EastWest Gypsy Virtual Instruments Collection Review

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(More customer reviews)Quantum Leap's Gypsy is an incredibly well done piece of sampling work. The classical guitar and violin have levels of detail that I never imagined were possible. I continue to be amazed by EastWest studios' attention to detail. Other notable instruments are the spanish steel guitar, and the trombone, which play very well and sound great. The flamenco and django guitars sound impressively realistic and the accordians are excellent. I consider this a "must have" for my core sample set.
It does require an iLok key to use, but since this is my fourth EW/QL PLAY instrument, that wasn't an issue for me.

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Quantum Leap's Gypsy features a unique collection of detailed virtual instruments capable of playing completely realistic performances. This product is mostly intended for film, TV, and game composers who want to add one-of-a-kind elements to their compositions.Gypsy's nylon string guitar, violin, and trombone can all be played in both gypsy and classical styles. In the classical realm, these three instruments are unparalleled in the sampling world in terms of playability, diversity, and sound quality.The violin and trombone feature many articulations, repetitions and even true legato intervals. All of the guitars were sampled with up and down strokes, many velocities and picking styles, release trails, chords and effects.Gypsy's guitars sound incredible and were played by one of the best session guitarists in Los Angeles, David Kole. The accordions feature many different setups, all with air flow in and out samples as well as expressive samples, chords, and left hand bass. Gypsy also has a very cool gypsy percussion program and two flamenco dancers' foot stomps as well as traditional castanets. There's also an incredible Bandoneon accordion and Cimbalom (hammered dulcimer)—two very rare instruments.PLAYPowered by EastWest's PLAY 64-bit (and 32-bit) Advanced Sample Engine with built-in Network Control (plug-in or standalone), this virtual instrument combines intuitive handling with excellent sound quality, and functions as a plug-in instrument, without the need for a sampler. It includes impulses from the same hall the producers used to record Symphonic Orchestra and Symphonic Choirs so the pianos can blend smoothly with those collections.Load More thanks to 64-bit support64-bit support allows you to load many more instruments and voices, limited only by your system RAM (32-bit support is included also)While most high-end computers will support 16GB, a very small set of high-performance enterprise computers (with Microsoft Vista Ultimate) can already use 128GB

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Cecilio CVA-600 Handmade Premium Flamed Viola Outfit - 16 Inches Review

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(More customer reviews)1. the bridge is not horrible but its still bad. It screams machine made. the bridge was cut too low for the A string, and wasn't curved enough for the G/C, not giving you enough space for bowing btwn them. i suggest you take this instrument to a violin maker and fork over the $200 to fit a REAL bridge.
2. the strings are cheap and bad. upgrade them.
3. the soundpost was off. when you get a new bridge tell the violin maker to take a look at the sound post and see if there is anything he can do.
4. cheap case.
in all, this is a good starter but be prepared to spend at least an extra $300 to get it up to standards.

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Cecilio violas are carefully hand carved. Each viola is meticulously graduated to exact specifications, ensuring a consistency of tone between individual pieces. The CVA-600 model features hand-crafted selected well-aged solid maple back and sides, hand-carved solid grained spruce top, beautiful inlaid purfling and hand-painted oil varnished finish. It has beautiful flamed back and sides with premium flamed one piece back. The ebony tailpiece includes mother of pearl inlay and four nickel plated fine tuners. The brazilwood octagonal bow features ebony frog and unbleached genuine Mongolian horsehair. The kit also includes a deluxe oblong case which features a high quality velver interior, excellent rain proof rexine material, compartment for shoulder strap & rosin, padded neck restraint bridge protector. The included hygrometer measures the humidity and a velvet blanket that will protect the violin. It also comes with the following accessories: Extra set of viola strings, Extra viola bridge and a quality rosin cake. This premium viola violin is an unbeatable value. Buy with confidence as it is protected with a one year warranty against any manufacturing defects.

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Florea Recital II Double Bass Outfit, 3/4 Size Review

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(More customer reviews)I have always been told, why purchase something cheap when you know it will eventually breakdown, well, I wasn't expecting what appeared to be a solid upright bass to become such a disaster. I purchased my bass January 09, by April I had noticed bending and chipping of the ebony board, ok, so they replaced the bass ,sent a new one. It was ok at first, then I started noticing that the sound quality was not the greatest, string vibration, and that simply made it difficult to deal with. I must have moved the bridge around 100 times, but nothing seemed to work. I gave up and had an expert explain the awful sound I was getting: here's a little list: a) the ebony board was really mahogany and the wood was simply painted black to look like ebony. Besides this outrageous lie by the company, the wood wasn't totally dry, so over the winter it bowed and the bass became unplayable. The bridge is a joke and the strings, perhaps the worst you could ask for. So, I got the board reshaped at a local luthier, a good adjustable bridge, and new set of strings: Total cost: [...], plus %500 purchase price: [...], not counting a year of dealing with a third class instrument. Moral of the story, should have bought a %1,500 bass from a local dealer and kept Chinese crap from entering our music education system.

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The finest value for the budget-conscious beginning student. Durable laminated spruce top, maple back, sides, and neck; machine head tuners; brazilwood bow with natural horsehair; padded bag with backpack and shoulder straps. The fullness of sound will amaze you!

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Cecilio CVA-500 Handmade Ebony Fitted Viola Outfit - 16 Inches Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this for my son, I need to get a new set of strings, a new bow and spend $45 have the bridge fixed. after all it is not cheap.

