Omnisphere 2 is here! (yes, it's really here!)

[Phorous]

[Chapelle]

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[r1chard]

I will look into those other options. I do not like to sound design, I would rather write or play music. What I do like to do is take a preset edit it so it is not easily recognizable. Sometimes that is not possible without losing the character of the preset.

You may find that by Christmas time next year there is a whole new ecosystem involving third party Omnisphere sounds, similar to what grew up around alchemy. It looks like Omnisphere 2 purposefully lends itself to that sort of thing MUCH more so than V1. You may eventually be surprised at how much of a leap Omni has made. Who really knows? We'll see

I myself *love* playing with synths for the fun of it so the upgrade is a no-brainer for me. I can't *wait* to start importing and mucking about!!

I may look at upgrading at that time if we do see people making presets for it. I purchase some presets for my other synths, massive, alchemy, nexus2 last Christmas while they were on sale ( before Camel went belly up) so that should take me through the rest of the year. Next Christmas, I will look to see if there are any 3rd party stuff for Omnisphere and I may reconsider. Problem is that most developers put their stuff on sale at that time, and if there is newer better stuff, I will be happy with Omnisphere 1 and pick up something new that is more modern and uses newer tech and it less expensive and on sale at Christmas . I am not a fanboy nor am I attached to any brand or vst. I buy what I like, and I am not liking Omniphere 2, at least not for $250, just not much of an upgrade to me. Maybe when Omnisphere 3 comes out I will reconsider at that time if they decide to update it.

[zerocrossing]

And because of that, most of the added features are not worth $250. The sound pack is worth some money but not 250 IMHO. I think I will be buying some new vsts and continue to use Omnishpere as it is. It is still a good vst but it is showing its age and the new minor upgrade is not enough for me to lay out 250 for.

Those who do not design sounds get this for $250:

3000 new presets/samples with wider sonic palette with wavetable, improved granular, 25 new FX, 8 new filters.
Bigger sonic potential for 3rd party sound sets due to sample import and new synthesis features.
Improved UI all around
Improved patch browsing with sound match, sound lock, mood tagging, better organization, two patch browsing modes.
Improved arp functionality with step sequencer.

Most synths around that price come with less in terms of preset count alone if that's all you are buying it for!

I agree. I look at it this way. Tone2 releases a synth and prices it in the $200ish range. No one gripes about it at all. Then, over time they start releasing "extension" packs of new features, sample content and presets. The way they're priced, it's pretty easy to hit the $400 mark if you get all the current Gladiator expansions and the synth in one fell swoop and still not have close to the content that Omnisphere comes with. I wouldn't be surprised that in time, you'd be able to spend just as much on Gladiator 2 as you would on Omnisphere. Don't get be wrong, I'm not comparing the two instruments as frankly I own them both and like them both.

But maybe Eric's model is wrong. I wonder if he took a Tone2 approach if he'd sell more Omnisphere licenses. Price it at $200 and have it come with a basic overview of all the presets available and then sell upgrade packs. Frankly, I don't like that model but it would take the cost of entry down a lot and perhaps create more of a devoted fan base. Make the "deluxe" package available for people like me who want it, but also have it available ala carte. IK's gone to this model with Amplitube too.

[r1chard]

And because of that, most of the added features are not worth $250. The sound pack is worth some money but not 250 IMHO. I think I will be buying some new vsts and continue to use Omnishpere as it is. It is still a good vst but it is showing its age and the new minor upgrade is not enough for me to lay out 250 for.

Those who do not design sounds get this for $250:

3000 new presets/samples with wider sonic palette with wavetable, improved granular, 25 new FX, 8 new filters.

That is worth about 50 to 100 dollars I would say. As far as FX, my daw and collection of effects are fine. I don't need to pay for more.

Bigger sonic potential for 3rd party sound sets due to sample import and new synthesis features.

This is not a for sure. It may be difficult to do so no one does it. Also, because of the price (double that of most other major vst's) It will have limited number of users. 3rd party may go after low hanging fruit. It is an unknown and for me will cause me to have a wait and see attitude. If it comes about, I may reconsider, or I may wait for Omnisphere 3 or buy a new vst. There is nothing you noted that makes me want to run out and spend $250 when I have already spend $500. That is $750, I could have bough a whole lot of vsts for that price.

