I don't know very much about the various orchestras available. Could anyone give me advice choosing one? It should cost less than, say, $300, maybe $350. Here's a list of instruments I need. The importance of the instrument's quality is prioritized from top to bottom: Orchestral Strings Vocals (choir) Orchestral Percussion Woodwind/Brass I've nosed through the EWQL Silver and the GPO. The strings of the former were a little bit painful, but the GPO may be worth looking at in combination with something else. The Miroslav Philharmonik is also a viable option, I guess. And then, yeah, there's the VSL. Maybe I could buy myself a broken violin with a single string from them, my budget being what it is. Any advice?

[edit] just realized he was probably looking to compose his own based on sounds, so scratch this [/edit]

I am reading what you are looking for right, It sounds like full blown orchestras are wayyyy out of your price range. You can produce orchastral music on a computer digitally rather cheap though. No, its not going for be final fantasy quality, but you do not have the multi million dollar budgets they do. the $350 might even be able to get you a decent amateur track list provided you are not looking for exclusive ownership. Something to look into.

Cesar

[Edited by - PaulCesar on September 28, 2009 6:17:24 PM]

Hi there.

EWQL products are generally quite good, although you might find EWQL silver lacking, especially in expressive strings. There are very few articulations and only one microphone/stage position.

If you can manage a bit more cash, the EWQL Gold seems to be the best value, although I believe you can upgrade each one if you start from Silver.

VSL I think is out of the budget, I havn't used Miroslav Philharmonik personally but the examples are quite good, and combis. The usability is much better on EWQL Gold. As far as I can tell Miroslav Philharmonik you have to load a patch for say "violin legatto" and then if you want a different articulation, you want it to trill, you need to load another patch for "violin trill" rather than using one instance and switching by pressing a key. I quite like EWQL's Play engine, and the reverb is great.

Even still I would personally be looking at Miroslav Philharmonik over GPO. It sounds more professional to me, where as GPO sounds a bit more consumer, but I suppose there is a matter of taste involved!

Don't suppose you are student? There is academic pricing available on EWQL Gold & Miroslav Philharmonik if so.

@Jay Taylor -- Do you think it's worth coughing up the extra $200 for a Gold EWQL over Silver? I've been trying to listen to the demos but some guy here is leaf blowing his lawn and I can barely hear a thing. Is the quality of the Gold instruments better or does it simply offer more instruments? (Or both?)

Unfortunately, good libraries aren't cheap but sometimes they have specials --- like this one:

$1k currently gets you the East West Composers Bundle worth over $3k normally.

http://www.soundsonline.com/Complete-Composers-Collection-PLAY-Edition-SAVE-67-pr-EW-189.html

"The new Complete Composers Collection PLAY Edition includes EW/QL Symphonic Orchestra Gold Edition, EW/QL Pianos Gold Edition, EW/QL Symphonic Choirs, EW/QL Goliath, QL Stormdrum 2, QL Voices of Passion, and QL RA, all for more than 67% off the list price of each individual product!"

Paul if I was you I would go for EWQL Gold, not just that but if you can wait until they have a 'buy one get one free' offer. They seem to have it say twice a year. I know it's painful waiting, but if you can keep saving the extra money maybe it will come around then.

That way you could buy EWQL Gold & maybe SD2 (great percussion) or Goliath (General mix of sounds, bass guitars, organs, drones, drums, ethnic etc) for the price of 1! Pretty good.

Quote: $1k currently gets you the East West Composers Bundle worth over $3k normally.

Well out of my price range either way. Thanks anyway, though.

Quote: Paul

?

Quote: if I was you I would go for EWQL Gold, not just that but if you can wait until they have a 'buy one get one free' offer. They seem to have it say twice a year. I know it's painful waiting, but if you can keep saving the extra money maybe it will come around then.

Thanks very much for this info!

Now back to my original question: is the quality of Gold much better than Silver?

From what I remember, gold has higher quality sample rate than silver, meaning that it's going to take a lot more resources to load all those instruments on your computer (especially if you have an orchestra in mind.)

Also, I believe the gold samples are supposed to be more versatile?

I don't know if you're still considering GPO, but I can tell you that it's quite versatile - especially if you use it in conjunction with Finale. Unlike EWQL, you don't have to load a separate patch for legato, staccato, accented, etc playing as the samples automatically recognize those articulations.

I've always thought that GPO strings are pretty realistic sounding - they're more reserved that EWQL, so if you write a lot of mellow or atmospheric stuff, I'd say go for it.

However, if you want something that punches the listener right in the head, EWQL would be the way to go.

Overall, GPO has a more reserved sound, and is versatile with articulations.

EWQL has a more pronounced sound, and is versatile with dynamics.

With GPO - one sample fits all.

With EWQL - many samples for different articulations.


If you want a really realistic choral sound, EWQL is the way to go. After hearing the demos, I've never heard a more realistic sample collection.


Personally, I just use midi primarily because my goal is to have real people perform it. :P


I hope that helps a little bit in your quest!

You need EWQL Choirs, it is a must.
YOu will also need either EWQL Gold or PLatinum strings, Project same symphobia, Vienna, ect.


Symphonic Chiors by EWQL is a must tho.

Anyways I dont know how serious you are u may just want garritan orchestra or edirol.


Philharmonic is over rated and not worth its price.


Also dont believe anyone, you can attain rediculously close live sound if your mix is good. When I show peeople my music they always ask recordedl ive or midi?

Of course professionals will know the difference.


peace

Hmmm... You know what? Scratch the brass and woodwind. I don't think I'll need those.

The strings I'm looking for should be more of the ambient type, not Hollywood-y aggressive strings. I suppose that ought to point me towards the GPO, but I've been looking around EWQL and I came across the String Essentials 2nd Edition pack and I must say that I'm impressed with the quality of the sound.

SD2 seems like a great fit for percussion. Thanks for the suggestion, Jay.

I'll also look into Symphonic Choirs. The demos are impressive. Two questions about it:
Is it worth getting the one with VOTA?
Is it limited to the WordBuilder thing or does it also have vocals not singing actual words? (Think "ohh" and "ahh" sounds)