bitflipper
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Your thoughts on GPO? [Answered]
I am looking for a replacement for Miroslav, which refuses to run on my new box. I'm considering Garritan Personal Orchestra as a replacement. It's not my first choice, but it's the one I can afford. Listening to demos, it seems wimpy when it comes to forte articulations in both brass and strings. And no choirs. OTOH, it's got a decent palette of instruments, both solo and sections. And it does have cowbells. It's $129 at Sweetwater, and I know of nothing else in that price range that might serve as a single-solution general-purpose orchestral library. What do you think? Keep saving up for something better? Also, can anybody clue me in about the "keycard" thing? Is this a Waves-type DIY USB dongle?
post edited by bitflipper - 2014/11/29 23:48:44
 All else is in doubt, so this is the truth I cling to. My Stuff
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clintmartin
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Re: Your thoughts on GPO?
2014/11/29 22:24:43
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I hate to be the one to suggest it, Sample Tank 3 could import your Miroslav. I only have Sample Tank 2.5 and the last time I checked it was still working. Strange how some people have a ton of problems with it and some don't. In fairness someone like you would use it...mine just sits on my hard drive waiting to be needed.
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bitflipper
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Re: Your thoughts on GPO?
2014/11/29 22:31:40
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I found this thread on the GPO forum, in which GG himself asks for enhancement requests for GPO5. Apparently, the most-often given answer is "better strings". Since strings are my primary focus, this does not encourage confidence in this potential choice.
All else is in doubt, so this is the truth I cling to. My Stuff
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bitflipper
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Re: Your thoughts on GPO?
2014/11/29 22:46:25
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Clint, ST3 was actually my first instinct, as it's the logical choice to replace ST2.5. But listening to the demos, every patch I heard sounded dull, making me think a lot of tweaking would be necessary. The great thing about Miroslav is that it always fit with minimal fuss. I believe it's possible to import ST2.5/Miroslav/Sonik Synth instruments into ST3, so maybe that's a justification.
But the biggest barrier is that it's $350, a bit of a stretch. I've got a stack of hospital bills sitting here and $350 would pay for half of a CT scan.
Correction: I see that the upgrade price from 2.5XL is only $200. That does make it more attractive.
All else is in doubt, so this is the truth I cling to. My Stuff
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scook
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Re: Your thoughts on GPO?
2014/11/29 22:54:10
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JohnKenn
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Re: Your thoughts on GPO?
2014/11/29 23:04:42
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Bit,
If 350 would pay for half a CT scan, you are in luck relatively in this sick, abominable healthcare system.
I got GPO and Miroslav. Each with its strength and weakness but a washout in end point capacity under the hood.
For me, bottom line these days is what you do with the samples using what you already got, without having to spend a lot of money that won't really add anything in the long term. I can take Miroslav to East/West function by properly layering and panning the samples, couple vst effects in the chain.
GPO is cool, but do you really need it. If you already have Miroslav, would focus on the expanse of creative soundscapes by maximizing the product you already have. Spend the money instead on debts if it will keep the creditors at bay and get you in the clear.
John
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mixmkr
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Re: Your thoughts on GPO?
2014/11/29 23:25:25
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heck...aren't you a keyboard player? Dig out the old Roland orchestral expansion cards (vol 1 and 2), and pop 'em into your JV1080.
Sarcastically...but half serious, I subscribe to what John says above...that it's in the operator...which I know you know how to drive. Shoot...that rack stuff (technology) aint that old, is it? In "digital years"...I suppose it is... but...
BTW, I use my JV2080 all the time....cause it holds 8 expansion cards ;-D
Oh...you want to probably mess with the MIDI....bummer.
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bitflipper
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Re: Your thoughts on GPO?
2014/11/29 23:41:27
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Yikes, $119.20 at JRR! Thanks for the tip, Steve. That may seal the deal. Thirty bucks less than GPO and it's got cowbells.
All else is in doubt, so this is the truth I cling to. My Stuff
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MachineClaw
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Re: Your thoughts on GPO?
2014/11/29 23:53:09
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Steinberg has a sale on HALion Symphonic Orchestra. regular $99 but it's 50% off with
BLACKWEEKEND14 coupon code.
does work as a standalone VST or can be used with HAlion sonic if you have that.
sale ends this weekend so ya'd have to be fast probably.
there is a trial to test it out prior to buying which is a plus.
