I have a LOT of libraries, including all the ones you mention. I also use Portable 8.7.1.
I don't have a single library that does not appear in the Libraries tab. Every single one comes up.
As long as you have installed from the root of each library, it will appear.
If the library does not have an nicnt file it will not have a wallpaper unless you have added one manually. But it will still be there and will have usable instruments.
I have been installing libraries for 10 years at least, since Portable 6 and they all turn up in new versions of Portable, as long as you migrate your whole UserData folder each time you move to a new version of Portable. I've never had to reinstall a single library.

 

Thanks for that, I didn't know about migrating the UserData folder each time, I will remember that in future!

 

I tried Tokyo Scoring Strings and it sounded great maybe better than VSL but it didn't run well on my computer.

 

I have just started using the Synchron player and I already like it better than most Kontakt instruments I've messed with, but I am just a hobbyist so my depth of knowledge is limited to "what is fun" (well, not always "fun", but at least "interesting to me").

The controls Synchron has set up covers a lot, and the easy adjustments of curves,etc, makes it a lot easier for me.
So far I can really only manipulate 2 things with any skill (expression pedal & mod wheel) but it justs seem quicker / easier to set up and do it. Recording extra expression onto existing tracks has always been a barrier for me, and I end up drawing more than recording (maybe my own lack of practice), but I can see recording more.

I'm not sure if I like the libraries so far - the arrangement of libraries' browser is a bit weird IMO, where different parts (strings, brass, etc) are scattered among the different collections.

If I want a trumpet does it matter which collection it belongs to?
If it is a free one does it suck so badly i should never look in there?
Is a "Big Bang Orchestra" violin so different from a "Duality" violin that they should be segregated in a browser?
Well familiarity with the products will help with that, but still a "derp" IMO

 

@Mynock - as per usual, a fine analogy

 

The UserData folder contains no libraries, but it contains all the info many libraries need to function.
So that is likely why many of your libraries don't work like they should

 

I'll ask it here as well (in the other thread someone clicked funny for my post for some unknown reason):
Does VSL player handle playback better than Kontakt when you use it with notation software and want to have the attack of a note and legato transitions in tempo? Kontakt has had this problem based on the midi protocol that could not send information of a note earlier then the actual time of it. Recently invented a method in some libraries (probably after Kontakt added that possibility), something like Smart Delay that sends the notes certain amount of seconds ahead and plays the music with that delay, so the library's script can react better with that extra time and adjust the transition of linked notes or adjust the short notes' attack.

In short, how is the integration with notation software compared between VSL and Kontakt?

 

Last edited: Dec 5, 2025 at 12:11 PM

Hi all,
Does VSL offer any more authentic/realistic or more playable DRY brass compared to Spitfire Studio Brass Pro specifically for jazz arrangements?

Thanks to all contributors!!

 

I'm very surprised by how quickly instruments load in VSL compared to how slow Kontakt is.
I'd also point out that VSL has the largest and most consistent repertoire.
In short, I'm removing libraries from Kontakt to make room for VSL's.