Hey guys,

I was just looking through a magazine titled [i]Music Education Technology[/i] and I saw a ";review"; for the new Garritan Concert and Marching Band Library.  Cool thing is the percussion sounds are VDL 2.  My question is if anyone knows a potential release date for this library?  The garritan website just says [i]spring 2007[/i].  It looks pretty cool and I am curious about the release date...

Thanks!

Dave,

I actually emailed them the other day about this, and they wrote back to say that it would be the end of April/first part of May.

Was the review favorable? I'm pretty much set on buying it.

ER

The review was VERY favorable!  I am in as well if nothing else for the ";section"; sounds and the saxophone sounds...

Did you sign up for a Garritan newsletter or something to get the email?

I didn't sign up for the newsletter, because I didn't know there was one. I just did the ";submit a question"; thing from the website.

I'm looking forward to using it, too. VDL:2 has spoiled me into thinking that I need the most realistic sounds I can afford. And i'm definitely a few years away from being able to afford anything from East/West or Sonic Implants...

The Garritan stuff is great but remember that his interface is somewhat proprietary.  I tried using the Garritan sounds with K2 and it is very difficult to get going.  With GPO, there are txt messages added to work with his interface, when loading into K2 the txt files mess up the sound (adding portamento, etc.)  Since you already have VDL:2, I would suggest getting his new GEM library which will also give you strings and keyboards.

FYI.  Gary will be sending me a copy once it is ready (working for the Boston Symphony has it's perks!), I will give a run and will let you guys know what I think.

Gabe

Hey so, Gabe,

I'm using K2 and VDL:2 (and loving life) -- what am I supposed to do if I get the band library? WILL it work with K2? Or should I try a different program? Or should I just mix my winds and percussion together after the fact?

You know, band directing has its perks too... When I think of one, I'll let you know.

It will work with K2 since it will be .nki format.  Hopefully Gary has fixed the TXT file issue that he had with GPO, discussion is here (http://www.northernsounds.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36092).  His new General Midi library may be a better bet since you won't be doubling up your VDL:2 sounds.  I will give the band library a test run and will let you guys know how easy it is to work with along with audio samples.

GC

Gabe,

That is GREAT!  Thanks for offering up the ";review";.  I anxiously await your info.

Eric - you KNOW the perks of band directing are AWESOME - getting to ride those cool yellow school busses, long as crap hours, KICK BUTT salary - hell, what more could a person want?! :)

Hey Gabe,

Any word yet on the sounds?  Do you have them yet?

DR

Nothing yet.  Gary Garritan is coming to Boston the week after WGI.  We have a meeting scheduled, hopefully he'll have a working beta by then!

Gabe

[quote author=Dave Ratliff link=topic=1638.msg7884#msg7884 date=1174920747]
Gabe,

That is GREAT!  Thanks for offering up the ";review";.  I anxiously await your info.

Eric - you KNOW the perks of band directing are AWESOME - getting to ride those cool yellow school busses, long as crap hours, KICK BUTT salary - hell, what more could a person want?! :)
[/quote]

Ditto, my friend. Ditto...

[quote author=Cobybos link=topic=1638.msg7975#msg7975 date=1175787463]
Nothing yet.  Gary Garritan is coming to Boston the week after WGI.  We have a meeting scheduled, hopefully he'll have a working beta by then!

Gabe
[/quote]

Thanks for the heads up!

[quote author=Cobybos link=topic=1638.msg7975#msg7975 date=1175787463]
Nothing yet.�� Gary Garritan is coming to Boston the week after WGI.�� We have a meeting scheduled, hopefully he'll have a working beta by then!

Gabe
[/quote]

Hey Gabe,

Did Gary give any indication as to when this would be available publicly? I've got a project I'm chomping at the bit to try!

ER

I just sent the company an e-mail and it looks like early June or a little sooner from what they said in the reply.  I'm looking forward to trying it out this summer on a couple projects too. 

Kevin

Anyone else pre-ordered their copy of GPO Marching Library yet?