For $50 I'll definitely spring for the upgrade. I wonder if anyone has any sources for Sonar project files or even MIDI files that exploit the controller features of the Garritan libraries. I've not been that wild about GPO 4 sounds, but really need some strings now for some projects and am hoping GPO 5 has some improvements. I would like to study some actual MIDI tracks to see the controller techniques at work. 

You can find some classical midis at  http://www.classicalarchives.com/midi.html.  The best you can get (out of general midi) is to look for program changes set to pizzicato strings then insert the GPO control note for pizzicato articulation at that point in the program. For other articulations you have to use your judgement - it's best to listen to an audio file of the piece first to get a feel for what's needed.

Another interesting thing, at least one I hadn't noticed before, is the ability to play Camel Alchemy through Garritan Aria. Those sweet Alchemy sounds pop up in Aria's instrument list among Garritan's Personal and Instant Orchestras.

Fleer
Another interesting thing, at least one I hadn't noticed before, is the ability to play Camel Alchemy through Garritan Aria. Those sweet Alchemy sounds pop up in Aria's instrument list among Garritan's Personal and Instant Orchestras.

Really? I know some of the Dim. Pro stuff does. BTW hat version is the Aria player in GPO5?

Exactly, kk1!

Mine shows as version 1.8.6.0 (64 bit if that makes a difference)
 
Michael

Newest is 1.8.7 released last week.

If you open Player and go under Settings tab on the bottom right - at the bottom of that tab there are buttons to check and download updates.
 

sorry you lost that info siddroe... they did say it was a different program although they called it an upgrade, so I'd be pretty PO'd about it not using the previous version.  I started rendering all vsti tracks years ago after losing many tracks to instruments that I no longer have.  
 
Not to hijack the topic, but can someone offer some sites to read for a "never done symphonic orchestra before" mixing geek?  Much of an orchestra is foreign to me... abbreviations and names for instruments, voicing and layering, etc.

Maarkr
 
 ...can someone offer some sites to read for a "never done symphonic orchestra before" mixing geek?  Much of an orchestra is foreign to me... abbreviations and names for instruments, voicing and layering, etc.

A good question. Let me know if you find one.