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Software Synths Advice

Sparky2

Active Member
Hello All...

I am just starting to get into software synths...I was wondering which companies offer the \"Creme da le Creme\" of pianos, organs and strings. I guess Native Instruments Hammond Organs are supposed to be killer...What about pianos. I tried the NI Grand SE and it is pretty good, but I bet there is better...

TIA
 

brian

Active Member
For organs I love the Creamware B-2003 (DSP based), but I assume you are looking for native solutions? NI recently updated their B4 to v2.0, adding some extra cabinet options for the Leslie sim and some refined tube distortion algorithms (I think). I don't own the B4, but I have used it several times and if this new version is improved, I think B4 2.0 will be as good as it gets natively (as far as not using samples).

You also might want to investigate NuBiLE, a very fairly (under)priced donation-ware organ VSTi (there is a free version, and a newer version that costs something like $30 if I remember right). This one actually sounds great, on par with the B4 I would say. It doesn't strive to emulate the Hammond B3 directly though, so if you are looking for a straight B3 emu, your best bet may be the NI B4. You can find info on this @ kvraudio.com.

As far as pianos go, I guess it depends on what flavor you prefer. I have the Vintaudio Yamaha C7 Grand set, and I love the sound of it. It comes with a standup Steinway piano that has lots of character too. The PMI Bosendorfer sample set is supposedly wonderful, but I have never tried it. Then there is the Malmsjo piano by ArtVista which has a very subdued and warm beautiful sound. This one is much cheaper than most of the VST sampler style pianos and has a great sound, although it would not work well for rock or modern ballads where a brighter sound is required.

I'm still searching for a good strings VST/sampler...Garritan and the VSL libraries seem to be highly regarded, as are the Miroslav libraries. Good luck in your search!
 

cane creek

Established Member
I'd start with NI's KONTAKT 2 because you get some lovely piano's and Rhodes in the sound bank it also ships with a 7 GB vienna orchestra library a built in convultion reverb and the biggest bonus is you end up owning the most powerful sampler on earth hardware or software.

its the best value package outhere.

then treat yourself to reaktor 5 and see how much planning permission costs on mars.
 

Sparky2

Active Member
That PMI Bosendorfer-whatever sounds incredible...price is right too...

NI KONTAKT2 sounds great but that might have to wait for another day...

Thanks guys!
 

Sparky2

Active Member
On second thought, KONTAKT might be the way to go...The whole sampler thing is pretty new to me, but with the sampler, I guess, I can acquire a variety of sampled sounds from different companies or sources and not be limited...correct? I heard the Bardstown Bosendorfer samples and those sound even more authentic than the Eastwest version...although that sounds pretty damn good too!
 

Akis

Sadly, left this world before his time.
Moderator
The Bardstown Bosendorfer is fantastic indeed. I liked its demos better than the PMI's and ended up with it as my first sampled piano. The Vintaudio C7 is great as well, especially if you want a more modern sounding piano. Look out for any (huge) discounts Vintaudio may offer during the holidays - I think I had seen something at KVR. FWIW, I had bought the C7 along with 2 upright pianos and a couple of sampled guitars (OK, I don't use the guitars...) for ~65 euro during a group buy they had done last year - amazing value for money!
 

Suntower

Established Member
B4 II is da bomb if you really want to -play- the organ dynamically. If you want to go cheap, get NuBi which, though in beta, actually sounds -better- than B4 in some ways.

SampleTekk's Black Grand is a -great- Steinway style piano at a great value.

Kontakt2 comes with a -very- nice all purpose lib. If you simply need piano and organ for backgrounds that should probably do it for you. Additionally the included synths and orchestral lib are -very- good considering their included.

---JC
 

Sparky2

Active Member
awww..I couldn't get the NuBi plug to work in Samplitude...maybe when I get Sam 8..still on 7 right now...
 
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