EWQL for use with Sonar Plat

I’m seriously considering adding an EastWestQuantumLeap subscription to get better-sounding libraries and hopefully improve my compositions.
 
I thought I’d ask for advice here before starting
 
#1: I’m on Windows 10 with Sonar Plat and that works great.  Win10 appears supported by PLAY, so I’m just looking for thoughts on Win10 issues.
 
#2: I have a 4 Core AMD with 16 GB of RAM. I’m hoping to run EWQL Hollywood Orchestra to start with. Is that even realistic or will I need 32GB or 64GB plus SSD for all the samples?
 
On a technical note, I’m running the 47 GB Garritan CFX from a smaller 256G SSD, and it works well, so the computer has at least decent baseline performance.
 
#3: I read that the learning curve is steep (I’ve also read the manuals), and that is incredible difficult to get it to sound anything like the demos. Any thoughts on this?
 
#4: I’m probably overlooking something essential, based on not having used the product. Any advice?
 
Thanks in advance,
Allan

sorry because no specific facts to back this up.  I own all the ewql stuff cuz they have some great sales at different times of the year.
 
I very rarely use them.  Personally I just don't much like the interface. They are all the same exact program(exe)interface with different skins and they remember what you had opened last.  You have to trundle through your folders to find the instruments you want.  Now the Hollywood strings are very nice sounding.  however you have to load the correct...patch which is in the same folder as others with similar names to get what you want and some of the EWQL instruments have very limited range.
 
I am a synth/keyboard players from the 1980s.  I like great patches but I don't like taking off my backpack and dialing in my jock strap, file browse for a different folder , wait for samples to load just to preview a patch that most likely may not work for my current material. 
 
I am used to just changing a patch, hitting a few keys and moving on.  It just...does not fit me personally.  also at least twice I found something I liked but it only had an octave of available samples?  again,  ...just not what I understand as a big time professional virtual instrument.  
 
No real data to back it up. If I spent the time to become a EWQL engineer like the folks creating the demos..I am sure I would have a different opinion. 

With your cpu and memory, I agree with Kitekrazy... Symphony Orchestra Gold or Platinum is  a huge leap up from Garratan and much more appropriate for your rig...
 
Play is easy and stable now... good layout. Don't listen to the hate...it's well laid out and trouble free.
 
I really don't use much of my ewql stuff anymore... cept for "Spaces", a lovely verb, pianos (lovely coffee load break but wonderful), and some of the choirs/voices......I have a bunch, buying into ccc and half price sales... but different strokes for different folks... might be perfect for you. But don't plan on getting very far with the "Hollywood" packages... very demanding.
 
Be sure to check out the Albion blowout at spitfire... lovely stuff...
 
 

Allan, also check out Kirk Hunter Strings for Kontakt. Excellent sounding libraries straight out of the box, and tons of tutorials at the KH site. If you can get it on a good sale price, you'll get instant inspiration/WOW factor (IMO, much better than Miroslav). 

I thought I'd share a Keyboard Magazine "Orchestral Sounds Roundup" that I've found useful:
http://www.keyboardmag.co...l-sounds-roundup/48460
 

EW makes a great effort with their sales to where everyone can buy their products. 
EWQLO Gold - can be had for $250 if you wait.
Hollywood Silver series $100-$150 for each module.
 
I also like VSL. Their player is amazing. You can buy a la cart.
 
If you have Kontakt - the bundled orchestras sounds are underrated. These are the old VSL libraries. Check out the choir.
 
 Some good advice is to use one and know it well before jumping to something else. There are people who can make GPO sound great and also that free Sonatina library.  If you don't know what you are doing in orchestra, better tools will not make you better.

And it STILL works...