I have the trail that came with my Cubase 7.5 discs.
it's not bad, sounds pretty good. older product but the strings are okay and usable. I thought they were better than the strings in Sampletank. Not as good as the more expensive string packages.
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bitflipper
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Re: Your thoughts on GPO?
2014/11/30 00:09:32
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Thanks for the advice, everyone. I've decided to spring for ST3 after scook tipped me off to the JRRShop price.
I'm confused, though (I think I've gone through the same confusion with every IKM purchase) -- what's the rest of the purchase process after "buying" the product from JRR? The email just has a license number and the instructions "please visit the company's website to register and download". But I see no download options at IKMultimedia.com, just a purchase dialog.
All else is in doubt, so this is the truth I cling to. My Stuff
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scook
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Re: Your thoughts on GPO?
2014/11/30 00:25:21
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My best guess is this is going to use the IKM authorization manager on their support page. Download the authorization manager and register the product. Once the product is registered it should be available for download in your IKM account.
Disclaimer: I have not used this method myself.
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Grem
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Re: Your thoughts on GPO?
2014/11/30 00:33:10
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Log in to your account and then you will see a " Register Your Product" . Then you will have to d/l the product and AM to finish it up. Make sure you have it installed before trying to run the AM.
Grem
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Glyn Barnes
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Re: Your thoughts on GPO?
2014/11/30 02:34:53
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Miroslav is the main reason I upgraded to ST3. You will of course be able to import any expansions you had for ST2.5
ST3 is not a turkey but the new sounds do not have the "wow factor" but I suspect they will sit well in a mix. A lot of new features seemed to be aimed at live preformance.
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kennywtelejazz
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Re: Your thoughts on GPO?
2014/11/30 03:48:44
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bitflipper
Thanks for the advice, everyone. I've decided to spring for ST3 after scook tipped me off to the JRRShop price.
I'm confused, though (I think I've gone through the same confusion with every IKM purchase) -- what's the rest of the purchase process after "buying" the product from JRR? The email just has a license number and the instructions "please visit the company's website to register and download". But I see no download options at IKMultimedia.com, just a purchase dialog.
Dave , it sure can be confusing …. once I have an IK serial number , I usually just run the IK license app while logged in to it on my computer , after placing the serial number into the IK app , the product has then show up in the IK account my products section as downloadable … I usually just leave the app on in the background and then close it after my download and instalation is complete … Kenny
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Sidroe
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Re: Your thoughts on GPO?
2014/11/30 08:26:04
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Well, I guess I'll be the elephant in the room. I have used GPO since version 3 and while it is limited I got it because I was not thrilled with Miroslav. I think the strings get the job done but needless to say they aren't as good as EastWest products. The main thing that most GPO users want are more ARTICULATIONS! That is where GPO falls a little short. I would spend some time listening to the audio demos by real users over at the Garritan page. Some are really cheesy and some will drop your jaw. It really is in the hands of the user.
BTW, I use GPO in all my live tracks to keep load times down between songs and there are always compliments at the end of the shows about the quality of the orchestral sounds.
There is a very good library at Digital Sound Factory for DimPro. I remember it as being St. Thomas Strings, I believe. Again, nowhere as good as EastWest but very useable. I'll try to get the link for you.
Sonar Platinum, Sonar X3e, Sonar X2a , Sonar X1 Expanded and 8.5.3 (32 and 64 bit), Windows 10 on a Toshiba P75-A7200 Laptop with i7 @ 2.4 quad and 8 gigs of RAM and secondary WD 1 Tb drive, Windows 10 desktop, Asus i5 @ 3.2 quad, 12 gigs RAM, 1 Tb drive, 1 500 gig drive, MOTU 24io, 2 Roland Studio Captures, Saffire 6 USB for laptop, Soundtracs Topaz Project 8 mixer, Alesis Monitor 2s, Event BAS 20/20s, Roland Micro-Monitor BA-8s, and 45 years worth of collecting FX, Mics, Amps, Guitars, and Keyboards!
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clintmartin
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Re: Your thoughts on GPO?
