lawajava
Chandler - for not playing the keyboard, even for being a keyboard player, those are two nice pieces. Well done!

Thanks. I'm really enjoying this library.
 
For those who don't know Kirk talked about adding more samples to Spotlight strings after a few complaints on another forum. I don't think the current samples are bad, but they aren't 100% ideal either. Anyway Kirk made a sample instrument using a different micing technique. I think the new samples sound better than the original and I'd like to see them added. I made a short comparison of them, so you can decide. Kirk said he wanted feedback before he went through with rerecording the samples. Please chime in with your thoughts
 
Original dry https://app.box.com/s/nute27l8qtkxxo5ld91u
 
New samples dry https://app.box.com/s/5disxuczs8tun12pkagg
 
Original wet https://app.box.com/s/t1xwz2l8804ecnyyeyj6
 
New samples wet https://app.box.com/s/ulcujdepnerkky32ssn2
 

The New Sample examples sound much fuller, more body than the original samples. Personally I feel there is a night and day difference between the two with the New samples being a clear winner. I was using an RME interface and a pair of AKG K701 reference headphones to listen with though.
 
I just have set the Spotlight Demo up and can hear the instruments but for some reason the Graphics are not showing up in the Kontakt 5.3.0.6464 UI, everything is greyed out. I have sent a note to Kirk and await his reply.
 
The main thing I notice, so far, about Spotlight Strings is that the vibrato is amazing.

I did get the UI issues sorted. Seems I had placed the Resources folder under another also called Resources. All is fine now.

I have the demo version, I've spent enough time with it to know that I want to learn to use it better. I am not getting the results I'm hoping for, yet, but I think I will soon.

This is a very deep library! There are tons of controls, tons of options, and it will take some (most?) folks a little bit of time to master it. I think it's absolutely brilliant that KH offers the demo so you can figure out if it works for you. Demos from users often fail to show a library at it's best... demos from the developer tend to lead you to think this is the best library ever... so having the actual library to work with is brilliant.

I would STRONGLY recommend that anyone looking for a flexible solo/small ensemble string library spend the time to download the demo version.
I hope to be able to post something demonstrative soon...

I don't have an audio demo to share but after playing with the Spotlight DEMO for a short while I went ahead and purchased the Full version. Sounds like there are additional samples being recorded this week so this library is just going to get even better.

rtucker55, you're right. I was just chatting with Kirk about the new recordings and he posted on KVR about his plans to give everyone who purchases Spotlight Strings the new recordings with different mics (that it seems unanimously at every board are being assessed as even better than the current samples). Here's Kirk's full post from KVR on the topic: 

"For those of you who were still wondering, I am planning a big recording session for Spotlight Strings this week using some new mics. These recordings, should they be superior to the existing ones, will replace the current ones in Spotlight Strings. However, so that you all can be part of the process, I will post very truncated demos of these patches so that you can try them for yourself, and report back to me as to which recordings you prefer. If the decision is affirmative that the new recordings are indeed superior to the existing ones, then of course they will all be FREE to anyone who purchased Spotlight Strings prior to the implementation of the new recordings. "

Thanks for the confirm edrummist and Thanks to Chandler for sharing the audio previews! I am really excited about this library and can't wait to get the new samples. Really happy I went ahead and purchased today.

We just reached the 35% discount level of the Group Buy.
 
Now let me clarify something. It's clear from posts at various forums that people don't realize that while the GB states 35% off, it's actually MUCH BIGGER THAN 35% OFF. How is that so? Well, during the GB, KHS lowered their list prices by as much as 50%.

So, for example, on Concert Strings 2, it's now more than 67% off the original list price of $799 USD (where we began this GB) at its current price of $259.35 and that's before past KHS subtract an additional 5% off. The discounts are piling up and it's getting difficult to keep track of them, but it all boils down to some huge discounts.
http://www.kirkhunterstud...potlight_group_buy.php

Solo Strings would be nice...
Any of them would be nice..LOL

We're going into the home stretch. There's now 204 people in the Group Buy with 7 days to go. Also the opportunity to win up to $500 USD in store credit at Kirk Hunter Studios in the song contest ends February 20, 2014.