To folks who own this product:
-what do you feel about it?
-What computer specs/soudncard do you have?
-can you use Program Changes to change patches?
-How fast is it when loading, say, a 100 mb file
-will my celeron 2.8, 512MB, 160gig for audio system, handle GS3?
-how are the included eeffects?
-How do you go about converting akai/roland sample CDs to giga format? Does tascam give anything for registered users?
-what can it do that Kontakt cant?
Reviews on Gigastudio 3 Ensemble?
-
- KVRAF
- 4345 posts since 8 Mar, 2005
-
- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 4345 posts since 8 Mar, 2005
-
- KVRAF
- 4707 posts since 16 Mar, 2004 from Columbia, MD
I've had an awful experience with it. Every time I try to run it, it simply shuts down my computer and restarts it. I'm not even kidding. 0 functionality, totally useless. (Win XP Pro is my OS). I have yet to experience that problem with ANY other software I own, and I have quite an extensive list.
http://www.zirconstudios.com/about.php
http://www.zirconstudios.com/about.php
Shreddage 3 Stratus: Next generation Kontakt Player guitar, now available!
Impact Soundworks - Cinematic sounds, world instruments, electric guitars, synths, percussion, plugins + more!
Impact Soundworks - Cinematic sounds, world instruments, electric guitars, synths, percussion, plugins + more!
-
- KVRian
- 711 posts since 8 Sep, 2005
I haven't followed the framentation of the Giga/Tascam line, since I bailed on v2.5. IMHO, it appears that NI was doing more with Kontakt, while Tascam was trying to figure out what they bought (in Nemesys). Once Kontakt added DFD, I cut over. Their $250 upgrade path (from Giga 160) was more than the cut-over to Kontakt, and I got the VSL lib, which is great!
A few years back, Giga was the only disk-streaming software sampler on the market. In addition, the Giga Piano was the one, because it utilised the disk-streaming technology, which other companies envied. Shortly, after establishing the "Giga" line, Tascam bought them. Personally, I couldn't stand having to cater to the GSIF drivers and deal with Giga as the "non-VSTi" it was. (I believe this has changed in v3; about time!) Kontakt comes up with everything (any host)- Giga is a tough customer. IMHO, Giga belongs in its own box with all the samples. I'm not sure where they're gone with this big box approach, which is always encouraged in communications. Perhaps, it's more of a real VSTi, now? However, Kontakt owners who can dial it in a bit aren't complaining.
A few years back, Giga was the only disk-streaming software sampler on the market. In addition, the Giga Piano was the one, because it utilised the disk-streaming technology, which other companies envied. Shortly, after establishing the "Giga" line, Tascam bought them. Personally, I couldn't stand having to cater to the GSIF drivers and deal with Giga as the "non-VSTi" it was. (I believe this has changed in v3; about time!) Kontakt comes up with everything (any host)- Giga is a tough customer. IMHO, Giga belongs in its own box with all the samples. I'm not sure where they're gone with this big box approach, which is always encouraged in communications. Perhaps, it's more of a real VSTi, now? However, Kontakt owners who can dial it in a bit aren't complaining.
-
- KVRAF
- 4707 posts since 16 Mar, 2004 from Columbia, MD
They did just come out with GVI, which can be run as an actually VST in your host, and is quite a bit more stable. However, I'm not interested - I have K2 anyway. I only picked up GS3 ensemble because it was on sale for $50 and I figured, hey, it can't be that bad, right?
Bad decision.
Bad decision.
Shreddage 3 Stratus: Next generation Kontakt Player guitar, now available!
Impact Soundworks - Cinematic sounds, world instruments, electric guitars, synths, percussion, plugins + more!
Impact Soundworks - Cinematic sounds, world instruments, electric guitars, synths, percussion, plugins + more!
-
- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 4345 posts since 8 Mar, 2005
Hmm...mixed reviews..but this thing was well within my price range, so i thought i might give it a shot.
Ofcourse, i dont have a GSIF compatible soundcard, thats why im asking if it can run good on rewire. I have a celeron machine as well.
Ofcourse, i dont have a GSIF compatible soundcard, thats why im asking if it can run good on rewire. I have a celeron machine as well.
-
- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 4345 posts since 8 Mar, 2005
zircon, thats exactly what i was thinking...50 bux, cant go wrong...
