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NI Symphony Series-- Still not so great?

PebbleStream

PebbleStream

Eager Newb
So, I am considering finally getting my first orchestral library this Black Friday (assuming there will be any good deals)-- I've realized I'll have to forego getting "the perfect library" and am better off getting something that will sound good and be functional for me. More or less narrowed it down to either Nucleus or Metropolis Ark I (depending on sales), however I've realized there's another contender that I may be able to grab at around the same price point (via second-hand Komplete), that being NI's Symphony Series. Now, while the demos mostly sound pretty slick, I know there are some issues-- I've seen Cory Pelizzari's video on the strings, thanks to searching this forum as to people's opinions on Symphony Series-- but it seems at least for the legato issue on the strings, there is technically a workaround that doesn't sound bad-- what I was wondering is, have NI fixed any of the issues like this that people had with the libraries, and are they any besides the legato issue that I would be better off knowing about before possibly purchasing? Because otherwise it seems like the best choice for me and what I'm looking for out of an orchestral library at the moment, stylistically and functionally-- even maybe a little overkill since at the moment at least I am a very "synthy" sort of guy when it comes to music (I've had to make my peace with this) :emoji_sweat_smile:
Thanks all and have a nice day wherever you are.
Click to read more...
 
Why would you wanna buy NI Symphony Series, even after watching Cory’s videos? I am not insisting you not to buy but check things with the other libraries. There are a lotta good libraries out there. VSL’s running a sale & have a pretty nice orchestral libraries. Check out the Spitfire Audio, although they’re not on sale now but can check their Walkthrus & stuff. And there’s Orchestral Tools. Oh btw Cinesamples are having some sales you might wanna check.
 
There are some fine sounds within each library, but overall, you'd be better applying your cash to something more consistent across each range. Black Friday is almost upon us.:elephant:
 
hobbyst here.
I have komplete 13CE and I support the advice on NOT buying komplete for the Symphony Series! Although I like solo violins and solo cello and I have satisfactorily used the strings and the percussion in some of my productions, in which although the symphonic sound was not the main character of the music, I find the library very poorly designed and brass and winds are quite bad, IMHO...

EDIT after reading next messages: I LOVE K13CE and it's fantastic for its value. it's just that you should not buy it if you are just interested in symphony series! :)
 
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EW Hollywood Orchestra Opus. It is on sale all the time. It has everything. Seriously, if you are going "cheap" this is the best. Go get it from some place like JRRShop (use GROUP or FORUM discount codes) or one of the other ones that I am blanking on now.

It is not actually a "cheap" orchestra, just old so they price is a lot lower than equivalent libraries. They only negative is that it takes more than a TB drive will hold. However, it doesn't have to be all on one drive.
 
Uhhhh. No? Nothing has changed. It is what it was when it first launched. Middle-of-the-road, all over the place and absolutely not worth the price they were asking for it. There is very little in Komplete that would make for a good first orchestral library.

However.

Komplete CE is, for me, totally worth it. I personally really like what Symphony Percussion and Symphony Strings provide and all of the other gear in it is fantastic to me. Arkhis, Mallet Flux, Thrill and Damage to name a few, are fantastic libraries. (note I say CE. Symphony Series Essentials is worthless.)

So I'd say Komplete is worth it. Just not for what you specifically want out of it at the moment.

EDIT:
I agree with Liz above. Get Hoopus on sale. It is fantastic.
 


Last time this library was discussed, I was shown this video, which I think is very illuminating.

I can't speak for the brass/woodwinds/perc, but I think the strings can sound very good with enough work. Other libraries are much more polished out of the box, but this can achieve really good results.

It's main value still stands as part of Komplete. If the rest of Komplete is useless to you, dont get this library.
 
PebbleStream said:
So, I am considering finally getting my first orchestral library this Black Friday (assuming there will be any good deals)-- I've realized I'll have to forego getting "the perfect library" and am better off getting something that will sound good and be functional for me. More or less narrowed it down to either Nucleus or Metropolis Ark I (depending on sales), however I've realized there's another contender that I may be able to grab at around the same price point (via second-hand Komplete), that being NI's Symphony Series. Now, while the demos mostly sound pretty slick, I know there are some issues-- I've seen Cory Pelizzari's video on the strings, thanks to searching this forum as to people's opinions on Symphony Series-- but it seems at least for the legato issue on the strings, there is technically a workaround that doesn't sound bad-- what I was wondering is, have NI fixed any of the issues like this that people had with the libraries, and are they any besides the legato issue that I would be better off knowing about before possibly purchasing? Because otherwise it seems like the best choice for me and what I'm looking for out of an orchestral library at the moment, stylistically and functionally-- even maybe a little overkill since at the moment at least I am a very "synthy" sort of guy when it comes to music (I've had to make my peace with this) :emoji_sweat_smile:
Thanks all and have a nice day wherever you are.
Click to expand...

