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

[wagtunes]

I considered Omni 1 long ago and then decided to pass because I couldn't use my own samples and I figured I'd be better off getting a dedicated synth like Zebra for the other usual synthesis avenues. Omni 2 has really piqued my interest though. I've also discovered Kaivo recently, and am wondering which one I should go for. I am fully aware of the vast differences between Omnisphere and Kaivo, but where they overlap is where my interest lies - granular synthesis. Kaivo sounds so organic and often extremely odd, yet almost tangible, all three of those highly desirable qualities for me. You can also use multi-channel samples. I'm still taming this wild beast and most of the time the bloody animal just bolts loose from the stable into loopy lala-land. Which can be great, but ultimately I need to try and fit these manglings into mixes.

Just wondering if Omnisphere could be a better alternative when I'm aiming for organic unreal acoustic instruments, even though it would cost me around £250 instead of around £80 for Kaivo...

Omnisphere's rare sampled instruments could come in useful as well.

I guess going to a store and demoing it is the best course of action for now.

The Madronna Labs stuff drives me nuts. I deleted it from my PC after quite some time trying to get anything useful out of it. And I've programmed plenty of modular synths but this thing is just plain stupidly weird.

You will get infinitely more use and value out of Omni. As an Omni 1 owner I can say that confidently. There is simply no comparison between the two synths.

[tedlogan]

The Madronna Labs stuff drives me nuts. I deleted it from my PC after quite some time trying to get anything useful out of it. And I've programmed plenty of modular synths but this thing is just plain stupidly weird.

Hahaha, yeah it is very odd - but that's exactly why I like it. I've already got more than I could ever need through Zebra, Bazille and Hive, apart from sample manipulation. I've already sampled some very satisfying tribal percussive loops from Kaivo, and some highly pleasant acoustic pads. Acoustic pads? What the hell is an acoustic pad? Exactly.

I agree that it can sometimes be hard to get something useful out of it (unless you're going for straight-forward stringed-type instruments), but I've come to learn that you really gotta investigate your whole signal flow and how you've set it up. The sample(s) you've chosen can dictate the whole sound's outcome, which part you're using from it, how you're granulating it, etc. Add Kaivo's physical modeling modules - beautiful. I'm very much liking what thetechnobear and Randy have posted on YouTube playing their SoundPlanes and Eigenharp using Kaivo and Aalto.

You will get infinitely more use and value out of Omni. As an Omni 1 owner I can say that confidently. There is simply no comparison between the two synths.

I understand Omni is MUCH more vast in its scope, but the granular synthesis bit is the only part I'm currently interested in, which is why I'm thinking Omni might be overkill for me. Then the other me chimes in and says to myself "aha but what about the endless possibilities with Omni 2's very rare instruments that you will never experience otherwise, and Eric and co's very creative sampling techniques?"

So, as I said, I should simply go and demo Omnisphere 2 once it's possible to do so in a store.

Don't get me wrong, if I owned no synths already I'd have bought it straight away - it looks like an amazing instrument.

[Ned Bouhalassa]

Acoustic pads? What the hell is an acoustic pad? Exactly.

Acoustic pads have existed for a very long time, though they are commonly called 'pedals' in traditional music. These were first sung (gregorian chant in the West, probably many others in the rest of the world), then played on strings, organ, etc, over the centuries. You can even do it with wind players.

[firepile]

I understand Omni is MUCH more vast in its scope, but the granular synthesis bit is the only part I'm currently interested in, which is why I'm thinking Omni might be overkill for me. .

Then Omnisphere is probably overkill. You might want to look into Padshop Pro instead.

[tedlogan]

Acoustic pads? What the hell is an acoustic pad? Exactly.

Acoustic pads have existed for a very long time, though they are commonly called 'pedals' in traditional music. These were first sung (gregorian chant in the West, probably many others in the rest of the world), then played on strings, organ, etc, over the centuries. You can even do it with wind players.

Yes indeed. I should have worded it differently, maybe like "acoustic-sounding atmospheres from impossible instruments". I always wondered what "pedals" in this sense were though, cheers.

I understand Omni is MUCH more vast in its scope, but the granular synthesis bit is the only part I'm currently interested in, which is why I'm thinking Omni might be overkill for me. .

Then Omnisphere is probably overkill. You might want to look into Padshop Pro instead.

Thanks, I will check it out right now.

edit: though I must mention I don't believe anything else out there combines granular and physical modeling with semi-modular synthesis thrown in for good measure, resulting in uncanny organic realism. I will just play around with the whole lot and see which one works best for what I want to achieve.

[xx JPRacer xx]

The Madronna Labs stuff drives me nuts.

Madrona Labs stuff are awesome and unique!

[xx JPRacer xx]

I understand Omni is MUCH more vast in its scope, but the granular synthesis bit is the only part I'm currently interested in...

If you're not in a hurry just wait to know what happen with Alchemy 2.

[Sampleconstruct]

So some people still believe in Alchemy 2?

LOLZ

[Caine123]

So some people still believe in Alchemy 2?

LOLZ

im wondering this too myself.............

[Phorous]

So some people still believe in Alchemy 2?

LOLZ

im wondering this too myself.............

Stop wondering

[trimph1]

So some people still believe in Alchemy 2?

LOLZ

im wondering this too myself.............

Stop wondering

[xx JPRacer xx]

Since it was almost done, whoever bought it will surely release it no? Or they like to waste money?

[Sampleconstruct]

Please don't spoil another thread with all this Alchemy crap, one epic thread is enough, no?

[xx JPRacer xx]

^ tedlogan said he was looking for a synth with granular options and the rest of Omni 2 is maybe too much for what he needs. I only suggested for him to wait if he's not in a hurry to see what happen with Alchemy 2. I'm not trying to spoil anything.

[trimph1]

I think he is a little cranky is all....