Anyone actually pay for synths? NO it's not a pirating question

[punkin]

I'm kinda going off in a new direction lately. I've discovered soft-synths and I'm really being bitten by the bug. Anyways, there seems to be such an abundance of free-stuff out there. I can't see the appeal in purchasing some of those higher end packed products.

Could be that I haven't been spoiled by the "good-stuff" yet and I don't know the difference. I do have Kontakt 5 (which I paid for) and to tell you the truth, even though it's seems very expandable and customizable, it's not for the faint of heart.

Just currious to know who is doing what in this area. Whatcha usin' and why?

 

[Vadim]

I'm using KORG Triton Studio, and sometimes Roland va76, and will buy soon KORG Trinity-Rack. maybe later KORG OASYS 76.
I have few top software synths/samplers/sequencers, but I almost never use them, sometimes just to play around.

 

[danny.guitar]

When I still had Reason, there were so many sounds to choose from I spent most of my time trying to decide which ones to use.

The sounds of the free/cheap synths can be real good, but to be honest, I've yet to use one that sounded anywhere close to Reason's sounds (strings, pads, etc.).

Which is good for me because I can't record anything up-to-par with those sounds so it just sounded fake.

 

[TragikRemix]

reason adapted and sampletank LE, the bundled versions with PT LE, have given me so much flexibilty and sounds that i havent even had to upgrade to the full versions yet.

deff worth it tho. free ones really cant compare.

 

[dzach]

When I still had Reason, there were so many sounds to choose from I spent most of my time trying to decide which ones to use.

The sounds of the free/cheap synths can be real good, but to be honest, I've yet to use one that sounded anywhere close to Reason's sounds (strings, pads, etc.).

Which is good for me because I can't record anything up-to-par with those sounds so it just sounded fake.

I'm actually not a fan of most of the factory default sounds in Reason, especially the ones that try to model real instruments. Though for what you get it is a great deal.

Native Instruments makes the best soft-synths I've heard, in particular I'm a huge fan of Elektrik Piano and Absynth. I have yet to try Kontakt out, but I haven't heard a free softsynth that sounds nearly as good as the NI instruments I've tried.

 

[Fieva]

Reason's factory sounds are hit or miss, some of them are great and can be tweaked really well. Others are weak and muddy or too identifiable. I use free, purchased, and created sounds for Reason. This also includes the sound modules from the Triton, Motif, and Fantom. I didn't like the idea of having my studio too cluttered with workstations (plus I like to keep it all inside Reason if possible) so I took the sounds off of the boards themselves. Now I can just take them on my external hard drive anywhere instead of lugging those boards around (plus I can have all of my refills, soundfonts, and samples all on one hard drive). Works like a charm.

By the way, if you're only using refills, I would highly suggest looking into soundfonts for the NN-XT. Even with some of the free stuff you can find, many of them sound great.

Fiev.

 

[DavidK]

I am still paying for synths. Hardware synths are (for me) easier to use. Then again I have been using them for 20 years. For me, working quickly is perhaps the most important aspect of my recording work, I wanna hit the record button and go.

I have 3 hardware synths and am about to buy two more. That will probably be the end of that. I have quite a few software synths, I dont use them much. I like the Pro 53 quite a bit, but my music doesnt require that type of sound often. I think a lot has to do with the type of music you make, my stuff needs hardware or sample libraries. I think after I get my next two hardware synths, I will get a very nice sample library.

This also includes the sound modules from the Triton, Motif, and Fantom. I didn't like the idea of having my studio too cluttered with workstations (plus I like to keep it all inside Reason if possible) so I took the sounds off of the boards themselves.

I am 100% opposite. I want as many hardware synths as I can get. I am reconfiguring my setup, I want three keyboards: one just for piano sounds, one for strings, and one for synth sounds. I write with the piano, and my real piano is too far away and way too out of tune. I dont like loading soundfonts or softsynths, I need musical instruments in front of me that are ready to go 24/7. Again, I am 42 and have been doing this since pre-midi times, I am oldskool. I literally play 2 keyboards at once, I have the piano going then like to hear what the strings will sound like. My music is complex, buy my composing style is fairly straight-forward.

 

[beezelbubba]

Unless I want to be stuck with the stock sounds on my $99 Walmart special Yamaha keyboard, I have to use freeware VSTI's.
There is so much free shit at KVR that sounds good to my tin ears.
It is very convenient to have low standards!

 

[tangerine]

Have a look at rogue project vst
SUPERWAVE
JX 16
SR202 drum machine
ohmygod from ohm boys

 

[DAS19]

It is very convenient to have low standards!

Right.... I guess if you want your songs to sound bad I guess it is.

 

[Raxy]

The free plugs I have tried have been uninspiring. I’m a classical pianist. I have a hard time not being distracted by some of the canned sounds.

I have an old Proteus sound module that I like better.

 

[DAS19]

Cheap free vst instruments are just that and are going to sound like cheap free vst instruments. More expensive ones are specialized more for just that instrument(s). I tend to like the sounds of the soft synths that you have to buy. But then again alot of keyboard/hardware synths have ALOT of diversified GOOD effects they arent just built up in one area. You can most of the time find good sounds in expensive keyboards all over the sample library.

 

[beezelbubba]

Right.... I guess if you want your songs to sound bad I guess it is.

Stick it up your ass!

 

[punkin]

I'm using KORG Triton Studio, and sometimes Roland va76, and will buy soon KORG Trinity-Rack. maybe later KORG OASYS 76.
I have few top software synths/samplers/sequencers, but I almost never use them, sometimes just to play around.

I'm down with that...I've got a Triton as well. It's a real work horse in the studio.

 

[pikingrin]

I'm with beez on this one... I blame it on being a cheap ass though. I play the guitar, so there's no way in hell I'm going out and spending money on this stuff. Besides, they mainly just get used for filler in the background, so quality is not such a big issue. The only VSTi I have payed for is BFD, but that was an impulse buy and it was cheaper than buying a drum set and some more mics.

 

[beezelbubba]

I'm with beez on this one... I blame it on being a cheap ass though. I play the guitar, so there's no way in hell I'm going out and spending money on this stuff. Besides, they mainly just get used for filler in the background, so quality is not such a big issue.

Sorry!Your music is going to sound bad!The fucktard above told me so!

 

[mikeh]

There are many good recordings that used what may be considered crappy sounds (sounds worse than any free synth) and for that matter crappy recording gear - so it is a very unreasonable statement to suggest someone's music will sound bad simply because they choose to use less costly (free) sounds. Low standards for choice of sounds does not mean low standards for a quality of songs.

That being said - I have found the majority of low cost (or free) soft synths and/or samples to sound thin and weak compared to more costly software and/or hardware synths - in particular when attempting to simulate "real" acoustic instruments.

Certainly you can find hundreds of "pad" sounds - using free software - but the actual musical application to specific genres can be limited. I still prefer harware synths - or - certain samples.

 

[bigwillz24]

Outkast took sounds from a casio keyboard and made a hit record.

 

[beezelbubba]

Low standards for choice of sounds does not mean low standards for a quality of songs.

The low standard comment was a joke followed by a smiley, that was seized upon by a pompous jackass trying to make himself look good. My standards are realistic.When I'm looking for interesting VSTI, I'm not concerned with how they sound compared to their high priced counterparts.There's alot of cool shit to be found on KVR.My only concern is does it sound OK to ME?

 

[noisewreck]

I do have Kontakt 5 (which I paid for)

Really? So you've come back from the future to post? Or is this post from the future? How do monetary transactions occur in the future anyway?