Hi guys. I'm on the fence over whether to upgrade to Sonik Synth 2. I just dropped $275 on the NI Komplete Kare 2 2005 LTO (after spending $650 to acquire NI Komplete 2 via the LTO last year) and I guess I'm starting to get a bit overwhelmed with all the stuff I've got at my disposal already. I use the NI stuff along with Atmosphere, impOSCar and my Yamaha S90 (as a rompler). I'm a hobbyist and, as such, am starting to take stock of the "true" cost of software: the endless upgrade fees. Of course, I know nobody "needs" to upgrade--that's part of the reason I'm having such a hard time deciding whether to go for the SS2 upgrade. I bought the SS1/ST2LE bundle deal and was underwhelmed by many of the sounds and frustrated by the initial (now apparently resolved) Tracktion incompatibility issues.
Any non-marketing types with actual experience of Sonik Synth 2 that care to push me off the fence one way or another?
Thanks.
John
on the fence re Sonik Synth 2...
-
- KVRist
- 267 posts since 15 Apr, 2002 from Wiltshire, UK
snod911, i own both SS2 and ST2XL - i would definetely go for SS2. In my opinion it's the best product either IK and SR have put out. The sounds knock SS1 out of the park, and IMO most of ST2XL, though they do fit well together - especially as ST2 can host SS2.
You can create a large palette of sounds in SS2, though the focus is on vintage synths - it will fit your collection well, complimenting the modern edge that Reaktor gives you. As well as synths, it contains quite a number of acoustic elements to give more range to your sounds. More than anything, it pays to play around with it, more than use it as a preset machine.
You can create a large palette of sounds in SS2, though the focus is on vintage synths - it will fit your collection well, complimenting the modern edge that Reaktor gives you. As well as synths, it contains quite a number of acoustic elements to give more range to your sounds. More than anything, it pays to play around with it, more than use it as a preset machine.
-
- KVRist
- 222 posts since 3 Mar, 2004 from Austin, Texas
Like you, I have NI Komplete and Atmosphere, along with a number of other plugs. I'm also a hobbyist, so I guess my situation is similar to yours.
I got SS1 in the group buy, and I really never used it that much. However, I joined the group buy with an eye toward upgrading to SS2 when it came. I got SS2 a little over a month ago and I have barely touched my other plugs since, as I have completely immersed myself in SS2. I think it's a huge leap forward from SS1, and I think most people who have already upgraded agree.
However, your decision whether to buy SS2 probably depends upon how you like to work. I really like working in the Sampletank engine. My plan is to buy all the Sampletank-based plugs as they come out and create a super-rompler using all of these. I'll still use Kontakt for individual sample libraries, but I really like the idea of creating my own customized uber-Sampletank, with the SS2 library being a part of that, along with the now-unavailable Tron Collection and Combi Kits Collection, and whatever else I buy in the future.
I agree with Pricer that it pays to dig into SS2 rather than using it solely as a preset machine. It is only when you start programming it yourself that you utilize its full potential.
I consider SS2 to be one of the best purchases I have made. But perhaps your way of working is different. I rarely use Reaktor because it's just so darn cumbersome to work with. Others claim Reaktor might be the only synth you'd ever need. I guess it all comes down to the sounds you like and how you like to work.
I've made plenty of other comments in other SS2 threads, so if you're interested in more feedback, click on my profile and check my prior posts.
Good luck in making your decision!
I got SS1 in the group buy, and I really never used it that much. However, I joined the group buy with an eye toward upgrading to SS2 when it came. I got SS2 a little over a month ago and I have barely touched my other plugs since, as I have completely immersed myself in SS2. I think it's a huge leap forward from SS1, and I think most people who have already upgraded agree.
However, your decision whether to buy SS2 probably depends upon how you like to work. I really like working in the Sampletank engine. My plan is to buy all the Sampletank-based plugs as they come out and create a super-rompler using all of these. I'll still use Kontakt for individual sample libraries, but I really like the idea of creating my own customized uber-Sampletank, with the SS2 library being a part of that, along with the now-unavailable Tron Collection and Combi Kits Collection, and whatever else I buy in the future.
I agree with Pricer that it pays to dig into SS2 rather than using it solely as a preset machine. It is only when you start programming it yourself that you utilize its full potential.
I consider SS2 to be one of the best purchases I have made. But perhaps your way of working is different. I rarely use Reaktor because it's just so darn cumbersome to work with. Others claim Reaktor might be the only synth you'd ever need. I guess it all comes down to the sounds you like and how you like to work.