Improved UI all around

Did not look improved to me. This is one area they could have made a real difference in, exposing knobs, easier access to to things. I never liked the UI of the orginal but it works just OK

Improved patch browsing with sound match, sound lock, mood tagging, better organization, two patch browsing modes.
Improved arp functionality with step sequencer.

For 500 dollars, that should have been in version one, and owners like me that paid 500 dollars should get that for free. I take exception to this and a little miffed. I have to pay $750 for what everyone else pays for this now $500. I don't mind paying for sound and sample upgrades, but features like this should be free to current user instead of half the cost of the vst.

Most synths around that price come with less in terms of preset count alone if that's all you are buying it for!

There is no VST that I know that costs $750 dollars. You would be able to buy every upgrade for many vsts for that price.

The more you guys talk about this, the more I think about it, the more I feel Spectrasonics is ripping off their current loyal customers and giving everything to their new customers for $500 instead of 750. Yes, I am becoming more than a little miffed.

[Phorous]

Question, where are you getting 3000 presets for $100? Cause I am gonna go buy them right now

Also the effects in an instrument like Omnisphere are a huge part of what defines its sound.. so you may not use them, but the new presets and sound designers will!

[mostlyjustj]

But maybe Eric's model is wrong. I wonder if he took a Tone2 approach if he'd sell more Omnisphere licenses. Price it at $200 and have it come with a basic overview of all the presets available and then sell upgrade packs. Frankly, I don't like that model but it would take the cost of entry down a lot and perhaps create more of a devoted fan base. Make the "deluxe" package available for people like me who want it, but also have it available ala carte. IK's gone to this model with Amplitube too.

There *is* an advantage to this model however, which is that offering *only* the 'full meal deal' brings down the cost of full package for everybody. I kind of like it - especially for such a sample-centric synth. It's awesome having a huge high quality library, and I'm sure I wouldn't be able to afford it if they broke up the license.

[Phorous]

But maybe Eric's model is wrong. I wonder if he took a Tone2 approach if he'd sell more Omnisphere licenses. Price it at $200 and have it come with a basic overview of all the presets available and then sell upgrade packs. Frankly, I don't like that model but it would take the cost of entry down a lot and perhaps create more of a devoted fan base. Make the "deluxe" package available for people like me who want it, but also have it available ala carte. IK's gone to this model with Amplitube too.

There *is* an advantage to this model however, which is that offering *only* the 'full meal deal' brings down the cost of full package for everybody. I kind of like it - especially for such a sample-centric synth. It's awesome having a huge high quality library, and I'm sure I wouldn't be able to afford it if they broke up the license.

Yeah, its likely if they priced it similar to Alchemy that I would have only bought the $200 base instrument package as $800+ was way too steep for me. $500 is just right for an instrument of this scale and value, IMO.

[Armadillo]

And because of that, most of the added features are not worth $250. The sound pack is worth some money but not 250 IMHO. I think I will be buying some new vsts and continue to use Omnishpere as it is. It is still a good vst but it is showing its age and the new minor upgrade is not enough for me to lay out 250 for.

Those who do not design sounds get this for $250:

3000 new presets/samples with wider sonic palette with wavetable, improved granular, 25 new FX, 8 new filters.

That is worth about 50 to 100 dollars I would say. As far as FX, my daw and collection of effects are fine. I don't need to pay for more.

Bigger sonic potential for 3rd party sound sets due to sample import and new synthesis features.

This is not a for sure. It may be difficult to do so no one does it. Also, because of the price (double that of most other major vst's) It will have limited number of users. 3rd party may go after low hanging fruit. It is an unknown and for me will cause me to have a wait and see attitude. If it comes about, I may reconsider, or I may wait for Omnisphere 3 or buy a new vst. There is nothing you noted that makes me want to run out and spend $250 when I have already spend $500. That is $750, I could have bough a whole lot of vsts for that price.

