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Joined: Mar 2007
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EastWest/Quantum Leap decided to give away a starter version of Symphonic Orchestra for free. After filling in a short survey you are given a download link. A huge download with 20 instruments. I have allready downloaded the three packages, but I haven't yet installed. For what I've read on another forum it is absolutely worth it. Anyway: here's the link
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Joined: Dec 2002
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Mike, This was certainly hot news, although about a month ago when the offer was first announced. But thanks for bringing this back for those that missed it.  Yes, it is a great offer and the sounds are very nice you will like them. I used them recently in a project. And can't beat the price. Dan
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Oh, was it posted here earlier? Well, we had a lot of snow here recently. That's probably why I missed it before 
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Joined: Dec 2002
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This free offer last month started quite a discussion on the SONAR forum about the merits of installing something with PACE copy protection. I refuse to install any software that requires writing suspicious and potentially detrimental routines to my hard drive.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Joined: Aug 2009
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Enthusiast
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 57 |
I started with EWQL Symphonic Orchestra Silver Edition and now have moved on to Gold. Installation was easy with iLok but at first did not have enough GBs to install (Gold requires 35GB). East West sounds are simply world class.
The key is to play your parts in with the character and feel of the instrument you are attempting to replicate.
Remember winds need to breathe, and strings use up and down bows. Playing in appropriate and characterstic registers is absolutely essential, too.
Best wishes from the San Francisco Bay Area.
George
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I agree Matt. I recently bought something that required iLok. I wasn't told about that aspect of the program in advance and I was annoyed. Fortunately the matter was resolved. I have read a bit about PACE on the internet and I have no intention of using iLok.
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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I've been using the Silver and Gold versions for years. The Silver has a wonderful sounding Grand piano which is strangely missing from the Gold. Silver is much lighter on your drive and using resources.
As with most libraries, the Strong elements are percussion, and Strings, Woodwinds are OK, the brass is weak.
If you are a serious composer and want amazing orchestral sounds, check out the following>
LA Scoring Strings>wonderful library of expressive strings in sections and divisi. Pricey, but I would put them above both Vienna and East/West right now. At the end of January, a new String library is coming out that is supposed to wipe everything else out. It is called Hollywood Strings and was done completely on a Hollywood scoring stage. LA is $1,300 and I assume the new HS library to be at least $2,000, plus you would need a HUGE fast hard drive and tons of ram.
Sonivox, this library is amazing, with a $2,500 price tag to boot. This MAY be the most convincing library available at the moment. All elements are strong, with only the brass being still slightly static.
Wallander Instruments>This is the only physically modeled library that I know of, but there are some amazing brass and woodwind sounds here. The price is much less than those above.
You can do a google search of those libraries above, listen to the demos. We are at a crossroads between Sampling, scripting, and physical modeling. It will be very interesting to see what things look and sound like in 1 or 2 years time!
Ed
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Joined: May 2008
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I've downloaded this, but I haven't installed it yet. Reading Matt Finleys post above was my first time to come upon the PACE issue, and it was pretty eye opening. For anyone that's interested here's is an old article (2002) that can catch you up on the issues. http://prorec.com/Articles/tabid/109/Ent...E-Interlok.aspxNow I'm having second thoughts about installing it. According to the EastWest site, the free package is NOT copy protected. I'm hoping that means there isn't any potentially detrimental routines added to it, but I'm not sure. Guess I'll have to research this some more. :>) A good day to all. Jim
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Jim,
I've installed the above free package and it works fine (need to read the pdf, though). iLok is not needed. One of my annoyances with iLok is that you firstly pay for the software and then you have to go and buy the USB iLok device and these are not cheap. I reasoned that if I can't own the software without some third party always being involved in its running, then I'm not interested. As I understand it, the iLok USB device has to be present and running for the software to work. Someone on here may be able to clarify this.
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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I'll probably install it tomorrow then, and give it a whirl. I don't use orchestral sounds much, but it may have a couple of sounds I can use.
Jim
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Joined: Jul 2000
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I don't mean to discourage anyone from trying the free package. I have East West Colossus, which is a fine package. I just want everyone to go into these things with their eyes open.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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