Spectrasonics Omnisphere!

[meister eder]

Given that it looks 8-part multimbral like RMX is, to build composite layers, and that the Specs are pretty nicely aligned with movie soundtrack producers, I'd say multiple outputs was almost a definite...

Sure, but multiple outputs don't mean surround sound features; like polyphonic LFO- and envelope-driven surround panning and all that. See Absynth, for example.

[DocAtlas]

Given that it looks 8-part multimbral like RMX is, to build composite layers, and that the Specs are pretty nicely aligned with movie soundtrack producers, I'd say multiple outputs was almost a definite...

Sure, but multiple outputs don't mean surround sound features; like polyphonic LFO- and envelope-driven surround panning and all that. See Absynth, for example.

No, it doesn't mean that it automatically is surround capable, but it does mean that each output could be on its own track in my DAW, and I CAN assign each track wherever I want in the surround field. But being able to use the synth engine's envelopes or other modulators to move things around the field would be even nicer.

[DocAtlas]

The info over at Spectrasonics' site says:

"As a bonus, a section of the core library is also devoted to representing the best of Spectrasonics award-winning sample libraries."

This is great, but I wonder if maybe we'll see the rest of that content appear as expanders for Omnisphere or other STEAM vsti's. I hope so.

The sample libraries that have become SAGE expanders are substantially cheaper than the originals. It would be nice to see that happen with some of their other libraries. (So sue me, I'm cheap!) Seriously, though, some of the libraries, as good as they sound, seem a bit pricey compared to a lot of the modern streaming sample libraries. When I was first drooling over these libraries, back before I had gotten my first (hardware) sampler, they seemed very reasonable. Now the major software samplers are in the same price range, and have many gigabytes of samples. If they were broken up into several expanders, even if the total price wound up close to or the same as the original, it might make them more accessable.

Symphony Of Voices retails for about $500 US. I'd love to have those sounds, but Omnisphere is going to retail for the same price. It's hard to spend that much money on 1 category of sounds (vocals), being a weekend warrior whose main goal at this point in life is to simply create stuff I enjoy. If I was doing soundtracks & such, it probably wouldn't be an issue. If it was available as several expanders along the lines of the SAGE expanders, price-wise, a musician could build up to having all the content, as his budget permits.

Also, it would be great to be able to use these libraries with the synthesis features of Omnisphere. And I'm sure I could use more of the sounds at one time in my compositions than I could in any of my hardware samplers.

At any rate, it's great that these tools are available to us at all. And I don't mean to sound like I'm bitching, the prices aren't bad, I'm just wondering where the old will wind up as the new moves on in.

[GeneralFuzz]

I'm actually glad to know way ahead of time whens it coming out - this way I will not be spending any of music budget on other plugins and can easily save up for September. With spectrasonics past track record, I'm sure it will be a good investment.

[DocAtlas]

I'm actually glad to know way ahead of time whens it coming out - this way I will not be spending any of music budget on other plugins and can easily save up for September. With spectrasonics past track record, I'm sure it will be a good investment.

That's how I feel. Rather than bitching about 8 more months to go, I can plan to use that time to put away the money without screwing up my budget. I haven't bought any of their products yet, but I'm going to start.

[neverfall]

I'm actually glad to know way ahead of time whens it coming out - this way I will not be spending any of music budget on other plugins and can easily save up for September. With spectrasonics past track record, I'm sure it will be a good investment.

Yup. So true. Last year I waited for The Specs to drop a new instrument and it never happened. I went on a splurge instead, and I've barely scratched the surface of the most expensive synth I bought.



If not for more SRX expansions, a Live 8 update, or the KLC I'm not buying any gear until September 15th. At this point why even waste money on the same 'ol drum sampler, VA, or stupiculous complicated synth(with not even 1/8 the sound quality of Omnisphere) when I could just save that money for Omnisphere expansions?


Gotta keep it positive though. Good things are definitely on the horizon thanks to Persing and Co.

[taijiguy]

8 months is a walk in the park. I've been waiting 3 years for my new Mellotron to be built. Omnisphere looks like it will be a nice contrast to analog tape.

[1-2-Many]

In all the blurbs I've read today I recall some mention was made about Trilogy soon to come under the STEAM engine. I wonder if that's something they'll announce more fully in the coming days at NAMM (maybe tomorrow), so as not to steal the thunder of Omnisphere's announce.

It's the only Spec plugin I don't own and was wondering if it's something they plan to include under the Omnisphere hood, or if will be its own thing.

[MacQ]

As opposed to you guys, who seem to enjoy delayed-gratification, I'd rather have it now. Spectrasonics has a track record of outstanding sound-design and software products, and they don't need to do this "piece-at-a-time" marketing nonsense. The only reason they're doing it is because it's not ready. They would have shipped it this quarter, otherwise. So it goes, "how do we buy ourselves time without it looking like we're buying ourselves time?" The answer, of course, is this protracted 8-month "marketing" campaign. I think they should take a page out of the hardware manufacturers' book and not even announce the product until it's actually AT the duplication facility being packaged. I figure it's going to wide-beta today, instead.

