i am looking for a good all-round set of samples. i have kontakt.

for a long time i have been looking at sonicsynth and sonicstation, but they seem to be bulked up with a lot of standard drumkits and synth sounds, guitars and other miscellaneous things i don't want. i already have lots of synths - i only want real sounds like piano, strings, voices and maybe a little orchestral material. maybe i should wait for sonic reality's new stuff - but i could grow old doing that it's taking so long

so what are the alternatives ? i would like to not spend much more than about, say, us$300.

any guidance would be much appreciated.

Cabinfever wrote:

i am looking for a good all-round set of samples. i have kontakt. for a long time i have been looking at sonicsynth and sonicstation, but they seem to be bulked up with a lot of standard drumkits and synth sounds, guitars and other miscellaneous things i don't want. i already have lots of synths - i only want real sounds like piano, strings, voices and maybe a little orchestral material. maybe i should wait for sonic reality's new stuff - but i could grow old doing that it's taking so long so what are the alternatives ? i would like to not spend much more than about, say, us$300. any guidance would be much appreciated.

I think if you want acoustic instruments, the SR stuff is the way to go. Sure the pads etc are great, but I tend to use the SR stuff for everything from acoustic basses, organs, piano's, ethic instruments, orchestral, flutes etc. I too have more than enough synths, and although I will use SR synths for composition on occasion, and keep them on others, its the other material that gets max use.

sorry, but for what you all you get, I also vote for sonic synth as well.........I am considering buying sonic station as well, just because I know the quality..........plus is dave is still offering the cross grade for $199, it is a steal to me.

I don't think any sample library comes close in "real" instruments to the ones already in sonic synth or sonic station. And as far as synth sounds go, you can never have enough and Kontakt is one of the best synths around overall. With the sonic station samples you get to mix and match beyond the 1200 some odd programs already developed.

It's true the drums are favored but most people who want a general library usually like drum kits.

I don't think there's much of anything that will cover what you want that won't cost way more. Look at some of Sonic Reality's sample libraries which are more focused. They're a lot more money and who knows if you won't find the focus to be too much in the long run. Also, there's just not that much available for Kontakt unless you want to do all your sample and loop points. You don't want Atmosphere because that's basically a pad synth.

Whatever you do, let us know if you find something more to your tastes.

Well, you could just buy a couple of libraries from Sonic Reality. Like piano collection and symphony strings, they are 99$ each I think and I believe they have a 3 bundle special price deal.
www.esoundz.com

Or... Orchestral from Edirol. Mostly orchestral stuff but also a few pianos. Recommended price is 385$ but you might find it cheaper if you look around.
http://www.edirol.com/products/info/hq_orchestral.html

I've got Sonic Station, and I've got to say, you've got to know what it is to appreciate it. It's fundamentally a cooler version of the Triton sound module. It's got some absolutely incredible sounds (the Viola is cracking, for instance). What it isn't is a direct competitor to the mega, focussed libraries. There's very little in the way of velocity switching, for example. But frankly, I don't think there is a better all purpose library. Some of the synth sounds are cracking, anyway...

always there is this big vote for sonic synth / station maybe i do need to get it after all. i am a bit worried about being caught out when the new capsules come out though.... you know the old ::if only i had of waited another week:: syndrome !

and thanks for the edirol tip - i am now looking into this one too

Consider the plugsound modules as an alternative. $99 each and very nice quality. Plugsound doesn’t get much hype around here in comparison to sonic synth, so --- BIG UP!!!!

Considering your budget, and what you're after, are you sure you're after SS? I prefer going with more focused libraries for very precise things like the orchestral, piano, or whatever so I get better quality.

It doesn't really sound like you want a generalized library the way you're talking. You contradict yourself saying you want a good all around set of samples, but then go on to say that you only want piano, strings, voices and maybe a little orchestral. So which is it?

For general, all around library, considering how many people rave about SS and they are happy with it, AND considering your budget, then I'd say go for it. I'm extremely picky, and it's really not my cup of tea. I already have the 'expensive' focused libraries, so going with something general doesn't suit me. But what you might want to consider is the Sonic Reality libraries that ARE focused like the pianos, the basses, the strings, etc. Those would probably make you happier than something that's a jack of all trades, and still fit within your budget. You've already got Kontakt, so you have access to a BUNCH of focused libraries. Speaking from experience, if you want quality, you go for focused libraries.

Devon