EXS 24 Logic Sampler Users Group

Hello Husky,

here are some excerpts from our last newsletter, with some 
further explanations:

"The Orchestral Cube, including Strings, Brass & Woodwinds 
and Percussion in EXS24 mk II format had its worldwide debut 
two weeks ago. The Vienna Symphonic Library is now available 
as the first fully integrated orchestral sample library for Logic 5.5 
and Logic 6, for Mac or PC.

The Performance Set in EXS24 mk II format is rapidly being 
finalized as well. Currently we're working together with Emagic to 
implement our Performance Tool with EXS24 mk II. And here's 
the good news: Unlike the GigaStudio version, the EXS 
Performance Tool will not be a stand-alone program. It will be a 
plug-in directly accessible in EXS24 mk II. You'll be able to use 
all of our tools of expression without leaving Logic. It will be 
available for Mac OS 9 and OS X and is expected to be ready for 
download for registered users from our User Area by the end of 
May/beginning of June.

The EXS Performance Tool plug-in will offer the same features 
as the GigaStudio version:

• Alternation Mode: As you play in real-time, you step 
automatically from one articulation to the other, without being 
distracted by having to operate key switches.

• Legato Mode: For the first time in the history of electronic
music it is possible to perform naturally fluid and authentic 
passages like legato, portamento or glissando in real-time. Just 
play – without any additional need for pedals or key switches.

• Repetition Mode: Perform repeated notes without the notorious 
"machine gun effect", with the timing and accents of your choice 
in real-time.

Of course we're not only finalizing the First Edition, but we're 
especially focused on completing the massive Pro Edition, 
which is due for release this summer. Complete details on this 
and all of our future products will be sent to you in upcoming 
Vienna Symphonic Library newsletters."

So, to answer your question, Husky: One mode of the 
Performance Tool, the Alternation Mode, is for use in 
combination with the multisamples of the Orchestral Cube, as it  
switches automatically between articulations, e.g., up and 
down bows, or, more elaborated, e.g., staccato, staccato, 
detache, staccato, staccato, sfz., pfp, pizz., pfp, etc... It's easy
to create longer patterns with many different articulations and 
you just play them in real-time. If you are a registered user of the 
Orchestral Cube, you will be able to download this "Alternation 
Tool" (which is actually the Performance Tool with the Alternation 
Mode activated) from the User Area of our website as soon as it 
will be available by the end of May/beginning of June. It will be a 
plug-in for the EXS24 mk II on Mac OS 9 and OS X and therefore 
fully integrated. So there's no need for a stand-alone program 
like our Performance Tool for the Giga platform.

In a nutshell: Yes, you'll have a great Performance plug-in for the 
Orchestral Cube as well!

I hope that answered your question!

Best regards from Vienna,
Martin Tichy
Vienna Symphonic Library