Hey, all. I'm a long time user of all the SE libraries, and after playing around with the Smart Orchestra a bit and being very impressed with the Synchron interface, I upgraded to the Synchronized SE versions. I fully expected these to be simply re-purposed from the original sample material, but have been a little suprised and disappointed that the sound is quite a bit different, and, especially in the case of the Appassionata Strings, inferior. The Synchronized versions, even when choosing the close presets with all reverb off, are less warm and more ambient. I do love the flexibility of the Synchron controls, and the libraries are overall more playable, but I'm curious as to why there are such marked sonic differences. Am I just missing something here, or have the libraries been modified in some way by design? 

So...there's no answer to this question?

I own all the original SE libraries, and just purchased the Synchro-nized crossgrade for them. In the process of installing and seeing the file hierarchy of my old installation for the first time in years, I notice that in my SE folder, in addition to all the individual library folders with their specific .dat files, there are files generically named "SpeciaEdition001.dat" up to 113 in the root folder. Are these installation files that didn't get deleted, or are they a necessary part of the SE library? It's a substantial amount of storage, so I'd like to zap them if possible.  

Excellent, Paul, thanks. In my workflow I've never actually needed the features of VE Pro, but with EO 2.0 it now looks like a no-brainer. Someday hope to be able to justify upgrading to some of the big libraries, but for now, between all my SE libraries, VSO and EO, I should be well covered. 

Hey, all, finally getting around to digging into VSO. I own all the SE libraries, Bonus, Plus, etc., but got VSO to hopefully encourage more writing due to its simplicity. Very encouraged by what I've experienced so far! But now VEP 7 is including a free version of Epic Orchestra, which I actually wasn't familiar with. Will EO offer any sonic or performance options or improvements over what I already have with VSO and my SE libraries? 

One other question: What I'm missing most in VSO is my Appassionata Strings. I know that can't be accessed from VSO, but am I correct in that there is no upgrade path from any SE library to a Synchron version? 

Ah, thanks, I didn't realize that. Makes sense, though.

Yes, browsing through the SE manual and the online specs confirm that. The SE Appassionata legato patches have two velocity layers, while the sustain patches have three. So I guess the answer is: it depends. 

I realize the full libraries have all the possible articulations and other options, but do they also contain more actual samples of the articulations that are in the Special Editions? Specifically, I'm wondering if the velocity crossfades are smoother? I'm generally happy with the expression I can get out of the SE libraries I have, but some patches are definitely better than others in this regard, and if the full libraries have more velocity layers to work with, that would be a major upgrading selling point for me.

Well, I still have no idea why my VSL installation was freaking out, but I've spent all morning downloading and installing the latest VIP2 and June updates for my SE libraries, and everything seems to be working again. Good to be back in action, but a little scary nonetheless.

Starting a new project that will require several VSL string sections and solo instruments. Using VI Pro 2, SE 1,2, & 3 in Logic 9.1.8 64-bit in Snow Leopard. After successfully loading a Matrix, adding another instance of VI on another track, samples don't load properly. Either none at all, or sporadically. I've managed to get two working a couple of times, but not only does the third instance not load properly, it fouls up one of the other instances as well. And all this seems to be making Logic unstable, crashing it several times and requiring a force quit. I've tried checking the "force enabled cells" and "reload samples" to no avail. Any idea what's going on?

 Okay, so I've pretty much finished the migration to the Mac Pro, and upgraded to VIP in the process. Everything is authorized and works fine, except that when I load Logic songs that used Vienna Instruments, it loads VI but doesn't load the patches. I'm not concerned with getting all these patches loaded into VIP, which I'll use in all projects from now on, but if I have to manually load every old patch, sometimes guessing at what the instrument was, it will be a nightmare. How can I get this to work?

Moving up from a G5 to a Mac Pro. This is the first time I've migrated since owning VSL libraries, which goes back to the Horizon Series for EXS. Yikes, I know! If I'm not mistaken, all I should have to do is move my Vienna Key and external hard drive containing the libraries over to the new system and I'm good to go, right? Do I just copy the component files over as well? Can it be that simple, or is some form of installation still necessary? 

I'm using Logic 8, soon to be Logic 9 once I have this system up and running. So, is it necessary to purchase Vienna Instruments Pro as well as Ensemble Pro, or does Ensemble Pro include the same functional upgrades?

No, I hadn't been because it required an Intel Mac. I was just reading about it today, and it looks like it greatly speeds load times, in addition to a lot of other useful features. A must-have, would you say?

Hello all. Finally upgraded from my old G5 to an 8-Core. Running Logic Studio under Snow Leopard, using just Special Edition libraries at this point. What VSL upgrades/updates should I now make to get the best use out of the libraries? Also, I'm obviously new to the 64-bit world, so I don't know what are realistic expectations regarding the expanded memory access. I.e., how much RAM can really be utilized before streaming and CPU become the bottlenecks? Thanks for any help.

Sean McCoy

Oregon Sound Recording

Definitely an option to consider, thanks. I haven't gotten a lot of opinions either way, but the general consensus for users of Logic and Native Instruments stuff is that it's wise to stay with Snow Leopard for now. Are you using VSL in Lion?

Thanks, Maestro. I'm a risk-taker in some areas, but not this one! Since I'm likely to be buying a used Mac, I think I may focus my search on systems with Snow Leopard. Though it would be nice to hear an opinion from somebody at VSL.

 Well, I am a dual-platform kinda guy, but Logic is my sequencing platform, and that presents certain problems with regards to Windows...

 I'm hearing some recommendations from Logic 9 users to stay with Snow Leopard 64 bit. Which OS is the current VSL software happier with?

Hi all. I've been slogging along for years using my Special Edition and Extended libraries on my ancient G5 with 8GB or RAM, but am about to upgrade to an 8-Core. I've been out of touch with VSL innovations for awhile, so I'm interested in what system layout is working best with VSL. I'll be upgrading from Logic 8 to 9. I'm assuming VSL is Lion-compatible, but should I set it up for 32 or 64 bit? And how much RAM can VSL access with these newer systems? Thanks for any recommendations, or links to other similar threads.

Sean McCoy

 Thank you, Marnix. I see now that I somehow failed to notice the links. Duh.

I've searched but can't find a full list of what articulations are added in the SE Plus and SE Plus Extended libraries. My most immediate interest is what options it adds to the Chamber and Appassionata Strings, but I'd really like to see a comprehensive list if one is available. Is that posted somewhere?

 Installed Arturia Moog Modular v2.5 update on my G5 this morning, and after trying to activate it, I've lost access to all my Syncrosoft licenses for VSL, Scarbee, Korg and Arturia. The licenses still show if I plug the dongle into my PC, but on the Mac the eLicenser software (latest version) shows nothing. When I try to open plugs in Logic I get errors and crashes, and am totally out of commission right now. What to do?

Edit/Update:  I plugged the dongle into a different USB port on my hub, and voila! All is working now, but somehow I don't think I've seen the last of this issue. Don't you just love computers?

Thanks, Marnix, I'll check out that option. I assume I should be able to set this up using the default Matrices which already include both the legato and sustain patches, correct?