ST2, SS2, SP - The big choice(s)

[Caleb]

Hi all,

Back when I bought SonicSynth 1 there was only really one choice for me and that was it.

At that time SampleTank was more expensive and I liked the idea of a company who specialises in soundsets adopting and already existing engine to give its users a high quality, low cost sound module.

However, now we have an embarrassment of riches being thrown our way shortly with ST2, SonikSynth 2 and Studiophonik, set to hit us and cause major confusion.

From what I can tell these are some pros and cons of the 3 just at a superficial level.

ST2
Pro: Fantastic engine, soundset freely extensible including access to yummy SonicReality soundsets
Cons: Soundset it comes with is not from SonicReality

SonikSynth 2
Pro: Fantastic engine, Soundset comes from SonicReality
Cons: Closed to all additional soundsets but a few that may be developed afterwards

Studiophonik
Pro: Fantastic engine, Soundset comes from SonicReality
Cons: Closed to all additional soundsets but a few that may be developed afterwards

This is an amazingly simplified lists as obviously SonikSynth 2 and Studiophonik are going to have another set of advantages given their specialisation and also quite possibly some cons as well for the same reason.

But I find myself standing at a crossroads and looking in 3 different directions without the means of making the most educated decision.

Generally speaking I prefer tools with an extensible soundset. However if the soundset comes from SonicReality that is a big plus for me.

If I were to have to pick between SonikSynth 2 and Studiophonik I'd probably pick Studiophonik because I like every other Tom Dick and Harry am so overloaded with synths that can do wonderful things it makes sense to focus more on the things I don't have enough of (real world accoustic intruments etc).

What would you do and why?

What would Squids advice be?
Why would I pick Studiophonik over ST2 for example?

What is the future going to be for instruments like SonikSynth 2 and Studiophonik? Are there going to be expansion sets/libraries particular to these instruments?

Will SonicReality abandon work on creating additional libraries which are compatible with ST2 in favour of these specialised and essentially closed instruments?

Enquiring minds want to know.

Caleb

[cimoc]

I have more or less the same problem. Check out a thread in this forum about a week ago (SS upgrade blues, something, too lazy to search myself ).

My conclusion is to go for SP. The way you wrote it, it really is simple as 1-2-3.

HOWEVER, being who I am, I know I will end up getting Sonik Synth 2 as well, the upgrade is very good. And I kind of trust these guys at SR ... I just need a couple of months to get my credit card back on its feet again

[Squids]

Well, of course our goal is to always try to offer products that most people will buy. Then with that success we are able to keep bringing more products that people want that much more. That's to be expected. But, you can see that there is a system being built that gives you options depending on your needs. For me the combination of Sonik Synth 2 and Studiophonik covers a LOT of songwriting and production tools (frankly, that I wish I had years ago available so conveniently... of course it has taken MANY years just to compile!). If you consider that Sonik Synth 2 covers everything from vintage synths and keys to workstation synth sounds such as atmospheric pads, evolving complex layers, orchestral and moody soundscapes and the kind of sounds you'd expect to find in expensive hardware workstations but much larger in size (such as the 150 meg piano for example).

Then Studiophonik covers a virtual BAND of simulating arrangements and production "sound" of every popular brand of guitar, bass and drums (plus some keys and horns to round off your "band").

Between the two you could authentically produce music of not only any style but different eras too! This is something that nothing else offers quite that way. You can even run both of them under one ST2 interface and mix/layer them with other ST2 sounds. I like to think of them as "power resources" for music creation. They are a little bit sophisticated in terms of their esoteric sound offerings (not EVERYONE even knows what a Gleeman is or a Chapman Stick) but then again what people universally respond to the most is just how it sounds! If it sounds good and it is readily available then it can get used! I am sure there will be people using modular synth samples that they would never otherwise be using. But, a Serge modular may make its way onto some new tunes from who knows?

