Gearwire Crosstalk Episode #028 - String Ensemble Listening Test

[dagosto]

In episode 028 of Gearwire Crosstalk we did a listening test to string ensemble patches for the following products:

Software Libraries

- Sonivox Muse
- Vienna Symphonic Library
- East West/Quantum Leap Symphonic Orchestra Silver Edition

Hardware Synths

- Yamaha MU100R
- Yamaha Motif
- Roland XV5050

Watch the show here:

http://gearwire.com/gearwire-crosstalk-028.html

Download the samples here:

http://gearwire.com/string-ensemble-test.html

Vote for your favorite and if you wish to take a guess at which is which drop a line here.

Results will be available in the next episode of Gearwire Crosstalk.

Nice idea guys. Nice crosstalk episode too (or program or whatever). I personally liked numbers 2 and 3, voted for 3. But I'm interested in knowing a few more things (if is possible) about the chosen instruments.
For example, it would be nice to know which Vienna Symphonic are you using, is the 1, 2 the Pro, Horizon? And also it would be nice to know what patches did you select for each instrument.
I'm asking because I think it would be unfair to compare Vienna Pro with EWQLSO silver for example, and not gold.
I have access to all libraries in the studio, but at home I use Miroslav Philharmonik just because it is cheap and sounding good enough, why not have also the prices next to the instruments in the first post?
Also is worth noting that Vienna comes with totally dry samples (this is how it was recorded, in a totally devoid of reverb and effects studio) and EWQLSO was recorded in a chamber with a touch of reverb. I don't know what's the case with Muse.
About the hardware instruments, well, I must say that I was a little surprised by 2 of them (I know that one of them didn't sound that nice, and I'm sure is hardware). I expected much more difference, having such small samples and all.
It would be nice to have the midi file too, did you use any expression automation?

Cheers,

Roderick.

[dagosto]

The idea is that it would be a very straight up test. I didn't use any effects and the only MIDI data that I played with besides note on and off was velocity.

The VSL was the one that came with Native Instruments Komplete 3. The main reasons I used what I did was because that was what I had and having played around with them I thought this would be an interesting test. I'll get the MIDI file up as soon as I get a chance.

So, which ones do you think were which?

mmmmm I don't really know what is what, may be if I listen a little more carefully or I cheat and open the wav files and check the dynamics and spectrum.
But I actually think that you didn't change much the order of the files with the names posted. At least I think that the first 3 are software and the last 3 are hardware. It might be that number 2 is EWQLSO, number 1 is VSL and number 3 Muse. The hardware differences I really don't know, only that number 4 it might be the yamaha mu100r as it is a little older rack and to my ears it sounds a little messy.

To have the midi file would help post some other results (for example I can render Miroslav Philharmonik, others (with a little more money) can render the real VSL (the one used is very cut down), or EWQLSO Gold, or other synths and keyboards, not to put them in the poll, but just for comparison.

Cheers,

Roderick.

PS: Now I'll wait for the next crosstalk, and let it prove me really really wrong...

[dagosto]

hear's the midi file

http://thehotlove.com/gearwire-string-ensemble-test.zip

As promised, here are a few more examples using the same midi file posted by dagosto, no effects, same levels.

http://www.epsil.nl/gearwire/7-1.wav
http://www.epsil.nl/gearwire/7-2.wav
http://www.epsil.nl/gearwire/8.wav
http://www.epsil.nl/gearwire/9.wav
http://www.epsil.nl/gearwire/10.wav

7-1: This one is using the vanilla Full Strings of Miroslav Philharmonik.
7-2: Also Miroslav Philharmonik but with a more complex preset that I use often.
8: Vanilla version of Full Strings of Dimension Pro.
9: Full strings of Edirol Orchestral (oldie but useful vsti sometimes).
10: For the sake of cheesiness, NI Bandstand Strings.

I'll like to see here someone posting EWQLSO Gold or Platinum, Vienna II, pro or horizon and Kirk Hunter Symphony Orchestra.

Cheers,

Roderick.

[dagosto]

So far have only listened to them on small laptop speakers. I was suprised by the Edirol. I'll get back with my thoughts after I hear them on my monitors. Thanks for taking the time to do that!

Indeed m8, the Edirol Orchestral quality is very good, don't forget how old it is, and also that it only has 100 MB (full orchestra and many articulations). It is what I use to create first drafts, when I'm happy with everything, I will change the patches and use more advanced VSti instruments, it is a pleasure to work with a Multi-Track synth that never goes above the 20% cpu usage, and using all 16 channels at the same time.
I'll like to know what do you think about the rest too, if you have time.

Nice engendering 101 video by the way, I'm sure it will be useful to many people here, keep them coming!!!!!!

Cheers,

Hermond.

[dagosto]

So here are the results if you haven't seen the podcast yet.

1 - Roland xv5050
2 - EWSQL Silver
3 - VSL from Komplete 3
4 - MU100R
5 - Motif Rack
6 - Sonivox Muse

So it looks like VSL is the winner this time with EWSQL second. Both Yamaha units also got a nod from voters.

Too bad voter turn out wasn't better, maybe you'll get em next time. Voted VSL myself, which is my preferred choice normally as well.

(Cyrosis from KVR)