Virtual Instruments

[djglenn]

I haven't been in this industry for very long (producing), so can't say if this is a trend or not...but what is with the *possible* trend of the "virtual instrument"?

For example, rather than have a sample pack of say, the Darbuka, they make it into a virtual instrument, which basically does the same thing as your host....so call it a 'mini-host'. I've tried some of these and really end up hating them. (although the samples may be good). I've seen them for about everything, even FX. Ueberschall has one called 'Elastik', which is basically an interface that controls a filter, tempo, direction and panning of the samples. It honestly does little more than that. So what's the point in packaging it up like that? (marketing I guess) And the damn thing often crashes in my host.

The one I was looking at that started me thinking about this:

http://www.kvraudio.com/get/1300.html

Ok, that one has some timing effects that may be useful...but still think most hosts can do all of those things.

So why are these things so popular? (I'm assuming they are b/c companies are apparently continuing to make them) Who are they useful to?

[admin]

I think Stylus RMX probably had some influence on this as it's fairly well known for doing beats and modifications of those inside it's own interface.

You're right though it's probably somewhat pointless as you could easily import the midi file playing these loops into your sequencer and tweak there.

I assume it's just for instant gratification and as you said marketing. It's a way to sell samples and make it look like you're getting more than just samples to justify the price.

[Waylo]

I agree these types of packages are typically a pain in the butt. When I have them on my cpu i use them a few times, but then tend to ignore them.

They may be a better financial play for the company creating them, because they can charge more for it since its software... and cause it may be harder for people to crack the software than a straight sample library.

[NuEra]

Stylus isn't bad..its a quick easy way to mess around with a groove with out creating a million busses and inserts...that being said i don't use stylus.

Anyone care to chat about virtual instruments in general? I feel my collection is lacking lately.

[admin]

Which ones have you got already? I'd put a big recommendation for Sylenth if you havent checked it, really smooth and 'juicy' sounding synth. Especially for raw type sounds does them very well. I think he's running a group buy for Dec as well.

I've found some more use for Rob Papen's stuff now that I've been programming all from scratch. The presets are ok but stipping it down to the default patch and working from there has given me some nice stuff.

[admin]

For more complex textures this one looks interesting as well:

http://www.camelaudio.com/Alchemy.php

[NuEra]

Yeah I use Albino 3 a lot for anything synthy sounding.

Occasionally I'll use the emulated Korgs, polysix, or ms-20. Or the Arturia Arp2600 or Cs-80v.


A lot of Atmosphere for pads and fx. And trilogy for bass.


Thanks! I'll look into those.

[admin]

I ran the Trilogy raw sawtooth through Soundtoys filterfreak1 yesterday and got a really nice big warm bass sound from that.

[djglenn]

Which ones have you got already? I'd put a big recommendation for Sylenth if you havent checked it, really smooth and 'juicy' sounding synth.

Holy shit...now this is one bad ass synth! I downloaded the demo, and you're right...really 'juicy' and raw sounding. There's so many soft-synths out there now and I tend to skip by most of them. But this one is definitely different from the rest. I think I'm buying this one when I get enough cash. Looks like a lot of possibilities wrapped up in this one. Thanks for the suggestion.

[admin]

Ya had similar response, it was so much better than some stuff I kept thinking I was doing something wrong on the synths I was comparing it to. It's great for sounds that need to 'make' a track and be right in your face.