VI Library GAS -- Thoughts?

Hi folks,

Have some extra cash and am considering buying a sample library, the main reason being Spitfire was doing 40% off coupons for Christmas.
I have EW's Composer Cloud and as such have the majority of "standard" things covered for the time being, including owning Spitfire's Albion IV Uist and Chamber Strings. While I'd love CSS, I can't justify another standard string library currently, regardless of how amazing it sounds (I'm open to being convinced otherwise).

While GAS is a common plague for many composers, I do find that I tend to value and explore purchased libraries more, especially when they're long-considered, and now seems to be a rather optimal time for purchase (though I do have 30% off non-expiring discounts for a number of their libraries already, this is simply an extra 10% off).

The ones I'm considering are their more unique libraries, ones I've had my eye on and for which the "itch" didn't really go away (i.e. unique libraries that seem useful in a broad range), namely London Contemporary Orchestra Strings and Albion V. The EVOs also have me intrigued. While I'm intending to write for live orchestra, most often it won't be recorded with live orchestra, and I can't help but adore unique sounds and textures in music (atop a solid core of composition, of course). The last time I had cash I blew most of it on Mike's classes (a very worthwhile investment).

So: after all that rambling, any thoughts? Anyone own any of the above? I've been thinking for a while about what would be more prudent to spend cash on, but I can't think of any gear I need. I can always upgrade audio interfaces and the like but to what end I'm not really sure. Haven't really hit annoying walls with my PC yet either, though I should probably start saving for a slave at some point.

 

Exactly who I was looking for.

Need? Probably not. Want? Sure, have for a while. I really do like textural/atmospheric writing, but the last few months I've stepped away from playing with that in order to learn the foundations of composing better (ala this forum, Mike's classes, etc). Hands down the best textural pieces tend to be the ones with interesting and competent harmonic and melodic foundations. My goal is indeed to write textural pieces though, I really enjoy the exploration of sound. I do waffle though, because while I'd love to create sounds like this from scratch, it's difficult to create acoustic/"real instrument" sounds like this with my current setup (given time, mics, etc though, definitely). I've considered buying a decent mic, but I'm not really in a space where I could record or really sample things without background noise, but I'm highly open to suggestions as an alternative.

Not really? I do have Uist and that's about all I'll need for orchestral FX, but nothing like Tundra or LCO. I should dive back into old EW stuff, but my consideration for these particular libraries is more their specific and unique utility more so than a "I want some new sounds" type of thing.

Hmm. Good point. I really do like the Olafur evolutions as they sound very intimate and close, but they're indeed a more "in the box" approach, though I've honestly never heard these sounds in any track before. Probably a later consideration if I'm really after them.
As far as Tundra goes, that would be my main goal -- I really love the evocative "frozen landscape" sound they've recorded. I've been trying to see if I can emulate it with current libraries but I can't really seem to. I think part of the draw to the Albion libraries is the fact that most people consider them fairly practical and useful as a writing tool; I think it was Noam who mentioned individually sample strings in Berlin being unique but painfully impractical compared to Albion. I've also considered the Bernard Herrmann Composer's Tools but it doesn't sound different enough to justify the $500 right now.

Good point. I have my core libraries down along with some SFX (i.e. Dark Matter 2) and some other East West stuff, but I haven't actually ventured too hard into the library-purchasing realm (I don't think?). I'm cautious of the "this will make me better syndrome", and these posts are helpful in figuring that out. It does seem hard to self-diagnose overload though!

I'm at a point where I sort of regret not buying it earlier, as I can't seem to justify it currently. It really does sound amazing, but again, given what I already have...I'm concerned I'd find myself in the same boat as you. I'll keep an eye out for their other libraries as they make amazing stuff.

I just ran out actually, this may be the key to solving my "lack of willing people to collaborate with" problem.

How archaic of you! Seriously though, planning to do this later this year (even with just a solo violinist or something). Currently too embarrassed about my work to have anything yet though. Although I've had a number of people from the local conservatory and otherwise who have said they'd be happy to play my stuff at some point, so I may try to exhaust the generosity path first ;-). I'll certainly consider making a fund for that, thanks for the suggestion (hadn't occurred to me in this round of "where do I throw this").

Thanks for the tip, I will. I've found Spitfire's close mics to be rather helpful with SCS and I don't find quick things too difficult to do. The nice thing is that Uist, SCS and Tundra were all recorded in Air so blending isn't difficult. That said, I've stuck with East West's HWO (mostly because it's in Composer Cloud) also because I have access to close mics which are fairly dry as well. LCO is recorded quite dry, as an alternative. My intention is to keep "core" libraries relatively dry and easy to mix and the more esoteric libraries I'm more relaxed with. I may be putting my foot deeply into my mouth here though so I'll watch the video before I say more.

 

Thanks for all the input friends. I've decided I don't "deserve" another VI library yet, as much as I'm enamoured by these and hate to pass up a deal. I'm not where I want to be with basic tonal writing and have other libraries I haven't maximally utilized yet. I have to stop being a coward and post pieces for critique before buying more libraries.