VI18 Special Keyboards

The big Vienna Instruments DVD Collections are the most powerful sample-based orchestral virtual instruments ever created. The collections, organized in instrument-categories offer the most complete playing techniques and articulations of all instruments, enabling you to create sonic results of the highest caliber and utmost authenticity.

INSTRUMENTS: Harpsichord, Harmonium, Prepared Piano

The 8 GB collection Special Keyboards offers a state-of-the-art approach to capturing exceptional, unfamiliar but also classical sounds that shouldn’t be missing on any sound designer’s or composer’s workstation.

The harpsichord has a famously bright sound, rich in overtones. Typically a Baroque instrument, the harpsichord has played a minimal role in classical and romantic music. In modern literature, however, it has been rediscovered by a broad range of musicians, and is also used poignantly and effectively in film and TV music. In our own Silent Stage, the following single notes and repetition performances of a two manual harpsichord were recorded: 8’ register solo, 8’ double, and tutti (a combination of two 8’ registers and one 4’ register).

The harmonium is a free-reed instrument, meaning that air streaming past reeds of different lengths causes them to vibrate. Unlike organ pipes, the harmonium’s reeds produce more disharmonic overtones, creating a unique undulating sound.

The prepared piano is a technique introduced in 1949 by John Cage, where objects like erasers, nails, wire, paper, etc., are inserted between a piano’s strings in certain places, causing them to produce additional tones, harmonics, or percussive sounds. Our team also treated the Bösendorfer grand piano with bare hands (e.g., glissandos over the strings) and with wood mallets in order to get a multitude of creative sounds and colors.

There are no Standard and Extended Library options, as in other Vienna Instruments collections; the Special Keyboards Standard Library includes the full sets of samples along with the software instrument, featuring our exclusive Vienna Instruments engine.

More infos

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System Requirements

• Please notice: The "Extended Library Upgrade" requires the registered "Standard Library" (Virtual Instrument incl. Player) and offers more articulations and a significant enhanced sample content.
  "Standard Library" plus "Extended Library Upgrade" result in a "Full Version"
   

PC

• Intel/AMD with Windows XP/VISTA/7 32Bit and 64Bit versions (Core 2 Duo/i7/Xeon recommended)
   

Apple

• Intel Core 2 Duo/Xeon with Mac OS X 10.5.7 or higher. (Vienna Instruments 4 also works on PPC Macs, although it is not actively supported.)
   

for all

• 1 GB RAM (2 GB or more recommended)
• Fast separate hard drive with space according to your purchased libraries
• ViennaKey (Vienna Symphonic Library USB protection device or other Syncrosoft eLicenser)
• DVD drive for installation
• Vienna Ensemble host software or other VST (OS X, Windows XP/Vista), AU (OS X) or RTAS (OS X) compatible host - also works stand-alone
• Up-to-Date eLicense Control Center (the latest available version from www.elicenser.net is highly recommended)
• 88 key master keyboard (highly recommended) 

Product activation:
Vienna Instruments require the ViennaKey!
This USB protection device by eLicenser (formerly Syncrosoft) is not included in the box of any collection, it is a separate item you have to get additionally. So you’ll have to order at least one ViennaKey with your first purchase. It will be put inside the shopping basket automatically but can be deleted if not required. Customers who order the complete SYMPHONIC CUBE will get one ViennaKey for free (not shown in the basket). If you already own another eLicenser USB protection device (e.g., from Steinberg or Arturia), you can use it for the VIENNA INSTRUMENTS, too. Each dongle can store up to 100 product licenses.
Additionally an internet connection on any computer is required to authorize a VSL product.

Reviews

Sound on Sound 10/2007

The budget priced Vienna Special Edition (SE) lets you test VSL's wares without breaking the bank. SE is an 80GB (53.5GB when installed) compilation of instruments drawn from VSL's vast sample database, which runs solely on the Vienna instrument engine. A snip at £230, the standard version contains solo and ensemble strings, 13 solo woodwind and brass instruments, three brass ensembles, standard orchestral percussion, tuned perc, the fabulous Vienna hard, a celeste and an eight-octave Bosendorfer grand piano. In short, a working orchestra (including a pianist with very long arms) lacking no significant instruments.

SE's extended library offers a large number of very useful extras : scaled-down 'chamber' strings, supplementary solo woodwinds and brass, woodwind ensembles, the cinematic 'Epic Horns' and three solo saxophones. A harpsichord, classical guitar, a hairy, overdriven rock guitar and even the Vienna Konzerthaus Organ are thrown in for good measure, along with sustains and staccatos from VSL's ever popular, lush Appasionata Strings. Everything but the kitchen sink, and I wouldn't be against VSL sampling that at some point. (See http://vsl.co.at/shop/articulationsspecialeditionnew.htm? for a full listing)

The patches are cut down versions of their Vienna Instruments equivalents, with fewer velocity layers and samples, spanning a tone rather than a semitone. Despite this, I found little difference between SE's 14 violins and the full VI version; the non-chromatic sampling had no detrimental effect, and having three dynamic layers rather than four was something I could live with. The same isn't true of the Bosendorfer - three velocity levels simply can't do justice to an
acoustic piano.

