I still use the Winds from the older VSL OPUS lib & keep them in my default template.
The samples are dry, the verb isn't baked in which is why they can sound so nice using verb software & stage placement.

wst3
not to further muddy the waters, but I've been experimenting with the VSL Special Edition Volume 1 for about a week now... and it really is quite remarkable!
 
The instruments, especially the woodwinds, are just plain lovely. Did I mention the woodwinds?
 
These are not going to replace my Cinesamples, Project Sam, or 8Dio libraries, but they are a very nice addition to the toolkit.
 
I'd offer two cautions: First is that the user interface is quite a bit different than Kontakt. It provides tremendous control over articulations, but it is tricky, I'm still figuring my way around. Second, the sounds NEED reverb, although I do like the default placement, which can also be changed. So a really well behaved reverb will be required.
 
Certainly worth looking into...

If you use VSL you really need to get Vienna Instruments Pro. Opens up a world of control I wish Kontakt would give.

I'm off the opinion it depends on how much realism you need and work you are prepared to put into a project. VSL produce some pretty fantastic libraries although the prices are not for the feint-hearted. Secondly there is East West & Quantum Leap Hollywood Symphonic Orchestra which opens up another can of worms - with Gold and Diamond options (Diamond is 5 microphone positions/24-bit whereas Gold is a single microphone/16-bit).
 
Besides all of that, you will need plenty of external fast storage to get the best out of them.

I think you'll find many mock ups involve the use of several different libraries together.

Whilst I agree and know this happens, for the sake of continuity it's sometimes useful all sections of an orchestra recorded in the same environment. Afterall in some cases, a mock-up may be the difference between getting a soundtrack commision and not at all.
 
You can't always guarantee the orchestra recorded in one scenario is going to work with another without much tweaking.
 
Just my passing thoughts.

EW Hollywood series is great but 16GB of RAM would be almost a minimum.
Can't go wrong with Kontakt based libraries.
VSL and their software is so top notch.
 
There are plenty of complete orchestras for under $300.  These tools sound great if you know how to use them. The most expensive library will sound like crap if you are clueless about orchestration.
 
If you are doing it as a hobby don't spend a lot of money.

EWQL Hollywood Orchestra Diamond is on sale this weekend for $600. Now is the time to get it if you're thinking about it. That's 80% off.

been experimenting with layering VSL and Cinesamples winds and horns. WOW! I can create almost limitless sounds even before reverb is applied. It's pretty cool!

Agreed about the memory requirements and storage requirements for EW Hollywood Series being high. I was just viewing some new Intel X99 motherboard chipsets that can host up to 128GB of DDR4 RAM. Man, things have changed.
 

kitekrazy1
VSL and their software is so top notch.

 
+1000 for vsl's software.  They have always had beautiful samples, but this generation of software that they have developed to control it all is literally mind-blowing.  Not just instruments pro, but ensemble - even just the basic version - is a joy to use.  Very well done products.