Are the Native Instruments Express Keyoboards worth it?

even f i didn't own the komplete2, i'd never be interested in these stripped down baby versions. i'd be curious to see if anyone here disagrees.

maybe.

from what i know of them id say it depends what you need
if your after any control over sounds then probably not
if you just want them to emulate the classic sounds then id say yes.
not really my kinda thing personally but its how it sounds that counts,to you

If all you are after is access to the sound of those synths and lots of presets then they seem like a bargain (a bit like romplers). If before long you are going to tire of having little control over those sounds and want to progress to patching your own sounds then you probably want more...although I imagine there is an upgrade path to the full versions for this very situation

I read they would need a bit more cpu power than the original plugs

One thing to bear in mind:

NI marketing talks about an "attractive upgrade path"

Don't believe it.

The upgrade is only available through NI, and the cost of xpress Keyoboards plus the upgrade costs MORE than the full versions from vendors such as Musicians Friends, etc...

Buyer Beware

ATS wrote:

Are the Native Instruments Express Keyoboards worth it?

If you compare B4 Express with Charlie, it's probably more cost-effective. Yes, it only has 32 presets (like Charlie, it has no drawbars, but the effects and sound are tweakable) ... my experience as a Hammond player (wannabe, anyway) is that I only use maybe half-a-dozen regularly.

I'd buy eJ before I'd buy FM7 Express (64 vs 450 presets, and I have Rhino), and there are so many choices for VA synths that I'd probably not take Pro-53 Express seriously either, unless I *insisted* on the Prophet 5 sound.

Doug

ATS wrote:

Are the Native Instruments Express Keyoboards worth it?

No.

I agree with dougsyo - The B4 is probably not most useful, mainly because there aren't many useful drawbar combinations. FM7 might be good if you're into that sound, but hate programming. The Pro-53 is a joke. Use Synth1 instead.

Forever,




Kim.

skOre wrote:

I read they would need a bit more cpu power than the original plugs

I don't see why? I'd like a bit of proof on that one before believing it.

Devon

They are the spawn of the devil! If they drown buy them but if they float...

ATS wrote:

Are the Native Instruments Express Keyoboards worth it?

B4Xpress...yes, because I already have Combosister and that alone made me not bother with needing B4. With baby brother, I'm cool with this.

FM7Xpress...maybe, if you're making a hot hip-hop track at that moment and you don't have enough time to program new FM sounds but still happy to go with old-school sounds quickly.

Pro-53Xpress...no, because anyone with a very tight budget should still get Pro-53, Synth1 or better yet buy V-station for the electronic dance sounds.

If Native Instruments really wanted to make quick money, they need to cut a deal with Roland & start making a D-50 VSTi/DXi already.

Thanks all but I'm still clueless

TonyVanDam wrote:

ATS wrote: Are the Native Instruments Express Keyoboards worth it? B4Xpress...yes, because I already have Combosister and that alone made me not bother with needing B4. With baby brother, I'm cool with this. FM7Xpress...maybe, if you're making a hot hip-hop track at that moment and you don't have enough time to program new FM sounds but still happy to go with old-school sounds quickly. Pro-53Xpress...no, because anyone with a very tight budget should still get Pro-53, Synth1 or better yet buy V-station for the electronic dance sounds. If Native Instruments really wanted to make quick money, they need to cut a deal with Roland & start making a D-50 VSTi/DXi already.

v-station is nice but so expensive.

ATS wrote:

Thanks all but I'm still clueless

i think the general opinion is don't bother..are you a preset whore? that might influence your decision. these come with a very low number of presets

Well, I bought B4 Express just to get a few good organ sounds. It's something I would use now and again, but not enough to justify the full product.

didn't bother with the others as they don't give me anything extra.

[quote="TonyVanDam"]

ATS wrote:

If Native Instruments really wanted to make quick money, they need to cut a deal with Roland & start making a D-50 VSTi/DXi already.

Seeing as there is a Roland/Cakewalk deal, perhaps in the next release of P5 or Sonar...???

So far the Express Synths go, this seems to be an attempt by NI to get the new-to-PC-music-making lot buy their product instead of using a Warez version. Not a bad idea, but seems a bit desparate. Unless you are a complete rookie, I wouldn't bother with any cut-down software. Demo what's available, make a choice and buy the full version.

SARcazm wrote:

So far the Express Synths go, this seems to be an attempt by NI to get the new-to-PC-music-making lot buy their product instead of using a Warez version. Not a bad idea, but seems a bit desparate. Unless you are a complete rookie, I wouldn't bother with any cut-down software. Demo what's available, make a choice and buy the full version.

That is a lot of bollocks.

If you want some decent usable sounds that you don't already have these are a good deal. It's totally dependent on what you already have and what you need.
Why do you have to be a complete rookie to want some extra sounds without forking out for the full 'tweakable' product.

ATS wrote:

TonyVanDam wrote: ATS wrote: Are the Native Instruments Express Keyoboards worth it? B4Xpress...yes, because I already have Combosister and that alone made me not bother with needing B4. With baby brother, I'm cool with this. FM7Xpress...maybe, if you're making a hot hip-hop track at that moment and you don't have enough time to program new FM sounds but still happy to go with old-school sounds quickly. Pro-53Xpress...no, because anyone with a very tight budget should still get Pro-53, Synth1 or better yet buy V-station for the electronic dance sounds. If Native Instruments really wanted to make quick money, they need to cut a deal with Roland & start making a D-50 VSTi/DXi already. v-station is nice but so expensive.

i remember recently reading a post around here somewhere about some uk store selling it for like half price. you'll need to do a search

Quote:

i remember recently reading a post around here somewhere about some uk store selling it for like half price. you'll need to do a search

Sound Control.

http://www.soundcontrol.co.uk