I'm saving to get either Hollywood Strings or 8dio Adagio Strings bundle. But should I do so? Does instrument's quality really matter? Not really...
I had beaten myself for not getting high quality instrument libraries and VSTs. All the song you have listened or will listen on here are from cheap/free instruments. My kits are only Edirol Orchestra, Miroslav Philharmonik, EW/QL Symphonic Orchestra Free Edition, Sonatina Symphonic Orchestra, Magnus Choir, Stormdrum and whatever in FL Studio 9 Signature Bundle.
For years, I told myself these were enough for my weapons of choice. I went to 'wars' made by these instruments, and managed to won several competitions & awards. If you thought the song High Seas (and its drum version), The Cliff or Last Stand's instruments were good; it was because of heavily mastered sounds & FXs. In fact most 'epic' drums were from FL Studio electro and acoustic samples.
One day somebody PMed me and say I need to upgrade to something with better quality. And I'm quite agreed with it. I'm longing to fully upgrade everything. From software to hardware. Problem is I'm not a money guy, every month I have to worry about paying enough rent for the landlord, taxes and insurance. So I may have to pause my dream.
This is the message to send out to all young and/or new composers who wishing to have full powered tools. Don't even think about it. What you need is composing skills and creative. I could craft an orchestra bass drum out of a electro dance kicks with distortion and reverb. You could do the same.
Important quality tool is just 1% of your needs. The rest is you, and how you do it.