2014/11/30 09:16:51
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bitflipper
Thanks for the advice, everyone. I've decided to spring for ST3 after scook tipped me off to the JRRShop price.
I'm confused, though (I think I've gone through the same confusion with every IKM purchase) -- what's the rest of the purchase process after "buying" the product from JRR? The email just has a license number and the instructions "please visit the company's website to register and download". But I see no download options at IKMultimedia.com, just a purchase dialog.
Great! I was able to give credible advice to Bitflipper for a change! Hahaha.
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bitflipper
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Re: Your thoughts on GPO?
2014/11/30 09:47:05
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Thanks, Sidroe. Yeh, I read through the enhancement-request thread on the GPO forum and that did seem to be the main concern from users - not enough string articulations. But I've heard great productions made with both Miroslav and GPO, and the orchestral shootout that Randy Bowser and I conducted awhile back taught me that it's all about the tool user, not the tool.
And yes, Clint, you can circle this date on your calendar. The day you led ol' Bitflipper out of the darkness. Not the first time, I might add.
And thanks all for the purchase instructions. Now to start the download, which, given my slow internet connection, will take between 12 and 15 hours. Not exactly instant gratification, but still faster than UPS.
I'd normally do more research before such a significant purchase, but my kids have informed me that they're putting together a slideshow for my wife's memorial service. If my muse hasn't left me, I intend to compose some music to accompany it.
All else is in doubt, so this is the truth I cling to. My Stuff
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clintmartin
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Re: Your thoughts on GPO?
2014/11/30 13:17:24
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I'm just glad your Miroslav didn't go to waste. Hopefully SP3 will download and install without many issues and you can get on with your work. I feel terrible even talking about trivial issues with what your going through. Best wishes.
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JohnKenn
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Re: Your thoughts on GPO?
2014/11/30 16:56:04
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Bit,
Deepest condolences and wishes for healing and Light on the horizon. Makes my leaking roof and broke down car seem very small in the bigger picture.
Best to you going forward,
John
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bitflipper
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Re: Your thoughts on GPO?
2014/11/30 22:32:46
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Thanks, Clint and John. It's been a tough week/month/year, and I really appreciate all the words of encouragement I've received from my forum friends.
I was hoping to get lost in ST3 for awhile and push all those dark thoughts aside, but it appears I was overly optimistic about the 12-15 hour download time. The first file took 8 hours, the second took 9 hours, and the third file is at 12% and says 9 hours remaining. So when I wake up tomorrow I'll only have another 5 files and 45 or so hours to go. I should be able to play with ST3 sometime Wednesday. Sigh. Guess I'll check in over at the Coffee House.
All else is in doubt, so this is the truth I cling to. My Stuff
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Sidroe
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Re: Your thoughts on GPO?
2014/12/01 08:01:53
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I'm sure the rest of us would agree, our hearts go out to you and you and your family have our deepest condolences. Stay strong and music on, bit!
Sonar Platinum, Sonar X3e, Sonar X2a , Sonar X1 Expanded and 8.5.3 (32 and 64 bit), Windows 10 on a Toshiba P75-A7200 Laptop with i7 @ 2.4 quad and 8 gigs of RAM and secondary WD 1 Tb drive, Windows 10 desktop, Asus i5 @ 3.2 quad, 12 gigs RAM, 1 Tb drive, 1 500 gig drive, MOTU 24io, 2 Roland Studio Captures, Saffire 6 USB for laptop, Soundtracs Topaz Project 8 mixer, Alesis Monitor 2s, Event BAS 20/20s, Roland Micro-Monitor BA-8s, and 45 years worth of collecting FX, Mics, Amps, Guitars, and Keyboards!
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bitflipper
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Re: Your thoughts on GPO?
2014/12/01 09:42:38
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Thanks Sidroe. Music has gotten me through previous losses - Mom, Dad, sister - so I'm confident it will again. I just need a project to immerse myself in, so this tribute piece is just the ticket.
Now, if I can just get ST3 on disk...I'm on file #4 and it says 10 hours left. Gaaa.
Question for anyone who's installed ST3 already: I am unable to unzip the files I've downloaded, and am assuming it's because they're a set and that all of them must be present before they can be unzipped. If anyone can confirm that, it'll ease my mind that they're not corrupt.