Oh, and as far as the "boring old workstation" comment on their promotional site, I actually *want* one of those in a VSTi. Still looking, I guess.

~Stu

[zircon]

MacQ, the issue with your advice is that people have been CONTINUALLY complaining that they haven't announced anything (until now, obviously.) Not to mention if they missed TWO winter NAMMs without a peep, their public image would suffer - due in part to aforementioned complainers. Sure, there's Summer NAMM... but frankly, I'd rather they announce it NOW and show me the features over time than do it all at the last minute.

[dpasdernick2]

I find it funny that most everyone is saying "9 months isn't that long" Oh my God! We have been waiting years for any new product from Spectrasonics. Do the math... Stylus RMX 1.5 was the last major upgrade any of us have seen from Spectrasonics and that was 2 years ago? Atmosphere has never been updated in the 5+ years it has been out (except for the tiny LFO sync feature) There are Mac owners who can't run Trilogy and Atmosphere after investing hard earned dollars into these instruments because they haven't been updated! 9 months isn't a long time... Close to 6 years is a really long time! After all of the banter about NAMM being a huge release for Spectrasonics to me it is incredible that afer years of development, and years of waiting, the big news is "wait some more" I am dumbfounded...


See you in September...

Darren

[neverfall]

I find it funny that most everyone is saying "9 months isn't that long" Oh my God! We have been waiting years for any new product from Spectrasonics. Do the math... Stylus RMX 1.5 was the last major upgrade any of us have seen from Spectrasonics and that was 2 years ago? Atmosphere has never been updated in the 5+ years it has been out (except for the tiny LFO sync feature) There are Mac owners who can't run Trilogy and Atmosphere after investing hard earned dollars into these instruments because they haven't been updated! 9 months isn't a long time... Close to 6 years is a really long time! After all of the banter about NAMM being a huge release for Spectrasonics to me it is incredible that afer years of development, and years of waiting, the big news is "wait some more" I am dumbfounded...


See you in September...

Darren

Well the thing is my main DAW is Logic and I run Atmosphere and Trilogy just fine with the wrapper. Before the wrapper I was using them both on a PC with Live. I would just Atmosphere/Trilogy tracks to .wav, save the Live project, and import it over to Live on Mac. I understand that some people don't have both a MAC and PC at their disposal, but...well just aying...not all MAC users are having issues with those programs.


And seriously 9 months really isn't that long. If you're a father then you should know how fast 9 months can pass.



I do agree that 6 years truly is a long ass time. Makes me wonder how much money/resources were thrown into this project. Are we looking at millions here for research, marketing, recording costs?

[ATS]

Are we looking at millions here for research, marketing, recording costs?

I would say in the billions and it is also going to be used as a weapon by the United States Government. Shhhhhhh

[Blue Wind Project]

As opposed to you guys, who seem to enjoy delayed-gratification, I'd rather have it now. Spectrasonics has a track record of outstanding sound-design and software products, and they don't need to do this "piece-at-a-time" marketing nonsense. The only reason they're doing it is because it's not ready. They would have shipped it this quarter, otherwise. So it goes, "how do we buy ourselves time without it looking like we're buying ourselves time?" The answer, of course, is this protracted 8-month "marketing" campaign. I think they should take a page out of the hardware manufacturers' book and not even announce the product until it's actually AT the duplication facility being packaged. I figure it's going to wide-beta today, instead.

Oh, and as far as the "boring old workstation" comment on their promotional site, I actually *want* one of those in a VSTi. Still looking, I guess.

~Stu

I kinda actually like the idea that I have 8 months advance notice...
otherwise, ( and I don't have a money tree in my back yard like some )
I would have spent what I would have on Omnisphere, on something else
of lesser quality....I have terrible timing with purchases most of the
time....chances are if Spectrasonics had waited untill say, August,
I probably would not have the $500.00 to spare...so thank God for the 8 month notice and so now I am prepared to put %15.00 a week away...I know...
if it was announced in August..then I coulmd start preparing
then and purchase it 8 months later, but this would be nice to have as
my birthday is Sepember 16th.

I am a widowed father of 6 year old twins so it's a single
income houshold here....so actually I wish ALL developers would
give me an 8 month heads up...I am usually not a spontainious
person, everything I do, I have to plan for it...so for
those that can drop $500.00 without batting an eye for a
instrument...that's cool, and I experience a degree of slight
envy for those that can, but I must give thanks to Spectrasonics,
once again...for the heads up..this next birthday of mine
will be really nice !

[Hewitt Huntwork]

I commented earlier in this thread (before the announcement) that I hoped they wouldn't do what they did with RMX and have it be September before it was ready. Nonetheless, I will be waiting for Omnisphere on day 1 because Spectrasonics makes the best virtual instruments in the world.

Despite the wait, the Steam engine is good news. My new hope is that Spectrasonics will grow some. They need to be producing more content. They created their own engine for RMX and made it expandable. And how much have they expanded it? 5 libraries in 3 years, some of which were pre-existing and just converted to a new format. Nine Volt Audio has created more content for RMX than Spectrasonics has since its release. I hope Eric hires some talented sound designers and puts them to work expanding the product line (or at least the soundware) at a greater rate.