Though blessed with a comprehensive instrumentation, SE offers relatively few performance styles - potentially a problem if you want to recreate a full orchestral score.

But alongside the no-frills deliveries (typically, sustain, staccato, and sforzato, plus detache, temolo and pizzicato for the strings) you'll find the wonderful performance legatos and 'Bollywood' portmanteau slides that other sample libraries can't touch. Now that the Pro Edition and Horizon series titles are discontinued, Special edition is the only single VSL collection capable of creating full orchestrations. That alone should make it a serious proposition, but whether you factor the superb musicianship, beautiful close-up sound an legato samples, SE begins to look like a must-have product. For those already hooked on the Vienna Sound, the latest trio of Vienna Instruments offer some mouth watering (if somewhat specialised) additions. Special Woodwinds (31GB) has five new, rare instruments. The bass flute sounds beautifully warm and breathy, especially in its sumptuous low register. Played in combination with strings, it creates a psychoacoustic effect akin to being wrapped in cotton wool and dipped in warm caramel. If that thought makes you feel amorous, you might fancy a quick tottle on the lovely oboe d'amore (a warm exotic-sounding reed instrument reminiscent of a cor anglais, but with a slightly brighter tone). Sounding like a bass oboe, with which it is often confused, the hecklephone is stunningly expressive and lyrical, and one of the nicest sounding woodwinds in VSL's collection.

Musicologists will be pleased (English football fans less so) to see the Basset horn included. To the untutored ear (of which I have two) it sounds like a clarinet, but this instrument has a more penetrating one, and sounds more assertive that the rather retiring B-Fat clarinet in woodwinds 1. If your looking for depth, check out the might contrabass clarinet: its practically subsonic low register sounds almost electronic, while its upper range is clear and rotund: a
sonorous, melancholy timbre. Perhaps as a nod to brass band enthusiasts, the 22.5GB Vienna Instrument Special Brass includes a cornet and euphonium, both played with pinpoint accuracy, The cornet provides subtle alternative to solo trumpet and is fast becoming a favourite with VSL fans. The euphonium (a type of tuba) and alto trombone extend their respective instrument family's high resisted by a fourth; the latter plays some great slides which track intervals of up to six semitones. While these instruments have their uses, most people will be interested in special brass 'fanfare Trumpets'. Designed to complement the eight player Epic Horns, the new section features six unison trumpets with a fat, slightly chorused sound. There crescendos and sffz performances are a knockout and will add great brilliance, power and sonic majesty to orchestral arrangements.

Playing a real harmonium involves non stop pedal pushing, but VSL have banished the leg strain on their 8GB Special Keyboards by sampling eight harmonium stops, ranging from a plain, hymnal bourdon to the multi-octave wheeze of "Grangjeu'. We can now enjoy long sessions of this folksy Victorian reed organ without coming away feeling that we've been man marking `Chistiano Ronaldo'. SK also features a harpsichord (here given its Italian/German name
'Cembalo'). Only three stops are provided one on them couples a high octave to the fundamental pitch, making that bright, crashing metallic racket I associate with Iconic 1960's TV themes. Say 'prepared piano' and you can bet your life someone will say 'John Cage' the being the name of the zany American Chap who first inserted erasers, nails, wire , paper and so on between the piano strings (perhaps as a protest against childhood piano lessons?) VSL haven't exactly followed Cage's Preparation instructions, but they do have an extensive fiddle about inside the fortunate Joanna, totally messing up its sound by inserting chains, screws, foil and glass in the strings. In addition to the resulting set of jangly industrial percussive noises, there are delicate harmonics, zither-like stick hits and some nice spooky glissandi. All good fodder for the creative composer's sound palette, and recommended if you've a couple of
hundred quid to spare.

5 Stars Testbericht : Vienna Symphonic Library Special Edition & Special Woodwinds, Brass & Keyboards  Sound On Sound - October 2007 The budget priced Vienna Special Edition (SE) lets you test VSL's wares without breaking the bank. SE is an 80GB (53.5GB when installed) compilation of instruments drawn from VSL's vast sample database, which runs solely on the Vienna instrument engine. A snip at £230, the standard version contains solo and ensemble strings, 13 solo woodwind and brass instruments, three brass ensembles, standard orchestral percussion, tuned perc, the fabulous Vienna hard, a celeste and an eight-octave Bosendorfer grand piano. In short, a working orchestra (including a pianist with very long arms) lacking no significant instruments.

