EWQLSO Gold (raw) versus Miroslav/HALion (with effects)

[Simon Godden]

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Well, I finally got the hang of 'play' after months at the drawing board, and I decided to put two versions of a track that some of you are familiar with: "Spirit of the Stour". The 'play' version is in 64-bit and has had to include some 'bouncing' due to lack of RAM, and I haven't yet got to grips with the use of effects in Cubase Artist 6 (the Miroslav/HALion version is in 32-bit from Cubase SE1). 

Anyway, I'd be interested to know how you compare the two versions, considering that I was quite clued up with the software to make the Miroslav version, whereas in the 'play' version, I was shooting in the dark a bit, but things can only get better, eh? 

I've also left a PDF if anybody wishes to follow the score: 

[Matt Le Mare]

Hi

 

I use EWQLSO but i must say I do prefer what you have done with the Miroslav/HALion. It sounds less synthesised. The production of the EWQLSO seems sightly better in that it sounds more compressed and fuller. Just about to receive some studio monitors so very eciting. Should be able to give a more informed opinion on sound quality know. Kepp up the good work. Really like the variation of the peice...

 

best wishes

 

 

matt

[Fredrick zinos]

EWQLSO on my crummy computer sounds much better. Specifically there is real separation between strings, winds, brass so that "part writing" which I think contributes mightly to the sucess of a composition, is highlighted. Nice composition too BTW.. We would expect no less.

 

As for one verision sounding more synthesized than the other.. hard to say. To me, they both still sound a million miles from the sound a real orchestra with acutal human beings devoting themselves to the production of as beautiful a sound as they know how to make.

[Chris Alpiar]

Sorry Simon, we are now enforcing rules on the music dissection forum. Please read the rules about how to post and then send me a PM when you are ready to make necessary changes and Ill re-open this

 

Thanks

[phil Kelly]

Simon :

 

I can hear a marked difference ( for the better ) in the second ( East West ) version  -particularly in the strings and overall dynamic response. What did that package set you back ?

 

BTW: very nice piece as well !

[Ann Rodela]

Hey Simon!  I prefer the EWQLSO raw!  The EWQLSO sounded much better and cleaner sound than the Miroslav with effects.

[Simon Godden]

I have no problem with this topic being in the Music Technology forum.  I just wasn't thinking when I put it in Music Dissection.  It was probably just because I wrote the piece and I was expecting feedback about a CERTAIN aspect of the production.

 

Thanks for all your replies.  I've got a feeling my EWQLSO productions will improve as I practice more, but it's interesting that one or two of you prefer the Miroslav version.

 

Fred, I know what this sounds like played live.  I've conducted it, and you're right, nothing compares.  I also feel that the best performance any composer will get for his music is from a semi professional youth orchestra, as you can hear the effort and enthusiasm and it's a joy to listen to.

 

Thanks Phil.  EWQLSO cost in December of last year, about $350, but they have sales almost every day of the year and I know that it's been available at a much cheaper price.

 

Thanks Ann.  As much as I agree with you, I had a lot of fun and composed a lot of great stuff with the Miroslav and HALion library.

 

Cheers,

 

Simon

[phil Kelly]

>>Thanks Phil.  EWQLSO cost in December of last year, about $350, but they have sales almost every day of the year and I know that it's been available at a much cheaper price.

 

Is that the full featured price ? (  I assume it's compatible with Logic Pro 9 ) I thought it would be much more ccostly

[Doug Lauber]

I'll listen to the MP3's on Monday. Looking forward to it!

[Chris Alpiar]

EastWest does a "composers bundle" which includes the gold version of the orchestra, which is a step up with more articulations and even has some mic positions available, plus 6 other libraries that you can pick and choose, for just over $1k, by far the best deal anywhere on a massive infusion of really decent quality libraries of all manner. If you are interested in pursuing it Phil, give me a jingle and I can help you out with some solid info on options

I am snooty and generally still use VSL stuff and other ones instead of EastWest for a few reasons, but I have a bunch of their other libs: StormDrum 2, Gypsy, RA, Pianos, Symphonic Choirs, etc. I use them all the time

phil Kelly said:

>>Thanks Phil.  EWQLSO cost in December of last year, about $350, but they have sales almost every day of the year and I know that it's been available at a much cheaper price.

 

Is that the full featured price ? (  I assume it's compatible with Logic Pro 9 ) I thought it would be much more ccostly

[Simon Godden]

Chris, that WAS 'gold'.

Chris Alpiar said:

EastWest does a "composers bundle" which includes the gold version of the orchestra, which is a step up with more articulations and even has some mic positions available, plus 6 other libraries that you can pick and choose, for just over $1k, by far the best deal anywhere on a massive infusion of really decent quality libraries of all manner. If you are interested in pursuing it Phil, give me a jingle and I can help you out with some solid info on options

I am snooty and generally still use VSL stuff and other ones instead of EastWest for a few reasons, but I have a bunch of their other libs: StormDrum 2, Gypsy, RA, Pianos, Symphonic Choirs, etc. I use them all the time

phil Kelly said:

>>Thanks Phil.  EWQLSO cost in December of last year, about $350, but they have sales almost every day of the year and I know that it's been available at a much cheaper price.

 

Is that the full featured price ? (  I assume it's compatible with Logic Pro 9 ) I thought it would be much more ccostly

[Andrew Gleibman]

Simon, both versions sound good (Miroslav/HALion slightly better to my ear), but if you want to reduce the main problem (which is the mechanical feeling of automatically generated sound, as Fredrick noted) you should play live, using conventional MIDI input, at least some parts of the score. There are many ways to enter and combine live MIDI inputs and then correct and fine-tune them. In my (questionable) opinion, in this way one can get very close to the feeling of a real orchestra performance..

[Doug Lauber]

I've always promoted that idea- of performing the individual parts with a MIDI keyboard and then quantize to taste. Of course, notation requires optimum quantization to often fine resolutions...