Gigastudio without breaking the bank?

[MikieNes]

Okay; after 3 YEARS of saving, I've finally almost finished collecting all the gear for my studio. Now, I'm under the impression that GM and Creative Labs Soundfonts are of relatively low quality for MIDI. I've got an Aardvark 24/96 with Sonar 2.0, and have been given the impression that Gigastudio/sampler is the way to go. That's okay; I can pick up Gigastudio for 79 bucks US. The trouble is, a quality, basic library of orchestral samples seems impossible to find for under several HUNDRED bucks?

Any pointers on what I can use?

Also, what's the learning curve on Gigastudio as opposed to GM/Soundfonts? Are there better/simpler/cheaper alternatives?

[Alan]

I'll tell you one thing based on experience,don't expect to play huge samples(ie:Garriton Strings)with 1 audio card with Sonar on 1 computer at the same time and expect everything to work out.The only way I could pull Gigastudio off was to have a seperate card on the same computer and use my main for Sonar or Nuendo then use the capture to .wav function in Giga.Huge string samples will also be competing for memory and HD activity so be sure to be maxed out on both.Personally for those type of huge samples I'd reccomend a seperate PC,or at least a seperate drive or partition for your samples,but you can pull off lesser stuff the way I prescribed earlier.Also IK Multimedia has a cheaper but really nice string sample CD as does East/West.I personally don't use Giga anymore and have opted for Kontakt which works as a DXi inside Sonar and now features streaming(ala Giga)and reads my old .gig samples without conversion.If your not going to buy the Gariton String library or any huge library especially desinged to take advantage of Giga and you can afford it,I'd recommend Kontakt as a better sampling/playback solution.It might turn out cheaper in the long run than bowing to Giga's demands,which are quite high.

[+Erik.+]

Kontakt is the way to go for sonar 2, definitely.

If you are using Sonar don't be tempted for any cheap VSTi samplers because they might not work properly (saving your banks is a big problem with some vsti instruments in a sequencer that isn't designed by steinberg). It's best to stick with DXi instruments.

You definitely want a hard disc streaming sampler, and before Kontakt didn't do this but in the last update I am lead to believe it has been added.

There are many budget orchestra cds for under $100 out there, so just look them out. You can even get cut down versions of some of the big names.

Another note, you would find it easier I think to bounce down seperate tracks into sonar from kontakt. So when things get rough you can create audio tracks once your midi is complete and take kontakt out. Gigastudio can be a messy affair. There's all sorts of problems with drivers and config that make GS a pain in the ass. On some systems you can set Sonar up to play GS but the audio inside sonar won't be heard. This will not happen with Kontakt.

[This message has been edited by +Erik.+ (edited 11-29-2002).]

[Strings2k2]

I'm looking to go the Cubase SX road, myself, and I have sort of the same dilemma. I have GigaStudio24 (came with my Audiophile 2496), and I'm wondering whether to stick with it and get Giga CD's, or get DR-008 for Drums and maybe Pro-53 for ambient/keyboard/Texturing sounds. I'm an instrumental guitarist who wants VI's of some kind to lay down drum, bass, and some other cool textures/voices (kind of like some of Satriani's work), but I absolutely DO NOT want to get into all the heavy synth/more dance-oriented stuff that's out there. What do you guys think, Giga or VSTi's? Please let me know. TIA! http://www.audioforums.com/forums/smile.gif

[+Erik.+]

sounds like similar thing to what i do.

vsti is a good road to go because it's integration is perfect with sx. you will not get half the problems or have the effort of working with gigasampler.

the is a fantastic budget drum library by wizoo and it's compatible with all the vsti samplers. i've heard some great work done with this kit.

[Strings2k2]

Which Wizoo soundset are you referring to? I've checked out several and they all seem to be pretty damn good, actually...they come in Giga, as well.......