I'm thinking about buying one of the libraries, pop/strings, Concert Strings 2 Whole Divisions or Solo2 Strings but am wondering if my system will be adequate to handle it all. Is anybody out there using this software w/any comments?

The system requirments are not too bad, Kirk has added functions to purge/reload particular articulations or section sizes which can help. As for the sounds it has its ups and downs, overall the sound is is a more distinct sound than other string libraries; some people like it, some don't. Best idea would be to check out the thread on KVR in the samples forum (should be in the first 2 pages) which has a lot of customer feedback and details of the products.

I already have CineOrch and Vivace and am looking for something to fill in the spaces in between these. I'm trying to be careful about my purchases. [I bought London Solo Strings on sale from Big Fish Audio and was not entirely impressed with it, though it might be useful for blending , along with other strings, perhaps.]

For professional opinions on all orchestral VI's I strongly suggest you also check VI Control forum (here's the link to the Samples section)
 
http://vi-control.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=32&sid=96ac63c4cb1996dd696b7a358cddd0a6
 
You can get valuable advice, just like here, only that forum is heavily oriented to orchestral. Well-known library makers frequent it or have representatives that do, as well as reputable virtual composers from all over the world. Someone steered me there from this forum several weeks ago and I am very thankful they did.

I've started to lean towards Orchestral Essentials versus KH, I think.

I have the Diamond collection from KHS which IMHO is fantastic (I also got them on a group buy, which made it quite easy). Right after installing the download I played a few chords, and just said WOW. The quality was/is simply remarkable. I also have Miroslav's full version and GPO, but had to "massage" them a bit to get the desired sound. The latter two are fairly good, but the KHS just outshined them.

If you're looking for something straight out of the box, with very good quality of sounds, I highly recommend KHS (your system seems more than adequate to run this smoothly). I have an older system which hasn't given me any issues, but then again I've only used 1 instance of Kontakt with a few ochestral libraries loaded at one time.  

Best of luck!!

Thanks, Mesh. I just got Orchestral Essentials last night, and it is awesome, but not all inclusive. KH may provide me, perhaps, with some nice sounding solo strings. I would love to have the slide articulations and others that he offers. I thought they sounded quite good. And unlike the other libraries, his is recorded dry so that I could use them as I wished.

john6448


For professional opinions on all orchestral VI's I strongly suggest you also check VI Control forum (here's the link to the Samples section)
 
http://vi-control.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=32&sid=96ac63c4cb1996dd696b7a358cddd0a6
 
You can get valuable advice, just like here, only that forum is heavily oriented to orchestral. Well-known library makers frequent it or have representatives that do, as well as reputable virtual composers from all over the world. Someone steered me there from this forum several weeks ago and I am very thankful they did.

Looks like a very good resource. Thanks, John.

+1 on what Mesh said. These are really good string libraries. There are samples with great articluations built around Kontakt scripting. Compared to Kontakt orchestral samples they are better IMO. I am glad I bought them, although I don't regularly build orchestral music. If I were heavy into making orchestral music then KH would be a regular tool of mine.