Sonar 2.2, piano sounds, livesynth

[wturner]

I have Sonar 2.2. with which I want to use some quality piano sounds. One option is to use a soundfont and Livesynth Pro.

Problem: LiveSynth Pro website is down.
Question 1: Are they out of business?

Question 2: Do I have another option with the existing softsynths that came with Sonar 2? In other words, can I purchase a wave-based piano sound instead of a soundfont and use the wave-based piano sound with one of the softsynths that came with Sonar? Or will I also have to buy a different softsynth?

Thank you.

[dachay2tnr]

Yes, I do believe Live Synth Pro is belly-up.

One option for you to consider is Kompakt by Native Instruments. It plays Sound Fonts, Giga format, as well as it's own native format, and comes with a pretty nice selection of samples. Runs about $170 if I recall.

Another option is to upgrade to Sonar 3.0 Producer Edition, which also comes with V-Sampler. Not sure what formats V-Sampler will play, maybe someone who has purchased Sonar 3.0 can advise here. Word is the piano sample supplied with V-Sampler is excellent, although the rest of the samples are not quite on the same level. This will run you a little more money, but you get all the other benefits of the upgrade.

In the meantime, you can use Edirol VSC that came with Sonar. It will only play its own samples, but some of them are not half bad. I actually like some of their piano sounds, but not if you are looking for a classical-type piano sound. Their samples run a little bit toward the honkey tonk side.

[brzilian]

The Dyad DXi softsynth that came with my HS2004XL also reads SF2's.

http://cakewalk.com/Products/DXi/PF.asp

[moskus]

Originally posted by dachay2tnr
Yes, I do believe Live Synth Pro is belly-up.

Damn, that's the best DXi I have (besideds DR-008, of course )

[wturner]

Given that LiveSynth is out of business, would it be improper of me to request your code to unlock my demo version?

[moskus]

You can ask, but the answer is "no".

[wturner]

"No" it would not be improper, or "No" you will not gi...

Oh, nevermind. I know what you mean.

[moskus]

I don't give my registered e-mail and unlock code to people...

[Sklathill]

Before, I said that the pianos that come with Sonar 3 Producer and vsampler didn't compare to the Gigapiano. Still holds true...for solo.

Working with those pianos within an orchestral mix, I find myself really preferring the extra hammer and bite of these pianos. And down low they're great against my trombone samples. I guess I was expecting them to be pristine. They most certainly are not, but they're very good. If you're a Sonar 2 user who's looking at pianos, getting Sonar 3 for Vsampler and its samples is a pretty darn good idea. Since it plays gigs, halion, and others as well, you could always upgrade from there. (Comparable to the price of Kompakt. I think Kompakt might have some better packaged samples. I don't think it has a comparable piano, but I remember it having Ultimate Strings Lite, which is pretty DARN GOOD.)

[wturner]

Thank you, gentlemen.

The Sonar 3 Producer upgrade is way beyond my current price consideration ($229). I'm looking for a $100 or less solution. I've got some soundfonts already or I can get a hold of some gigasampler piano waves for $75, but then I've got to acquire a synth to play them.

I will, however, take your advice under consideration. Thank you, again.