Xsample Chamber Ensemble (XCE)
(Due to space, and attachment limitations, a reduced review of XCE is presented here. A complete pdf version of this review can be downloaded from http://www.mediafire.com/?svz97mywk89s085, which includes the additional following topics:
Ease of Installation, Using XCE in Sibelius, Manual Sound Sets, the Mallet and Percussion Banks, and Using Ensemble Mode. The complete review also includes screen grabs. Thank you.)
(Please see attachment-"XCE-KP2")
As a long time user of Xsample sound libraries, I recently was asked if I'd review their flagship product, Xsample Chamber Ensemble.(XCE), and its use in Sib 6. XCE is a library of high quality solo instruments for chamber music and chamber orchestra, that combines thousands and thousands of sounds. This collection contains a very large amount of instruments, (see complete list at end of review) and very diversified playing styles for live, notation, and sequencer situations, that's very intuitive and easy to use,
XCE works seamlessly and easily with Sibelius, (Sounds sets) , and also Finale (Human Playback), and is a powerful extension for your notation software, and also for your DAW/Sequencer. The library contains a "score version" for ideal notation playback, and a "play version" for normal use with a keyboard or DAW/sequencer, and may be used as a standalone application and as a plug-in within a host sequencer. This excellent library features fully chromatically sampled and multilayered instruments, with natural loops for all sustained notes, and seamless xfade controller for dynamic and sound-color-- continuous sound dynamics from ppp to fff. And In the "play version", all articulations are laid out in one instrument, with easy handling of the numerous keyswitches through a Kontakt2 script and global occupied keyswitches, so you can find e.g. “sul pont.” for violin, viola, violoncello and doublebass always on the same key.
(Using XCE in a DAW/sequencer, wont be covered here--its the same excellent sounds, but used a different way involving ingenious key switching. More information can be found in the XCE Users Guide-see link at end of review)
In addition to the score (notation playback) and play (DAW/sequencer playback) versions, XCE also includes several Sound Sets- stereo, (complete or reduced), mono (complete or reduced), and two additional reduced versions of the library,(advanced and classic). The advantages of using reduced versions while scoring, are faster loading times, and when your work is done, just switch to the high quality complete versions.
The Instruments themselves can be used as solo, part of a small group, ensemble, and also, in Ensemble Mode the instrument can be increased to more than one voice, ("solo") after setting up and using the keyword "tutti". The mallets, and percussion are very conveniently set up in banks, and switching between these instruments in these banks is accomplished by the use of keywords. This multi-functionality was perfect for me as my interest is in writing for solo instruments, and different sized chamber ensemble groups, and not for symphonic orchestra, at least at this time. Realistically, the opportunities for performance for soloists and smaller groups are much greater.
So for example, here at my fingertips, in addition to all the instruments being able to be used in a solo capacity, I have a String Quartet, Woodwind Quartet, Percussion Battery (including Vibes, Marimba and Xylophone, and numerous percussion instruments etc), Piano, Harp, countless duos, trios, etc .etc...
An assortment of impulse reverbs, and combinations, are also included with XCE, and support for XCE is really good--Georg and Hans-Josef are really nice guys, and very knowledgeable, helpful and open to suggestions. They provide EXCELLENT support.
How does XCE sound?
Very simply put, these sounds are EXCELLENT, extremely realistic, and excite me to compose with them, and listen to them, as a good virtual instrument should. They are all authentic sounding, perfectly sampled instruments with flawless looping for sustained sounds. But as always the best way is to judge for yourself.
Here are various ways to do so:
Try-Sound -:this is the world´s first online Test Station for virtual instruments and Plug-Ins-a really good and needed idea. I understand there is latency (delay) in hearing the sounds from the site.
http://www.try-sound.com/detail.asp/xsample_chamber_ensemble/en
How to use this site:
http://www.try-sound.com/service.asp/howto/en
Click on Audio and Video Demos, There is also very much useful Information of XCE here:
http://www.bestservice.de/detail1.asp/best_service/xsample_chamber_ensemble/en
Contains score, live, and user demos of XCE:
http://www.xsample.de/html/xsample_music_demos.html
http://www.xsample.de/html/xml_xs_dm/Banks.mp3
http://www.xsample.de/html/xml_xs_dm/Banks.pdf
You tube videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39XZijdGTVQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQbxJFrutQo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDJFG366-5M
XCE--The Bottom Line:
For the cost, and sheer amount and excellent quality of XCE instruments, samples and articulations, coupled with its ease of use, and superb technical support, in my opinion, it can't be beat, Future plans include brass instruments, timpani, etc.
I'm informed there are sometimes special sales of XCE, and there also is a lower priced Education version.(for more information, or any questions please contact Georg Stahl (stahl@xsample.de) or Hans Josef Winkler (winkler@xsample.de).
Its the next best thing to owning your own chamber group--with many varied soloists, and ensembles, and having them at your beck and call 24/7/365.
You cant beat it:)
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XCE-KP2.png