I agree that the Cakewalk policy is best and I don't see them changing this anytime soon, as their software is still selling very well. Why would they change a winning formula and upset their customer base?

I would prefer not to have to arse about transferring the computer ID to a disk (my music machine is not connected to the net) and then have to get the authorisation and then transfer to disk again in order to put the other code onto the music machine...but in the end, I wanted GPO for the price it was being offered at, so I had to do this. *shrug*

Regarding the 'if they go bust' scenario: if that were to happen, then I would just download a keygen for it...people can comment about legality etc, but if I have paid for a piece of software then I will ensure that I am able to use it for as long as I want to use it.

I am probably not the best person for commenting on quality...I am very happy with the quality of the sounds, but I am not an orchestral composer and will likely use the sounds in conjunction with electronic elements. Before I took the plunge I read the review that Sound On Sound magazine did for the package and their review was very positive...of all the UK musicians mags that I read, I trust their reviews most; make of that what you will

You can check the review here

As regards how they work in P5...well, Gary Garritan himself has stated that the most common host with GPO users is Sonar and I have yet to find anything that works in Sonar, not to work in P5, so I can't see there being any problems. I will get more chance to test this out in the next week or so, as I am off work for a week...

When I developed GPO I wanted to make it so Cakewalk and sequencer users could use it. I've been a Cakewalk user since version 1. I was one if the first Gigasampler developers and the whole idea of virtual instruments intrigued me. Inserting virtual instruments as a DXi or VST plugin within Sonar or other sequencers was the way to go.

At the time, only the Native Instruments Player was available and I licensed it. I liked the many features and things Kontakt could do that could never be done before. This allowed me to do a lot more with less. The online registration system came with the Kontakt Player and there was no choice in the mater.

The main alternative now is the Halion Player but that comes with a dongle. Perhaps you can implore the good folks at Cakewalk to develop a sampler

GPO works very well in Cakewalk products as a DXi or Cakewalk plugin. Once you go through the online registration it's over and you can make music.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Gary Garritan

Gary, you mention Halion, will GPO run in V Samper? Also, I understand that you are coming out with an upgraded version, and that people who buy this will get a discount on the upgrade. What is the upgrade discount to get your newer version?

ORIGINAL: harmony gardens

Gary, you mention Halion, will GPO run in V Samper?

No, I have tried this myself (even though I knew it wouldn't work) but the NKI is protected and the samples are embedded into this file, unlike the basic Kontakt format which has all the samples as wavs. You can only use the Kontakt Player or Kontakt 1 or 2 to play it...

Also, I understand that you are coming out with an upgraded version, and that people who buy this will get a discount on the upgrade. What is the upgrade discount to get your newer version?

I can answer this because it has been asked on other forums. The price for the Advanced version of the orchestra hasn't been announced yet, but group buyers will be entitled to the same discount as those who bought the product at the original price.

What about using a sample conversion tool like Chicken Systems Translator? Would it be possible to read the NKI file and convert it to SF2? I have a couple of NKI's from a EastWest sampler - might try to convert them to SF2 or something.

As for GPO, I have pretty much resigned not to enter the GB, but I might just buy it at the last minute. I'm not supposed to spend any more $$$ in music stuff but I've wanted GPO for a while now.

xylyx,

An SFZ is just a text file that maps samples (.wav or .ogg) to specific MIDI notes or ranges of notes. There are oodles of modifiers, splits, grouping functions, oddles of features. You can browse through the spec here, but it's a bit geeky.


B'ster

ORIGINAL: Bradster

xylyx,

An SFZ is just a text file that maps samples (.wav or .ogg) to specific MIDI notes or ranges of notes. There are oodles of modifiers, splits, grouping functions, oddles of features. You can browse through the spec here, but it's a bit geeky.


B'ster

I did look at that link a while back, but didn't get very far before I found something better to do From the sounds of it though, it is an open format with all the wavs available, so I cannot see GPO being adapted into this format.

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome!

b-rock - The openess of Cakewalk is very attractive and an approach I particularly like. There is a custom download for GPO that lets you reassign the Mod Wheel and other controllers in the player. Markleford is great and has written many useful plugs specifically for GPO that do all sorts of things. See Markleford's site: http://tencrazy.com/gadgets/mfx/

harmony gardens - GPO will not run it VSampler. It comes with int own integrated sampler. It will show up in SOANR as a virtual instrument in the Synth Rack.

Bradster - "Heaven would be the GPO libraries in SFZ, hint, hint. " I hear you, wink wink

Gary Garritan

Considering my shi!!y body of work notwithstanding. I am more of an orchestral player than a synth player. I chose to use Edirol Orchestral for all my strings, horns and piano. From what I've heard the piano will be well done in Dimension, but if I'd had the money I would have always wanted Garritan...leap years ahead if orchestration is what you intend.

Thanks Gary for stopping by.

The total gross, may very well be in the six figures $$$$$$, when it is all said and done. You cut out the middle man and that is pure profit, on the bottom line. The developer wins with vastly increased sales revenue and an expanded user base (for future upgrades) and the end user wins with a nice wholesale discount on a product, that one might not have been able to afford or justify otherwise.

ORIGINAL: Garritan

agincourtdb - One of the top 20 GPO Competition works was called Agin Court. Must have won because it was named after you.

Either that, or the guy has read the same books as me, which would make him smart and talented ;-)

ORIGINAL: agincourtdb

as of Saturday,
THE GPO GROUP BUY CURRENT COUNT:

Date: May 21, 2005
Number of Buyers: 328
Current Price: $139
Days left: 18 Days

OK, I'm in...

ORIGINAL: dr bekr

ANNOUNCEMENT * * * ANNOUNCEMENT * * * ANNOUNCEMENT

I want Cakewalk users to know about the GROUP BUY going on right now for the Garritan Personal Orchestra (GPO). It just started yesterday (May 8, 2005) and it ends in 30 days (June 7, 2005 at midnight PST).

The "GPO Group Buy" price is as low as $139 per copy, which I think is a bargain!

Garritan Personal Orchestra is an all-in-one sample based orchestral library that works as a Dxi or VSTi instrument in Cakewalk SONAR and Project5. All the instruments from the entire symphony orchestra are included. Each instrument has its own character, with lots of variation, vibrancy, and expressive potential.

The superior quality of the instrument sounds will blow you away! Try downloading some of the sample songs:

Personal Orchestra sample songs

Cakewalk.net had this to say: "Garritan Personal Orchestra raises the bar for affordable, realistic, playable, and just plain fun orchestral simulations." You can read the 15 page Cakewalk.net review here:

Personal Orchestra review at Cakewalk.net

The product has received dozens more rave reviews. Read them here:

Personal Orchestra more reviews

This is important... Garritan provides special support, tutorials, SONAR files, plugins, and resources for users of Cakewalk products, particularly SONAR. Check 'em out:

Personal Orchestra SONAR resource page

Honestly, this is one of the best deals I've seen in quite awhile. The "GPO Group Buy" price is as low as $139 per copy. That's HALF PRICE! Click this link for all the details:

"Garritan Personal Orchestra Group Buy" order information

DISCLAIMER: I am not affiliated with Garritan or with Cakewalk in any way. I am just a participant at the Cakewalk forums, and a user of the products. But I know a good deal when I see it! I just thought y'all might be interested.

BUMP

(gotta keep reminding me to buy this thing)

ORIGINAL: lkingston

I just ordered tonight. I just couldn't let this one pass me by!

Yep! I'm in too. $139 is a great deal, and as low as she's going. (577 orders! Over twice as many as needed for the lowest price!)