Splice rent to own Serum plan, what do you think?

[Ingonator]

Splice's version is 1.109

I had alraedy registered at Xfer in the past just to try the Serum demo (multiple times BTW) and i at the moment i will not also register at Splice just to get the demo of the latest version.

Xfer should really update the demo at their official website.

[xamido]

Anyway with Tone2 Icarus (was finally released last week and that i used since more than 6 monst now, also during the closed Beta) and a bunch of other great wavetable synths (Plugins like all of the Waldorf and PPG ones, DUNE 2.5, Falcon, Synthmaster, Massive and also Codex) i do not really need Serum anyway.
Those other synths give me the sounds i like and need and Icarus, while it does not have every feature you could imagine, has a ton of features (several that are not included in Serum yet) and like Serum it ihas a powerful wavetable and waveform editor to craete your own waves and wavetables from scratch (or use WAV files of your own single cycle waves there).
The Resynthesis also ofeers options to import longer samples.
A nice source for new waveforms and wavetables is aso to use the corresponding Random features in teh editor.

Icarus uses WAV files to load and save wavetables and the format seems to be compatible with Serum.
With the demo version of Serum i was able to load/import Icarus wavetables.
This also means that wavetables in Serum format like those included with Serum, wavetables exported in Audio Term using the Serum export format and also the Galbanum WAV wavetables could be directly loaded in Icarus without using the Resynthesis. On the other hand also wavetables created with Icarus should be compatible with Serum and it should be possible to load them there.
I am also able to use wavetables created in Icarus (or previously in Audio Term) within the wavetable oscillator module in UVI Falcon. t is also possible to load those with the Resynthesis in Waldorf Nave.

For some free wavetables you could check the current discussion at this and previous pages of the Icarus thread:
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic ... start=1695

Stop shilling for Tone2 in this thread. Even I, a long time customer of Tone2, find this latest shilling of yours to be embarassing.

This thread is about subscription plan.

[xamido]

Such an intelligent argument, i bow to your superior intellect.

Nah, just being honest.

[Ingonator]

You might contact Ingo Weidner, whom is one of the wavetable experts around here in my opinion (please forgive me, as I forgot his user name). Way back he shot me some great stuff...I'm so sorry I don't have more on this. Serum actually has some great stuff in itself.

The link to the Icarus thread (where some free wavetables were posted recently as metioned in my first post here...) was also due to this post. As i do not own Serum myself this was at least one way to help theer as the wavetabes seem to be compatible with Serum...
I nobody here is interested in help from someone that uses a different synth than Serum but which could craete compatible wavetables it's not my problem.

Some people here just seem to see me as an a**hole, even in cases where i try to be helpful (this comment is not just related to the replies here...).

Stop shilling for Tone2 in this thread. Even I, a long time customer of Tone2, find this latest shilling of yours to be embarassing.

This thread is about subscription plan.

Other people at KVR do mention certain plugins (jncluding Serum) in all kinds of threads here, even in cases where the plugin discussed in the thread is actually very different.
For the records today i posted for the first time in this thread and it's not like i did not also mention my own experiences with the Serum demo in my post.

Anyway as alraeady mentioned in my first post here i do not really get why the demo at the official website seems to be a very old version while the latest version could be only tested if you also register at Splice (at the Xfer website you have to register too to try the demo which obviously i alraedy did).

It's difficult to keep on track with the improvements that were done in Serum (especially the CPU use) if the demo version is still from 2014. The trial version available at Splice (which seems to be the latest version) does not really count in that respect as it is very new.

[EnGee]

Well, it seems I'm going well with Serum (and it has been just few days!)

Here is a pad that I've spent about one hour with it! I like the results so far.
Yes, I'm very happy for my decision. Maybe with time I will really get down my synths to 2 or 3 only

[Apostate]

So far I did not like the overall sound (including the filters) and the CPU use seemed to be much too high IMO, especially with pad sounds and when the Unison is involved. Not sure if and how far this changed with the latest versions, at least the CPU use. Xfer should really update the demo version at their official website or pople coudl get a wrong impression of the plugin if certain things were already updated. Anyway i do not expect the overall sound was changed so much that i would finally love it now.


Anyway with Tone2 Icarus (was finally released last week and that i used since more than 6 monst now, also during the closed Beta) and a bunch of other great wavetable synths (Plugins like all of the Waldorf and PPG ones, DUNE 2.5, Falcon, Synthmaster, Massive and also Codex) i do not really need Serum anyway.
Those other synths give me the sounds i like and need and Icarus, while it does not have every feature you could imagine, has a ton of features (several that are not included in Serum yet) and like Serum it ihas a powerful wavetable and waveform editor to craete your own waves and wavetables from scratch (or use WAV files of your own single cycle waves there).
The Resynthesis also ofeers options to import longer samples.
A nice source for new waveforms and wavetables is aso to use the corresponding Random features in teh editor.