The scary thing is that this compilation of material makes it almost too easy to produce great sounding music. Of course, what it doesn't do for you is write a song for you. I don't know about you though but I tend to write better stuff when I am inspired by a great sound. If you look at it as more points of inspiration for songwriting then to some people it is priceless (and for those lucky to get their songs published or recorded it can pay for itself many, many times over of course).

Sonik Synth 2 has THOUSANDS of patches... MUCH more than what was even advertised. It's also even larger than 5 gigs. Quite a bit in fact. But, I will reveal more surprises in the coming few weeks before its eventual release in November. I am very pleased with how it has turned out though. It is totally worth the wait.

[Bassballjg]

This is why the engine-only upgrade for ST2 was such a critical tool, and I'm sorry it's gone while understanding to some extent the business reasons for that. A few years ago, Emu tried to sell a totally empty Proteus to be filled with the user's choice of roms, but it was overpriced and they didn't explain or push it very well. ST2 engine only was the same idea to me. The engine was useful as a host for integrating SS1, SS2, SP and the Expansion Tanks eRoms and Capsules. Inculding wav and Akai import, you could have had a totally customized synth with exactly the soundset you wanted. I suppose I could just not install my ST2XL sound discs but that would obviously be a waste. In any case, this is as or more excited as I can remember about a synth product line ever. Between SR's development for the Sampletank engine and Wusikstation, I am in synth heaven these days.

[Squids]

This is why the engine-only upgrade for ST2 was such a critical tool, and I'm sorry it's gone while understanding to some extent the business reasons for that. A few years ago, Emu tried to sell a totally empty Proteus to be filled with the user's choice of roms, but it was overpriced and they didn't explain or push it very well. ST2 engine only was the same idea to me. The engine was useful as a host for integrating SS1, SS2, SP and the Expansion Tanks eRoms and Capsules. Inculding wav and Akai import, you could have had a totally customized synth with exactly the soundset you wanted. I suppose I could just not install my ST2XL sound discs but that would obviously be a waste. In any case, this is as or more excited as I can remember about a synth product line ever. Between SR's development for the Sampletank engine and Wusikstation, I am in synth heaven these days.

Really, if you are mainly interested in using ST2 for its software features as opposed to its sounds then SampleTank 2 L is the best choice because it is even less than the upgrade to ST2 XL. It is the same engine with just less sounds.

[Caleb]

What is the future going to be for instruments like SonikSynth 2 and Studiophonik? Are there going to be expansion sets/libraries particular to these instruments?

Will SonicReality abandon work on creating additional libraries which are compatible with ST2 in favour of these specialised and essentially closed instruments?

Squids, I think it may help everyone if you answer these questions in particular.

The future direction regarding self-contained workstations v's expansion sounds is a pretty important one for me anyway.

I love the SampleTank engine - but it's the sounds that makes SonicReality the choice for me.

Are we as customers going to be guided in the direction of buying complete monster soundpacks for our ST2s in future like SP and SS2 and/or is there going to be a continuation of the smaller, quality expansion sounds for ST2 whether they are Expansion Tanks or Sonic Capsules?

...or is SonicReality going to start focusing on producing expansion sounds for the closed format specialised workstations instead?

These are pretty important questions for people who are on the verge of purchasing but are not sure which path to take to ensure ever-expanding choices of quality sounds in the future.

Caleb

[Squids]

All of the above.

[Bassballjg]

This is why the engine-only upgrade for ST2 was such a critical tool, and I'm sorry it's gone while understanding to some extent the business reasons for that. A few years ago, Emu tried to sell a totally empty Proteus to be filled with the user's choice of roms, but it was overpriced and they didn't explain or push it very well. ST2 engine only was the same idea to me. The engine was useful as a host for integrating SS1, SS2, SP and the Expansion Tanks eRoms and Capsules. Inculding wav and Akai import, you could have had a totally customized synth with exactly the soundset you wanted. I suppose I could just not install my ST2XL sound discs but that would obviously be a waste. In any case, this is as or more excited as I can remember about a synth product line ever. Between SR's development for the Sampletank engine and Wusikstation, I am in synth heaven these days.

