Storm Studio, Reason, FL Studio, and Orion Platinum

[Lunatique]

I've always been curious about the softstudios like Reason, Orion, FL, Storm Studio..etc, and I've had a chance to try them out recently (demos and at friend's studio). I'm happy to say that although some had nice instruments/effects included, interesting UI, or a different way of doing things, none of them really made me feel like I was "missing out" on the softstudio fun by using a host sequencer like Sonar with various VST's. As cool as some of the included synths and effects were, there are tons of VST's out there that are just as good or better. I suppose you end up getting more for your money if you bought one of the softstudios though.

Out of the 4 I tried, Storm Studio was the worst one--like a bad joke. It was just...clunky, and the quality of the included instruments were just horrible--cannot compete with the competitions at all. The UI was also ugly and badly designed--like it was designed 10 years ago or something. And that wizard thing which helps you through the process of making various styles of music--nothing turns me off faster than the assumption that the customer is a total musical idiot newbie that can't even compose a piece of music without hand-holding. Almost everything about the product screamed of "For noobs only!" Blech....

Reason I liked quite a bit. The Combinator was really cool.

Orion's instruments were kinda vanilla--nothing interesting, but not bad either.

FL had the most included toys, but other than Sytrus, none of them really interested me.

My impression is that you can definitely make high quality music with them (well, maybe not with Storm Studio, as the instruments just sucked. I can't believe they'd include something as crappy as that GM synth).

The one thing that I thought was a negative point about Reason was the closed system. In today's climate of music-making, commercial products really have to play well with each other. Sure you can Rewire Reason with something else, but what if Reason IS your main host, and you wanted to use other products within it or do multitrack recording of live instruments? Kind of a shame since I liked Reason the most of the the 4.

I should probably give Project 5 and Live a try sometime too, but I don't compose with patterns or loops, and their main attraction is the whole "live performance sequencing" thing, so I don't know if I'd get anything out of them other than trying out the included instruments.

Anyway, if I never used host sequencers like Sonar, Cubase, Logic..etc, then I would've probably started out with one of the softstudios, but since I've already been using host sequencers for years and already have a bunch of really high quality VST's and sample libraries, I don't see any reason to spend money on a softstudio--not even for the included instruments. I'm glad I gave them a try to see what the fuss is all about though--they're certainly interesting and fun to play with.

[BONES]

Orion's instruments were kinda vanilla--nothing interesting, but not bad either.

Erm... compared to what? NI Komplete? There are very few instruments around that compete with UltranWMS or WaveFusion and you would have to spend a lot of money to do better than WaspXT in VSTi. And then there's the effects - anybody else get a transient shaper or IRP with their host? Because to buy both as plug-ins would set you back more than the cost of ORION Platinum.

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad that you feel justified in having spent a shitload of cash on Sonar and a bunch of VSTi but just imagine how much better we feel, having avoided such pointless expense and getting so much really cool stuff. Then there's the pace of development - how long do you wait for SOnar to give you something new and handy or fix some little problem?

[CypherOne]

opinions eh? Who'd have 'em...

[Josmoker]

Now Lunatique, how can you be so mean and criticize one of Mr.Bones' toys!?!?!?!
You know very well he can't cope with that! Now he'll have nightmares again...


Cheers, Jo

[original flipper]

HI

I don't think you can compare 'closed' programs like Reason & Storm with the likes of anything else - I mean Orion is no different (in it's open format) from a whole bunch of other sequencers that allow the use of VST's.

Pretty well every sequencer/host comes with enough synths/fx et al to not require 'outside' assistance!

Flipper.

[antardhyan]

My impression is that you can definitely make high quality music with them

That's the whole point of having a soft-studio.

[hitman8081]

Orion's instruments were kinda vanilla--nothing interesting, but not bad either.

if orions instruments are kinda vanila then why is bones signed to the biggest industrial dance label in the world? nuff said.