Icarus uses WAV files to load and save wavetables and the format seems to be compatible with Serum.
With the demo version of Serum i was able to load/import Icarus wavetables.
This also means that wavetables in Serum format like those included with Serum, wavetables exported in Audio Term using the Serum export format and also the Galbanum WAV wavetables could be directly loaded in Icarus without using the Resynthesis. On the other hand also wavetables created with Icarus should be compatible with Serum and it should be possible to load them there.
I am also able to use wavetables created in Icarus (or previously in Audio Term) within the wavetable oscillator module in UVI Falcon. t is also possible to load those with the Resynthesis in Waldorf Nave.

For some free wavetables you could check the current discussion at this and previous pages of the Icarus thread:
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic ... start=1695

I can personally state that Ingo has always been a good dude toward me, and if he shills anything he (like me) shills the Waldorf synths (laughing). He's one of the most experienced and accomplished programmers here, and has also done some of the most authentic sounding Jupiter patches I've ever heard for Diva. Plus If you own PPG Wave, you have to check out his "Transients" soundset, it is truly excellent and inspiring.

It's always best to try and listen to people whom have more accomplishments in programming than you do, instead of crying about little, nitpicky things. This is the way you learn.

Anyhoo: Ingo, Serum doesn't have quite the CPU drain as it used to, try it from the site.

I need to check out Icarus I guess!

[Ingonator]

Ingo has always been a good dude toward me, and if he shills anything he (like me) shills the Waldorf synths (laughing). He's one of the most experienced and accomplished programmers here, and has also done some of the most authentic sounding Jupiteresque patches I've ever heard for Diva. Plus If you own PPG Wave, you have to check out his "Transients" soundset, it is truly excellent and inspiring.

It's always best to try and listen to people whom have more accomplishments in programming than you do, instead of crying about little, nitpicky things. This is the way you learn.

Ingo, Serum doesn't have quite the CPU drain as it used to, try it from the site.

I need to check out Icarus I guess!

Many thanks for your reply here.

As i tried to point out in my first post here (and around 2 posts after that) that the version available at the official Xfer website still seems to be from 2014 so i could hardly see the latest improvements there (checked that version again today).
The point is that i alraedy registered at Xfer to download the demo there and that i hesitate to also resgister at Splice now just to try the latest version of teh demo there (especially if i also have to install their software just to use the demo).

Concerning Icarus, even if most Serum users do not want to hear it, it currently seems to be one of the most serious contenders besides some others (e.g. Waldorf Nave), especially if you need a built-in wavetable and waveform editor (and it is even compatible with the Serum wavetable WAV files so it could be even wort to have both...).

FWIW Serum has been mentioned many times in the Icarus thread alraedy (i just checked this again), including last week, and the reactions about that there were not even close to that "shitstorm" that i received for my first post here.

This has been posted in the Icarus thread 3 days ago (by EnGee who also posted here...):

Still didn't decide between this and Serum (or should I wait for Avenger instead? first world problems )

You mean you haven't got Serum yet?! I think it is a no brainer deal!

IMO, they have different sounds and characters. I have spent enough time with them both. Icarus is the Tone2 version of Virus, while Serum is more like Massive 2. They can overlap of course but the differences are noticeable when you get deeper and try making your presets.

IMO Dune 2 is between the two, but more towards Icarus. Anyway, it is still different from them both, as it has the additional FM oscillator.

I do not see how this offer is a real "bargain" (maybe the thread should be at the "Bargain Center" then...) as at the end you pay the same price as you did in the past, just in multiple installments. Besides that until you got the full license you also have to run that Splice software to keep the plugin running (BTW do you still need this if you received the full license?).

I got all kinds of protection schemes running, including iLok 2 + elicenser dongles (+ the corresponding software), Waves plugins, NI Service Center, Arturia Software Center and others but i do not need another of those license softwares installed at the moment. At some point it really seems to be enough and Splice is quite new so i have no clue about how properly this will work.

[Apostate]

Many thanks for your reply here.

As i tried to point out in my first post here (and around 2 posts after that) that the version available at the official Xfer website still seems to be from 2014 so i could hardly see the latest improvements there (checked that version again today).
The point is that i alraedy registered at Xfer to download the demo there and that i hesitate to also resgister at Splice now just to try the latest version of teh demo there (especially if i also have to install their software just to use the demo).