Really, if you are mainly interested in using ST2 for its software features as opposed to its sounds then SampleTank 2 L is the best choice because it is even less than the upgrade to ST2 XL. It is the same engine with just less sounds.

Thanks for taking the time to answer me ,Squids.

What you say is quite true, but the cost difference is so close for 4 more cds, and not knowing which sounds are not in L vs XL, XL still makes the most economic sense other than engine only. Even seeing ST as a platform for SR and my own sounds, I have nothing against the IK sounds, I'll be happy to have them.

To continue my Proteus Custom analogy, why not buy the P2000 anyway, and the expansion you want as you go? Even if in the long run you took the composer rom out to make a de facto Custom, it still has value when and as you use it. Buying L, and I haven't seen a comparative sound list for it and XL, just for the engine and voicing it yourself, would be a little like the stores who sold Proteus Customs with the 16 meg Protozoa card installed, when you could get a P2000 with the 32 meg rom for $100 more, less than half the cost of an Emu expansion card. So the P2000 was the better value.

This analogy works up to a point because you are kind of going where Emu did, with modules that were also available and useable as libraries in an expandable system. Not a perfect analogy, but the parallel is somewhat relevant. Because the dedicated P1000 units such as Phatt and Planet Earth were less expandable than the 2000. But to get the mix of sounds you wanted, if you had the money to build your own Proteus at once it made sense to get a custom and the 4 cards you wanted. In that sense, ST full engine plus SS2 or SP and or chosen capsules is a reasonable option if possibly more expensive than XL alone at least by volume cost. But getting a P2000 and expanding over time made sense too, as does buying the XL upgrade and adding,even if I someday displace the IK sounds should disk space considerations mandate that. It's just two different ways of getting where you want to be soundwise.

Let me be clear, I'm not complaining. I can't wait for Sampletank to come. I am definately getting SS2. And for the money, why wouldn't I want the 8 cds. My point about the engine only option really works in the context of an SS1 owner ordering it simultaneously with SS2 and or SP. That is an option that would make sense in its own right and you might should consider such a bundle. But as it is, I am pleased with things as they are are because with sounds and a synth this good, I can't lose.

Speaking to my personal situation, how well will I be able to cherry pick the installation of the IK sounds I want that would cover what my SR libraries don't?

[Caleb]

All of the above.

I take that to mean that whichever path you decide to take you will have SonicReality supporting your future soundset requirements.

Now that is value for money.



Caleb

[Squids]

All of the above.

I take that to mean that whichever path you decide to take you will have SonicReality supporting your future soundset requirements.

Now that is value for money.



Caleb

Each line will be expanded. So, if you like to buy ala carte in ST2 and/or in multiple formats then you've got more Expansion Tank and Sonik Capsules that will be produced. If you like monster workstations then you've got things like Sonik Synth 2 and Studiophonik with their potential expansion sets as well... basically, sounds any which way you like'em! Chopped up, diced, marinated, whipped, fried, grilled, blackened, raw... (now I am hungry)

[progfusion74]

I am at a stage with Sonic Station, SS1, ST2, some expansions and now SS2 where I think I am set for a while other than some major expansions. For the next few years, I think I am going to focus on expansions that I need specifically and just stick with that arsenal (easier said than done )

[Squids]

But you'll probably want Studiophonik.

[progfusion74]

But you'll probably want Studiophonik.

ssshhhhhh .. I didn't hear you

[progfusion74]

Although going back to Caleb's question. In a bind, I would go for an all SR soundset with the ST2 engine, which I really like.

[vic_france]

Hi Squids,
Will there be any operational/functional differences between using Sonik Synth 2 or Studiophonik in their own engines vs loading them into ST2?