Halion Sonic

[Megakazbek]

Well, the quality of Kontakt library is generally way better than Sampletank stuff, but it has so few sounds, it's not even close to workstation type.
Workstation has something like this: 20 pianos, 50 e-pianos, 30 clavs, etc, while Kontakt has like 3 pianos, 3 eps, 1 clavinet and so on...

[zvenx]

ah it is quantity not quality.
ok.
rsp

[daExpert]

I'd take one really good, expressive sound over 100 crappy sounds any day.

[kbaccki]

Does Halion Sonic have a "Shioitor" mode? If so, I'm in! Unless of course... well, I won't go there...

No WAV import, eh? I have an Alesis QS 6.1 from about 1998 that can import user WAV and AIFF samples... I guess steinberg didn't get the memo. BTW, if anybody's looking for an Alesis QS 6.1 in great condition YOU CAN'T HAVE IT!!!!

[TiUser]

The multi GB libraries may provide better sound but I think for a keyboard player the expression when played via a keyboard is the point - without key switching and DAW controller recording tricks. I especially feel this way with the non keyboard typical sounds apart from piano, e-piano, organs and synths like guitars, brass, saxes, strings and similar.

The tyros line has some great solo stuff, mega voices are nice for styles but hard to manage for anything else. The rest is really a mixed bag... but still there isn't any comparison in SW imho.

The M3 has bettered a lot with introduction of the expanded upgrade. Other than that Karma is one unique thing to consider a Korg workstation.

It's the old story, you will not find a winner among the "big 3" HW workstation makers and any of them seems to be more practical to me for a player than SW solutions - so I'm still waiting for a SW replacement and really wished there were. Just the ultimate sound quality argument is not the real point I think.

[Uncle E]

I'm Looking forward to read some in-depth HS user reviews, opinions, and hear some user produced audio demos of HS.

I'll try to post a review after this weekend. The problem is I'm not a great keyboard player and won't be able to comment much on the playability of the multis, hence why I invited any keyboard players to the shop to check it out.

OH... and I wonder when will HS be available to U.S. customers ? During July, or August, or .. ?

We're supposed to have it in stock next week or soon after.

[lotus2035]

ah it is quantity not quality.
ok.
rsp

Well if one is just playing single presets on their own I can see how Kontakt's library would maybe sound better but in a full mix I find the SampleTank stuff is just as good as anything. Of course it can all depend on the context of the mix and the type/amount of EQ used and many other factors..
So for me its not quantity over quality but quantity AND consistent usability that counts in the end.

[zvenx]

WHAT!!!!!!

ok...

rsp

[lotus2035]

WHEN!!!

[danbroad]

The multi GB libraries may provide better sound but I think for a keyboard player the expression when played via a keyboard is the point - without key switching and DAW controller recording tricks. I especially feel this way with the non keyboard typical sounds apart from piano, e-piano, organs and synths like guitars, brass, saxes, strings and similar.

I absolutely agree. Omnisphere's guitars are the only software guitars that compare to the Motif's, for example. It might not have a million articulations, or a 4GB background sample library for 127 velocity layers with 4 octaves of keyswitched variations, but sheer playability counts for me.

Also, thanks for the clarification, Dave. However, whilst I understand Yamaha and Steinberg follow very different business designs; it's Steinberg, not the forums, that are lauding the Motif's heritage here. If they insist on making the link between Halion Sonic and the Motif XS, then it's only logical that the two are used in comparisons.

As soon as somebody tells me if there's an arranger function to these multis, then I'll buy. Until then, I'll have one eye on another Motif instead.

[kbaccki]

As soon as somebody tells me if there's an arranger function to these multis, then I'll buy. Until then, I'll have one eye on another Motif instead.

I think you just answered your own question, then. $2500 keyboard vs. $500 software package with, ahem, "copy protection". Yamaha and guitar center prefer you to take which route?

(edit: added )

[danbroad]

The difference in price is immaterial, especially when you consider that to run my $500 program I have a $3000 computer purpose built as a DAW. It'd be cheaper to just own a Motif, but that'd mean doing without Omnisphere, Trilian, RMX, M1, Wavestation, the much more comprehensive sequencer capabilities, the bigger screen...

I'd just like a program that does what a Motif - hell, even a PSR - does, in software. The fact is, I shouldn't have to make a hardware choice - computers have far more horsepower and modular capabilities.

We've got esoteric synthesis methods coming out of our ears, emulations of $10,000 rarities, keyswiched realism via hundred gigabyte libraries... and yet nobody [HS excepted, if it can do this] has worked out there's a market for simple arrangers. Why not? The sounds are there, but what's missing is the MIDI scripting, the well designed patch multis, and the ease of use.

Not everybody wants to create a multilayered masterpiece, all of the time. There's a reason PSR's, Tyros's, Tritons and Motifs still sell in bulk, and yet computers seem to have decided they're only going to emulate the high end hardware studio.

[Megakazbek]

and yet nobody [HS excepted, if it can do this] has worked out there's a market for simple arrangers. Why not?

I think the answer is very simple: this market is not worthy of consideration compared to hardware arranger market. It's something like 500 software copies you can sell vs 50000 hardware units.

[Count_fuzzball]

The multi GB libraries may provide better sound but I think for a keyboard player the expression when played via a keyboard is the point - without key switching and DAW controller recording tricks. I especially feel this way with the non keyboard typical sounds apart from piano, e-piano, organs and synths like guitars, brass, saxes, strings and similar.

The tyros line has some great solo stuff, mega voices are nice for styles but hard to manage for anything else. The rest is really a mixed bag... but still there isn't any comparison in SW imho.

The M3 has bettered a lot with introduction of the expanded upgrade. Other than that Karma is one unique thing to consider a Korg workstation.

It's the old story, you will not find a winner among the "big 3" HW workstation makers and any of them seems to be more practical to me for a player than SW solutions - so I'm still waiting for a SW replacement and really wished there were. Just the ultimate sound quality argument is not the real point I think.

Heh, I'm beating a dead horse here, but there is seriously no difference technologically between a Motif and a desktop computer system, so saying that 'OH SW IS SO INFERIOR TO HW' is completely stupid (imo). Last time I checked, a computer system IS hardware that contains software (OS and apps)! Much like a synth like a Motif which houses software as well.

But whatever...

[standalone]

It's something like 500 software copies you can sell vs 50000 hardware units.

No, not close. Keep trying.