KVR Audio

JumpingJackFlash · Post by **JumpingJackFlash** » Thu Dec 02, 2004 8:20 pm

I'm just starting to kit out my studio, and I was wondering what's the best stuff to get. I'm currently still on a PC (with Windows 98), hoping to get a Mac when I can afford one though. Thus I'm forced
into using Logic Platinum 5.5 primarily.

I need good quality, realistic sounding orchestral instruments that don't cost me an arm and a leg. Do you recommend hardware samplers like Akai, Emu etc. or
software samplers like Kontakt and Halion?

I'm thinking of getting Halion 2; is it good? - Does it have realistic solo orchestral instruments?

And samples; there are always a few going on ebay, but I'm weary of their quality. I've also been thinking about the Pro Samples collections, or the Creative Essentials stuff; are these any good?

And, anything else you'd recommend, or recommend to avoid?

Remember, I have very little money to spend on such things!

Thanks.

cptgone · Post by **cptgone** » Thu Dec 02, 2004 8:26 pm

as you're on a budget, try sfz+, the rgc:audio soundfont player. soundfonts are (14 bit?) (multi)samples and you'll find lotsa free ones on the net.

JumpingJackFlash · Post by **JumpingJackFlash** » Thu Dec 02, 2004 8:34 pm

Yeah, thanks, SoundFonts will also load into Logic's EXS24, and I've already downloadad a few from the net, but they're not very good. - Some of them are blatently out of tune, some just have very short samples that are impractical for longer notes, and there's the royalty issue.

I know it's the old chessnut that you can't get good quality stuff without paying loads of money for it, but there must be some samples out there that are affordable but still good? (I don't mind paying a little for stuff that I know is very good)

And, I really need things to be completely royalty free too.

Thanks for the reply though!

ceenda · Post by **ceenda** » Thu Dec 02, 2004 8:36 pm

I agree with cptgone. sfz+ is an excellent soundfont player with very high quality sound and built-in effects. There is also sfz, which is the free version which has pretty much the same engine, but limits you to just 1 stereo out. It's still multi-timbral though.

As for orchestral sounds, you can get some very nice orchestral soundfonts for free. (have a search for "S J Orchestral GM"). It's about 70MB and has a large orchestra selection. There's also one called "Squidfont Orchestral", but that has more string arrangements etc.

If you can't find them, I'll try and host them again.

Moving up, you have Orchestral packages like:

Garritan Personal Orchestra
EastWest Silver Orchestra

both of which contain a sampler based on the Kontakt engine. Kompakt, I think.

Also, you know that there's a group-buy for EastWest GOLD Orchestra at the moment? It's about $400 (£220) if and when they pass the required number of participants. That's a 60% discount of the normal price.

JumpingJackFlash · Post by **JumpingJackFlash** » Thu Dec 02, 2004 9:32 pm

Thanks, I can't seem to find the soundfonts you mention, allthough I have downloadaded some that arn't too bad.

What about Halion? - Do you recomend it? - Is it good, with all solo orchetsral insturments? - Does it sound realistic? (Does it work with Windows 98?)

Is there anything else for less than £150 ?

Thanks again.

DevonB · Post by **DevonB** » Thu Dec 02, 2004 9:40 pm

I still recommend Gigastudio for the real deal. Everything else imports Giga, and all your good orch libraries are in Giga format.

When you say 'expensive', how much do you want to spend?

Devon

cptgone · Post by **cptgone** » Sat Dec 04, 2004 11:48 pm

JumpingJackFlash wrote:What about Halion? - Do you recomend it? - Is it good, with all solo orchetsral insturments? - Does it sound realistic? (Does it work with Windows 98?)

Sure, if you feed it good samples. I guess Kontakt is great too. Both read all kinds of sample formats. But I'm sure you'd be hard pressed to hear any difference between them or even sfz provided you have good samples.

- edit: except for the on-board filters and effects of course. but you're looking for orchestral sounds, right? -

Why not try the free stuff and demo the commercial packages later on? By that time there might even be a Group Buy or secondhand deal around.

TechnoWeeniePas · Post by **TechnoWeeniePas** » Sun Dec 05, 2004 12:52 am

JumpingJackFlash wrote:I need good quality, realistic sounding orchestral instruments that don't cost me an arm and a leg. Do you recommend hardware samplers like Akai, Emu etc. or
software samplers like Kontakt and Halion?

Hardware is great if you are gigging or if thats what you learned on. I for one never gig...but I learned how to use my equipment back in the day before software samplers...so my hardware sampler is easier and quicker for me. If you are on a budget and going to be sticking to the studio software is alot less expensive and will have alot more features than the hardware counterparts at the same price level.

P.T. · Post by **P.T.** » Sun Dec 05, 2004 6:17 am

I'm kind of with JumpinJack on the royalty issue.

I'm beginning to think there are no free soundfonts. Anything that is any good seems to be ripped off from a commercial bank and then just posted on some site as "free".

You don't really think that SJO Orchestral or Cadenza Strings were produced in some guys bedroom do you.

There are decent commercial soundfonts out there however.

tERMoBLUe · Post by **tERMoBLUe** » Sun Dec 05, 2004 6:36 am

soundfonts have all necessary prerequisites - therefore my tip jeskola xs-1 or in addition of akp-files the virtual sampler...good quality doesn't have to be expensive ...cu

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Samplers; hardward or software, Halion or Kontakt? ...