I need help deciding what to buy!

[Arglebargle]

I write songs merely for a hobby, and I'm also a impoverished college student, so I don't have a huge budget to spend on musical gear.

I use my Yamaha PSR-550 portable keyboard for songwriting, but lately, I've been craving more power than this modest 'board can provide. I'm looking for a "virtual sound module", and Sampletank seems to be one of the few in existence. Strange, I'd've thought more companies would put out similar products.

I've listened to the song demos on the Sampletank site, and they sound quite good. I downloaded Sampletank Free and was pleased with the quality of the samples, and the effects are excellent. I've read good and bad reviews about the sounds in ST2, but I suppose it's pretty subjective. For my purpose, the samples sound fine.

Obviously, ST2 XL gives the most sounds, but like I said, I'm poor. If I bought the L version, would I regret it? Does it have the wide variety of sounds that a good hardware synth would have? Is there a list of the patches include in the L and XL versions, so I can see what I'm buying?

Also, I've been looking at the SonicSynth module, which uses Sampletank LE software. Uh, what is the difference between the LE and L/XL versions? Also, how do the sounds differ? Are they the same as the ones in Sampletank or different? (I assume different...) The price of SonicSynth seems comparable to ST2 L. Thoughts?

The OmniSynth module has a good price attached to it, but I feel the GM-specification is too limiting. I use certain sounds more than others, and naturally I want more of these. 1 sitar is enough, but only a couple synth leads? Eh, that's kind of disappointing. Dunno, it's something to consider, I suppose. Any thoughts on it?

Other than these IK/Sonic Reality products, I can't find much else that fits my demands. Hyper Canvas by Edirol is pretty cheap, but only 26 mb of sounds?? Hmmm, doesn't sound too enticing, considering ST2 L isn't much more expensive and comes with ~2 gb of sounds. Plus, I can't find any reviews, and they haven't answered my emails as to why the link to the trial version no longer works.

Then there's the Plugsound modules, which seem good, but too specialized. The Global module conforms to the General Midi standard, but my complaints are the same as those for OmniSynth.





Whew. Sorry for writing so much, but I'm pretty new to softsynths and I'm TEARING MY HAIR OUT trying to find the right plugin. I realize the responses will be biased on the subject of IK/Sonic Reality software, but man, it's been impossible to find a forum to discuss this stuff. I don't want to purchase a softsynth I don't like, and then be unable to return it (I don't think any vendors allow you to return software).

[Frunobulax]

Hi,

I can't respond to all of your questions, but perhaps I can provide a little help. I'm sure Squids and others will chime in with more help.

You can find complete listings of the sounds included in ST 2L and ST 2XL here: http://www.sampletank.com/Main.html?STInfo

I don't have ST 2L or ST 2XL (yet). Perhaps Squids can provide some additional insight into general differences between the 2 soundsets.

I have Sonic Synth 1, which comes with the LE version of Sampletank. The LE version has several limitations. You can only use one instance at a time, and certain functions have limited user tweakability (e.g., only 2 of the 5 effects banks are tweakable). However, with Sonic Synth 2 set to come out in November, which will have a signicantly larger soundset and its own dedicated engine (i.e., it won't use the ST LE engine with its limitations), you might want to wait until then and see if that would work better for you. Squids has been teasing us with news about a 150 MB piano, and other tidbits that have us impatient for the release of Sonic Synth 2.

As far as I can tell, the most significant difference between Sampletank and the soon-to-be released Sonic Synth 2 is that Sampletank is more focused on acoustic sounds, whereas Sonic Synth 2 will focus more on synth sounds (though I understand Sonic Synth 2 will have lots of acoustic sounds as well, such as the aforementioned piano). If you plan on using a lot of synth sounds in addition to acoustic sounds, and like the idea of having access to samples of lots of classic synths and other keyboards, Sonic Synth 2 might be the way to go if you can afford it.

I have Omnisynth and it has some very good GM sounds, and it is affordable. You could get a long ways with the sounds in it if you tend to use only GM-type sounds, but if you crave more variety than is found in a GM format, you may find the Omnisynth lacking in that regard.

You might want to check out the Sonic Reality site for more info on Sonic Synth 2: http://www.sonicreality.com/

Good luck. May you choose wisely!

[Arglebargle]

You can find complete listings of the sounds included in ST 2L and ST 2XL here: http://www.sampletank.com/Main.html?STInfo

Heh, about 10 seconds after I posted this topic I found that page. Thanks anyway.

May you choose wisely!

*sigh* Yeah, that's the problem.

[Arglebargle]

I've also noticed there's an upgrade version of Sampletank2 XL for less than the normal version, provided you have Sampletank LE. If I purchased Omnisynth, would I qualify for the upgrade?

Omnisynth's pretty damn cheap, so it might be a good place to start.

[Arglebargle]

The LE version has several limitations. You can only use one instance at a time

But it's still 16-part multitimbral, right?

[ATS]

I've also noticed there's an upgrade version of Sampletank2 XL for less than the normal version, provided you have Sampletank LE. If I purchased Omnisynth, would I qualify for the upgrade?

Omnisynth's pretty damn cheap, so it might be a good place to start.

defiently makes sense to buy a product that would qualify you for the upgrade first.

[Arglebargle]

Well, I just purchased the Expansion Tank Omnisynth package, because I'm desperate for a respectable "computer studio" setup. Every time I boot up Home Studio and stare at the Edirol Virtual Sound Canvas plugin, a part of me dies. Ugh, what horrible sounds. Since I've decided to go the softsynth route, I haven't been able to write a single song, because Sound Canvas kills any creativity I might have.

Hope I've made a good choice with Omnisynth...

