Dan Dean Solo String Advanced download ... 50 skins

Re:Dan Dean Solo String Advanced download ... 50 skins (gregjazz)

Mon, 28 May 2012 19:59:28 GMT

Yeah exactly--the NKI is encoded as well in order to work with the Kontakt Player, and to connect with the NKX.

Re:Dan Dean Solo String Advanced download ... 50 skins (keith)

Mon, 28 May 2012 14:48:53 GMT

gregjazz

Well, Dan Dean just sent me a new serial key, so the library works fine now! I wasn't expecting a response so soon, considering it's a holiday weekend, so that was a nice surprised. As for the locked patches, unfortunately there's not much that can be done. Unlocking the patches would require Native Instruments to re-encode the library--they lock the patches by standard practice unless you explicitly ask them to keep them unlocked (but still encrypted of course). A bit of a pity, since the patches could be edited to include release samples (taken from the ends of the samples, which have natural release sounds), etc.

I see… so Dan himself couldn't even create a new NKI and somehow point them at the existing NKX or whatever they're called, right? Too bad… I wonder what the actual relationship is between the NKI and the NKX… like are the NKI encrypted and only decrypted in conjunction witht he corresponding NKX? Must be something complicated like that.

Anyway... nice to get the serial resolved so quickly though.

Re:Dan Dean Solo String Advanced download ... 50 skins (gregjazz)

Mon, 28 May 2012 13:48:23 GMT

Well, Dan Dean just sent me a new serial key, so the library works fine now! I wasn't expecting a response so soon, considering it's a holiday weekend, so that was a nice surprised. As for the locked patches, unfortunately there's not much that can be done. Unlocking the patches would require Native Instruments to re-encode the library--they lock the patches by standard practice unless you explicitly ask them to keep them unlocked (but still encrypted of course). A bit of a pity, since the patches could be edited to include release samples (taken from the ends of the samples, which have natural release sounds), etc.

Re:Dan Dean Solo String Advanced download ... 50 skins (keith)

Mon, 28 May 2012 11:10:52 GMT

gregjazz

Is there a wrench icon to edit the instruments, or is it a gear, meaning that the library's locked? I've been playing the library in demo mode, and it sounds really great. Can't wait to incorporate it in some songs now. :)

The Double Gear of Death... :( ... will be loading K2 on this machine to see if it's locked all the way back to the source... perhaps it's just a "NI doesn't want you to use K4 to edit a patch saved in K2" thing... here's hoping...

Otherwise I might send DD an email asking pretty please with a cherry on top to provide NKIs that at least provide user customization via standard NKI edits... I mean, the underlying content is protected, and I can see wnating to protect scripts, but script protection can be done separately (via password), right?

We'll see...

Re:Dan Dean Solo String Advanced download ... 50 skins (Kreative)

Mon, 28 May 2012 00:07:01 GMT

keith

Kreative... you'd be suprised... even The Pros, using The Pro String Libraries often layer and substitute and swap for a variety of reasons. This library doesn't do well in the legato or slides dept., that library doesn't do well in the forte ****cato dept, etc. etc... So I would temper your enthusiasm when thinking "minor league" vs. "big league".... ;^)

Yeah, you're one of many that swear by blending string libraries, and I do see your point on the strengths and weaknesses of these various samples. I'm kind of looking to do some pop/rock strings, too, and possibly some epic pieces as I build towards that possibility. I have been trying blending and will do whatever might be needed to achieve more realism and depth. Nevertheless, I must say that some libraries have an out of the box sound that stands out against the comparison of others.

Greg has an interesting article on his Orange Tree blog: http://www.orangetreesamples.com/blog/2011/02/the-uncanny-valley/#more-193

"The general trend for contemporary sample libraries is to keep adding more velocity layers, more round-robin alternating samples, and more articulations accessible by keyswitches. While this formula for expansion results in larger, more extensive libraries, it is still an extension of traditional sampling, maintaining many of the same foundational limitations which prevent sample libraries from crossing the “uncanny valley”. Essentially, it’s what keeps the libraries from overcoming what defines whether something sounds real or sampled: context."

