DSK Virtuoso

I wanted this VST to basically create string sections. I'm going to explain it this way... if you're needing to write a chamber orchestra piece, and you're planning on using multiple instances of this VST, better have a dual processor, and some good RAM.

i tried doing exactly that using a Vista laptop with 3 gigs of RAM and a 32-bit OS. I got to the third instance of it, began playing some notes, and everything crashed. I don't know if it's a CPU issue, a RAM issue, or an instability issue.

UPDATE: I contacted their tech support, and got a reply within an hour. So the problem I'm reporting is present in a number of DSK synths, and they're trying to fix it.

Other than that extremely annoying situation, this is a great little VST. If you're used to the simple, almost brain-free setup DSK likes to use... this is a VERY easy to program VSTi. I ended up creating my own banks, simply by poking at existing settings. One thing I wanted was a nice Tubular Bell sound for a song (Okay, so I grew up listening to Mike Oldfield) and... I simply cut out all the other patches, and used two parallel Tubular Bell banks.

Here's the song...

http://www.reverbnation.com/igrewsome/song/20835345-heaven-or-hell

I've also used the Cello sound in several tunes. The only real drawback to this VST that keeps me from using it a lot is the instability issue. I just can't get around the issue of, "is this going to crash on me or not?" If DSK would re-tweak this VST, I'd be glad to rate it higher, and givev it a better score.

Bottom lines- GREAT sounds, EASY programming, Free... but instability for my laptop. Would love to see if it's just my older laptop giving me problems, or if other users are experiencing these issues? If you've got a newer PC, give this one a try.

Again, so everyone knows where I'm coming from, I'm self taught in keyboards, and my main genre is as a metalhead/Shredder guitar player. Keyboards have been one of the "beyond me" instruments until this year, when I REALLY got into trying them. Probably most of the users here at KVR are better keyboard players than I am.

The VST has a number of piano, harpsichord, organ, strings of different kinds such as cello, contrabass, pizzicato on the various instruments, brass and woodwinds in addition to the aforementioned tubular bells.

If DSK ever manages to fix the buzz, I would bring the score up to a 9, as it sounds VERY good, .

Anyway, here's my review - let me know if it helped any.