Sonivox Soundstage ROmpler

[kiksogue]

True. I guess that is it. They are designed for different things maybe. Scoring a film is a bit different that making a jam.

But I think many rompler fans would agree that for their purposes, We like sound design. And big warm full sounds, right out the gate. The sample libraries aren't a replacement but another option.

In software there needs to be a replacement for the rompler.

[Fidelity]

ReFX Nexus2.

[kiksogue]

Anybody check this out yet? Sound like a Kurzweil?

[DrApostropheX]

I have never heard of a single recording made with the keyboard workstations that rival the high-end sample libraries on the market in terms of realism and expressiveness (I'm talking about real instrument presets). That's one of the main selling points of ROMPlers--that they contain both bread n' butter real instruments and electronic ones.

So you've never heard anything by Sting, then?

[Megakazbek]

Tried the demo version. First thing I've noticed that this thing is extremely unstable, at least on my PC. Standalone version simply doesn't work and instantly throws WinXP into blue screen. The VSTi version works for a random period of time (usually 1-3 minutes) and then crashes my host (I tried Sonar 8 and EnergyXT 2.5). I suspect it's because of moronic copy protection system that it uses (it even requires a reboot after installation, which is kinda the highest degree of idiocy a driver programmer could ever achieve).
Anyway, from those few minutes during which this thing actually worked, it seemed like a pretty solid, good quality soundset. It seems to follow GM2 spec, so, not a lot of creative sounds here, and some of them are too much GM (velocity-sensitive organs, ewww...), and they don't sound like a Kurzweil at all, but generally they are good and playable, and I think they would worth the price of 99 dollars, if this thing worked properly.
Also, the interface sucks. The presets are organized in one huge plain list and if you want to select a preset that's on the bottom, it takes about 10-15 seconds to scroll there, and there are no shortcuts like a scrollbar or numerical enter.

[dougsyo]

What kind of copy protection does the actual (non-demo) version use? I lost interest when they went GVI/syncrosoft, but now that they have their own player I'm curious, and it's not indicated on the website.

Doug

[dubbelQ]

Tried the demo version. First thing I've noticed that this thing is extremely unstable, at least on my PC. Standalone version simply doesn't work and instantly throws WinXP into blue screen. The VSTi version works for a random period of time (usually 1-3 minutes) and then crashes my host (I tried Sonar 8 and EnergyXT 2.5).

Lucky you. I cant even play it. The sounds disapear and like 3-5 sec later it comes and stutter. Indeed very unstable.Why cant companies make sure their products are stable before they start to sell? I really, really hate that! Thats really bad marketing too. Who want to buy something unstable and have to wait for the upgrade that will, hopefully, solve the problems? No f**k them. The can piss off with their shit! I refuse to buy something unstable.

[kiksogue]

Tried the demo version. First thing I've noticed that this thing is extremely unstable, at least on my PC. Standalone version simply doesn't work and instantly throws WinXP into blue screen. The VSTi version works for a random period of time (usually 1-3 minutes) and then crashes my host (I tried Sonar 8 and EnergyXT 2.5). I suspect it's because of moronic copy protection system that it uses (it even requires a reboot after installation, which is kinda the highest degree of idiocy a driver programmer could ever achieve).
Anyway, from those few minutes during which this thing actually worked, it seemed like a pretty solid, good quality soundset. It seems to follow GM2 spec, so, not a lot of creative sounds here, and some of them are too much GM (velocity-sensitive organs, ewww...), and they don't sound like a Kurzweil at all, but generally they are good and playable, and I think they would worth the price of 99 dollars, if this thing worked properly.
Also, the interface sucks. The presets are organized in one huge plain list and if you want to select a preset that's on the bottom, it takes about 10-15 seconds to scroll there, and there are no shortcuts like a scrollbar or numerical enter.

Thanks man.

[JavaJ]

Yup, this is not a good program. The interface is whatever- but the sounds range from ok (maybe sometimes good) to horrible- take the Solo Cello patch- the low end has a slow attack which is not natural. Then, do a mid/upper end chord and listen for a bit- you will hear loop points and un-uniform sound.
Play the Solo violin in the upper register. You think it sounds good right- play a forte note and hold it- hear how the sound level diminishes and then jumps up (loop point).
Very bad programming.

the patch navigation is terrible- it doesn't show a scroll bar so you have to click on the up or down arrow and hold on. Worse- they give you different banks but you have to go through each bank in succession (holding the down arrow). I gave up checking on how many banks there were. I even tried to select the piano from their 16th bank (16-000 Upright Piano). Then, thinking I could at least try the next patch- found it reset back to the bottom again. just plain horrible!!!

They didn't take the time to iron the kinks out- create good loop points- nor did they care about us users with that horrible patch navigation.
Hopefully they will read this (or get low sales) and do something about it. Not impressed and this was the first time I checked out a program from this company (dare I say- I won't be rushing to demo anything else).

[kiksogue]

Yup, this is not a good program. The interface is whatever- but the sounds range from ok (maybe sometimes good) to horrible- take the Solo Cello patch- the low end has a slow attack which is not natural. Then, do a mid/upper end chord and listen for a bit- you will hear loop points and un-uniform sound.
Play the Solo violin in the upper register. You think it sounds good right- play a forte note and hold it- hear how the sound level diminishes and then jumps up (loop point).
Very bad programming.

the patch navigation is terrible- it doesn't show a scroll bar so you have to click on the up or down arrow and hold on. Worse- they give you different banks but you have to go through each bank in succession (holding the down arrow). I gave up checking on how many banks there were. I even tried to select the piano from their 16th bank (16-000 Upright Piano). Then, thinking I could at least try the next patch- found it reset back to the bottom again. just plain horrible!!!

They didn't take the time to iron the kinks out- create good loop points- nor did they care about us users with that horrible patch navigation.
Hopefully they will read this (or get low sales) and do something about it. Not impressed and this was the first time I checked out a program from this company (dare I say- I won't be rushing to demo anything else).

Thanks for the review man. I think I will just get a Roland Sonic cell. Soft ROmplers still suck a bit.

[zircon]

I honestly have yet to use a software ROMpler that sounds as "good" (not necessarily realistic) as even older-generation keyboards and sound modules. I use a Korg Triton LE and X-50 frequently and the EP/organ sounds are definitely fantastic, even compared to the best software instruments. Many new workstations have killer acoustic piano sounds too. I've heard some very well-articulated guitars and brass instruments that only recently have been overtaken by software libraries (which are MUCH clunkier to use.)