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  3. Availability of certain sample libraries

  • Availability of certain sample libraries

    S
    S
    Hello everyone.

    I would like to know which of "former" sample collections (Giga,EXS,Kontakt format) are still available for purchase.

    Opus 1 and 2 are out of stock so does that mean they won't be sold anymore?

    Complete orchestral package and/or it's parts are discontinued but still available for purchase?

    Thank you and best regards.
  • cmC
    VSL Team
    cmC
    welcome seba,
    several horizon products are out of stock depending on country and distributor (AFAIK eg. also solo strings in US)
    the first edition is discontinued, the pro edition is still available. first edition is still listed with it's specs, because otherwise you wouldn't know on what amount of data and number of samples the VIP price would be referring to.
    christian
    and remember: only a CRAY can run an endless loop in just three seconds.
  • M
    M
    Hello Christian!

    Thank you for answering Seba's original question. I read your reply with great interest, yet some question still remain for me:

    1) You mentioned that Opus (Horizon products) is out of stock. Will it be re-stocked in the foreseeable future or is it a discontinued product from now on?

    2) Will Opus see a return someday? Maybe as a VI or in it's original form?

    3) Will all the other Horizon products also be discontinued? Will there be a replacement for them?

    I am asking because I planned to purchase it for a long time. You know the old story: Other life priorities, not enough money, the old question "sample library or food in the next month"... [:D]

    If Opus 1 was discontinued, this would be a shame. I do not wish to start a flamewar, but after reading all the info on the website it seems to me that the new special edition (even the extended version) offers much less than even a bare Opus 1 had.
  • M
    M
    Hi!

    Sorry to bump this but I really would appreciate an answer.

    Thanks!
  • MartinM
    VSL Team
    MartinM
    Opus 1 and 2 have been discontinued, they are being replaced by the Vienna Special Edition, our virtual instrument product that includes the whole orchestra and more. Looking at the list of instruments and the possibilities of the software, we believe that the Vienna Special Edition offers way more than Opus 1 at a compelling price.

    The Horizon Series product "Glass & Stones" has been replaced by the VI "Elements", and Solo Strings is a Vienna Instrument as well, with the Horizon Series product of the same name being discontinued.

    Cheers, Martin
  • N
    N
    last edited
    last edited

    @musicpete said:

    [...] If Opus 1 was discontinued, this would be a shame. I do not wish to start a flamewar, but after reading all the info on the website it seems to me that the new special edition (even the extended version) offers much less than even a bare Opus 1 had.


    I don't know if that description is really fair. True, there are some articulations missing and slightly less velocity layers on some instruments (I've read exaggerations of this difference in velocity layers on some forums, but in reality the difference doesn't seem to be that big), but with SE you get more instruments, 24-bit samples and better workflow with the VI sample player. As an Opus/Kontakt user I'm a bit hesitant to buy an upgrade to SE since I don't have a great need for more instruments and thus won't gain that much. However, if I were a new user I probably wouldn't hesitate to buy SE. The samples are great (and must be even better in 24-bit), unlike Opus you get different types of strings which can be layered with good results, and the price is pretty low considering the number of instruments and high quality.
  • M
    M
    Thank you for your answers!

    @Martin: Thanks for clearing that up!

    @nilberg: I agree with you that my assessment might not sound entirely fair. But please understand that I am speaking just from reading the product descriptions. Been skirting around VSL stuff for a long time...

    SE does offer many more instruments, 24bit, the great VI engine, the legato stuff. But you pay for that with very few choices of articulations, (very) limited veliocity layers, lack of sample editing ability, etc...

    I see this as perfectly acceptable for someone who sees SE as his entry to the sampling world. Anyone making this his first orchestra library will be in heaven!

    On the other hand I considered Opus 1/2 a product for more "advanced" sample users, who were in need of more articulations to expand their pool. Seeing it that way the discontinuation is a great loss. Of course unless VSL plans another mid-level product to complete the gaps that were left open by SE.

    Right now someone who already owns some sample libraries and wants more choices in samples (i.e. me) can no longer opt for Opus 1/2. SE does not offer anything for me (I already own good samples for those instruments, featuring more veliocity layers etc.), and if I e.g. wanted some of the great brass sounds from Opus 1, I now would need to buy the full "Brass1 Std.+Extended" library. Unfortunately that is a bit out of my current budget.

    I certainly will watch the further developments with great interest! Thanks again for taking the time to answer my questions!