SE's extended library offers a large number of very useful extras : scaled-down 'chamber' strings, supplementary solo woodwinds and brass, woodwind ensembles, the cinematic 'Epic Horns' and three solo saxophones. A harpsichord, classical guitar, a hairy, overdriven rock guitar and even the Vienna Konzerthaus Organ are thrown in for good measure, along with sustains and staccatos from VSL's ever popular, lush Appasionata Strings. Everything but the kitchen sink, and I wouldn't be against VSL sampling that at some point. (See http://vsl.co.at/shop/articulationsspecialeditionnew.htm? for a full listing)

The patches are cut down versions of their Vienna Instruments equivalents, with fewer velocity layers and samples, spanning a tone rather than a semitone. Despite this, I found little difference between SE's 14 violins and the full VI version; the non-chromatic sampling had no detrimental effect, and having three dynamic layers rather than four was something I could live with. The same isn't true of the Bosendorfer - three velocity levels simply can't do justice to an
acoustic piano.

Though blessed with a comprehensive instrumentation, SE offers relatively few performance styles - potentially a problem if you want to recreate a full orchestral score.

But alongside the no-frills deliveries (typically, sustain, staccato, and sforzato, plus detache, temolo and pizzicato for the strings) you'll find the wonderful performance legatos and 'Bollywood' portmanteau slides that other sample libraries can't touch. Now that the Pro Edition and Horizon series titles are discontinued, Special edition is the only single VSL collection capable of creating full orchestrations. That alone should make it a serious proposition, but whether you factor the superb musicianship, beautiful close-up sound an legato samples, SE begins to look like a must-have product. For those already hooked on the Vienna Sound, the latest trio of Vienna Instruments offer some mouth watering (if somewhat specialised) additions. Special Woodwinds (31GB) has five new, rare instruments. The bass flute sounds beautifully warm and breathy, especially in its sumptuous low register. Played in combination with strings, it creates a psychoacoustic effect akin to being wrapped in cotton wool and dipped in warm caramel. If that thought makes you feel amorous, you might fancy a quick tottle on the lovely oboe d'amore (a warm exotic-sounding reed instrument reminiscent of a cor anglais, but with a slightly brighter tone). Sounding like a bass oboe, with which it is often confused, the hecklephone is stunningly expressive and lyrical, and one of the nicest sounding woodwinds in VSL's collection.

Musicologists will be pleased (English football fans less so) to see the Basset horn included. To the untutored ear (of which I have two) it sounds like a clarinet, but this instrument has a more penetrating one, and sounds more assertive that the rather retiring B-Fat clarinet in woodwinds 1. If your looking for depth, check out the might contrabass clarinet: its practically subsonic low register sounds almost electronic, while its upper range is clear and rotund: a
sonorous, melancholy timbre. Perhaps as a nod to brass band enthusiasts, the 22.5GB Vienna Instrument Special Brass includes a cornet and euphonium, both played with pinpoint accuracy, The cornet provides subtle alternative to solo trumpet and is fast becoming a favourite with VSL fans. The euphonium (a type of tuba) and alto trombone extend their respective instrument family's high resisted by a fourth; the latter plays some great slides which track intervals of up to six semitones. While these instruments have their uses, most people will be interested in special brass 'fanfare Trumpets'. Designed to complement the eight player Epic Horns, the new section features six unison trumpets with a fat, slightly chorused sound. There crescendos and sffz performances are a knockout and will add great brilliance, power and sonic majesty to orchestral arrangements.

Playing a real harmonium involves non stop pedal pushing, but VSL have banished the leg strain on their 8GB Special Keyboards by sampling eight harmonium stops, ranging from a plain, hymnal bourdon to the multi-octave wheeze of "Grangjeu'. We can now enjoy long sessions of this folksy Victorian reed organ without coming away feeling that we've been man marking `Chistiano Ronaldo'. SK also features a harpsichord (here given its Italian/German name
'Cembalo'). Only three stops are provided one on them couples a high octave to the fundamental pitch, making that bright, crashing metallic racket I associate with Iconic 1960's TV themes. Say 'prepared piano' and you can bet your life someone will say 'John Cage' the being the name of the zany American Chap who first inserted erasers, nails, wire , paper and so on between the piano strings (perhaps as a protest against childhood piano lessons?) VSL haven't exactly followed Cage's Preparation instructions, but they do have an extensive fiddle about inside the fortunate Joanna, totally messing up its sound by inserting chains, screws, foil and glass in the strings. In addition to the resulting set of jangly industrial percussive noises, there are delicate harmonics, zither-like stick hits and some nice spooky glissandi. All good fodder for the creative composer's sound palette, and recommended if you've a couple of
hundred quid to spare.

5 Stars