Bargain Center: discussion, gossip, etc.

[LoveEnigma18]

For VA sounds, I think Spire is much better than Pigments. It doesn't do wavetable though, so, Pigments would be a good complement, especially as it sounds very good for wavetable stuff.

Good point, thanks. So, Dune 3 would be a better choice for me, isn't it? Of course, Dune 3 does wavetable too but it does sound beautiful and different than Pigments 3.

[LoveEnigma18]

Very tough decision, as i got both but am no sound design pro so dont take me 100% but for me dune3 with the latest update is awesome and even before it sounds just awesome and totally big (it can!) Maybe it is also because of the inbuilt effects. Spire has its own character both would complement each other well as dune 3 is big in nature spire can fill out e.g. smaller/thinner sounds and is kinda metallic. So if you want a u-he like synth get dune3 in my opinion. They stepped it up with 3.5, just one osc sounds awesome. I didnt research why so again im no pro. I just love the synth. Otherwise you could go with vital as a spire synth and add dune3.

Thanks for the suggestion. Even I am not much into sound design. It's just that I am missing this kind of synth in my collection. I am leaning towards Dune 3 mainly for its sound, GUI, and NKS compatibility.

Could Pigments 3 or Massive (original) be considered closer to Spire in terms of sound? Not exactly, but just trying to do this comparison as I those plugins. Perhaps Dune 3 and Pigments 3 could together fill any gap and I could skip Spire then.

There i would recommend to demo those side by side i think cause pigments is really capable of a lot with its sampler, granular function etc. I like it for sound design but not for more bread and butter sounds. I think spire is faster? And easier on that. But again just my opinion. Pigments is on a good price with lots of capabilities but i think cpu wise is higher than spire? Can someone confirm?

Massive is old but still golden and has a lot of sounds available too. I dunno exactly from my head but massive needs more adjustments to sound fatter? Than spire? But i didnt use it long time. Maybe someone else can chime in . Oh i dont like massive x gui at all and would not recommend when you dont like it either.

Yeah, I am demoing them at the moment. Spire does sound great, especially basses and pads. It's just that Pigments 3 also covers similar grounds while sounding a little bit closer to Spire than Dune 3. Also, Pigments 3 has better value for price, I got the first version for a good price and since then updates are free, so not sure if I would want to let it go in favour of Spire and buying both Dune 3 and Spire while keeping Pigments 3 wouldn't help the cause.

[Examigan]

Though it isn't on sale, you may also want to consider Hive 2.

[LoveEnigma18]

Though it isn't on sale, you may also want to consider Hive 2.

Thanks, I did consider it, and while it sounds good, just did not like it enough. Perhaps I did not use it for enough time but I find its GUI quite overwhelming for one.

[Sindikhate]

Pigments is not on the same tier sound quality wise with spire - sylenth - massive (either of 2) - and dune. If you want more snappy sounding synth get spire (or sylenth or serum). Hive 2 should also be considered at this point. But pigments... I think it can do really nice atmospheres and pad sounds but I do not think it is a synth in the same category as dune and spire. It has that sound that just does not sit well with me. So it depends which sound imprint you like more. Sylenth got cleaner for example but I prefer how it sounded originally. I also noticed a small difference on Spire between the last version 1.5.10 and versions 1.5.5 and 1.5.6 that I had installed before. What kind of music are you planning on using it mostly for? Because at this point Serum becomes a contender too. And this conversation will end up with everyone mentioning all the synths out there. Between the two you mentioned.. I bought Dune first! But I have used Spire more on tracks because it is easier to mix with other stuff. On the other hand I am doing a lot of sound design on Dune lately, after having a break from MassiveX, which is something Spire does not inspire me doing much. (talking about mostly effects, atmospheres and ambient stuff by it), but I end up using a transient shaper for most of the FX presets I have made on Dune to give a bit extra attack.

[LoveEnigma18]

Pigments is not on the same tier sound quality wise with spire - sylenth - massive (either of 2) - and dune. If you want more snappy sounding synth get spire (or sylenth or serum). Hive 2 should also be considered at this point. But pigments... I think it can do really nice atmospheres and pad sounds but I do not think it is a synth in the same category as dune and spire. It has that sound that just does not sit well with me. So it depends which sound imprint you like more. Sylenth got cleaner for example but I prefer how it sounded originally. I also noticed a small difference on Spire between the last version 1.5.10 and versions 1.5.5 and 1.5.6 that I had installed before. What kind of music are you planning on using it mostly for? Because at this point Serum becomes a contender too. And this conversation will end up with everyone mentioning all the synths out there. Between the two you mentioned.. I bought Dune first! But I have used Spire more on tracks because it is easier to mix with other stuff. On the other hand I am doing a lot of sound design on Dune lately, after having a break from MassiveX, which is something Spire does not inspire me doing much. (talking about mostly effects, atmospheres and ambient stuff by it), but I end up using a transient shaper for most of the FX presets I have made on Dune to give a bit extra attack.

