The Sound is What I Crave

[Enlightend]

Folks, I'd like to get some discussion going on different software synths. Possibly this has already been done here, I don't know.

I'd like to break up my questions into two main categories:

1)What is the best software synth for 'traditional' sounds, i.e. orchestral strings, flute, cello, clarinet, etc.(I think someone has already commented somewhere at this forum about this, I saved the thread)

2)What is the best for electronic, 'non-organic' sounds.

Certainly #1 is coming from a Western culture, but other types of ensembles from other regions of the world would be included. And myself I'd like to check them out if they're available.

In my ideal set-up, I really want to have #1 taken care of, but I think that can be hard. It is apparently hard to get the French Horn down pat, yes?

One thing I've realized, after listening to some sounds from Emagic, is that while I definitely want to make use of 'traditional' orchestral sounds, I basically am ready to really plunge into the electronic domain. I want to get software that has a vast array of different sounds, the more the better. I want to have access to all kinds of warm, inspiring synthesized strings, not just the 'traditional' ones(though they are nice). I want to check out lots of these 'weird' sounds, if you know what I mean. The 'traditional' (western)orchestra is great, and if possible I'd like to have an acceptable version on my hard-drive, but at any rate I really plan on checking out the electronic sphere. The more sounds the better.

What are your thoughts for each # above? Reaktor? Reason? Storm, Emagic, etc......? Reason 2.0 has, among other impressive features, a new and large orchestral database.

Enlightend

I want to write alot of 'new-age' stuff, meditational, stuff that can encourage mind-expansion, but also I compose all kinds of stuff, funk, techno, rap beats, classical, blues, thrash, whatever...

[Trak718]

For your "traditional" sounds I suggest Sonic Reality's Sonic Synth.
http://www.sonicreality.com

[Har]

For more "synthy" analog sounds, I highly recommend rgcAudio's Pentagon 1. http://www.rgcaudio.com

Also worth checking out is their excellent freeware Triangle synth: version 1 is available on their site, but they've just released Triangle II which is amazing (especially considering it's free!)...they haven't announced it on their site yet, but there's info and the download link for the T2 on the K-v-R VSTi site/forum, at:
http://www.kvr-vst.com

Hope this helps!
--Har

[Enlightend]

There is so much out there! It can be a bit stressful when you're just getting started, but I think the key is to TRY DEMOS. I was checking out Metasynth last night....

I surely appreciate the input, if anyone has any other recommendations I'll take any and all....

Enlightend

[Har]

Hmmm....if I remember correctly, MetaSynth is a Mac-only synth, which leads one to believe you're running a Mac...!

You might want to tell us a bit about what kind of system you're running, then, so as to allow us to better offer any suggestions....for example, the two rgcAudio synths I recommeded are PC only....

[Enlightend]

I'm not running a Mac right now, it's just that I'm really set on upgrading to the new G4. When I said I was 'checking it out' I meant just looking at the site, and trying to get that $##&*#$ RealPlayer to work right... http://www.audioforums.com/forums/smile.gif

People are raving about Sonar right now, and also some are claiming that XP is just as stable as the Mac platform. And since some software is only available on either platform, this of course just adds to my stress when trying to decide how to upgrade. I'm also trying to be clear on: Which platform will continue to develop its audio/musical abilities and capacities? And no one knows for sure of course, but the Mac has been popular for some time in the musical community, has devoted a fair amount of work in their new OS to audio/MIDI functions, and this doesn't seem to be changing anytime soon. Emagic has even announced that they will produce an entire line devoted to the Mac, as I understand it.

I checked out some samples from Absynth last night, man that just rocks.

As far as MHz is concerned, I thought this was clearly a myth - ? Considering how well the new G4's are performing, compared to Pentiums.

Ah well, I'll just get demos, once I decide what platform to use. I'm just about ready to upgrade my computer, so the pressure is on....

Digital Performer looks real good, and is supposed to have the best timing in the business, when using one of their MIDI interfaces alongside DP. But DAMN THAT IS EXPENSIVE. I mean, yes, we will hopefully use this software(hopefully) for many years, and all that, but just think of all the tremendous work that goes into some of these modern video games, and back when I was an addict I would moan about paying $55 for a single game. These music companies are making a killing because we pay it, music is what we do, I guess they know that.

Enlightend

[Enlightend]

Also, why the hell don't they produce for both platforms, Mac and Pc?? I have a Casino game by Hoyle, it came with a single start-up disk, for both Mac and Pc, simple as that. They could make so much more money if they would just make it available to all....I don't understand ...

[trainwreck]

GIGASAMPLER

[Har]

Also, why the hell don't they produce for both platforms, Mac and Pc?? I have a Casino game by Hoyle, it came with a single start-up disk, for both Mac and Pc, simple as that. They could make so much more money if they would just make it available to all....I don't understand ...

Very true, and a lot of them are starting to do this.
But usually the actual reason, in the case of smaller developers like rgcAudio (which are usually just one-man operations doing everything), is that they don't yet *own* a Mac so as to be able to code, compile and test them on. Same reason, probably, for smaller developers who release software for Macs only. I know a lot of these guys would certainly *LIKE* to be able to have their stuff running on as many available platforms as possible, but just don't yet have the resources (like a major gaming company like Hoyle would have) to do so yet...