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Cecilio violas are carefully hand carved. Each viola is meticulously graduated to exact specifications, ensuring a consistency of tone between individual pieces. The CVA-500 model features a hand carved solid spruce top and solid maple back and sides. It has a beautiful inlaid purfling satin antique finish and flamed back and sides. This is a complete set and comes with ebony pegs, chinrest, tailpiece and fingerboard. The ebony tailpiece has 4 fine nickel plated tuners which is found in very expensive violas. The brazilwood bow comes with ebony frog and unbleached genuine mongolian horsehair. The set also includes the following: Lightweight form fitting hard case with pockets and strap, extra set of Viola Strings, quality rosin cake and extra viola bridge. The included accessories retail for more than $65. This is the best viola you can find at this price. Guaranteed!! And to make it even better it comes protected with a one year manufacturers warranty.

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G Series NEX Flamed Maple Acoustic Electric Guitar Review

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(More customer reviews)If you are into fingerstyle blues - this Korean made Takamine guitar is a great place to start. It features a well matched spruce top, laminated maple sides and back and an excellent electronic system that includes a tuner. The tone on this model is "old blues" with just a hint of brightness...but is missing just a little mid range, however this is something that should improve with playing. The violin burst finish is matte in texture and in color has that old faded blues box look. The neck is in a mild v shape, 14 frets accessible, with a nut width of 1 11/16. If you have big fingers, perhaps further research into guitars with nut widths of 1 3/4 would be in your interest, but I have found it to be comfortable.
I bought it to replace another guitar that I had outgrown and have found this to be an excellent intermediate choice. Perfect for learning fingerstyle blues.
The only negatives is that the back and sides are maple laminate and this model lacks a cutaway. However, for the cost this is a good value and if you feel the need for a cutaway - Takamine makes this model with the same finish plus the cutaway.
Recommended and good value for what you will spend!!!!

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The Takamine EG5403SVFT features Takamine's exclusive NEX body shape. A solid Spruce top and Fiddle back flame maple back and sides give stunning good looks to this fine guitar that pay homage to instruments of the 40s and 50s. The Takamine EG5403SVFT also features a rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays and nickel with ivory buttons tuners. The Takamine EG5403SVFT is equipped with the easy to use TK40 preamp featuring a 3 Band Graphic EQ and a built in tuner. Made to Takamine's strict specifications, G Series instruments represent exceptionally good value. Takamine Guitars are crafted from the finest handpicked tonewoods, hand-crafted by expert luthiers, all providing players with an unmatched excellence and surprising affordability. Play one today and you'll play one for a lifetime. Sorry, case not included.

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Protec PROFESSIONAL VIOLA CASE-ADJUSTABLE Review

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(More customer reviews)This is really top quality workmanship and design. But the company should not claim it fits up to 17" violas, it should rate it the same as their lower tier case, ProTec Standard Viola PRO PAC Case Music Instrument Cases. My viola is 16 7/8" back length and this case is about 1/3" too short to pack it in, even with the block pushed up against the inside compartments to the limit. A 2001 magazine review finds the HS-2166-W model will "fit any viola from 15 to 16¾ inches", consistent with my experience.
Also, the sides of the 10" wide viola squeeze tight against the molded stiff interior, meaning that any compression of the case by outside forces will go straight to the viola. There needs to be some margin around the viola so that the case takes the force of compression, not the viola. Also, the brackets for the bow holds are not quite wide enough for my particular viola bow's head.
For a 16.5" or smaller viola, this case would be heaven. Gorgeous red velvet interior with good support cushions on the back side. The adjustable block is well designed, but could use a washer where the wing nut attaches. The internal compartment just fits a Kun Collapsible Viola Shoulder Rest, Standard 15+ Inch, leaving a whole other compartment for rosin and tuner. The plywood construction seems very strong. There is none of the smelly plastic found in cases coming from China except in the rubber feet on the outside.
The sample I received (from another vendor) has a 13 inch wide music pocket on the top, not the full-length (31 inch) pocket as described on the vendor and manufacturer's web site for this model. The dimensions are not quite as described either --- 30.5 x 11.25 x 6.75 actual, vs. 31 x 10.75 x 6.25 described. But the model number matches. I e-mailed the manufacturer and they confirmed that the model had changed design and they had yet to update their web pages.
Rather than return this case, with the cost of shipping, and having to continue looking for a 17" viola case, I took a close look at the design of the adjustable block, and it appeared that the 3/8" velvet-covered board covering the side was not structurally necessary. So I pried it off, and this allowed it to be slid 3/8" further, which gives just enough room, with a bit of a squeeze, to push the 17" viola in the case. I also loosened the screw in the middle of a clip for two bows, and this allowed the large bow head to slip in. If you are game to do surgery on your case, you CAN get it to work for a 17" viola.

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This fine hard-shell string case features a soft wine velvet interior, string tube, suspension padding, hygrometer, English bow clips, and a luxurious blanket.Full-length lid pocket, locking case closure, and adjustable shoulder block that fits violas up to 17".Each case offers a shoulder strap and a large exterior pocket for sheet music.

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Frost, Robert S. - Christmas Kaleidoscope - Cello - Neil A. Kjos Music Co. Review

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(More customer reviews)These books are wonderful to encourage duets. The cello book works great alongside the violin book, and even though one child is more advanced than the other, the arrangements are simple enough for both to play. A great way to encourage learning how to play with another musician with accessible arrangements. Each child has had fun picking either the melody part, or from two harmony parts.

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Familiar Christmas tunes are presented in multiple option scoreformat: one melody line, and two different optional harmony lines. ChristmasKaleidoscopeis available individually for violin, viola, cello, bass, andpiano, and all the parts are interchangeable, allowing for a variety ofcombinations. For more great holidaysongs in the same format, check outChristmas Kaleidoscope Vol. 2. For contents, see Features/Specs

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