KVR Audio

Pollux · Post by **Pollux** » Mon Apr 18, 2005 7:21 am

Hi!
I'm looking for a VSTi to write backing stuff for my guitar: so I would use it mostly for drums, bass, strings, piano... I don't want to spend ages searching through thousands of free sample sites hoping to find a decent sample, and if I buy a sampler I don't really want to spend ages finding additional sample CDs either.

So far I've tried Sampletank 2, it seems to do the job and has decent samples; the fact that it's RAM-based is quite nice for me given that my laptop only has a 4200rpm drive, but I don't know how limiting it can be -- I "only" have 1GB ram. Would the mix sound too amateurish? Are there better solutions around that range of price? Would it be better to use dedicated synths instead, e.g. BFD for drums, and other synths for other stuff? (any suggestions welcome)

And to Sampletank 2 owners, do you think it's worth it to buy the XL version rather than L? I must say I've never been into "ready-made" loops, I prefer to create everything from scratch -- so if XL only adds this kind of stuff to the L version, I'd rather keep my money for something else

(amazingly enough, I wasn't able to find a page explaining what kind of new samples have been added to XL)

Thanks for your replies

bduffy · Post by **bduffy** » Mon Apr 18, 2005 8:43 am

You might want to check out Native Instruments Kompakt (cheaper, great library) or for more control, Kontakt. I use Kontakt to make a lot of alternative rock - where the only real thing is guitar and vocals, and I have to say IMHO that to get the most realistic sounds, I've had to mix and match libraries, and some of the older, cheaper ones sound great with the right touch and processing.

But if you'd rather not scour+spend, then definitely check out Kompakt/Kontakt 2.

telebunke · Post by **telebunke** » Mon May 30, 2005 8:16 pm

Don't know, if you alredy got what you need. I not, you got about 8 hours left to join the group buy.
Sampletank L + Sonic Synth plus Amplitube + 1 epansion of your choice.

go here to learn more about it.

http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=87478

tele

Alan Lastufka · Post by **Alan Lastufka** » Mon May 30, 2005 8:46 pm

Ni's Kontakt all the way!

musicmaster · Post by **musicmaster** » Tue May 31, 2005 8:03 am

Well if you want a cheap alternative, go to:
http://www.rgcaudio.com/sfz.htm

Download rgcAudios sfz free soundfontplayer.

Then

Go to:
http://www.hammersound.net/cgi-bin/soundlink.pl

download some free soundfonts. There are some quite good GM-sets there and a lot of individual sampled soundfonts.
With a little reverb and a few effects you can get a quite good sound, costs nothing!!!!

Musicmaster

Spe3D · Post by **Spe3D** » Tue May 31, 2005 8:12 am

ManyStation and Cronox3 are worth a look at too

Best regards,

Spe3d

:O)

kevink · Post by **kevink** » Tue May 31, 2005 8:19 am

Since no one else has done so, I'll put in a good word for VSampler 3. I got the OEM version that was bundled with Sonar 3, and it was pretty buggy, but out of frustration with NI's inability to keep their promises with regard to Kontakt (import formats, etc), I kept downloading updates and finally upgraded to the "full" VSampler 3. At version 3.5, it's completely stable for me, plays back the Halion 2 libraries that Kontakt claims to import but doesn't, allows you to create your own SF2 banks, and has excellent audio quality. The only downside is a user interface that's highly non-intiutive, but once you get the hang of it, it's a really good tool.

Good all-round sampler ?