Hi,

If some new or perspective user has ever wondered how the articulation system appears in Vienna Instruments, and why there are so many articulation, there is a short movie I assembled with the switching mechanism in action. Here it is at my personal journal:

VSL Dancing Cells

Paolo

Ben, found! Thank you for pointing me toward the right direction.

Paolo

Maybe I can ask some more help. I downloaded the FX Strings patch only, installed it (I got a "EpicOrch2_12_FXStr.vsynvolume" file), added the contatining directory with Directory Manager, uploaded the license in teh Vienna Key with the eLicenser software, checked it was listed…

And then, when opening the Synchron Player (v1.1.1559) in Logic Pro X (latest version), I would see the Factory content of the Smart Orchestra, the Spart Spheres, but not the presets or patches of the FX Strings.

Any hint on how to see them?

Paolo

Thank you very much, Ben! I immediately go to the Download Manager!

Paolo

Hi,

Since I don't need the Epic Orchestra, but would like to only install the Strings FX presets, is it possible to only install part of the library, and remove all the unnecessary parts?

Paolo

Paul, thank you very much for the hint of using the 32-bit version. Since 32 bits are deprecated on the Mac, I prefer to wait and see if the issue will be resolved in the 64-bit version. At the moment, I can live with the error message.

Paolo

Ben, good news then! As for the increased size of the preset, it goes from the usual 4k to about 45k. Nothing to worry about.

Paolo

I've solved most of my issues with eLicenser not found by using a powered USB hub.

However, I still have, more than a few times, a message saying that the eLicenser can't be found. I can simply solve this issue by clicking Retry, and everything works fine.

Not pleasant, though.

Paolo

Hi,

I've finally completed my template preset. It is made of 15 matrices, each one of a minimum of 2 rows (typically 3) of 12 cells. Some matrices extend on 12 rows, but there are usually very few cells with patches in them. Many cells have two slots with patches.

I keep the cells disabled, untile a MIDI message don't enable them. Are the cells remaining disabled taking memory? Or, are disabled cells taking zero memory? I wouldn't want to be creating a monster hungry of memory with my huge presets.

Paolo

Really interesting and informative! Thank you very much for it!

Paolo

Usually, there is a Sustain articulation in the Expression Map that has to be renamed in Natural in Dorico. Maybe that's the issue.

Paolo

The Violins 2 patches are very useful, and way easier to use than any transposition/pitch shifting trick.

There is no preset made with them, but making your own is easy. Just duplicate the Violins 1 preset, then replace all the available Violin 2 patches to the Violin 1 patches in the duplicated preset.

Paolo

I subscribe the request to revise this piano with the missing fix/features. It is still a great piano, way lighter than the newer ones, and with a different sound quality. It would make sense to keep it up to date.

Paolo

Beautiful, and incredibly realistic!

Paolo

The transport (start/stop) commands seems not to work, in VEPRO 6, also with Dorico 2.2 on Mac.

Paolo

Ok, here is something more substantial. The Expression Maps had to be modifed to allow dynamic control via CC1, and the 'sustain' articulation to be replaced with 'Natural'. But it more or less works. The presets supplied by VSL do not contain the most advanced articulations (like the ftz used in this example), so you have to add them yourself.

It is to be noted that the NP example is automatically performed by NP with its algohrythms, reading the notes as they appear in the score. The VSL example is read from the notes as I performed them. So, the difference is not only in the sound, but also in the expressivity, timing and phrasing.

Another difference is in how dynamics are interpreted. The final crescendo/diminuendo makes apparent how the curves are interpreted in a very different way by the two libraries. Dorico seems to lack a user-editable dynamics curve, that would be very useful with third-party libraries.

Paolo

As Ben says, you can already use the maps supplied for Cubase. You have to do some adaptation, and and not everything will work. But several things already work.

I know it is not the most eloquest example, but here is a comparison between NotePerformer and VSL. I'll try to post something better at a later date. That's just to show that it works.

Paolo

Beautiful indeed.

I wonder if they are already included in the VI Super Package. They are not listed among the titles under the package name. It would be nice to be able to purchase them and the recently added Dimension Brass Extended as an update to the VI Super Package instruments one already have.

Paolo

Originally Posted by: fatis12_24918

it's a pity Finale wasn't developed to enhance articulations management, because I still consider Finale Human Playback the more natural and effective preview-playback in the industry

One of the nicest things with Dorico is that you can have both NotePerformer and VSL (or other libraries) play either the written or performed notes. So, you can record your playing with NotePerformer, and let NotePerfomer play back the written notes with its own interpretation algorhytyms; and then swtich to VSL, and let it play the notes you performed.

But yes, Dorico is still in an (advanced) development status. Usable, but with still some quirks.

Paolo

Originally Posted by: evan evans

iLok for example, allows you to create "cloud sessions" so you no longer need to have a physical USB dongle. You just launch whatever software and if anyone else is using that license somewhere else, you optionally sign them off and then you can run your software.

Not bad indeed!

Paolo

However, a way to easily move the license between computers of the same owner would be really useful. The single-computer license is an issue both for VSL and Dorico. The eLicenser is very fragile, and USB ports are not meant for unlimited connection/disconnections.

Maybe a secondary license key, to be periodically checked via the web, would solve this issue. Keep the main key connected to the main workstation, then move the satellite key with your laptop.

Paolo

Hi,

The instruments in VSO abrubtly begin and end at a particular note. For example, in the Normal Strings violas start immediately at C3; in the Normal Woodwinds clarinets immediately end at C4, leaving the flute alone.

With Vienna Instruments Pro one can make this kind of transitions smoother: instruments gradually enter or disappear at the end of their best range. It would be great if your preset were as smooth, even without giving the user the luxury of editing the range themselves.

The library would as a consequence sound absolutely perfect in any situation.

Paolo

I personally prefer the Vienna Instruments series, recorded dry in the Silent Stage. I'm not particularly interested in the Synchron Series, that has the advantage of being ready to use, but lacks the incredible flexibility offered by the VI series.

There is an online shop currently proposing 50% off from the Symphonic Cube. I would go for it, and maybe wait for other offers to get Appassionata and Dimension Strings. But there is a lot you can already do with the Cube, that is the complete symphonic orchestra.

Paolo