Improved UI all around

Did not look improved to me. This is one area they could have made a real difference in, exposing knobs, easier access to to things. I never liked the UI of the orginal but it works just OK

Improved patch browsing with sound match, sound lock, mood tagging, better organization, two patch browsing modes.
Improved arp functionality with step sequencer.

For 500 dollars, that should have been in version one, and owners like me that paid 500 dollars should get that for free. I take exception to this and a little miffed. I have to pay $750 for what everyone else pays for this now $500. I don't mind paying for sound and sample upgrades, but features like this should be free to current user instead of half the cost of the vst.

Most synths around that price come with less in terms of preset count alone if that's all you are buying it for!

There is no VST that I know that costs $750 dollars. You would be able to buy every upgrade for many vsts for that price.

The more you guys talk about this, the more I think about it, the more I feel Spectrasonics is ripping off their current loyal customers and giving everything to their new customers for $500 instead of 750. Yes, I am becoming more than a little miffed.

Synth perhaps but Symphobia for example is $799. CineBrass Core and pro is also $799.
VSL symphonic cube costs a staggering € 4,490.
I know they are not synths, but why is Omnisphere's library supposed to be worth peanuts? I mean they've gone to great lenghts to create and record rare instruments, and even invent instruments. Going to a cave in Ukraine (or where ever it was) can't be cheap either. This is not Zebra or some other synth that's created by 1 guy in his bedroom. It has obviously been very costly to develop - just as VSL Symphonic cube has been rather expensive to develop - and buy.
I think $250 for an upgrade is perfectly reasonable. For me it's pretty much all I use these days apart from various libraries I load in Kontakt.

[r1chard]

Question, where are you getting 3000 presets for $100? Cause I am gonna go buy them right now

Also the effects in an instrument like Omnisphere are a huge part of what defines its sound.. so you may not use them, but the new presets and sound designers will!

People who buy Omnisphere now get 3000 presets for free, they are included with their 500 bucks. So go now and buy Omnisphere 2 and get your free 3000 presets. I have to pay 250 dollars to get them. No matter how you look at it, people upgrading are getting the shaft. Which is why I am going to wait for later upgrades. Spectrosonics rewards you for waiting. If I would have waited, I would have got 3000 presets for free, but now they punish me because I did not wait, by making me pay $250.

Nope. I think I will wait for versions 3 or 4 to see if they reward me then instead of punish me. I think other vst makers are rewarding me by giving me a vst at half the price that uses the latest technology, and I don't have to wait.

[Phorous]

Question, where are you getting 3000 presets for $100? Cause I am gonna go buy them right now

Also the effects in an instrument like Omnisphere are a huge part of what defines its sound.. so you may not use them, but the new presets and sound designers will!

People who buy Omnisphere now get 3000 presets for free, they are included with their 500 bucks. So go now and buy Omnisphere 2 and get your free 3000 presets. I have to pay 250 dollars to get them. No matter how you look at it, people upgrading are getting the shaft. Which is why I am going to wait for later upgrades. Spectrosonics rewards you for waiting. If I would have waited, I would have got 3000 presets for free, but now they punish me because I did not wait, by making me pay $250.

Nope. I think I will wait for versions 3 or 4 to see if they reward me then instead of punish me. I think other vst makers are rewarding me by giving me a vst at half the price that uses the latest technology, and I don't have to wait.

So where are those 3000 presets for $100 again, must have missed that part

[BBFG#]

I agree. I look at it this way. Tone2 releases a synth and prices it in the $200ish range. No one gripes about it at all. Then, over time they start releasing "extension" packs of new features, sample content and presets. The way they're priced, it's pretty easy to hit the $400 mark if you get all the current Gladiator expansions and the synth in one fell swoop and still not have close to the content that Omnisphere comes with. I wouldn't be surprised that in time, you'd be able to spend just as much on Gladiator 2 as you would on Omnisphere. Don't get be wrong, I'm not comparing the two instruments as frankly I own them both and like them both.

