Hello Jason.

This thread is quite old, but I would like to know if there are news related to this topic or more tests comparing SSD RAID configurations with independent SSD drives performances.

I recently purchased 4 NVMe SSDs for my iMac that are in an external Thunderbolt 3 enclosure (Netstor NA622TB3). My idea would be to use all 4 disks to create a single RAID 0 volume for orchestral libraries (Spitfire, East West, Vienna, Kontakt).

I know that configuring a RAID 0 with the 4 NVMe disks would improve reading speed, especially when loading large DAW projects (I’m using Logic Pro X) with many instrumental tracks (more than 400). But I do not know if it could cause any problem when reproducing the project, since the Raid would be created by software (MacOS) and I do not know if that could significantly consume processor resources when reading/playing a large amount of samples.

I’m not worried about security or drive failures, since I have another mechanical 8TB hard drive that I use as a backup of all my libraries.

I’ve read in many forums that users don’t recommend Raid configurations with SSD drives for music production/libraries. They argue that it is not necessary to create a RAID volume with SSD drives, since SSDs are very fast in themselves (in fact, NVMe are even faster). It’s also known that the access speed to the disk is more important than the reading rate for our musical purposes. But I don't know if this is still the case or something has changed in the recent years.

Curiously, all NVMe external Thunderbolt enclosures that I have seen are designed precisely to configure Raid systems. One of the purposes because I would like to have all the libraries in the same RAID volume, beyond the performance, is because it allows me to have everything in a single volume and it’s more easy to configure all the software and also for easier cloning the drive for backup.

On the other hand, if the most advisable thing is to have the 4 NVMe drives independently, even losing approximately 50% of the reading speed, the backup system should also change and I could not simply clone a single volume.

So, is there any news about this? Thanks a lot.

Great! When it will be avaliable for download?

Thanks! Only one more comment: I'm not Vienna Ensemble PRO user, I'm using Vienna Ensembe "Standard", not Pro, and the problem is the same.

That's all! Thanks! ;-)

Hi all,

I'm experiencing a big problem. Everytime I add an Apple Effect Plugin to some instrument channel in Vienna Ensemble, it crashes. Some Apple Plugins (as AuMatrixReverb) does not cause this problem, but others as Graphic EQ do it.

What can I do? I'm using Snow Leopard latest version (10.6.5) and, of course, the latest Vienna Ensemble & Vienna Instruments.

Apple Effect Plugins works fine with Logic Pro, but not with Vienna Ensemble. Why?

Thanks!

I've tried this, following your instructions, but the problem persists on my MacBook Pro, eLicenser Control Center and my USB Key.

Please, can you describe more precisely every folder and file you've deleted, step by step? Do you restarted your Mac before reinstall eLicenser Control Center? Thanks!

Yes, I've tried this, but the eLicenser Control Center crashes when I launch it and the USB eLicenser Key is connected. If the USB eLicenser is not connected, then the eLicenser Control Center doesn't crash at launch.

Thank you very much!

Every day that happens I am more contented to have bought some Vienna Symphonic Libraries.

All
people here are very efficient, administrators help us very fast and always from a great respect and goodness. The support is EXCELENT!

So, I want to be thankful publicly for your aid and amiability. And of course, congratulations for your great products.

Sincerely,


David

Hi,

I've received, installed and registered my new library: Vienna Special Edition PLUS (Standard + Extended). I've also installed, registered and ACTIVATED only the Vienna Special Edition (Standard + Extended), not PLUS.I want to activate now the PLUS version, but this time, I only have ONE ACTIVATION NUMBER, received when I registered the Special PLUS Extended Version. When I registered the Standard Version, I dind't see the ACTIVATION NUMBER and I haven't received any other activation number to my email. How can I get again the ACTIVATION NUMBER for Syncrosoft License Control Center?When I try to activate the last product (Vienna Special Edition PLUS Extended Library) I receive this message:

I'm not sure, because I've readed this:

This offer is valid for all users who have registered the Vienna
Special Edition - Standard and Extended Libraries (DVD Collections),
or, all four of the Standard and Extended Libraries of the Special
Edition Download Collections (Strings, Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion
& More) on or before April 15, 2009. When you register one
additional Standard Library of any Vienna Instruments DVD Collection
between March 16 and April 15, 2009, you can choose one free Extended
Library from the following Collections: Special Edition PLUS, Solo
Strings I, Solo Strings II, Chamber Strings I, Chamber Strings II,
Orchestral Strings I, Orchestral Strings II, Appassionata Strings I,
Appassionata Strings II, Harps, Woodwinds I, Woodwinds II, Special
Woodwinds, Saxophones, Brass I, Brass II, Special Brass, Percussion, Elements.