At some point it really seems to be enough and Splice is quite new so i have no clue about how properly this will work.

You might have already noticed, Splice gives you three days completely free. The only catch is they ask for your credit card up front, so if you're still on the fence there's that.

I sold my serial for Serum about a year ago, but the update on Splice seems more attractive to me (it could have to do with the fact that I'm applying the months of study I put into Zebra/HZ and thus able to generate better results due to that).

I have had very few CPU issues with this version of Serum.

As mentioned, I far prefer the punchier, weightier, "presence" sound of Zebra/HZ (yes, I realize it's not necessarily a "wavetable synth"), plus the Palm Wavegenerator/'mapper, and character synths like Nave. But I've noticed enough improvement in the sound to want to buy it again, and Splice monthlies make it easier on my budget, personally.

[Ingonator]

You might have already noticed, Splice gives you three days completely free. The only catch is they ask for your credit card up front, so if you're still on the fence there's that.

The credit card? Also if you just want use the trial? Somehow this seems to get even worse than it already looked...

[bluedad]

You might have already noticed, Splice gives you three days completely free. The only catch is they ask for your credit card up front, so if you're still on the fence there's that.

The credit card? Also if you just want use the trial? Somehow this seems to get even worse than it already looked...

Yes, that was the turnoff for me, too. I dl'd from the website, wasn't aware that the demo isn't current.

[recursive one]

So the Serum demo one can download from Xfer site is not the same you can get at Splice? (and not the same as the full verison?)

[Apostate]

You might have already noticed, Splice gives you three days completely free. The only catch is they ask for your credit card up front, so if you're still on the fence there's that.

The credit card? Also if you just want use the trial? Somehow this seems to get even worse than it already looked...

I have used the free trial for three days, no charge from my credit card has been made. I imagine they'll charge it tomorrow as promised.

I should mention, perhaps this isn't an update from the site. I really wouldn't know because I haven't touched/demo'd Serum since a year ago. All I know is, it's the same computer I'm using and I'm not getting the CPU hit I did a year ago. And that the synth is more attractive to me now, though again that could be because I gained a lot of knowledge through my intensive Zebra study over the year, there's probably some bleed over effect, as far as deep programming goes.

[Apostate]

You know, I hate to be what has been termed a shiller here, but I think...for people just starting out on synths, I'd recommend Zebra/HZ before Serum. Much better sound in the presence and punch department, and it can be a very deep synth with plenty of extra waveforms, MSEGs already existent (many free).

I couldn't recommend Serum to said beginner simply because many beginners are looking for more out of the box (Zebra/HZ more than delivers on that, also SynthMaster when you come down to it). If you plan on spending big money, go with the Z, if you plan on spending a smaller amount (without having to keep making payments), SynthMaster is currently on a significant sale.

Serum is great for people like me, who took some time to learn about synth programming and are looking to make personally expressive sounds with it. And by that I mean, uniquely creative sounds. For out of the box and preset junkies...the abovementioned, Blue II, Predator...all preferable.

Just my views, no disrespect to those beginners/early on people whom have already decided. Serum is still a really, really good synth, but mostly for programmers described above. Beginners will probably find it boring or of little use except for the "wow, scored in the top two for three years straight, it HAS to be good!" lemmings.

I could be wrong.

[recursive one]

I'd recommend Zebra/HZ before Serum. Much better sound in the presence and punch department

Really? Well, one man's fat is another man's thin Where Serum seems to be unrivaled imo is the punch and thikness of it's core sound, Zebra has always been on the thin side for me.

[Apostate]

I'd recommend Zebra/HZ before Serum. Much better sound in the presence and punch department

Really? Well, one man's fat is another man's thin Where Serum seems to be unrivaled imo is the punch and thikness of it's core sound, Zebra has always been on the thin side for me.

I was mostly talking about Zebra HZ (should have specified), with the Diva filters and onboard compressors you can't compare. Serum, even when conscientiously programmed, sounds very wimpy when stacked up against what you can do with Dark Zebra. I've tried both open in one project on many occasions, you cannot achieve that much weight, punch and snappiness with Serum, it just doesn't have the filters for that, for one thing,

Or perhaps you can, I'd honestly love to hear examples. Not a challenge or disrespectful thing at all, just honestly curious. To be completely forthright, I won't argue this point from here out, I've been doing this for the past weekend, hours and hours of programming, and I did the same last year when I owned both.

Please, prove me wrong.