Re:Dan Dean Solo String Advanced download ... 50 skins (gregjazz)

Sun, 27 May 2012 22:58:54 GMT

Is there a wrench icon to edit the instruments, or is it a gear, meaning that the library's locked? I've been playing the library in demo mode, and it sounds really great. Can't wait to incorporate it in some songs now. :)

Re:Dan Dean Solo String Advanced download ... 50 skins (keith)

Sun, 27 May 2012 21:51:07 GMT

That sux... was able to install and activate on this end. I think somebody may be in trouble, unless it's some sort of legit record keeping snafu. In any event... in search of being able to create my own NKIs in K4, so I'm off to install K3.5, K3, K2, etc. until I can... I hope the patches aren't 100% locked! In fact, I didn't even know you could 100% lock NKIs, as opposed to the nkx content files which are obviously locked...

Re:Dan Dean Solo String Advanced download ... 50 skins (gregjazz)

Sun, 27 May 2012 17:56:11 GMT

Yup, just got my download link as well! Although right now it's only running in demo mode. When I tried to activate it, it tells me that the serial number is already registered in another user account. We'll see what they reply to my support email...

Re:Dan Dean Solo String Advanced download ... 50 skins (keith)

Sun, 27 May 2012 16:39:09 GMT

Just got the DL link direct from dandeanpro.com... downloading as one big (2.5GB) zipfile... should be done in 30 minutes, give or take a few Mbps... 8^P

Re:Dan Dean Solo String Advanced download ... 50 skins (keith)

Sat, 26 May 2012 17:35:51 GMT

S'posed to be download only, but the order page said it could take up to 72 hours to get the links. Holiday weekend and all, I guess... I have plenty to do this weekend anyway... besides sometimes I like to have a little something to look forward to. I agree about being great for pop/rock stuff... some of the ensemble patches sound nice and full with some character due to the varied impulse mappings and "voice control" and such. Then, of course, you have the solo instruments themselves for simple supporting lines and countermelodies, etc... Or maybe you're just a E.L.O fan, I don't know!

For anybody on the fence, check out the "Voice Control" demo on the Dan Dean site... http://www.dandeanpro.com/sample_lib/product_detail.php?pid=14 I think the extra programming, body impulses, etc. might put this into the no-brainer realm... just sayin'...

Re:Dan Dean Solo String Advanced download ... 50 skins (gregjazz)

Sat, 26 May 2012 12:09:52 GMT

Ordered! Solo strings like this can be great for rock/pop type stuff. I'll let you guys know how it works out when I get the download links (or in the mail, I'm not sure).

Re:Dan Dean Solo String Advanced download ... 50 skins (keith)

Sat, 26 May 2012 10:44:00 GMT

Kreative... you'd be suprised... even The Pros, using The Pro String Libraries often layer and substitute and swap for a variety of reasons. This library doesn't do well in the legato or slides dept., that library doesn't do well in the forte ****cato dept, etc. etc... So I would temper your enthusiasm when thinking "minor league" vs. "big league".... ;^)

Re:Dan Dean Solo String Advanced download ... 50 skins (Kreative)

Sat, 26 May 2012 00:02:45 GMT

Yeah, I just picked up this London Solo Strings from BigFish Audio on sale. But, I'm wondering if layering is going to get me better strings, or just simply having to pony up and lay down a wad of cash for some big league brands. It might be a mistake to hope for too much improvement for my layering these minor-league samples.

Re:Dan Dean Solo String Advanced download ... 50 skins (carl)

Fri, 25 May 2012 23:15:24 GMT

Thanks for posting.
I have the older version of this & IIRC it had some rather nice & usable sounds. Layering different string & orchestra libraries is what it's all about.

Dan Dean Solo String Advanced download ... 50 skins (keith)

Fri, 25 May 2012 22:35:53 GMT

It's a $200 product, Dan's site sells it direct for $100, and this site has it for $50 for the new few days: http://www.samplerzone.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=157

That site is a store front for the well-known Chickensystems, I believe.

DDSSA is a bit dated, but has always sounded great for what it is. The original solo strings were updated to run in K2 player (yay! no full kontakt required, all you Cretan holdouts!) and include some programming for divisi, etc. Worth a look... I figured it would be useful to me for some simpler layered strings, as well as combining w/ other string libraries that I own for a little flava... Just purchased, but I may not get the download links for a couple of days, given the holiday...

Some random guy's youtube creation using DDSSA... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXxK0ZjsxRg ... Some demos on DD's site as well.

Not bad for $50!
EDIT: or, I should say, it should run in the very latest free kontakt player as well...