Notice that Special Edition PLUS appears as an Extended Library that I can choose.

Hi all,

I'm user of Vienna Special Edition. I have the Vienna Special Edition Standard and Extended versions, both registered.

Today, I've received an special offer from Vienna Symphonic Library about "Spring Offers". This is a summary:

If you register, or will have registered, both the Standard
Library and the Extended Library of the Vienna Special Edition on or
before April 15, 2009, you'll receive One FREE Extended Library of your
choice for any additional Vienna Instruments DVD Collection (Standard Library) you register between March 16 and April 15, 2009.

My question is:

If
I buy now only the Vienna Special Edition PLUS Standard version, to
complete my Vienna Special Edition library, I will get the Vienna Special Edition PLUS Extended version for free? Is that correct? Then, I will save near 50%, really?

I have some doubts because my English is not very good and I fear not to have understood the promotion correctly.

I've problems with Sibelius and dynamics, too. I use Sibelius 5.2.5, Vienna Ensemble, Vienna Special Edition and the latest SoundSet for Vienna Special Edition.

As you've said, Sibelius dynamics are over exagerated, so I've tried to use Velocity X-Fade with Expression. And I've also tried to change on the dictionary the values of every dynamic, but is very difficult to find the perfect configuration, because some values are good for strings, but very bad for the piano, and not the best for winds, and other values can be very good for piano, but not correct to use with strings instruments.

I've also noticed that if I change the Volume on the Sibelius Mixer, it changes strangely the velocity sent to Vienna Ensemble, not just the volume. You can try it: write any music with a forte dynamic, and then playback changing the volume at the Sibelius Mixer. You'll can hear that not only the volume changes, also changes the type of sound, the attack of the note, the quality.

So, what volume we must assign to each instrument on Sibelius Mixer? 100 to all? Or better the maximum?

I
think that Sibelius automatically set a Percussion instrument as an "Unpitched
Instrument". Vienna uses the pitched notes of a Keyboard for different
percussion sounds, so if you didn't change the "Percussion Instrument"
on Sibelius from "Unpitched" to "Pitched" you will always hear the same sound.

To change that, go to "Edit Instruments", select the
instrument that you're using (for example, Percussion 5 lines) and change
it to "Pitched".

Then you'll need to write exactly the notes corresponding to the
sounds you want to hear. You can search it with the virtual Keyboard of Vienna Instruments, and then write it on Sibelius.

Probably, using "Transpose" options you can get the same sound in the central line, if you're interested to do that, but I don't know how to do that.

The same problem appears when I use the PowerPan with an Apple AUMatrixReverb inserted in the master bus. How can solve it?

I
have the same problem. If I add Panning to each instrument, and these
instruments sound throught the Master Bus, and this Master Bus has assigned an AUMatrixReverb, the Panning is completely ignored.

But,
If I add Panning to each instrument, and the AUMatrixReverb is assigned
individually to all instruments separately, not to the Master Bus, then the panning and the reverb works fine, but many CPU is used.

How we can add Individual Panning to all instruments and the AUMatrixReverb to a Master Bus and all working fine?

Few questions more about using Vienna Ensemble (for example, with Sibelius).

What is the best way to assign reverb and pan for instruments with Vienna Ensemble?

I've noticed, that if I insert the effect AUMatrixReverb to a Master Bus, the PowerPan assigned to each instrument is always ignored.

Then, I'm thinking:

1) Do I need to asign the effect AUMatrixReverb individually for
each Instrument? If I do this, I can use the PowerPan function, but of course, I think many Ram and CPU will be used.

2) Do you think is better to use different reverbs for each instrument?

3) How can I configure Vienna Ensemble to get the best sound using
the effect AUMatrixReverb included on the Vienna Ensemble, and the PowerPan that I want to assing to each instrument?