[Lunatique]

Erm... compared to what? NI Komplete? There are very few instruments around that compete with UltranWMS or WaveFusion and you would have to spend a lot of money to do better than WaspXT in VSTi. And then there's the effects - anybody else get a transient shaper or IRP with their host? Because to buy both as plug-ins would set you back more than the cost of ORION Platinum.

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad that you feel justified in having spent a shitload of cash on Sonar and a bunch of VSTi but just imagine how much better we feel, having avoided such pointless expense and getting so much really cool stuff. Then there's the pace of development - how long do you wait for SOnar to give you something new and handy or fix some little problem?

It's just a difference in taste and opinion. Nothing is truly better--everything's relative. I might prize my complete orchestral sample libraries, but you might not care for spending a few thousand dollars on such a thing--it's all relative. I don't make the kind of music you make (although I was in an EBM-ish industrial band 10 years ago), so my needs are probably different. I do film scores, jazz, orchestral, rock, ethnic, electronic..etc, so I approach things with a somewhat different mentality.

I'm sure when skillfully combined with the included effects, Orion's synths can do amazing things--but I'm not crazy about programming sounds--I'm more into the composition and arrangement end of things. I typically just find a preset and then go with it--either tweaking it just a little, or none at all. Orion's synths have presets that don't appeal to me, that's all. I'm sure if I spent the time, I could proabably program some presets/effects combinations that suit my taste, but I'd rather spend that time on other aspects of making music.

I like the sounds I get out of softsynths like z3ta+, Absynth..etc. Sure, they cost money, but they suit my taste in design and sound.

As far as Sonar goes, the included effects are excellent--good enough for finalizing orchestral film scores--that's not something to be taken lightly, especially when some of the other full-blown sequencing hosts have substandard effects plugins that can't cut the mustard when it comes to orchestral music. It's pretty much horses for courses. I don't know any professional composers that use any of the softstudios are their main sequencer--maybe as Rewired slaves acting like a synth rack or something, but none that I know would try to compose a full-blown orchestral piece in something like Reason, FL, or Orion Platinum. Just different needs, that's all.

[Lunatique]

if orions instruments are kinda vanila then why is bones signed to the biggest industrial dance label in the world? nuff said.

That only matters if industrial dance is the holy grail of musical accomplishment in your eyes. Not knocking it at all--I love industrial music, but it's just a very small corner in the big wide world of music.

[Morgaxx]

BONES claims to use only his KILLERS these days... nuff said

@BONES...shouldnt Sonar be SONAR, and whats with SOnar?

hehehe... me most useless post
hahaha... on nooblial hosts
ohohoh... ive burned me toast
hehehe... me most useless post

[lion_cub]

Orion's instruments were kinda vanilla--nothing interesting, but not bad either.

I found Orion's instruments to be ordinary too.

However, I found Orion's sequencing environment to be one of the most intuitive I have ever used. I found myself creating music almost instantly in this environment.

Unfortunately, I can't say the same about Sonar. Sonar looks nice and boasts lots of great features but I always seem to find myself lost in its maze-like interface. I could navigate through that maze for hours without even starting to compose.

[Maniah]

Whatever host you are accustomed to is the host you will praise and swear by. It's the addendas that would attract users to purchase it or not.
I have used several and for some idiotic reason (i guess), neither Orion nor SOnar bring out my creative urge/flow.
I really enjoy using Ext, Live and Reason. Does that make said hosts better?? Nah. They all have their ups and downs. No host is perfect.

Edit: Maybe TunaFish will kill all other hosts!

[original flipper]

HI

It's a funny old world - I sold Orion a while back but agree that it was just about the most direct route to getting musical ideas down - that I have experienced.

I suppose it begs the question: why did you sell it then - you moron!

That is another story!

I am trying real hard ..... not to be negative about stuff these day's.

Flipper.

[DavenH]

day's? Wha't?

[BONES]

I found Orion's instruments to be ordinary too.

Are we talking instruments here or presets? And are we talking about the demo or the full version with 600mb of sounds? Just curious how your far your head is up your arse.