All else is in doubt, so this is the truth I cling to. My Stuff
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dstrenz
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Re: Your thoughts on GPO?
2014/12/01 11:08:40
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Can't help with your ST3 question, Dave, but I'm terribly sorry to hear about your loss. I lost 4 friends and my cat this year and it never seems to get easier to take.
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dubdisciple
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Re: Your thoughts on GPO?
2014/12/01 12:59:06
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Yes, wait for all the files before unzipping.
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Starise
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Re: Your thoughts on GPO?
2014/12/01 14:05:03
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Good luck with ST3 Dave and I'm sorry to hear of your recent loss :( :(:(Best wishes in moving ahead. It sounds as if you have the right ideas.
As a side note NI has action strings at half price or 149.00. I think there's some great articulations in there.
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bitflipper
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Re: Your thoughts on GPO?
2014/12/01 14:15:51
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Yeh, I'm still looking around at string libraries. It's good that I'll be getting Miroslav back, as it's a mainstay for me. But it's got a lot of weaknesses. Switching between articulations is a chore, and although it tends to sit well in a mix there aren't any really fat, gooey string ensembles that sound good on their own.
I hadn't considered NI, just because I never consider NI. Not my favorite company. But I'll give Action Strings a listen. Thanks for that.
All else is in doubt, so this is the truth I cling to. My Stuff
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ampfixer
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Re: Your thoughts on GPO?
2014/12/01 15:59:55
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Of all the plugs I've dealt with, the NI products have been the LEAST problematic. Lots of updates and a registration process that's (knock on wood) never failed me. They have some great strings but I'm not orchestra qualified to comment.
Regards, John I want to make it clear that I am an Eedjit. I have no direct, or indirect, knowledge of business, the music industry, forum threads or the meaning of life. I know about amps. WIN 10 Pro X64, I7-3770k 16 gigs, ASUS Z77 pro, AMD 7950 3 gig, Steinberg UR44, A-Pro 500, Sonar Platinum, KRK Rokit 6
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dmbaer
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Re: Your thoughts on GPO?
2014/12/01 17:47:30
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bitflipper
Thanks Sidroe. Music has gotten me through previous losses - Mom, Dad, sister - so I'm confident it will again. I just need a project to immerse myself in, so this tribute piece is just the ticket.
Now, if I can just get ST3 on disk...I'm on file #4 and it says 10 hours left. Gaaa.
Question for anyone who's installed ST3 already: I am unable to unzip the files I've downloaded, and am assuming it's because they're a set and that all of them must be present before they can be unzipped. If anyone can confirm that, it'll ease my mind that they're not corrupt.
If I recall, I had all the files downloaded before I started unzipping. However, the unzips were really slow, so I tried unzipping several of them at a time in parallel. Maybe it saved some time, but it still took a hella long time. Also, there was an issue with one of the unzips. Hopefully IK has fixed it by now. But if you see any problem notifications, click whatever button allows you to unzip the remainder - don't just abandon the whole unzip or you'll miss out on more than the problem file.
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bitflipper
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Re: Your thoughts on GPO?
2014/12/01 19:22:01
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Good tip, David. I'm sure they'll be fine. I mean, what are the odds that there'll be one flipped bit out of a quarter-trillion bits? 1 in 264 billion?
If Sweetwater's price hadn't been $80 higher I'd have ordered the boxed product from them. At my current download speeds, UPS would have taken about the same amount of time. And I wouldn't have to make backups.
All else is in doubt, so this is the truth I cling to. My Stuff
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mudgel
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Re: Your thoughts on GPO?
2014/12/10 01:35:51
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My condolences on your loss bit. Hope the music helps you get some distance from the pain. All the best for you and your family in the times ahead.
Mike V. (MUDGEL) STUDIO: Win 10 Pro x64, SPlat & CbB x64, PC: ASUS Z370-A, INTEL i7 8700k, 32GIG DDR4 2400, OC 4.7Ghz. Storage: 7 TB SATA III, 750GiG SSD & Samsung 500 Gig 960 EVO NVMe M.2. Monitors: Adam A7X, JBL 10” Sub. Audio I/O & DSP Server: DIGIGRID IOS & IOX. Screen: Raven MTi + 43" HD 4K TV Monitor. Keyboard Controller: Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S88.
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