4) And one more question. How many instances of Vienna Ensemble do
you prefer to use? For example, in an orchestra score where we have:
Flutes, Oboes, Clarinets, Bassons, Horns, Trumpets, Trombones,
Percusion & Strings. Do you create one instance for woodwinds, one
for brass, one for percusion and one for strings? Do yo prefer to
create only one instance with all instruments on it, or two if you need more than 16 sounds?

Thanks!

All TIPS for Sibelius & Vienna Special Edition

Hi all,

I'm new user of Vienna Special Edition, and I want to use it with Sibelius. I'm trying many tips to get the best sound, the best performance using this great library with my favorite notation program and I think to unite all here and share with you is a very good idea.

As you know, there are many playback options in Sibelius, and many more in Vienna Ensemble. But, I'm sure many users don't know all of them, and maybe they can get better sound using the needing.

So, I want to create here a little "Guide" of Playback between Sibelius and Vienna Special Edition, including ALL TIPS you know if you want to share with us.

So, let's go. I will edit this first post everytime you explain new tips or new options.

To begin, what do you think about this?:

- What is the best performance configuration to use with Sibelius and Vienna? What configuration do you prefer to use in Performance Menu? As you know, we can change the Espression, Swing, and Rubbato.

- Which is the best pan configuration or reverb for every instrument? Do you have anny preference about it?

While you reply this questions, and ask for new settings, I will write here few tips that I have found yet about Dynamics, Instruments and Articulations.

These are only the first, and I hope that they are expanded at a future.

I hope that this guide will help you.

TIPS for Sibelius 5 and Vienna Special Edition

1) The Best SoundSet for Sibelius

The best SoundSet of Vienna Special Edition to use with Sibelius latest version (5.2.5) is the one published on Vienna Symphonic Library Official Page. So, download it and read the readme file to know how to change some important articulations on Sibelius Dictionary.

2) Better Dynamics Playback

For all who want a smaller dynamic range and get more realistic playback of hairpins, there is a different approach to using the dynamics Sibelius sends. Be aware that this will take more CPU power and more samples are streamed at the same time from your hard drive.

For dynamic changes Sibelius sends CC11 (MIDI Control Change 11) values. These values by default are triggering the Expression slider in the Vienna Instruments. In order to get more realistic crescendi and diminuendi you can do the following: Go to the Perform page in the Vienna Instruments. Activate Velocity X-Fade. Then Click on Map Control. Now as source for Expression set none. Then go to Velocity crossfader and as source select ControlChange/Controller 11. Repeat that for every instrument you want this to take effect. Don't forget to save your Playback Configuration in Sibelius after that.

3) Solo and Ensemble on the same staff.

For those who are interested in what to add to the dictionary to switch between a solo and an ensemble instrument on one staff:

1 - Reserve a channel for the solo and the ensemble instrument on the Sibelius Manual Sound Sets page and in Vienna Ensemble.
2 - Go to Sibelius/Play/Dictionary/Staff Text.
3 - Create a new keyword (a2, a3, all, ensemble or whatever you want).
4 - Choose Effect: Sound ID Change and as Sound ID enter "+ensemble" Until next SOund ID change
5 - To switch back to the solo instrument, you can either use the Technique Text "ord." or create an additional entry in the dictionary (e.g. solo) with the Effect: Sound ID Change  "[reset]" (or "-ensemble") Until next SOund ID change.

4) Mute and Natural sounds on the same staff.

For exemple, if you want to use a muted trumpet and a natural trumpet and write all on the same staff, you can do this:

1 - Reserve two channels for the trumpet on the Sibelius Manual Sound Sets page. One with "Trumpet" and one with "Trumpet mute".
2 - In Vienna Ensemble also add two instruments for the trumpet. Use the same channels as you set on the Manual Sound Sets page.
3 - In one instrument load the natural Instrument, and in the other the Mute Instrument.
4 - To switch from normal to muted trumpet just use the technique text "con sordino" or "mute". To switch back use "ord.", "normal" or "natural".

