All user reviews for the EastWest Symphonic Orchestra GOLD COMPLETE - PLAY EDITION

East West sound banks are a staple of my sound. In writing symphonic, cinematic prog rock synth funk, I've found myself going back to Orchestra Gold time and time again. However, those with slow computers - beware!

The general setup of the program is a time-consuming process. At the time of my purchase, all of the software came on several discs. I had to install the software disc-by-disc, sitting at my computer and watching the progress bar slowly move closer towards completion. And every time I've had to reinstall my OS, I've dreaded having to reinstall this software.

You get what you pay for, and in this case, you get what you WAIT for. The rather arduous process of installing disc after disc of material, then authorizing the product through Ilok, is rather tedious and can take the wings right out of your music production sails if you think you're gonna be making music within 10 minutes of opening the products box.

Having said all that, I do believe the software is now sent on it's own hard-drive, meaning installation is unnecessary.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

The thing with these sound banks, is it's a FULL orchestra at your freaking fingertips. Now I'm not much of a technical guy; I don't know how to make this software. I understand how it operates at a rudimentary level, but not enough to give you detailed cliff-notes on specs and the like. I'm a MUSICIAN, and my focus is composing music, not designing software. Having said that, from personal experience, this program can and WILL bog down your computers run-time, so it is of utmost importance you optimize your OS for music production, shut any unwanted programs, and work with East West ONE instrument at a time.

Basically, you have your skeleton of a track. As you add each part (11 Violin Staccatos, etc.) freeze the track when you are finished so it doesn't eat as much CPU. You'll also probably notice the reverb....it sounds amazing, essential to give the track even more of an edge. But you'll find turning it on AFTER the bulk of production work is done, and recording with the reverb off entirely is a good way to speed up the process and save your computer from locking up.

OVERALL OPINION

This might be my favorite VST, but it's a BIG investment and not for the faint of heart. I literally learned so much about orchestral composition just seeing the names of the presets. And as I loaded various samples in, I learned all kinds of terms pertaining to orchestral music (Pizzicato, Staccato, etc) and what goes into composing for an orchestra.

But as I said, this isn't for the faint of heart. Your computer WILL experience some CPU spikes if you are attempting to run 15 different iterations of the software at once. Freeze each section you're done with, and hold off on drenching the instruments in reverb until you've established some finality. Work with the product and around it's (very few) pitfalls, and you'll likely have at your hands the best orchestral software you could possibly find.

I'd also like to note Sounds Online runs almost constant sales. I actually picked this up with Stormdrum 2, a buy one get 1 free sale, and was extremely happy I did so. So in summation - bit of a learning curve, pain-in-the-neck to install, but amazing software that will bring so much more to your music and tracks with a little effort and knowledge.

No compatibility issues that I have ever encountered.
The manual is pretty complex and describes the different techniques that may be used to achieve a certain effect or sound , however it's enough if you have a powerful music knowledge.

The general setup is quite simple , however this pack is based around real samples of real instruments , so the setup and configuration takes a while.

The typical functions are easy to follow and understand the instruments , how they blend together and achieve certain sound.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

The software works very good , I have never found or had any errors neither any of my working partners.

The software is stable , made extremely well.

I'm getting amazing performances with this product , this pack is often found in any composer's library , the quality of the sounds is outstanding.

I've been using this library for the past 2 or 3 years , this is without a doubt a blessing for the film and scoring composers.

OVERALL OPINION

What I like most about this orchestral library , are the sounds , the depth of vibrato , the many type of articulations , the quality of the instruments which layered with a powerful reverb can't be separated from real instruments.

The nice smooth wide range that this software can be used is also a factor , you have different possibilities in terms of resonance , color , and sound.

The thing that I least like about it , is the loading process , this is a heavy software so that it requires a certain amount of time to load , which sometime can be quite painful.

Precision and quality of the sound is dead on , the tremolo is so natural , the pitch is vibrating so powerful and clear , it's an outstanding product.

Knowing what I know , I would make the same choice again in choosing EWQL for my work and self pleasure.

Installation long as usual at home!
clear almost useless manual
I have big problems with this bank from home (I have them all) and it is the only or I "lost" half of the samples ... they are no longer recognized when I moved the folder in another external drive. While my other banks in the same brand is not a problem!

c sad! and their installation discs also kidding ... the total is no way to get back the source ... I lost roughly € 300

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

we get a full orchestra to run a stable.

OVERALL OPINION

for years I use it with the VSL Special edition is better on the "winds" because eastwest is not "constant" in the quality and winds ... pouraves! except the bassoon.
The brass? I love the staccato of "2trumpettes" in 'mute' as well.
It's RoundRobin There's a shovel until X8 for short notes (staccato, marcato Pizza Etc ...) That's the brass that the bank j'utilse
the violins are means and sound "big", while the VSL offers beautiful violin chamber music more "fiddle" and natural.
I'm over by the solo violin (the stew!) And overall (average) EWQLSO
GOLD VERSION
I replaces all the violins by QL Hollywoodstring Gold, simply superb.
I miss more than a solo string (EWQL Gybsy is not bad for this)
I will not go this choice (see the top)

I tend to replace it I am almost completely.
I made a CD with a total ...