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  4. Appassionata vs dimension strings

  • Appassionata vs dimension strings

    A
    A

    Hello,

    with the ongoing sale on VI instruments, I am debating between purchasing Appassionata strings vs Dimension.  I understand that the AS have a more lush sound than the Orchestral strings as they have more instruments/section. giving a more cinematic sound. 

    I see that the dimensions strings have fewer instruments. While I like the modular capabilities of this library, I am also concerned that the sound may not be as lush as the AS. I am personally not a fan of the orchestral striings (one reason I looked toward AS), as they do not sound so good at the high frequencies, and are rather thin and tend to be synthy. The AS seem more realistic sounding probably because they have more instruments.

    As someone who can afford to get only one of these for now, I wanted to know if users of these two libraries have a perspective or advice on which one they would recommend, pros and cons etc.,.

    Thanks for any advice

    Anand
  • D
    D

    You won't like my answer : get both! They are great libraries. 

    DS - pros

    • Great sound
    • Divisi
    • Very agile

    DS : cons

    • There are no cons

    AS : pros

    • Great cinematic sound
    • Lush
    • Tons of legato techniques

    AS : cons

    • No legato for the basses

    So, I guess it depends on the music you want to create.

    Best,

    David
  • A
    A

    hahaha I knew someone would say that.

    I got the AS and really happy but now wondering about the DS. This is an addiction. 

    Thanks anyways for the input!

    Anand
  • M
    M

    Hi, I want to bring in something else.
    The dimension strings are a beautiful library on it self, but this library can also be used very well as an addition to another library.
    I experimented a lot with mixing string libraries. I discovered, that when you combine two string groups (chamber, appassionata, orchestra, synchron strings) together, you hear very often the two goups a little apart, not so natural in my ears. 
    But when you mix a "group string library" with one, two, four, or when necessary eight players of the dimension strings, you can keep the special sound of that group but make the sound richer. And the danger of a synthy sound is practically gone (mixing solo strings can work the same, but then you have only one or two players you can add).
    And with the humanization tool you make the strings even more natural in the transitions and also with short notes and pizzicato.

    And of course: congratulations on your purchase of AS. Indeed a wonderful library!
  • DietzD
    VSL Team
    DietzD

    I rarely talk about "musts" when it comes to our instruments - but Appassionata Strings (especially Violins and Celli) flavoured with a healthy dose of Dimension Strings is as good as it gets, if you ask me. :-)

    /Dietz - Vienna Symphonic Library
  • DominiqueD
    DominiqueD

    These libraries are polar opposites in terms of sound. Dimension Strings sound like studio strings - small section ensembles that have been recorded with close mics. A sound ideal that has been widely used in tv music. Appassionata Strings sound like large ensemble, romantic, lush strings.

     

    So what kind of sound do you need more? Intimate and detailed small section strings, or sweeping, romantic large sections? I would let the answer to this question inform my decision if I were in your shoes.
  • A
    A

    Thank you all for the advice.

    Its not really that I "need" something, since I do music mainly as a hobby. So I try to balance my desire to get everything with my own progress in learning to use these sounds. I like the entire range of chamber to flim scores. So ideally I would like to have both AS and DS.

    I do have the standard edition of the Cube, but what prompted me to look for better string sounds was that I was disappointed with the Orchestral strings. While the performance aspects are simply outstanding (I mean, legato, repettions etc.,), the strings tend to sound synthy in the high end and especially so in my speakers. (This is a mystery ..why do they sound better in headphones than in open speakers?). 

    I then bought AS and indeed it sounds much better, even at the highest frequencies! I am now wondering about the DS.

    And Dietsz and MMKA make it hard for me not to give DS a try ;)

    Cheers

    Anand