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  3. Pro Edition upgrade to EXS or Giga

  • Pro Edition upgrade to EXS or Giga

    M
    M
    I have the VSL First Edition for Gigastudio already, but this 30% off sale is too tempting to resist, so I'm going to upgrade to the Pro Edition. I run Logic, so it sure would be nice to have VSL running internally on EXS. Then I wouldn't have to turn on that dang external PC so often.

    As luck would have it, VSL let's you do a "crossgrade" for the same low, low upgrade price, which is nice of them (EW take note.) In other words, for the same upgrade price, I can get a whole new EXS version of the Pro Edition.

    I like the idea of having VSL on my Logic rig, but even with a dual 2.5ghz G5, I know there will be times when it can't do it all internally. But an additional external EXS rig requires another Logic EXS dongle, plus another fast Mac. That'll get expensive!

    So tell me if this scenario make sense in the real world: Have VSL Pro Edition on the Mac (EXS.) I'll still have the First Edition on a Giga computer, so when the Mac starts wheezing, I can farm out some tracks to the cheap Giga PC, maybe even buy another Giga rig for extra super deluxe songs.

    My concern is that my external Giga rigs will only be able to run the "lowly" First Edition. Or are the "Pro Edition only" instruments generally used rarely enough that this won't matter?

    Thoughts? Thanks! [:)]

    - Mike Greene
  • P
    P
    I think there is no general rule. However, I think two scenarios are possible: RAM limitation, usually solved by loading a perf-leg on the other computer. The performance set of the First Ed is very diverse so there almost always will be one in your orchestration. The other one is polyphony issues, and it's like with the perf-legs, the First Ed patches are mostly needed as they cover the basics of an orchestra. However if you write for a concerto for solo violin, piccolo trumpet and basstrumpet there will always the Pro Edition needed and no possibility to optimize the load.

    Best would if you check yourself the quick overviews and complete articulation lists to see what you will be heading (the buttons on these pages are your friends [;)] ):
    http://www.vsl.co.at/english/pages/products_%26_shop/symphonic_edition/overview.htm#
    http://www.vsl.co.at/english/pages/products_%26_shop/symphonic_edition/complete_orchestral_package.htm

    Thought about upgrading to Pro Ed on Giga and get a sidelicense (10% of original price of an item) for either Pro Ed or only First Ed for your Logic rig?

    All the best,
    PolarBear
  • M
    M
    last edited
    last edited

    @PolarBear said:

    Thought about upgrading to Pro Ed on Giga and get a sidelicense (10% of original price of an item) for either Pro Ed or only First Ed for your Logic rig?

    I didn't know about that! That may be just the ticket!

    So, if I understand correctly, I could get Pro Editions for both Logic and Giga for $1610 (upgrade price) plus $491 (10% of Pro Edition price.) Do I have this right? Thanks for the info! [H]

    - Mike Greene
  • P
    P
    The system you're describing is exactly what I have (on a dual 1.8, though). It's served me very well for over a year now. You may be pleasantly surprised how little you resource the Giga.

    (I'm assuming you've got over 4 GB of RAM in your Mac. EXS currently tops off somewhere at 3 GB, even if the computer is loaded to 8 GB. That's supposed to improve eventually.)

    Like you, I looked about a year ago at the numbers and resisted my hope to "get it all on one computer." Yeah, someone probably could. But why? I load a template into Giga and then load EXS instruments on a need-to-have basis per song. Predictably, Giga gets a lot of the short, dynamic, and additional technique programs from First Edition, and I cherry-picked their samples for lower RAM loads. (That's another thread -- how much you can get away with stretching samples, particularly in non-featured instruments in a mix.)

    There was a time when Giga's superior editor tipped the sampling scales in its favor. I imagine "Keymap" (whenever it might premiere) will even things out. In the end, as both a composer and (a necessary evil, perhaps) as a technician. you're probably best served knowing both platforms, particularly if you're already composing in Logic.

    And it's quite nice to just load an EXS perf-leg instrument and never even think about its settings.

    Regards.
  • P
    P
    last edited
    last edited

    @PolarBear said:

    Thought about upgrading to Pro Ed on Giga and get a sidelicense (10% of original price of an item) for either Pro Ed or only First Ed for your Logic rig?

    I didn't know about that! That may be just the ticket!

    So, if I understand correctly, I could get Pro Editions for both Logic and Giga for $1610 (upgrade price) plus $491 (10% of Pro Edition price.) Do I have this right? Thanks for the info! [H]

    - Mike Greene

    Uhm, I misinformed you there, the sidelicense price is higher for the Symphonic Editions, have a look at the corresponedant website:
    http://www.vsl.co.at/english/pages/profile/news/side_licenses.htm

    So this would mean, if you upgrade for $1610 and get the crossgrade for the Pro Ed COP, you have the Pro Ed COP for both Giga and EXS for [edit] something above $2k (see Martin's post below) [/edit] . You can also choose a crossgrade for the First Ed COP that is slightly cheaper.

    Hope this helps,
    PolarBear
  • M
    M
    Plowman and PolarBear, that's very helpful input! I really appreciate it! [:)]

    Sounds like I'd be fine with Pro for EXS and First for Giga, but the full package for both isn't that much more. Hmmm . . . all I know is I'd better decide fast before my wife notices our checking account has enough in it for a $2k purchase! [;)]

    - Mike Greene
  • MartinM
    VSL Team
    MartinM
    Hello Mike,

    I'm afraid to say that the idea of getting an additional side license for the Pro Edition gets a little bit more expensive with every posting... Side licenses (both for the Symphonic Editions and the Horizon Series) are not discounted during the promotional period, they are always based on the full price. So the side license for the Complete Pro Edition is 15% of $5,990.

    Best wishes,
    Martin, Vienna Symphonic Library
  • P
    P
    I stand corrected... better stick with what Martin said [;)]

    Sorry for the confusion, Mike.
    PolarBear
  • MartinM
    VSL Team
    MartinM
    PolarBear, I always appreciate your help and your thorough contributions to our forum! Thanks for hangin' in there! [H]
    All the best, Martin