XO XOpaks... opinions?

[skiltrip]

Anyone have any of the XOpaks for XLN XO? Wondering which you like or don't.

I have the Pastel Punch pack. It's ok. Don't love it, though I really like Rachel's YT channel. I just prefer the core presets or just making my own. I tend to like my beats WAY less busy then what XO dishes out.

With the current sale I'm wondering about picking up some or all of the others. I'm leaning toward thinking buying more would just lead to regret, unless there's one or more standouts.

[noiseboyuk]

I have Oscillations and Ultra Bionic. They're pretty good, but TBH the main use I have for them is just raw midi starting blocks, one of the biggest frustrations of XO being unable to import midi.

Like you I often strip out some elements or simplify them.

[BezO]

I grabbed Preheated last time they were on sale. I regret it. Some of the stripped down beats seem cool to get started with. But all the alternative presets are just the same beat with samples on top, fleshing out beats that should be inspired by the stripped down version. However many presets they say are included, it's 1/4 of that plus 3 versions of those.

I considered Oscillations at the time and I'm glad I didn't get both.

But XO generally doesn't fit my workflow. One sequence at a time is a PITA. And I always want more sample slots. When I do use it, I usually end up finishing with another drum VI. But it's killer for organizing my drum samples. That and the fun factor keep me from being disappointed.

[noiseboyuk]

There's a new 80s synthwave pack out, Neon Dreams - https://www.xlnaudio.com/products/xo/xo ... starcadian

I thiiiink they included synth sounds in these presets and samples. Is that how you read it? In the demos there's Preset Demos and Songs made with Neon Dreams. Both have synth sounds in them.

I don't want this at all. I don't want anything melodic in there. The main reason to get the expansions is really the midi grooves cos you can't import, but if they have melodic samples in there it's just a PITA.

[emef]

i bought Ultra Bionic when it was half price, it's ok, but definitely not worth €39.00
i'm not really interested in any of the other XOpaks

[m-ac]

Urgh, it does sound like they're pushing the melodic aspect, probably to make the demos sound more interesting. Absolutely not what I want from my percussion software, this one will be a hard pass from me.

[tuzemec]

There's a new 80s synthwave pack out, Neon Dreams - https://www.xlnaudio.com/products/xo/xo ... starcadian

This one sounds pretty cool. I'll get it on the next sale for sure.