We're down to the final two days of the Group Buy and someone at KVR rightfully pointed out that my explanation of the differences in vibrato between Concert Strings 2 and Spotlight Strings could be a bit clearer, so I thought I'd make a similar post here to my KVR response.

What I mean when writing Concert String 2's vibrato is "baked in" is that the vibrato is actually played on the stringed instruments, it's recorded that way. It's part of -- AKA "baked in" to -- the samples. Whereas with Spotlight Strings, the samples are recorded without vibrato. The user has complete control over the vibrato. The vibrato on Spotlight Strings uses LFOs to provide the user with complete control over vibrato intensity, speed and fade-in.
 

We're now at 284.

rtucker55
So we only need 16 more to sign up within the next 28 hours and we hit 50% off... 

Thanks, rtucker55! I've been feeling like I'm talking to myself the last few posts!

Looks like we are in the final stretch and we only need about 16 more people. I already bought Spotlight strings and I'm enjoying them, but I'm thinking of picking up pop rock string too. At $100 or less they're a steal. People should also keep in mind that spotlight strings should be getting new samples that sound even better than the current ones.

Thanks rtucker55, Chandler and lawajava!

At this point, with 284 and 1 day to go, I think the odds are excellent that we're going to make it to the 50% off level. Of course, it never hurts if anyone goes to any other forums to post a reminder and let people know how close we are to 50% and the GB sign up period ending.

jma
This will be my first Kirk Hunter purchase. Sadly, I can only afford one product and I'm leaning towards the Diamond Collection as it has the biggest variety of sounds. I'm curious if there is anything noticeably lacking sound-wise in the Diamond Collection that is covered by any of the other products.

Diamond has solo strings, string sections, brass and other orchestral instruments, so it's a complete orchestra. It doesn't have the same level of detail of Concert Strings 2 or Concert Brass 2, which were made years later, but it's a fine orchestral library.

Chandler
Looks like we made it to 50%. I think I'll pickup pop rock strings too.

That's going to be my choice as well......
 
BTW JMA, the Diamond Collection is very good and inspirational as well. Go for it!! :) 

ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGH!!! 

Mesh
Just a general question regarding the Pop Rock Strings.........since I already have the Diamond Collection, would these Pop Rock Strings be significantly more advantageous in general useage or are they just different sounds since they're from the Concert Strings section? 
 

I'm in the same boat, and I've got the very same question. 

SmokeyJ628

Mesh
Just a general question regarding the Pop Rock Strings.........since I already have the Diamond Collection, would these Pop Rock Strings be significantly more advantageous in general useage or are they just different sounds since they're from the Concert Strings section? 
 

I'm in the same boat, and I've got the very same question. 

Diamond has more articulations than Pop/Rock Strings. The main reason to get PRS when you already have Diamond would be because it is different strings/different recording. Otherwise, PRS was culled from CS2 and that's the one I would recommend if you already have Diamond. CS2 has much more detail and articulations than Diamond as well as a different sound.

Sheesh, it just hit me. I came up with the original ideas for two Kirk Hunter Studios products, Pop/Rock Strings and Easy String Arranger and when Mesh and SmokeyJ628 asked about PRS, I completely forget to mention that Pop/Rock Strings now includes Easy String Arranger (as does Concert Strings 2)! So, in addition to the strings sounding different than Diamond, another reason you might consider PRS is Easy String Arranger -- which is a really cool tool that helps making string arranging for those without formal training arranging strings and for those who do have formal training, it just makes it easier/faster to get ideas down when inspiration strikes. I'd still say that, if you have the budget, Concert Strings 2 is ideal (PRS is a subset of the CS2 library, with less samples per octave and less articulations). But if CS2 is out of your budget, at $89.50 USD, Pop/Rock Strings gets you different sounding strings you can blend with Diamond and Easy String Arranger (here's the info on it: http://www.kirkhunterstudios.com/esa.html here's a video about ESA: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4yLrjsYnrQ )

To those who just getting into high end string libraries, stepping up from something like GPO or Miroslav, you're probably going to be blown away with Pop/Rock Strings.  For $89.50 USD, you don't need to own the full version of KONTAKT (it's compatible with the free player), contains both solo strings and string sections and very sophisticated scripting (which, imo, makes a giant difference in string libraries, especially to those who've been using sample libraries from the days of dozens of patches and trackzillas) plus Easy String Arranger, which I think sells for $29 USD on its own normally. There's nothing on the market even remotely  close to the price (I know, I did the original research and still pay attention to the string sample library market pretty carefully). 

edrummist,
Regarding Diamond Orchestra, is the group buy purchase option for Diamond TVEC 3 or TVEC 4?
 

Downloading Spotlight Strings now.

edrummist

gustabo
edrummist,
Regarding Diamond Orchestra, is the group buy purchase option for Diamond TVEC 3 or TVEC 4?

It was TVEC 3, but Kirk told me just a short while ago that he just updated it to TVEC 4 and that everyone in the Group Buy who buys Diamond will get TVEC 4 at no additional cost. So, if you downloaded Diamond and it does not have TVEC 4, all you have to do is re-open your download link page and you'll see the TVEC 4 instruments added.

Darn, I bought Diamond shortly after I posted my question to you, didn't see TVEC 4 so I purchased the TVEC 4 update...

bapu

gustabo

edrummist

gustabo
edrummist,
Regarding Diamond Orchestra, is the group buy purchase option for Diamond TVEC 3 or TVEC 4?

It was TVEC 3, but Kirk told me just a short while ago that he just updated it to TVEC 4 and that everyone in the Group Buy who buys Diamond will get TVEC 4 at no additional cost. So, if you downloaded Diamond and it does not have TVEC 4, all you have to do is re-open your download link page and you'll see the TVEC 4 instruments added.

Darn, I bought Diamond shortly after I posted my question to you, didn't see TVEC 4 so I purchased the TVEC 4 update...

Ask Kirk for a refund. He's a square shooter.

Emailed and done not even 5 minutes later!
Great response time and service!!!