This Special Edition
brings together the complete orchestra – and more – in an affordable Collection. It is the ideal, resource-saving companion for orchestral arrangements on the laptop, or for newcomers to the world of Vienna Instruments, offering a useful cross-section of Vienna Symphonic Library’s over one million samples.
The Standard Library includes 28 instruments and ensembles, covering large post-romantic instrumentation. It contains solo and ensemble strings, solo instruments and ensembles of the brass section, woodwinds ranging from piccolo flute to contra bassoon, harp, drums and percussion as well as celesta and the Bösendorfer Imperial grand piano.
The Extended Library doesn’t offer more articulations to the Standard Library instruments; rather, it contains 35 additional instruments which enhance the symphonic variety of this Collection (e.g., basset horn, contrabass trombone, saxophones, Vienna’s famous Chamber Strings and Epic Horns). It also adds instruments like the Vienna Konzerthaus Organ, a harpsichord, acoustic and electric guitar, and many more. As a special bonus, staccatos and sustains performed by the large string ensembles of the Appassionata Strings have been included.
Apart from the basic articulations, all string and wind instruments include the Legato Performances characteristic of the Vienna Symphonic Library. Real note transitions up to a one octave range are played automatically by the algorithms of Vienna Instruments when the user plays legato notes.
The Vienna Special Edition is a comprehensive and extremely versatile Collection that can be used efficiently with reasonable hard disk and memory requirements, making the Vienna Instruments’ famous realism easy to grasp and use. It’s the quintessence of the Vienna Symphonic Library in a single, affordable software package!
Please notice our Vienna Special Edition Bundle VI9B and save euro 100.00
Video Demos
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Setup Guide |
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Demo #1 |
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Hannibals Elephants |
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Decision Day |
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Inspiration Presets for Vienna Instruments PRO |
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More infos
ScreenshotReview Bonedo.de (german)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.
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
from stock
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