Thanks for comments. Yeah, for that very reason I mentioned only Dune 3 and Spire initially, as I have been thinking over only these two right now. I do not have Sylenth1, Serum and Hive 2 and not really interested in them.

The choice is a bit difficult because I am not making proper EDM/techno music, rather, trying to use elements of it in my alternative/pop/electronic productions.

I think it will be better if I allow the thought to settle and continue to demo them for some more time.

[Sindikhate]

For that kind of music between the two I would easily pick Dune 3. And I would look into U-he RePro.

[LoveEnigma18]

For that kind of music between the two I would easily pick Dune 3. And I would look into U-he RePro.

Okay, cheers.

[3ptguitarist]

What is Dune 3 good for?

[nirm123]

Mostly for music making

[3ptguitarist]

Mostly for music making

I meant what genre's or styles of synthesis?

[chk071]

I always thought it excelled at atmospheres, pads, and mellow sounds. But, of course you can do anything with it, just like with any other synth.

[Ceej]

Pigments is not on the same tier sound quality wise with spire - sylenth - massive (either of 2) - and dune. If you want more snappy sounding synth get spire (or sylenth or serum). Hive 2 should also be considered at this point. But pigments... I think it can do really nice atmospheres and pad sounds but I do not think it is a synth in the same category as dune and spire. It has that sound that just does not sit well with me. So it depends which sound imprint you like more. Sylenth got cleaner for example but I prefer how it sounded originally. I also noticed a small difference on Spire between the last version 1.5.10 and versions 1.5.5 and 1.5.6 that I had installed before. What kind of music are you planning on using it mostly for? Because at this point Serum becomes a contender too. And this conversation will end up with everyone mentioning all the synths out there. Between the two you mentioned.. I bought Dune first! But I have used Spire more on tracks because it is easier to mix with other stuff. On the other hand I am doing a lot of sound design on Dune lately, after having a break from MassiveX, which is something Spire does not inspire me doing much. (talking about mostly effects, atmospheres and ambient stuff by it), but I end up using a transient shaper for most of the FX presets I have made on Dune to give a bit extra attack.

Out of curiosity, how do you feel about DS Thorn? IMHO it's got a really interesting sound along with some unusual glitchy possibilities built-in, and of course it's nice that it's frequently possible to pick it up for $29 or less. But I don't have nearly enough genre-specific experience to compare it with many others.

[maldomusica]

Updated

[LoveEnigma18]

Pigments is not on the same tier sound quality wise with spire - sylenth - massive (either of 2) - and dune. If you want more snappy sounding synth get spire (or sylenth or serum). Hive 2 should also be considered at this point. But pigments... I think it can do really nice atmospheres and pad sounds but I do not think it is a synth in the same category as dune and spire. It has that sound that just does not sit well with me. So it depends which sound imprint you like more. Sylenth got cleaner for example but I prefer how it sounded originally. I also noticed a small difference on Spire between the last version 1.5.10 and versions 1.5.5 and 1.5.6 that I had installed before. What kind of music are you planning on using it mostly for? Because at this point Serum becomes a contender too. And this conversation will end up with everyone mentioning all the synths out there. Between the two you mentioned.. I bought Dune first! But I have used Spire more on tracks because it is easier to mix with other stuff. On the other hand I am doing a lot of sound design on Dune lately, after having a break from MassiveX, which is something Spire does not inspire me doing much. (talking about mostly effects, atmospheres and ambient stuff by it), but I end up using a transient shaper for most of the FX presets I have made on Dune to give a bit extra attack.

Out of curiosity, how do you feel about DS Thorn? IMHO it's got a really interesting sound along with some unusual glitchy possibilities built-in, and of course it's nice that it's frequently possible to pick it up for $29 or less. But I don't have nearly enough genre-specific experience to compare it with many others.

I was thinking about DS Thorn yesterday after this conversation. I think it has a similar vibe to Spire in some regards, especially the punchy/aggressive/sharp character that it has. Might be a good and cheaper alternative indeed.

Even reminds of Z3Ta+.