Oh! Thanks. I didn't know that. I have readed in the "Sibelius 5.2 and Vienna Ensemble Setup Guide" (avaliable on User Area > DVD Products > Software) this:

The sound set for VSL Special Edition that is shipped with Sibelius 5.2.5 has been further improved to
work with Vienna Ensemble.  There is no longer the need to download a newer sound set, as per
earlier versions of Sibelius 5. If you have an older version of the sound set please remove the VSL
sound sets from the Sounds folders.

So, I thought that the Sound Set cames with Sibelius 5.2.5 is the most recent. Then, do you think is better to use always the avaliable at the Vienna Webpage?

Hi,

I don't have any readme file about my soundset, because I use a soundset included on Sibelius. But I found a readme file downloading the previos version of the soundset, it is here, in Vienna page. Go to User Area / DVD Products / Needfull Things. There you'll find two Soundsets for Sibelius. One for each version: 5.1 or 5.2. If you are using Sibelius 5.2.5, you don't need any of this soundsets, because the version included with Sibelius 5.2.5 is better and correct. But, if you want to read this readme file, you can just download these soundsets for that.

I don't know why you can't hear "portamento" correctly. The solution aported in this post, worked fine for me. If I discover something more, I will explain it here.

About your solution to play "portamento", I tried it, and I can see how Vienna Ensemble changes correctly the sound of violin to play portamento technique, but notes sound very short, and no portamento is listened. Why?

EDIT: Solved! I had a problem with the Metronome, it was assigned to the same channel as violin, and "short notes" that I listened were from metronome "clicks", not from violin.

About your solution to play "mute" sounds, I see in Sibelius exists alredy the text "mute" with the command "+mute". But I think the problem is that Vienna Ensemble uses two different instruments for Trumpet and Trumpet Mute, not the same instrument with diferent techniques or keyswitches.

EDIT: Problem solved! Thanks!

Another question, but this time about this forum. I write different paragraphs pressing the return key, but they don't appear when I publish my comment, all lines appear in the same paragraph.

EDIT: Solved too. In this site go to: Community, Profile, Community and select "Standard" or "Enhanced" on Content Editor. Although I need to create the text into TextEdit or NotePad, and then copy here as Word Text.

Thanks. I will try that.

I use the Sibelius SoundSet for Vienna Special Editon, called: VSL Ensemble Special Edition. Is that correct? I have readed on Vienna Special Edition this:

The sound set for VSL Special Edition that is shipped with Sibelius 5.2.5 has been further improved to
work with Vienna Ensemble.  There is no longer the need to download a newer sound set, as per
earlier versions of Sibelius 5. If you have an older version of the sound set please remove the VSL
sound sets from the Sounds folders.

More questions, does some method exist so that the configuration is kept for any score? Because if I create the texts and commands that you've explained, they only appear in the score that they were created, not in others or in a new score.

EDIT: I read the solution on Sibelius Reference.

For today, that's all! Sorry if my english is not perfect, I'm spanish. 

Hi all!

I'm David, new user of Vienna Special Edition since this month, January. I'm trying to learning how to use correctly this great library.

First, I'm writing some examples on Sibelius to try special techniques and looking for the best configuration, using the VSL Ensemble Special Edition SoundSet, the manuals and Sibelius 5.2.5 for Mac.

I can see that many techniques work fine: staccatto, pizz, legato, detache, tremolo... But I'm trying to use others that I think that don't work, for example: portamento, mute... Is it possible?

These are my questions:

- How I have to write "portamento" to a solo violin on Sibelius so that it will be played correctly by Vienna Special Edition?

- How I have to write "change to mute" or "mute" to a trumpet on Sibelius so that it will be changed on Vienna Special Edition?

- How can I don't write "tremolo", but introducing the corresponding symbol and it will be played correctly by Vienna Special Edition?

For today, that's all! Sorry if my english is not perfect, I'm spanish.

Hi all,

Excuse me if my english is not perfect, but I'm spanish.

I have bought my first Vienna Symphonic Instrument online, throught this Web Page. I added to my cart the Vienna Symphonic Library Special Edition (Standard + Extended), then I wrote my personal data and after that, I received one eMail from VSL telling me that my order has been forwarded to their distributor in my territory.

Some days ago I did this operation, and any order has been charged to my credit card.

Is it correct? How many days I have to wait? How much it will take in arriving my order at house?

Thanks!