I've made plenty of other comments in other SS2 threads, so if you're interested in more feedback, click on my profile and check my prior posts.
Good luck in making your decision!
-
- Sonic Reality Head Chef
- 8566 posts since 11 Mar, 2002 from Florida
If you are one of few people who were underwhelmed with Sonic Synth 1 then I recommend maybe that you don't get Sonik Synth 2. This, especially if you were underwhelmed at the group buy price which is surprising since I don't know any other plug-ins for the same price that offer the same thing. I don't know what you're expecting but in order to avoid being disappointed I'd investigate carefully. Look at the sound list, listen to the demos and possibly even wait until you hear more riff demos which are coming soon (so you can audition individual sounds). But, honestly speaking, if you didn't like SS1 with ST2LE then that's not a good start toward liking SS2. Luckily for me you're a rare case! 
Good luck regardless of which way you fall off the fence. It sounds like you have a nice set up.
Good luck regardless of which way you fall off the fence. It sounds like you have a nice set up.
-
- KVRist
- 368 posts since 3 May, 2002 from Canberra, Australia
I don't have a collection of sounds like you, but not having a lot of spare cash at my disposal to spend on what is very much a hobby for me, I can understand your caution.
I ummed and ahhed about upgrading to SS2 as I hadn't had much chance to really get into SS1 (which I bought in the group buy like yourself). In the end I went for it and I'm glad I did.
I'm glad for two reasons.
I'd say go for it myself, but ultimately only you will know if you'll be happy with it. Perhaps play around with Sonik Synth 2 Free and see if it's likely to float your boat?
HTH
-s
I ummed and ahhed about upgrading to SS2 as I hadn't had much chance to really get into SS1 (which I bought in the group buy like yourself). In the end I went for it and I'm glad I did.
I'm glad for two reasons.
- There is a huge selection of sounds I can use straight out of the box. They sound good to me and I have been very impressed with their usability
- There are so many raw "building block" sounds I can use in the future to play with and craft my own noises. While I won't be doing much with this now, I plan to in the future as I get deeper into the sound design side of things
I'd say go for it myself, but ultimately only you will know if you'll be happy with it. Perhaps play around with Sonik Synth 2 Free and see if it's likely to float your boat?
HTH
-s
A suffusion of yellow...
-
- KVRAF
- 7886 posts since 24 Feb, 2003 from Earth, USA
As one of those people who was completely underwhelmed by SS1, SS2 is certainly much more to my liking. If you like to tweak and layer your own patches, SS2 has a lot of great material to work with. If you're looking after in with the eye towards natural instruments, it still wasn't to my liking for a good chunk of it (sorry Squids. 
), but if you want a LOT of synth material, which is its aim, go for it. If you like building your own multi patches from scratch, go for it too. It's really a 'buider's synth'.
Devon
), but if you want a LOT of synth material, which is its aim, go for it. If you like building your own multi patches from scratch, go for it too. It's really a 'buider's synth'.Devon
Simple music philosophy - Those who can, make music. Those who can't, make excuses.
Read my VST reviews at Traxmusic!
Read my VST reviews at Traxmusic!
-
- KVRAF
- 4692 posts since 28 Jan, 2003 from In these very interwebs
-
- KVRian
- 1238 posts since 12 Mar, 2002 from Kentucky
I have SS1 and just today got my shipment of SS2 and ST2XL. After a few hours of having them both loaded into Sonar and jumping back and forth I can say that SS2 has a lot of stuff I will use. In hardware terms, ST2XL is a Roland Rompler while SS2 is a Korg. 
Since you have NI Komplete you might consider SonicStation. Once I got it and started loading the patches into Kontakt I stopped using SS1. I have a lot of templates in Sonar that consist soley of Kontakt with 8 patches loaded from SonicStation.
Robert
Since you have NI Komplete you might consider SonicStation. Once I got it and started loading the patches into Kontakt I stopped using SS1. I have a lot of templates in Sonar that consist soley of Kontakt with 8 patches loaded from SonicStation.
Robert
All I need to be happy is one more VSTi.
-
- Tunesmith
- 2889 posts since 12 Mar, 2002 from Toronto
yeah sonik synth2 is way different than Sonic Synth 1. it would be an invaluable resource for years as i found with the first version to be. i wouldnt be suprised if im still using these sounds when im 50. no joke
-
- KVRist
- 311 posts since 4 Aug, 2003 from Orlando, FL
Hurry and go grab the SS2 crossgrade at audiomidi.com for $159 on sale. Hell, it might be a mistake, but I got mine at that price today. Seriously, can ANYONE pass that up????
Pete
Pete