Korg M3 or Omnisphere
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Posted on Jul 22, 2011 12:02 pm
arpsos
Member Since: Apr 06, 2010
Hi,
I am looking at some variants of buying an instrument
I am hoping that some of you guys might be familiar with at least 2 of the 3 options listed below and would be able to tell me your comparison results. As far as sounds, which one do you think is the best option?
Option 1: Buy a Korg M3 (possibly even a Kronos)
Option 2: Buy cheaper keyboard (say Yamaha MM6) + a Spectrasonics Omnisphere Virtual Synth + a dedicated computer with enough capability to handle the software and patches without crashing all the time.
Option 3: Buy cheap keyboard + EastWest Composers Collection + dedicated computer with enough capability to handle the software and patches without crashing all the time.
The most important factor for me is the sounds - including realistic guitars, basses, fiddles, flutes.
Cash is a concern and if I can get sounds as good as the ones in Korg M3 (or better) with option 2 or 3 and come out spending less money in the end I would consider going that route.
I appreciate all thoughts from those who are familiar with these products.
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Quincysanhttp://www.unitedmusicians.infoContributor
Since: Nov 11, 2007
Jul 22, 2011 01:34 pm I'd go with option 3 if you don't need to recreate the performance in a live setting.
Omnisphere is great for creating otherworldly sounds but I think Eastwest Composers edition will give you a simpler no hassle approach to working out compositions with realistic instrument sounds. I'm sure the Korg is great, but I would only invest in hardware like that if I were about to hit the road with it...otherwise you can get a computer that can use high quality free plugins to supplement the Eastwest composer.
For instance, if you like the otherworldly sounds of omnisphere but realistic instrument sounds is your top priority, get the Eastwest Composers edition, but supplement it with the free Crystal synth available at kvraudio.com. It rocks, incredibly versatile...cool presets too.
J-botByte-MixerMember
Since: Dec 04, 2007
Jul 22, 2011 04:29 pm For other sounds, also check out the Sampletank freebie, the Yellowtools Independence Free version (some good sounding acoustic guitars in there) and NI's Komplete freebie bundle, which has a couple nice electric guitar sounds.
Also, Amplitube has a freebie version out.
Revitar 2.0 went free not too long ago, and it's a pretty good guitar VST, and sounds pretty good when run through an amp sim. (one of my favorites is the Green Machine II)
I'd say, if you're in real big need for a sampler/workstation keyboard, you might consider the M3. But if you're in it just for the sounds, go with option 3.
Other very interesting synth freebies to consider:
Anything from GTG www.gtgsynths.com/plugins.htm
Interesting Russian synth: www.stelsi.com/Synth01Eng.html
Green Oaks Crystal is another good one, as is Fuzzpilz Oatmeal.
www.kvraudio.com/get/219.html
www.kvraudio.com/get/2237.html (ugly as sin, but there are other skins available)
Tyrell Nexus 6 is another good freebie: www.kvraudio.com/get/4927.html
For atmospheric, Alchemy has a free player version out which has some nice presets that are adjustable, and can load in sfz files. www.kvraudio.com/get/4352.html
Also check out Majkin's Chimera for organic/atmospheric sounds. www.kvraudio.com/get/2289.html
Almost forgot. Zebralette Freebie: www.u-he.com/cms/zebralette
arpsosMember
Since: Apr 06, 2010
Jul 23, 2011 12:36 pm
Thanks very much for all your ideas. Now I am leaning strongly toward Eastwest.
What minimum memory/processor features would you recommend a PC have in order to run EastWest smoothly? (I don't want to go overboard if I don' t have to. ) I am assuming a good sound card is a must, right? What would you recommend?
Also, if I go this route I want to get a keyboard that will be able to use the full functions of the sounds in EastWest. I mean I assume that certain effects like glissando or plucking may be applied through changing velocity of playing on the keyboard or through a joystick. I don't want to be loosing some important features of the sounds because of keyboard limitations. I was considering a Yamaha MM6 or a Korg M50 with 61 keys. Casio Privia PX-330 looks interesting just because it has 88 hammer action keys at $699 new. M-Audio Oxygen 88 is another one I was considering and it's just a controller and sells for $599 new. Could you recommend some better options?
thanks,
J-botByte-MixerMember
Since: Dec 04, 2007
Jul 23, 2011 03:30 pm Well, I can tell you I'm using the EastWest Free Orchestra that they released as a one-time deal a couple Christmases ago (unfortunately they no longer have the free version as it was a limited time thing) It's got a few strings a few brass, but none of the extra articulations, so it's pretty bread/butter and I use it to flesh out some other sounds I have.
I tend to run a lot of VSTi and VST FX. I'm running a 3.0Ghz Dual-Core with 4GB DDR3 RAM, and a 10,000 RPM Hard Drive with 320GB by Western Digital, an nVidia GeForce 9800GTX+ and a 550W PSU. I have a firewire audio interface (namely the Echo Audiofire 4) It is a pretty solid mid-range machine, and I've had no problems with it. I plan to add a 2nd Hard drive at some point.
The computer itself I built from scratch for about $630 total after ordering all the parts last year. So I think that would be a good start. With the audio interface, the price was closer to $1000, but I already had the audio interface for a couple years. :)
So, For a good midrange machine, probably figure on $600 to $800 for a desktop machine, and probably $200-ish for a solid audio interface (like one of the Line 6 interfaces, or Echo, or PreSonus, Tascam, etc. avoid Lexicon's Alpha/Omega/Gamma interfaces like the plague)
On keyboards, I've heard good things about the Akai MPK series as well, both the feeling of the keys and functionality, save the drum pads as the drum pads aren't really responsive enough for serious percussion work. If I were to get a new master controller at some point, I'd probably consider the MPK88 Although I've heard it's quite heavy, so not very portable (probably has a metal chassis). :/ But so far I have no reason to dump my Xboard61....though the keys are a bit on the noisy side :P
Considering the software route, I'd say get a controller over a stage piano, just because it will give you more control over the software and automating things via midi. I wouldn't consider the Korg or Yamaha, unless you specifically need their sounds, and/or are playing live.
Also, on triggering the various articulations, I think it depends on the company/software, but many of them use "KeySwitches" (where the articulation is assigned to a key that is outside of the instrument's range....usually in the lower octaves)
that's my .02 on it anyway.
arpsosMember
Since: Apr 06, 2010
Aug 24, 2011 04:57 pm I am considering buying the Akai MPK88 controller.
This is the set-up I intend to use: The MPK88 + sounds from East West on my computer, but instead of recording them with a recording software, I want o record into my Tascam 2488 neo (external DAW).
Would I connect the Tascam to the computer or to the MPK88 via midi?
I've heard that MPK88 without the external power supply can not send midi out while it is connected to a computer via USB. I don't understand this problem very well, but I would like to find out if it applies to my set up before I buy the MPK88. In other words if I record with the Tascam will I need to do it via the MPK88's midi output? That would be a problem since I want to use the sounds from the computer (via USB cable) to record. Wouldn't it?
Thanks
