Spectrasonics collection vs N.I. Kontakt+Battery+Libraries

[tommyzai]

The only thing I don't like about Spectrasonics stuff are these two things:
1. REX files and no WAV files for Stylus RMX
2. Their library is big and unchangeable — can't add or subtract.

[inaheartbeat]

Spectrasonics: If you're a more of a Composer than sound designer.

Komplete: If you're more of a sound designer than a composer and love digging complex sound synthesis.

Both: If you have too much money or don't know what to get

I am sorry but this comment is flat out wrong. Omnisphere is fantastic for sound design. I think people look at the huge library with all the presets and mistake that for what Omnisphere is about. Those sound libraries are starting points. A patch consists of a synthesis part and a sample part. You can use either or both in your own stuff. You can use the fantastic tools available inside Omnisphere to mangle and combine at will. Further, you have the ability to create multis in Omnisphere that you can use to layer your patches. How that is not the best of all worlds for sound design escapes me. This is also ironic to say since Eric Persing is one of the best sound designers in the world and he is the driving force behind Omnisphere (obviously). I am not being a fanboy here. I use all these tools almost every day. Just observing based on what I own and use.

I think Kontakt is fine for sound design. It has a huge pallete of tools to use and can accept your own samples unlike Omnisphere. It also has a huge learning curve and a very unfriendly user interface. It is most useful (at least to me) as a container for other products such as drum and orchestral libraries. This is why I would say Kontakt is a better tool for composition. I have Kirk Hunter's orchestral, brass, and string libraries. They require Kontakt. I can't get any of that if I was purely using Omnisphere and clearly if you are doing composition you need a wide array of instruments available.

Stylus RMX (which I also own) is, to me, the weak link in the Spectrasonics product line at this point but I am pretty sure we will all see an update that will be impressive. That is the way Spectrasonics has operated historically. Kontakt has just released a free update to the Abbey Road Drums packages that only runs in Kontakt 5 but it is just fantastic so that is a consideration also for getting Komplete.

Best purchase decision would be to get Omnisphere with the Bob Moog library expansion and Kontakt Komplete.

[Audiority]

I own and develop for both Kontakt and Omnisphere, which are both great sounding products. Bear in mind that Kontakt is a sampler and Omnisphere is much like a "rompler".

Omnisphere features a very good synthesis engine, a huge sound palette you can use to shape your custom sounds and a very intuitive interface. Whoever programmed an "old" rompler keyboard (such as Korg Triton series, Roland, Kurzweil and so on) will find easy to program new sounds on Omnisphere and get some great and interesting results.

Kontakt is a dream sampler and its strenght resides in its scripting engine. Used as a sampler, is not so difficult to learn compared to other products of same kind, but the learning curve become steeper if you start to dig into scripting.

Imho, both products have their weakness on FX sections. Omnisphere effects introduces some artifacts (more audible while using distortions) and Kontakt effects are very thin (the reverb is very metallic and sometimes there's too much phasing). I only save Kontakt convolution that's very very useful to add quality reverbs and special effects to your sounds.

My opinion is that both products complements each other and I highly suggest to get them in your own rig

My 2 cents,
Luca

[dalor]

Spectrasonics: If you're a more of a Composer than sound designer.

Komplete: If you're more of a sound designer than a composer and love digging complex sound synthesis.

Both: If you have too much money or don't know what to get

I am sorry but this comment is flat out wrong. Omnisphere is fantastic for sound design. I think people look at the huge library with all the presets and mistake that for what Omnisphere is about. Those sound libraries are starting points. A patch consists of a synthesis part and a sample part.

Having owned various Roland synths where Eric did patches I can only agree Omnisphere has a very versatile sound palette to offer (I own both Omnisphere, Trillian and Moog library). Omnisphere has a VA engine which doesn't go as deep as lets say FM8 or Massive.

Take the saw wave from Omnisphere's VA engine and trigger it several times. It sounds very digital. Do the same with lets say DIVA (unfair comparison). That's what I mean.

If your background is sound synthesis you will be overwhelmed with Omnisphere's library and maybe disappointed with Omnisphere's VA engine. Both are great, don't get me wrong but really sound different in the VA department.

[tommyzai]

In the end my friend went with Kontakt and a bunch of synths (Rob Papen, U-he, Sonic Charge, AAS, etc.; however, he continues to check reviews and watch YouTube clips on Omnisphere. He's clearly tormented. Maybe someday he will sell it all to me, for pennies. .

[billcarroll]

Omnisphere and Trilian sound amazing. Trilian is is the real winner in my opinion. Great go to for just about any bass sound.

Spectrasonics, learn one GUI and enjoy easy install and amazing customer service

Native instruments ... well, that altogether another story. Crappy installers, discontinued products like Kore, and not-so-great customer service. I do love Maschine, which is def my fav NI product.

Given the full picture I have now after owning NI and Spectrasonics, I'd go straight for Spectrasonics Omnisphere and Trilian if I had it to do over again. Probably keep my Maschine over RMX though.

[Uncle E]

One thing Spectrasonics could learn from NI and East West is the hard drive. Those DVD's are a pain.