[Kim Lajoie]

What kind of sounds do you like?

Despite ST2L "only" having 2gigs of samples, it's an excellent all-round package. You won't be disappointed - especially as it comes with the full ST2 engine, you'll be able to modify the patches and save your own custom sounds. It'll grow with you.

You didn't mention what types of sounds you like. If you're big on synthetic sounds and "workstation keyboard" sounds, then check out Sonik Synth 2. It's the "sequel" to Sonic Synth - more better sounds, better engine (based on ST2).

If you're more into "band" type instruments (drumkit, guitars, piano, etc) then wait a few months and check out Studio Phonik. It's a similar concept to Sonik Synth 2, but with the different focus on instruments.

Forever,




Kim.

[Caleb]

As an impoverished student - don't overextend yourself with be-all-and-end-all packages without looking at the cheap or free alternatives.

See what you can get for next to nothing.

Download sfz from rgcaudio. If you go to the instruments drop-down on the top-right of your screen you'll find a description and links there.

Then go to www.hammersound.net where you can download a million soundfonts for free.

In fact there's also some really cool soundfont players created in SynthEdit.

I know - this is all headspinning - but go into the Samples forum or the Instrument forum at K-v-R and start asking questions.

I don't think someone just starting off needs to shell out the big bucks immediately to get some quality stuff to play with.

I would never say that StampleTank 2 or any related products aren't worth it - quite the contrary. They provide excellent value for money and are top notch products. But don't go broke for a hobby if you really don't need to.

At K-v-R it's ask and you shall receive.

Caleb

[Arglebargle]

What kind of sounds do you like?

Hmmm, I like to write video game rock songs, so I definitely need some good synth leads and rock drumkits, but I also like to use acoustic sounds like strings and brass sections. I have a lot of different influences, though, so the wider range of sounds I have the better I feel.

[Arglebargle]

As an impoverished student - don't overextend yourself with be-all-and-end-all packages without looking at the cheap or free alternatives.

See what you can get for next to nothing.

Download sfz from rgcaudio. If you go to the instruments drop-down on the top-right of your screen you'll find a description and links there.

Then go to www.hammersound.net where you can download a million soundfonts for free.

In fact there's also some really cool soundfont players created in SynthEdit.

I know - this is all headspinning - but go into the Samples forum or the Instrument forum at K-v-R and start asking questions.

I don't think someone just starting off needs to shell out the big bucks immediately to get some quality stuff to play with.

I would never say that StampleTank 2 or any related products aren't worth it - quite the contrary. They provide excellent value for money and are top notch products. But don't go broke for a hobby if you really don't need to.

At K-v-R it's ask and you shall receive.

Caleb

Y'know, I actually thought about going the soundfont direction. I downloaded the trial version of sfz+ and I bought some cheap 'fonts at www.soundfont.com. The sounds are, er, okaaaay... a lot better than VSC at any rate... but I didn't feel overly inspired. I later found out about Hammersound, but a lot of those fonts get bad reviews.

*shrugs* Dunno, I still might consider it, and $80 for Omnisynth hasn't drained my funds or anything.

[Frunobulax]

Caleb raises a good point. You should check out the free stuff that is available, including the free sfz. Look at the KVR ratings for free synths and also do a search of the forums for best free synths or the like, and you'll come up with lots of great ideas.

Combining Omnisynth with the best free stuff available will give you the ability to do all kinds of things now. Some of the free synths will provide you with a variety of leads, basses and pads to supplement those found in Omnisynth. Then later, after you have saved up some money, you can move up to something like ST 2 or SS 2.

And yes a lot of the soundfonts available are not that inspiring, but you will find some useful gems amidst the dross. Since you have ordered Omnisynth and will therefore have good quality GM sounds, you can use sfz and soundfonts for non-GM sounds, at least until the time that you upgrade from Omnisynth.

[Arglebargle]

Sounds like a good idea. I've already downloaded some cool freeware softsynths (Crystal seems extremely powerful, almost too good to be freeware), and I downloaded some of the higher-rated sfonts on hammersound.

Hopefully the soundfonts and Omnisynth will give me something to work with for a while.

[asseca]

Tip,

Download the latest version of Chicken Systems Translator Free. You can translate a SF2 soundfont into a SampleTank 2 soundfont once every 30 minutes.
Some translated standard SF2 sounds with a bit of effects from ST2 sounds terrific...

I hope Squids will someday publish the full list of sounds that will be included in SonicSynth 2, that would give you and I a better indication of the Acoustic-Sounds versus Synth-Sounds available in SS2.

[midinut]

Lest we sometimes forget ... at times we become so absorbed with the available latest and greatest technology that we forget why we started this in the first place ... to make music. I've been using SS1 for about a year now and absolutely love it (and I have ST2 on its way as we speak) but some days I find myself spending more time reading about the technology than I do actually making music. Whatever happened to the good old days. I can remember years ago sitting down at my Rhodes (or insert your first "real" instrument here) and spending hours upon hours just creating music. I love the new tools as much as all of you but once you have the basics (and yes even a GM soundset will do that), there should be no longer any excuses for not making music. I agree with the above post about the "free" tools as well. I use MDA Pianos and Ticky Clavs all the time and even the basic stuff that comes with Cubase or Logic or most host software (yes even Cakewalk Home Studio which I bought first) are way more than anything you could get your hands on 10 years ago for a fraction of the cost. So I (in my humble opinion) think it's all a matter of perception. Or in my case maybe I'm looking for excuses NOT to make music and just collect all the cool new gear. Sorry for the megapost but it just made me think ... I ought to go write something! Excuse me while I go do just that!

BTW - When is SS1 going to be shipping?