweaking has been afforded.

Hey Tack, couldn't agree more about Mr. Bodin and a few other "reviewers" out there - possibly part of this whole democratization of journalism (akin to the democratization of music production?). There are very few reviewers I trust, not that there were all that many 30 years ago, when print ruled the world.

Also agree on Tin Guo Vol 2 - it strikes me as exactly what I had hoped for when I bought volume 1, and I really hope it is, but I need to hear more demos. Or I need to decide I can gamble $99???

Tobias Escher wrote: ↑Jan 10, 2019 2:28 am I'm also debating getting this, as I used to use V1 quite a lot. Not so much nowadays, but that is more for the lack of solo cello I need. As that will change mid-2019, V2 might be a good thing. But I'm also not quite convinced of the demos. And I'm even less convinced by the walkthrough video, where the transitions seemed extremely prominent to me.
Curious for hearing more from people who bought it

I'm considering it but not because of the new legato patch, it would be for the other arts.

tack wrote: ↑Jan 10, 2019 8:14 pm Thanks for sharing that, Geoff. I do find Don Bodin's reviews tend to be overly superficial and uncritical, but there was a lot of audio content in that review to help formulate opinions about the library. My opinion on the legato has improved somewhat, but there were still some really troublesome moments. Looking forward to hearing more demos where some MIDI tweaking has been afforded.

I agree, Jason, that it's the audio content that counts most in this type of video. Certainly reviewers can be helpful when they point out what they see as the strengths and weaknesses of a library, but no one knows better what will work for you than you.

I find it helpful both to watch how a product plays live and to listen to the best it can sound after MIDI massaging has been applied. Until more of the latter arrives, here's another first look. It's mostly redundant to Don's quick look, but it does offer its own perspective and playing. It also offers a brief comparison to version 1:



Of course, it would be even better to watch Guy do a walkthrough on this. I really enjoyed his ProjectSam videos.

Best,

Geoff

I know it is picking nits, but it is is VOLUME 2, not version 2. Granted their entire naming convention is a little screwy. Still, that sort of inaccuracy makes me a little bit crazy.

The information he presents is somewhat useful, but I do wish he would do direct comparisons, not talk between takes, and instead of telling what he is going to tell us. The rambling approach makes me think he didn't put a lot of thought into the walk through.

Or maybe I'm just grumpy after a long work week?