One might say to die for, but perhaps it would be more advisable to stick
around and enjoy these first-rate sounds, created by the ex-bassist of
Weather Report and an unnamed European orchestra. Digitally recorded
in stereo throughout, the ensembles retain just the right amount
of 'hall' in the sound. Expensive, but very good. The first version of this
library had no loops, to the bemusement of keyboard players everywhere, but
version 2.0 (reviewed here) contains looped sounds. However, Miroslav Vitous
himself considers the unlooped samples superior in quality and strongly urge-
using them for mastering, which is fine as long as your composition doesn't
employ any very long notes! The samples are recorded 'in place', with the
different instrument families positioned as they would be on stage for
a concert performance. This makes some sounds appear left- or right-heavy
in isolation, but when combined, a realistic orchestral stereo picture
appears. The term 'portamento' is used (idiosyncratically) to describe
medium-length notes, rather than its usual connotation of a slide from
pitch to pitch. Switching between the sustained, 'portamento' and staccato/
detache samples can produce a very realistic performance, but is memory-
intensive.
String Ensembles (v2.0)
23 Vns: sus f <3>, sus nv, det <3>, stc, piz, trem.
11 Vns: sus f <4>, sus p <2>, sus nv, sus sul <2>, sus mut, det <2>, stc <2>,
piz <2>, trem, sul trem.
4 Vas: sus <3>, sus nv, det, stc <2>, piz, trem.
10 Vcs: sus <3>, sus nv <2>, det <2>, stc, piz, trem.
9 Dbs: sus <2>, det <2>, stc, piz, trem.
Slavic string players, overflowing with impassioned vibrato, bring some soul
to the rather sterile world of sampling. Feelings will also run high over
the price of this individual disc!
Standouts:
There are stirring violin, viola, and cello sections, and the 9-strong (!)
double bass section deserves a special mention. Strong vibrato is one of the
volume's defining qualities, but I also enjoyed the subtle attack of the
'no vibrato' viola and cello sections. If there was any justice in the world,
these sounds would clinch you your first Hollywood commission, or at the very
least, the score to Earthworm Jim - The Movie.
http://www.sospubs.co.uk/sos/jan00/articles/miroslav_orch.htm
Download File Size:514.72 MB
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