Little by little, though, I think you'll start seeing more developers doing their best to make sure their stuff eventually runs on as many platforms as they can....it's the smartest thing to do in the long run, financially... http://www.audioforums.com/forums/smile.gif

[bombastique]

Software companies (at least in the music biz..) AREN'T making a killing, even if they charge $500 or $600 for their software.

Why, you ask? The simple fact is that they have a VERY small group of people that are actually buying the software. Video games can be $55 because they sell MILLIONS, where audio companies sell thousands, if they're lucky.

[Enlightend]

That is exactly what I've wondered about a few times, I'm glad you commented. Some people seem to feel that "everyone's doing DAW's right now". While it does seem likely that there has been a real increase in the # of people involved in home-based music production over the years, I don't know if there would be any considerable increase in the # of musicians in the world.

And with the Internet, we are all coming together, from all across the globe we can come and meet in this one forum(and others), which is very cool. If I was into interior decorating, and did some searches on the web, I might come across lots of forums etc addressing this craft, and I might feel tempted to conclude, "Damn, everyone's doing
interior decorating these days", but that would not be true. Not the best analogy, but...

In my neighborhood, I know there are some people doing digital, but compared to the overall population I too think we are in the definite minority.

Enlightend

But then there is the issue of how much profit a company seeks to make, how much they will settle for, a different discussion perhaps...

[BeatDicer]

For traditional sounds check out Edirol Hypercanvas and Superquartet (Available in DXI and VSTI)

[This message has been edited by BeatDicer (edited 05-05-2002).]

[NFinity]

Not sure why no is recommending Reason 2.0. But it is really good as far as traditional, realistic, instruments go. The samples in the NN19 are awesome for a software synth. However, I personally say, if your going to spend $400+ (which is the price of most of these), bite the bullet, kick in a few extra dollars and grab a piece of hardware. Grab a module and a cheap controller. You will be much happier. Soft Synths always seem to lack in a couple area, mostly in percussion and kits. If you use only a soft syth, your tracks will sound like you made them with a Casio keyboard.

Learned the hard way.

If you have to go soft synth. GigaSampler is also a cool one.

PS: I have a G4 and the software synths and almost everthing else are very expensive.

[NFinity]

quote:
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Also, why the hell don't they produce for both platforms, Mac and Pc?? I have a Casino game by Hoyle, it came with a single start-up disk, for both Mac and Pc, simple as that. They could make so much more money if they would just make it available to all....I don't understand ...
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As an owner of both, I think it is to make you pay for both versions. Steinberg is huge, and they sell their versions separately

[Enlightend]

I appreciate all the input people. I checked out some of Edirol's stuff, I had no idea they are a division of Roland, and the sound quality shows.

Regarding companies who produce for both platforms and sell them separately, yes that seems mighty fishy indeed!

It has been mentioned that perhaps these companies are providing for a smaller market. But it is also true that music companies will shell out big $$$$ for products, and why the hell should they pay the $$$$'s when Joe bloe over here is getting the goods for like $60?

What is a module?

I've listend to some of the samples for the upcoming Reason 2.0, it sounds very impressive. I also checked out the samples for Propellerhead's "Strings" software, and I have to say that sounds damn good, especially considering it's software.

Do you really feel that way, that it will sound like its been made on a Casio? Also, I have to tell you that I have one of the newer casios, and I mostly intend to use it for MIDI, but some of the sounds are very good. I will try out demos before buying, maybe I'll end up springing for hardware. I was pretty impressed with Edirol's sounds. Absynth blew me away. I also think some of these companies are just a BIT overly-confident of the quality of their products.

I'm still waiting to upgrade, I can't really get started until then. I can't even get the demo version of Storm to run on my old Pc. I would like to get the G4, but mostly because OS X provides so much for musicians. OS X even comes with a basic sequencer and a virtual instrument, and lots of companies and products are moving to it.

But when I went down to the local Apple store, I was expecting the photos to load a bit faster. Yes, they loaded fast, but my ACDsee whatever-it's-called can load photos in as low as .4 seconds, and that's on a 100MHz Pentium with 32MB RAM. And like I was mentioning on a different board, I noticed smudges in the streaming video every now and then(with Apple). Needless to say I was very suprised to see that, ?

Okay I'm diverging, but I still am having a hard time deciding which platform to go with. It is true that Apple continually avoids comparing their G4 line to some processors, like the Athlon. And if one inspects their site carefully, it looks like they may have even intentionally omitted necessary comparisons. As I recall, they compare the G4s to a Pentium 2GHz in Photoshop, then in the next graph, they compare new G4s with the old G4 in I think a Movie editing program. What happened to the Pc processor?

And the system bus on, for instance, the new Dells, is way faster than those on the Powermac, and as has already been pointed out Pcs use newer RAM. Even if Macs are more efficient, I can't imagine why they wouldn't still use just as much MHz as Pcs. Lots of questions......I think the only thing to do is try before you buy, just like with software. I want to use Reason on a G4 and an Athlon, etc. I can't think of a better way to do it, and trying to make sense of all the stuff out there can be very confusing.

Enlightend