I say get MA1...
Which version of Komplete would you be buying? Isn't the full SSC only part of Komplete CE? If you are interested in Komplete in general, I think it's great value for your money, but don't buy it just for the SSC.
If you really just want the SSC and already own the correct prerequisite product for the crossgrade that they offer, I could sell you my crossgrade license, because I also own a full license via Komplete CE, but we'd need to figure out first what it's crossgrading from. And that might be an older Komplete version. Do you own a previous one?
 
MartinH. said:
I say get MA1...
Which version of Komplete would you be buying? Isn't the full SSC only part of Komplete CE? If you are interested in Komplete in general, I think it's great value for your money, but don't buy it just for the SSC.
If you really just want the SSC and already own the correct prerequisite product for the crossgrade that they offer, I could sell you my crossgrade license, because I also own a full license via Komplete CE, but we'd need to figure out first what it's crossgrading from. And that might be an older Komplete version. Do you own a previous one?
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The only problem with MA1 is it is not a full orchestra. There are no woodwinds. It is also loud. You are limited in the type of music you can use it for. There are no solo strings or separate sections (violin, viola, cello, bass). It is the same problem I have with Albion One.

Now if all you do is epic, go for it. It does sound good.

I also love Komplete for everything else in it. It might have been my best purchase. Also, the Factory Library that comes with Kontakt is not a bad orchestral library. I regularly use the cymbals and timpani in it. I know it used to be old VSL stuff, but I think that changed with 14?
 
dzilizzi said:
I also love Komplete for everything else in it. It might have been my best purchase. Also, the Factory Library that comes with Kontakt is not a bad orchestral library. I regularly use the cymbals and timpani in it. I know it used to be old VSL stuff, but I think that changed with 14?
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Yeah, the newest Kontakt Factory library has instruments from Orchestral Tools instead of VSL. They offer a scripted legato (rather than a true recorded one) if my memory serves me correctly.
 
I actually think there are several usable parts and articulations within NI Symphony Series! Especially in the woodwinds! But overall. As a whole. I believe Hollywood OPUS in a better way to go!

I would also suggest that Black Friday deals are not too far off. And there are some crazy, crazy deals that happen then!
 
I'm going to say something really odd to most people here, but here it is.

If it had been possible at the time, I'd known what I know now, and it wasn't so frickin' expensive, I would've liked to have gone for Steinberg's Iconica as a first library. I now start everything I write from the Ensembles.

Sections and Players is currently on sale for 400.

www.steinberg.net

Iconica: VST Orchestra Library

Iconica was recorded in legendary Funkhaus Berlin and brings exceptional modern orchestral expression to professional composers.
www.steinberg.net www.steinberg.net

Because, why on earth would we make this simple for you eh?
 
Crowe said:
I'm going to say something really odd to most people here, but here it is.

If it had been possible at the time, I'd known what I know now, and it wasn't so frickin' expensive, I would've liked to have gone for Steinberg's Iconica as a first library. I now start everything I write from the Ensembles.

Sections and Players is currently on sale for 400.

www.steinberg.net

Iconica: VST Orchestra Library

Iconica was recorded in legendary Funkhaus Berlin and brings exceptional modern orchestral expression to professional composers.
www.steinberg.net www.steinberg.net

Because, why on earth would we make this simple for you eh?
Click to expand...
This is really the best option if you’re looking for an all in one solution for around $400-$500 outside of Hollywood Orchestra.
 
Crowe said:
I'm going to say something really odd to most people here, but here it is.

If it had been possible at the time, I'd known what I know now, and it wasn't so frickin' expensive, I would've liked to have gone for Steinberg's Iconica as a first library. I now start everything I write from the Ensembles.

Sections and Players is currently on sale for 400.

www.steinberg.net

Iconica: VST Orchestra Library

Iconica was recorded in legendary Funkhaus Berlin and brings exceptional modern orchestral expression to professional composers.
www.steinberg.net www.steinberg.net

Because, why on earth would we make this simple for you eh?
Click to expand...
I second this. I’ve revisited Iconica lately (and Cubase and Halion 7) and I had the realization that A) the package is really good, concise, consistent, nice set of articulations without going crazy, B) the UI is really nice, sorry REALLY nice and C) most importantly the sound just works. Not overly wet, not overly dry.

It isn’t a sound that instantly wows you, but as a whole I think Iconica Sections and Players for 400EUR beats MANY other contenders as a “workhorse” library that is EFFECTIVE.

Anyway. What Crowe said.
 
Crowe said:
I'm going to say something really odd to most people here, but here it is.

If it had been possible at the time, I'd known what I know now, and it wasn't so frickin' expensive, I would've liked to have gone for Steinberg's Iconica as a first library. I now start everything I write from the Ensembles.

Sections and Players is currently on sale for 400.

www.steinberg.net

Iconica: VST Orchestra Library

Iconica was recorded in legendary Funkhaus Berlin and brings exceptional modern orchestral expression to professional composers.
www.steinberg.net www.steinberg.net

Because, why on earth would we make this simple for you eh?
Click to expand...
I almost mentioned it! But it might be cheaper on BF?
 
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