The Sound Board

Its always been the case that you can buy the separate sections of VSL's very long running Special Editions 1 and 2. However, from June 30 this will no longer be the case. VSL explain that you can still upgrade to the full all-section Special Editions, and also crossgrade to the new Syncrhonized versions. As it is, the separate sections will be 30% off until June 30.

https://www.vsl.co.at/en/Special_Edition_Sections

Think I'll finally have to add the Plus versions to my woodwinds, as I'm never going to want the full sections.

was considering that myself. I really don't wish to encourage their draconian replacement policy, but their woodwinds are wonderful.What's a fellow to do?

Well I bought 1 SE Plus, and its pretty good. There are some quirks mind - the repetitions aren't always present, only only about half the patches, and where it is present they all seem to be recorded at slightly different speeds, so not sure how much use they'll be. Even the trills are absent from one or two of the low instruments. The legato repetitions are damn good though, as are staccato repetitions.

The pricing has always seemed odd to me that this is more than the basic versions, I'd have put it the other way around. Still, I'll probably get vol 2 SE Plus as well, knowing this is the last time to get them. Its the trills I miss most in the basic set, gotta have 'em.

I’m thinking there probably are bassoon trills?

Lawrence wrote: ↑Jun 15, 2019 6:00 pm I’m thinking there probably are bassoon trills?

I think there are indeed. I'll check tomorrow which ones are absent.

I have mixed feelings about pre-baked trills, though I certainly wouldn’t mind having a set in my back pocket. They always sound more realistic on the face of it, but the single speed (if that’s the case) doesn’t fit all situations; indeed, some trills need to start slow and increase in speed.

Good thought Larry - I immediatley thought "ah, but VSL legatos are so good you can go up to trill speed with them, so you could massage it". All well and good in theory, but does it work in practice? So this file is a simple test - legato speed up, trill, legato slow down.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/17np6k5883h3n ... s.wav?dl=0

First version is a massaged CC1 to smooth out the bump you will clearly hear in the second version, where I've set the CC to 127 throughout. It was a little fiddly, but you'd probably get away with it with care. You can time stretch in VI Pro 2, but a) it looks VERY fiddly and b) I don't see a way to change the speed via CC, so didn't really pursue that any further.

Meanwhile, here's a list of what instruments have what with regard to trills and repetitions in Vol 1 Plus:

Piccolo - Trills, 160, 200
Flute - Trills, 160, 200
Clarinet Bb - Trills, 140, 170
Bass Clarinet - Trills
French Oboe - Trills
English Horn - Trills
Bassoon - Trills, 150, 190
Contrabasson - neither

Sort of perplexing isn't it? Why at least the repetitions aren't a consistent speed is a mystery. I guess you can stretch them but it would be a right faff.

That's great, Guy-I hadn't thought of ousing the trills at the apex of legato/trill/legato! Sounds very good to me, you?

So it's just the contrabassoon without trills. Hmm. I may follow your lead here, although I was thinking of fiddling with the VSL site til can figure out what it would cost to go from SE winds (basic) to full SE Synchron orch (basic). I'd sorta like that piano, which I believe is part of the deal, and the effects. Finding my account information holds me back from a fair amount of exploration, god do I hate all of that.

I'd say good enough in a mix Larry. I had to manually tweak the CC to go from about 50% max on the legato to about 85% on the trills patch to get a get-away-with-it blend. Of course all this does raise the issue that their legato is so good you'd get away with the whole lot on legato! It's not AS good, but its always been the great strength of this whole silent stage series.

As for account info - sheesh. I've fully embraced 1Password. I think online life is essentially unmanageable now without a password manager... another annual bill to add....

I don't think VSL is the absolute worst web site for user accounts, but they are trying! Deciphering pricing is a challenge that most often leaves me scratching my head, and closing the window.

I used to use SE Vol1 frequently, especially the woodwinds. I stopped when I discovered that I'd have to pay half again to recover them, or pay for what I consider to be an exorbitant insurance plan. Which is unfortunate!

This makes upgrading to Synchron less attractive, and has certainly kept me from adding to the library, even though I think SE 1 Plus looks pretty nice.

I may do both before the end of the month in the hopes that they come to their senses. Still haven't decided.

I have so much these days (a true embarrassment of riches) that I find it increasingly difficult to make big investments. I'll still grab the occasional $5 Bowed Bowl or the like, I love oddball instruments and sounds, but I find it nearly impossible to justify bigger purchases. Still waffling on K12 or K12U... and now this?

Plus, I do dislike having my arm twisted! And yet when I put off Superior 3 till the last minute I discovered I really had cut off my nose to spite my face.

UGH!