Sonik Synth 2, vast changes

[x_bruce]

I wasn't sure what to expect with the update to Sonic Synth 1. Honestly, I was very happy that Sampletank 2 brought a bunch of new life to it but I have always enjoyed the "different" and more unique, almost signature sounds of programmable synths, which is why I'm so very pleased to see the new Sonik Synth 2.

Although I'm not a "real instrument" freak I do love the way the Sonik Synth interface works and especially love layering within it. I've seen people somewhat confused about layers but you can do them in ST2 quite easily, yet the new GUI for SS2 is better and with it's database feature it gives SS2 a bit of an edge on some of the Kompakt and (hope I'm not sticking my foot in my mouth by saying this) the UVI interfaces I've come across.

Sonik Synth 2 feels like a synth now. When SS1 was available it was a convienient way of working with lots of useful sounds which there is a big audience for, I'm sure. Sampletank 1 didn't help much as it was not really what I'd call a synth engine. That changed in ST2 but with this new version of Sonik everything just seems more right. It programs better and like the EASTWEST Kompakt sample sets of late it's nice to see Sonic Reality not only offer useful and a large variety of patches, most totally unlike Sampletank's libraries, a serious plus. I know Squids was saying there would be more synth in SS2 but until you actually try it....you don't know.

I'm really impressed because of a few things.
1. This version of Sonik Synth is a whole new thing and for the most part hardly gets in the way of SS1 sounds
2. The synth design is a bit more to my liking than the standard ST2 design (though I'd love to see some skins that have better clarity on the lettering for us old folks that don't want to wear glasses to see all the text).
3. Many, many more synths and an overall different sound which you'd hope would be the case; that or whole new samples that are also really useful. To my liking it seems SR decided to give the programming types something to work with in SS2. In fact, I like to work with this set more than the Sonic Station kit which I use in Kontakt.

I guess I'm just pleased to see my high hopes not only matched but surpassed! That is not something I can always say, in fact, quite the opposite when dealing with what is essentially a sample library and quality synth engine.

Cheers too for making lots of Combis!! On SS1 many of the sounds had a very Rolandesque feel to them, or at least imo. In SS2 the sounds remind me, and I mean this with high praise, Emu-like. The sounds are crisp yet much more organic, except when they're not supposed to be. Adding the voice partials makes it easy to use many vox inflections, especially with the sample stretch feature debuted in ST2.

Lastly, it is refreshing to see a bigger distance between IK Multimedia's ST2 sound (I think the samples have a certain feel to them, one I like, but a quality particular to them) which is why I'm so happy that the Sonik Synth programs and samples are so different.

This was my one concern prior to working with SS2, would it be different enough to warrant purchase. The answer is absolutely, if there's anyone here who hasn't made their mind up. I file Sonik Synth as my first surprise of 05'. Yeah, it's early, but great stuff is still great.

One last tiny critisim. How do I save duplicating waveforms to use with the ST2 versus SS2? I'd like the flexibility of using both, but I don't want to have another 8 gig folder of Sonik Synth files for ST2 or visa versa. Any suggestions? In particular I'd like to get the Symphony Strings set into the Sonik Synth GUI along with the mellotron Sampletank library by another company. Can I do this? It looks like anything ST2 compatible is Sonik Synth 2 compatible.

In any case, a stunning new set of sounds and a lot of diversity in a environment that is welcome to programming or just using presets, whatever others are comfortable with. Lately the bar as been raised vastly higher than a couple years ago. I liked Sonic Synth 1 a great deal, read my review of all things Sonic Reality in the KVR review section. But I did not expect Sonik Synth to compete with the specialized libraries such as Morphology or Vapor, both which I love. But Squids and company rose to the challenge. Gentlemen, I am very impressed.

[dgkenney]

One last tiny critisim. How do I save duplicating waveforms to use with the ST2 versus SS2? I'd like the flexibility of using both, but I don't want to have another 8 gig folder of Sonik Synth files for ST2 or visa versa. Any suggestions?

You can put the "parent" SS2 sounds folder inside the ST2 folder making it a subset of ST2. That way ST2 will see it and it will be available to you through ST2. Point SS2 at this new destination and the same sounds will be avaialble in the SS2 gui. (I have heard that you can point SS2 at the "parent" ST2 folder and SS2 will filter out sounds that don't belong to it. Can't vouch for this however since I haen't tried it. But it does give you a hint to your next question....

In particular I'd like to get the Symphony Strings set into the Sonik Synth GUI along with the mellotron Sampletank library by another company. Can I do this? It looks like anything ST2 compatible is Sonik Synth 2 compatible.

SS2 can only read the SS2 sounds while ST can read both as well as the expansion tanks and others. You can do the same thing that you wanted to do but you will have to use the ST interface as your main gui.

Dan

[Squids]

Great stuff X_bruce! Glad you like it.

[x_bruce]

Thanks for the tip Dan, I'll give it a try.

Squidz, I more than like it. I'll post when there's a complete review at musicFAQ http://www.musicfaq.net

[Squids]

Thanks for the tip Dan, I'll give it a try.

Squidz, I more than like it. I'll post when there's a complete review at musicFAQ http://www.musicfaq.net

Great! I can't wait to read more user reviews. It is especially cool to see really experienced plugin users around here giving their feedback. It gives a vote of confidence to others. I mean, if I go on about it there's always that bias because I created it (or I should say WE, SR and IK, created it). But, when respected users have something to say about it I think that gives it credibility and that all important trust that people need when buying soundware.

So, just to know it is greatly appreciated when you guys share your thoughts about our products either in forum posts or on reviews. If you guys do a review somewhere please let us know. We like to check that stuff out to see how we are doing.

Thanks X_Bruce. I am sure people appreciate all of your reviews.