Vienna Symphonic Library Forum
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  • LEARNING the Vienna Symphonic Library

    Hello, I recently purchased VSL and I am amazed and overwhelmed by the volume of samples and the quality of this product. However, I am slightly at a loss at how to approach the monumental task of learning and mastering this program.

    I am prepared to commit several hours every single day to learning VSL and the Performance Tool but I really would appreciate some advice from you expert users out there.

    What is the best way to approach learning this thing? The manuals seem fairly clinical and matter-of-fact, like a reference manual without personality. I am interested in either lessons, tutorials, workshops, workbooks, classes, videos with real world application and examples. Are there any learning materials available besides the manual? "Idiot's Guide to VSL" ? I would also be interested in obtaining Logic files of complete orchestral creations with VSL; I think dissecting something like that would be a great way to learn as well.

    Maybe I'm overreacting because I recently got everything installed and configured, but I would appreciate some tips on how to systematically and effectively start learnin this behemoth.

    I think I would even pay someone to sit with me for lessons!

    I am a composer based in Downtown Los Angeles, CA USA. I am using a dual 2.0 GHz G5 with Logic Pro 7, a Firepod Interface and VSL Standard Edition with Performance Tool.

    Thanks,

    Ernest P.

    PS - I am aware of the Performance Tool DVD and planning on purchasing it soon.

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    Somewhere on the site here there are some midi files for some of the demos, very instructive.

    The other thing to do is: Do a simulation yourself, and use the "all" patches as a start. Keyswitch as needed. Eventually you'll find yourself thinking, "hmmm, here I need more vibrato (or whatever)" and then you add those patches as needed.

    Btw, the perf. tool is not needed at all times, it's most important with prominent solo lines.

    Hope that helps,

    Alan

    @mulpoge said:

    Hello, I recently purchased VSL and I am amazed and overwhelmed by the volume of samples and the quality of this product. However, I am slightly at a loss at how to approach the monumental task of learning and mastering this program.

    I am prepared to commit several hours every single day to learning VSL and the Performance Tool but I really would appreciate some advice from you expert users out there.

    What is the best way to approach learning this thing? The manuals seem fairly clinical and matter-of-fact, like a reference manual without personality. I am interested in either lessons, tutorials, workshops, workbooks, classes, videos with real world application and examples. Are there any learning materials available besides the manual? "Idiot's Guide to VSL" ? I would also be interested in obtaining Logic files of complete orchestral creations with VSL; I think dissecting something like that would be a great way to learn as well.

    Maybe I'm overreacting because I recently got everything installed and configured, but I would appreciate some tips on how to systematically and effectively start learnin this behemoth.

    I think I would even pay someone to sit with me for lessons!

    I am a composer based in Downtown Los Angeles, CA USA. I am using a dual 2.0 GHz G5 with Logic Pro 7, a Firepod Interface and VSL Standard Edition with Performance Tool.

    Thanks,

    Ernest P.

    PS - I am aware of the Performance Tool DVD and planning on purchasing it soon.

  • I think that fiddling around and listening to many patches is a way to start in order to get a feeling of what the library acually contains. The next step could be to write a short piece e.g. for string orchestra or an even smaller ensamble (e.g. flute and cello) and try to produce it using VSL sounds only, excluding the performance set. Most of the instruments in VSL are organized in the same manner, so once you learn the organization of one instrument you have a pretty good idea of the others as well.

    The next step is to see what the perfomance set could bring into the picture on the same piece, trying first the legato tool, then the repetion tool and finally the alternation tool.

    Just some thoughts on a stepwise approach!

    Cheers,

    Chris

  • I agree with everything that has been said so far. I started by spending a few hours trying out various intrument patches just to get a "feel" how they reacted to my keyboard playing. Then I decided that I would spend some time using the strings before branching out to the rest of the library. In fact the demo that I put together over Christmas was the first one I've done where most of the orchestra came from VSL. Now that I also have the French Oboe, another instrument will be from VSL, rather than another, older library
    Obviously I'm still learning (not least with regard to mixing etc.), but at least I feel confident that I can demo relatively quickly and accurately now. When I update to Giga 3 then things (assuming it all works) should speed up even more.

    DG

  • I agree that the All patches (in which different articulations are accessed through keyswitching) are a fast way of becoming familiar with the library. Note that the instruments in these patches are reduced in size in order to conserve RAM. Generally thay don't have as many velocity layers as their individual counterparts (the same instrument available as a single patch.) If you find an instrument that you love in the All patch (say Short 1.3 sec) than go find the single instrument and you will have more expression and flexibility.

    Start in on Perfleg instruments immediately because they are superior. The woodwinds would be a simple starting point. In the Performance Tool select

    legato in the corresponding channel the {say} flute2 is sitting in. Then load the flute pal. file found in Woodwinds folder (legato) from the Tool menu. It's pretty simple.

    HTH,

    Dave Connor

  • These are all terrific suggestions.

    When I first got into the First Edition, I took a lot of time to try to audition each sound just to understand what was available. I tried not to have any preconceived notions about the usefulness of each sound in an effort to clear my head of the way RAM-based sample libraries work.

    Once I had gotten through something like Grieg's "Shepherd Boy" from his Lyric Suite (strings and harp only), I paid special attention to those sounds I •didn't• use and sought out scores for which the unused sounds could come in handy.

    But mulpoge's position is one for which I'll always have a great deal of empathy. The method of sequencing with VSL has been quite different for me than with other sample libraries. It really is a bit overwhelming at first-- and the time spent worrying about hardware/software limitations and other technical matters continues to slow me down at times. This is even worse with a deadline looming and no time for much trial-and-error programming.

    I was glad to see the PT instructional DVD on the market at last and have one coming. I am also glad to see MIDI files available for further study. These will always be incredibly helpful---

    But there's nothing like a BOOK when starting out-- to lick one's fingers to turn the pages, to follow along step by step with diagrams and instructions. spelling out what the project goal was, what the first step was, what the following steps were, what the potential pitfalls and common user errors might be, how those pitfalls were avoided, what is reasonably possible or impossible to accomplish---

    The forums are truly wonderful, don't get me wrong. But there are days I just read and read and read for hours hoping to find that someone else has had the same problems that I'm having-- in hopes that their solutions might work for me as well. Very time consuming. Certainly, the VSL team is wonderful with answering special questions both on and off the forum (the best in the world), but sometimes you just need to find a solution faster than one might be available.

    I hope that the need for books never goes out of style-- and <optimistically> look forward to a detailed manual beyond the quickstart guieds either in book form or PDF.

  • All good tips above. Whithout any knowledge of your musical background mulpoge, if this is an early foray into orchestral instruments, at least in a more intensive way, some of the questions you might be asking might be best answered with a good orchestration course or book (I like Samual Adler's but ther are many others too). If you understand what you're looking for, that's half the battle. Sorry if this is beneath you [[;)]] , but knowing where a person is coming frrom musically is important to know how to help...

  • I started out in October and had the same feel. Now I'm rehearsing every day on VSL expanding knowledge and experience.

    Listening to demos at this site is most educating.
    Using VSL in production little by little also, including how to mix it with the other libraries.

    After a short while the first hand "clinical" impression of structure turns into "aha, that's why"-simplicity.

    Still, A book would be nice.

    Keep it up!

    Jorgen.