But maybe Eric's model is wrong. I wonder if he took a Tone2 approach if he'd sell more Omnisphere licenses. Price it at $200 and have it come with a basic overview of all the presets available and then sell upgrade packs. Frankly, I don't like that model but it would take the cost of entry down a lot and perhaps create more of a devoted fan base. Make the "deluxe" package available for people like me who want it, but also have it available ala carte. IK's gone to this model with Amplitube too.

Except that many have griped over the Tone 2 pricing also. And current new customer base has only come from them being offered on BOGOF sales that give the pricing for two, almost justifiable. Personally think their extensions should be included in the synths without the sound sets included. And I have yet to hear any of their sets be worth the price for my tastes (maybe the last one for Gladiator, but still not enough to actually buy it).

Tone 2 and Spectrasonics are they only ones I remember to sport the term 'Psycho-acoustic' in their overall view though, so just on that alone, may be the only thing that makes them 'fit' together properly in the mix. However, while Tone 2 actually explains the process in declaring that term, Spectra has yet to do. It still, at times, does nothing more than make it stick out like a cold sore with everything else I'm using...

IMO: The price comparison to another product just as often 'griped' about only keeps the exuberant price structure of both in focus rather than justifying either one.

And I have no comment that would add anything relative to this thread about IK-M.

Add: Spectrasonics giving a two for one or even a bundle pricing ala KUltimate pricing would make it a no-brainer buy to me also.

[firepile]

Question, where are you getting 3000 presets for $100? Cause I am gonna go buy them right now

Also the effects in an instrument like Omnisphere are a huge part of what defines its sound.. so you may not use them, but the new presets and sound designers will!

People who buy Omnisphere now get 3000 presets for free, they are included with their 500 bucks. So go now and buy Omnisphere 2 and get your free 3000 presets. I have to pay 250 dollars to get them. No matter how you look at it, people upgrading are getting the shaft. Which is why I am going to wait for later upgrades. Spectrosonics rewards you for waiting. If I would have waited, I would have got 3000 presets for free, but now they punish me because I did not wait, by making me pay $250..

You haven't used Omnisphere at all since you bought it? Or isn't this usage worth anything?

[trimph1]

Not to be confused with this:

OMGWTFROFL!!!!!!

[r1chard]

The more you guys talk about this, the more I think about it, the more I feel Spectrasonics is ripping off their current loyal customers and giving everything to their new customers for $500 instead of 750. Yes, I am becoming more than a little miffed.

Synth perhaps but Symphobia for example is $799. CineBrass Core and pro is also $799.
VSL symphonic cube costs a staggering € 4,490.
I know they are not synths, but why is Omnisphere's library supposed to be worth peanuts?

Spectrasonics thinks they are worth absolutely $0. If you are a new customer, you get the old version of the software, and 3000 presets and other features for free. Loyal customers like you and I have to pay $250 for them. They should buy back my old version and give me the new one for $500. Do I expect them to give me 3000 presets for free? No, but as a loyal customer they should should give them to me at a big discount, not half the price of the original, that is what leads me to the 50 to 100 dollars which is reasonable. They give the sound set and new features to new customers for the same price we paid, it would not hurt them to price the upgrade reasonable. The software was not rewritten, the interface was not complete overhauled, they add the ability to input your own wave which should have been in the first version. They add granualar with is an effect. This is not a redo of the software requiring massive coding. They added samples and a few features. If they charged new customers $750, I would not have as big of an ax to grind but they are loading us down the with burden to add a few minor updates and some samples. No thanks. I will wait for the new go around or two.

I mean they've gone to great lenghts to create and record rare instruments, and even invent instruments. Going to a cave in Ukraine (or where ever it was) can't be cheap either. This is not Zebra or some other synth that's created by 1 guy in his bedroom. It has obviously been very costly to develop - just as VSL Symphonic cube has been rather expensive to develop - and buy.
I think $250 for an upgrade is perfectly reasonable. For me it's pretty much all I use these days apart from various libraries I load in Kontakt.

Buy it. As I said, not a redo of software or interface, barely and update, they added some fx and samples. That is not enough for me. I would rather buy someone elses new product, not a mild warm over or rehash of this one. I will wait for next go around. Have fun with your upgrade. My omnisphere still works, and I think I can get a better value elsewhere, at least for the time being.