Greetings, All! I''m thinking of purchasing the Garritan Personal Orchestra sample library (software). Because it is relatively new, I can''t find many real opinions about it online. Have any of you used this library before? How about other Garritan products? I know the GPO is not a true pro-level orchestra library... but is there anything that can compete in the $300 (US) or lower price range? I have Halion 2.0, and considered buying Halion String Edition... but then I wouldn''t get the rest of the orchestra, just the strings. I''m just seeking opinions before I buy. I''m currently using a Proteus 2000 (harware), but it just doesn''t seem to have the control and options for orchestral instruments that the GPO has. Any opinions on the subject are appreciated! If you offer an opinion, please tell me upon what your opinion is based. Thanks in advance!!!

Moderators... sorry I originally posted this in the wrong Forum!

I''ve just purchased GPO, so I''m relatively new to it. (That''s my disclaimer to not knowing much about it! ) However, from what I''ve found so far, for the price it seems amazing. They''ve thought of everything.
Not only are the samples pretty damn hot, but you''ve got full use of a mod-wheel info, allowing gradual swells of volume (which, ok, you can use a midi editor for). You can also use the sustain command/pedal to either: (1) with strings, show that the notes are alternate up/down bows; or (2) with woodwind, produce a real legato effect, using a technique which cuts off the initial attack of the following notes.

The only things I''m finding with it so far is: it eats memory (it recommends a gig of ram which, thankfully I''ve got, but it''s a consideration on smaller machines) and you have to spend quite a bit of time initialising it. For instance, I use Sibelius for orchestral stuff. In order to hear my work played through GPO, I have to tell each midi track to send to GPO, and then load the specific sample in GPO, making sure that the volume is set and connected to the right midi channel. Of course, once you''ve done it once you can save the config, but it''s just a little process that takes time.

As for others in the market at that price range, there is East West Quantum Leap Silver - it comes in at $300, but other than that I don''t know how it compares.

Hope that helps!



Barry Ryerson
Head of Audio Development
Ryerson Sound Solutions
URL:http://www.ryerson-sound.com

Thank you very much! I was beginning to think nobody had purchased it yet!

Check this link out ...
http://www.northernsounds.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum;f=18;DaysPrune=10

Lots of useful info there with the input of ''pros'' & Mr. Garritan himself!

(Maybe you already knew this though : )

Thanks, DBateman! I went to that Forum, and watched it for a week or so. I then decided to buy the GPO. It arrived yesterday. I am extremely happy with it so far!!! If you need good orchestra sounds on a budget, AND you have 1GHz of RAM or better, research the GPO. You''ll be glad you did! If you have less RAM, I would wait.