SMART ORCHESTRA vs. EPIC ORCHESTRA vs. SYNCHRON STRINGS 1

[LP.]

hello! i'm looking for a plugin where i can play a complete orchestra or string-section per midi-keyboard. i want to create classical orchestra sounds, like for example the sounds in hans zimmers - coup de grace (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuaaO5LphKI).which plugin would fit best for that and are there any other "full orchestra plugins" in that price range? and if buy the smart orchestra for example, do i need to purchase anything else (other than a license-key) to use it? thank you! greets from vienna

[bbelius]

Hi,

if you only need some strings / brass like in the video, Epic Orchestra would be enough imo.
It has string / woodwind patches for simple use with the keyboard and big trumpet and horn sections.
You will maybe need some additional synths for the deep sounds / percussion hits. Smart Spheres could maybe be hepful for that. Also there are a lot of free synths (or maybe even already included in your DAW). You won't need anything besides that imo (except for a DAW of course).

Smart Orchestra is a scetching orchestra, I think it should be also possible to do something like this (just listen to the demos on the product pages). With smart Orchestra you will also need some synths (and a DAW).

Best, Ben

[LP.]

hi, thanks for your reply. i have everything else and i am already using some VSL libraries (jazz drums, sax, trumpet,...) too, so in the first place i actually just need some good strings, which i can use to play long string-pads. i think i can do this with epic orchestra and also smart orchestra, the price difference is not very big, so i just need someone to help me make the right decision, because i want to get the best bang for my buck, hehe. greets

[bbelius]

I would go then with the Epic Orchestra: You'll even get VEP ;)

[LP.]

thanks! if i get that right, i don't need VEP for the epic orchestra right? i could buy only the license for 105€ and use it with the free stadard version VE or the vienna instruments plugin right? and with epic orchestra i can't play any solo instruments, but with smart orchestra i can do that, right? :)

[bbelius]

Yes, you don't need VEP to use Epic orchestra. But it is definetly woth the additional 40€. I highly recommend it!

Epic orchestra 2.0 uses the free Synchron player instead of the Instruments player. You'll get some instrument-ensembles that are mapped over the entire keyboard without control over the single sections (strings, winds) as well as dome solo- and ensemble instruments. Full list: https://www.vsl.co.at/en/Software/Vienna_Ensemble_Pro#!Epic_Orchestra

With smart Orchestra you'll get the strings, Winds, Brass also mapped over the keyboard without control over the sections + some solo instruments (Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Trumpet, Horn, Violin-Section) + Percussion + Mallets.

[bbelius]

Smart orchestra is imo useful when sketching for symphonic orchestra.
If you want more big and epic sound, Epic Orchestra suits you better.

[LP.]

thank you! so i can't control single sections in smart and epic orchestra. now, if you tell me that epic orchestra also fits better for making orchestra sounds like in this track 

then i'm gonna follow your advice and get it. and even if i don't use the advanced features in VE pro (sharing sessions, mixing internal in VE, etc.) which are not available in the standard version, you would still highly recommend the pro version right? :D

[bbelius]

Yes, Epic fits better (Epic Orchestra -> Appassionata Strings "Hollywood" sound, Smart Orchestra -> classical orchestra sound). And yes, I still recommend VEP. In my experience once you started you can't stop and keep adding libraries and plugins over time. Additionally VEP7 will provide some high-quality fx-plugins.

[LP.]

ok, thanks! just got it ;)