If the emulations really are that good, I don't mind the pay-as-you-go model. It's cheaper than HW, and, if I hear correctly, will work WITH a HW system in some manner (though I need to find out more about that).zerocrossing wrote:So far I've not heard anything from Softube Modular that seems better than Reaktor 6. Heartbeat is good, but I didn't think it was worth the original asking price. For $99 though, if you need a drum synth, that is a good deal. If you have other good drum synths or like your samples... I'm not sure it'll really get you that much you don't already have. It is easy and fun to patch together drum sounds in Reaktor's block system and there are many cool pre-made Reaktor ensembles that do interesting drum sounds and cool sequencers as well.Blue Phase Music wrote:For those who are getting Modular, is it worth picking up Heartbeat at NI during their half-off sale for $99.50?
Heartbeat seems quite capable, but I haven't demoed it yet (if there is a demo, I need to look on Softube's site).
How does Heartbeat stack up against other drum synths? I've only used samples in the past.
Still on the fence about Modular. I recently picked up the Reaktor 6 upgrade, and I'm not trying to emulate any particular HW.
The thing I don't like about Softube's modular is highlighted in your post. You're already thinking of buying the next module that a while ago you didn't even think you needed. So the basic modular set up and the Heartbeat modules are already the same cost as Reaktor 6. When you look at what is in Reaktor 6, not even counting user library freebies, it's just a much better value. The reason I avoid Eurorack mania is just this kind of thing. I know I'd spend all my time planning and swapping modules and saving up for the next cool thing. I think if Softube modules were priced in the $10-15 range I'd be down with it, but it seems like it could get really pricey very quickly... And it's not like I've even fully explored Reaktor yet.
Of course I'd prefer modules to cost less, but honestly, we don't know, for sure, what they'll cost to begin with. I'm thinking that they gave us a range so that they could determine, based on reactions, what they'll charge. I could be wrong, of course, but that's how I choose to think about it, for now.
I think IK is off the deep end with some of their prices for individual components in their Custom Shop, but then again, I don't buy individual components from most other companies, either, so I'm not really sure what they're worth. Softube's components seem to be more reasonably-priced that that, or so it seems.
I'm not totally defending Softube, it's just that this seems pretty interesting, and I'm still considering it, even with Reaktor.
Is it true that with Reaktor you get more modulation options than with HW (or HW simulations such as this?).