Best Virtual Orchestra?

[zoom]

Ok... so... I have this 'thing' with a lot of virtual instrument orchestra collections... especially when it comes to violin and trumpet mainly, brass in general, and anything with a much bigger range than an octave and a half.... maybe I'm just a perfectionist, but dammit, I think a lot of 'em are just plain awful!Can someone direct me to some good-- or better yet, GREAT -- collections that will make you just sit back and think you're in the front row? I'd even settle for the back row! Thanks!

[davewalton]

Jul 19, 2008, 7:27am, zoom wrote:Ok... so... I have this 'thing' with a lot of virtual instrument orchestra collections... especially when it comes to violin and trumpet mainly, brass in general, and anything with a much bigger range than an octave and a half.... maybe I'm just a perfectionist, but dammit, I think a lot of 'em are just plain awful!Can someone direct me to some good-- or better yet, GREAT -- collections that will make you just sit back and think you're in the front row? I'd even settle for the back row! Thanks!EWQL Gold Bundle or, if you want your choice of which row you're sitting in... EWQL Platinum Bundle. Platinum has all their articulations recorded from three different mic positions so you can sit in the front row, somewhere in the middle row, or all the way in the back. I just never hear anything that's *better* than EWQL for film/television stuff.

[jh]

I think there´s nothing on the market for perfectionists If you´re willing to lower your standards a little, then I´dsay Gold would be it. - JH

[mazz]

This looks really good, if you have the dough. 11K for a turnkey system including computer. It's just for strings: http://www.audioimpressions.com/IMO the trick to making a good orchestration with virtual libraries is to know the strengths and limitations of your libraries and play to the strengths and don't try to make it do things it just doesn't do well. You have to compose with that in mind. If your brasses don't sound good outside of an octave, then don't write them there.The libraries I currently use are:EWQL PlatinumSAM Orchestral BrassKirk Hunter DiamondWestgate solo oboe and fluteGarritan Stradivarius Violin and Gofriller CelloEach has it's strengths and limitations but, with a well composed and orchestrated piece, they can get the job done, particularly for film scoring and TV and library stuff.Know thy libraries!!Mazz

[zoom]

Thanks guys! That's the kind of unity I was hoping for! And yeah, Mazz.... that's what I've been doing... playing to each library's strengths.... the problem has always been that my library seems to have more limitations than anything else.... time to ramp up though, and you guys have definitely given me some direction!

[mojobone]

Tops on my wish list is Broadway Big Band.

[mazz]

Jul 19, 2008, 10:16pm, mojobone wrote:Tops on my wish list is Broadway Big Band.It's up there on mine too!!

[clanmorgan]

I like the East West Quantum Leap but also love the Kirk Hunter products... Kirk Hunter offers direct download fo those of us who just cant wait for it to arrive in the mail. But as mentioned earilier I tend to find the strengths of the libraries and build from there...

[aimusic]

just hire an orchestra *snickers at dumb idea*

[zoom]

Jul 19, 2008, 10:16pm, mojobone wrote:Tops on my wish list is Broadway Big Band.Mojo... listened to the demos and was blown away.... then I looked at the price and was on the floor! Not saying it's not WORTH it.... but still... yikes!