-
- KVRian
- 711 posts since 8 Sep, 2005
Stick a fork in you (you're all done)! Those GSIF drivers drove me nuts early on, as not everyone was writing for them. In fact, I ended up with Terratec because of these GSIF drivers. Perhaps, I'd be using Pro-Tools, now, if I hadn't...nevermind. If you don't have GSIF drivers- stay away. In fact, I believe the GSIF drivers are a requirement, simply put.keyman_sam wrote:Ofcourse, i dont have a GSIF compatible soundcard, thats why im asking if it can run good on rewire. I
have a celeron machine as well.
Yeah, I know- they're blowin it out over there.
-
- KVRian
- 711 posts since 8 Sep, 2005
It's actually worth it to bump up, if you can swing it, as the samples that come with that version are worth the money.keyman_sam wrote:zircon, thats exactly what i was thinking...50 bux, cant go wrong...
Ideally, I'd stick a Gigabox with its own little GSIF drivers somewhere in the house and just hit it when you need samples. However, I am not certain that Giga v3 (even) is a true VSTi...that's the language that I was picking up from other users. I just don't follow their goings on at this junction...
-
- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 4345 posts since 8 Mar, 2005
Wow! I thought i was going to get a nice deal with 50 dollars and a nice sampler, guess i was wrong. Do they even have a demo of this thing so i can try it out? I think about it like this : The upgrade to GVI is 125, so in the future i can upgrade easily. But if it dont work, then I guess there's no point in buying.
-
- KVRist
- 138 posts since 1 Sep, 2006
Why spend $50 when you don't have to?
My DAW has never worked the same since I installed GS3.0 -- and I have a pretty powerful machine. I have it stable *most* of the time now, but not enough to make it worth my while. Plus, getting it there was incredibly frustrating... it took at least three install attempts of both Live and GigaStudio before I got it working ok. Now it Rewires ok, but still crashes frequently enough that I don't record with it. It loads sounds quickly enough for me -- usually within a few seconds.
The sounds are good, but most of them are demo-sounds. GigaPiano does sound good, and I do load up GS in standalone mode (GSIF) to practice.
My suggestion -- use the $50 to take someone you care about out to dinner. That will serve you better in the long run.
My DAW has never worked the same since I installed GS3.0 -- and I have a pretty powerful machine. I have it stable *most* of the time now, but not enough to make it worth my while. Plus, getting it there was incredibly frustrating... it took at least three install attempts of both Live and GigaStudio before I got it working ok. Now it Rewires ok, but still crashes frequently enough that I don't record with it. It loads sounds quickly enough for me -- usually within a few seconds.
The sounds are good, but most of them are demo-sounds. GigaPiano does sound good, and I do load up GS in standalone mode (GSIF) to practice.
My suggestion -- use the $50 to take someone you care about out to dinner. That will serve you better in the long run.
-
- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 4345 posts since 8 Mar, 2005
Good points, Rajiv. I think i'll go by your advice. 
Susbtitue the dinner with another sampler. 
Susbtitue the dinner with another sampler. -
- KVRian
- 711 posts since 8 Sep, 2005
Wasn't NI blowing out K2 for $188?keyman_sam wrote:Good points, Rajiv. I think i'll go by your advice.
-
- KVRAF
- 2312 posts since 9 Jun, 2002 from East of Santa Monica
Rajiv (and whoever's interested),
Check out GVI. Runs as a VST. No GSIF hardware required.
I bought the Giga-Ensemble for $50. Runs fine on my PC. Goes to show you that not all DAWs are created (and run) alike. For $50 I got a nice manual and the GIGA editor as well... to me, it's already a good deal.
Then by registering with Tascam, I qualify for GVI at the well-discounted price of $125! Compare that to $399 for Kontakt2. To a hobbyist like me, it's a huge difference.
A waste of $50? I strongly disagree. Buy your dinner for your special someone. I'll use my investment to write my girlfriend a song. I wonder who'll come out on top...
JD
Check out GVI. Runs as a VST. No GSIF hardware required.
I bought the Giga-Ensemble for $50. Runs fine on my PC. Goes to show you that not all DAWs are created (and run) alike. For $50 I got a nice manual and the GIGA editor as well... to me, it's already a good deal.
Then by registering with Tascam, I qualify for GVI at the well-discounted price of $125! Compare that to $399 for Kontakt2. To a hobbyist like me, it's a huge difference.
A waste of $50? I strongly disagree. Buy your dinner for your special someone. I'll use my investment to write my girlfriend a song. I wonder who'll come out on top...
JD
-
- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 4345 posts since 8 Mar, 2005