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MUSIC QUESTIONS FOR THE EXPERTS
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myersguy
292
myersguy
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CloseWell, I have been getting into music making recently, and already, I have to say, I have shelled out quite an amount of money. However, I am looking to better my opportunities with this hobby, and so, I have a couple of questions for music makers of RMN (abley and harmonic better post!)
What VSTis would you recommend?
I noticed that many composers choose East West's Symphonic Orchestra Gold package, so when I decided to get into this, that was my first purchase. However, aside from that, I am looking to broaden my arsenal. I have been using a couple of soundfonts as well, but most of them are almost the same quality as midi samples, so it just isn't worth it. I am wondering what VSTis you think are worth buying. Some that I am considering include:
Native Instruments Komplete: This is supposed to be one hell of a package, however, it seems like it has many things I wouldn't need (such as guitar rigs), and for the $1499 that it costs, I'm just not sure I should go for it.
East West Quantum Leap Colossus: Considering how high quality and great Symphonic Orchestra Gold is, I believe that Colossus should be of similar quality. Not only that, but a total size of 32 GB, that's a lot of instruments. It also happens to run at a cheaper price of $535.
East West Quantum Leap Symphonic Choirs: While I am not heavily considering this, it would make a great addition.
Anything from Spectrasonics: Their VSTis allow for a bit of techno/trance music, which would be neat to try. They also come in much cheaper than other VSTis of similar nature.
What program/programs would you recommend?
Currently I am using FL studio, and that's it. What I would like to know is what higher end program would you recommend. I am considering buying Sonar, or perhaps Cubase. Also, I need a program that is better for midi synthesizing, because I do not intend on playing every song I make on my keyboard. So, please, recommend away.
Any responses would be appreciated.
What VSTis would you recommend?
I noticed that many composers choose East West's Symphonic Orchestra Gold package, so when I decided to get into this, that was my first purchase. However, aside from that, I am looking to broaden my arsenal. I have been using a couple of soundfonts as well, but most of them are almost the same quality as midi samples, so it just isn't worth it. I am wondering what VSTis you think are worth buying. Some that I am considering include:
Native Instruments Komplete: This is supposed to be one hell of a package, however, it seems like it has many things I wouldn't need (such as guitar rigs), and for the $1499 that it costs, I'm just not sure I should go for it.
East West Quantum Leap Colossus: Considering how high quality and great Symphonic Orchestra Gold is, I believe that Colossus should be of similar quality. Not only that, but a total size of 32 GB, that's a lot of instruments. It also happens to run at a cheaper price of $535.
East West Quantum Leap Symphonic Choirs: While I am not heavily considering this, it would make a great addition.
Anything from Spectrasonics: Their VSTis allow for a bit of techno/trance music, which would be neat to try. They also come in much cheaper than other VSTis of similar nature.
What program/programs would you recommend?
Currently I am using FL studio, and that's it. What I would like to know is what higher end program would you recommend. I am considering buying Sonar, or perhaps Cubase. Also, I need a program that is better for midi synthesizing, because I do not intend on playing every song I make on my keyboard. So, please, recommend away.
Any responses would be appreciated.
S. F. LaValle
1069
I wish I had the money to spend on all this stuff =)
Depends on what you are looking for out of your package. If you just want orchestral packages, none of the above, except perhaps the choirs, is going to help. If you want to make more Hollywood-style music, I believe EW-QL has a package just for that in their catalog. Give me some more info on what you'd like to expand your horizons to, and I'll see what I can think of.
Oh, and Sonar has worked fine for me for several years now.
Depends on what you are looking for out of your package. If you just want orchestral packages, none of the above, except perhaps the choirs, is going to help. If you want to make more Hollywood-style music, I believe EW-QL has a package just for that in their catalog. Give me some more info on what you'd like to expand your horizons to, and I'll see what I can think of.
Oh, and Sonar has worked fine for me for several years now.
Mr.Nemo
1295
author=myersguy link=topic=1777.msg28325#msg28325 date=1219732358
Well, I have been getting into music making recently, and already, I have to say, I have shelled out quite an amount of money. However, I am looking to better my opportunities with this HOBBY...
Sorry, I don't want to come out as a complete asshole, but if you consider music your hobby, you're never going to accomplish anything. It doesn't matter how much you spend on it, music is art and if you have it as a "hobby", the best you'll churn out is emotionless, perhaps entertaining sounds, yet still garbage.
What I'm saying is; don't spend money on these things, get peopele's used stuff, borrow things and/or get cubase (or reason, which is better for electronic music) for free (yeah, you know what I'm talking about) instead.
maladroithim
1495
author=myersguy link=topic=1777.msg28325#msg28325 date=1219732358
What VSTis would you recommend?
Native Instruments Komplete
East West Quantum Leap Colossus
East West Quantum Leap Symphonic Choirs
Anything from Spectrasonics
I am considering buying Sonar, or perhaps Cubase.
EastWest's samples are the best bang for the buck in the market. I really recommend you stick with them. Garritan has some good products too that are not as good but are much cheaper.
Colossus is probably a good all-around pack to have.
Symphonic Choirs is fucking garbage and is the biggest waste of money of my life. Don't buy it unless you are a masochist and have money to throw away.
Stormdrum is super good and I recommend you get it. It will really add a lot to certain tracks.
MOTU ethnoinstrument is pretty neat if you want to get into some more ethnic stuff. It's a little tough to use though!
Sonar is a wonderful program! Get it.
author=Mr.Nemo link=topic=1777.msg28329#msg28329 date=1219750709
Sorry, I don't want to come out as a complete asshole, but if you consider music your hobby, you're never going to accomplish anything. It doesn't matter how much you spend on it, music is art and if you have it as a "hobby", the best you'll churn out is emotionless, perhaps entertaining sounds, yet still garbage.
Come on man.
myersguy
292
Thank you for your input Abley, I will have to look up that MOTU ethnoinstrument. Also, is Stormdrum an all around drumming tool, or does it focus more on one genre of music. Also, is Stormdrum better than Native Instrument's Battery?
@ Mr.Nemo : I have actully been into music for a LONG time, and the only reason I am referring to making music as a hobby, is because it is not something I do 24 hours a day. However, whenever I decide to play my keyboard, I love to mess around and see what comes out of it.
I still need a good program for composition. I don't much like piano roll!
@ Mr.Nemo : I have actully been into music for a LONG time, and the only reason I am referring to making music as a hobby, is because it is not something I do 24 hours a day. However, whenever I decide to play my keyboard, I love to mess around and see what comes out of it.
I still need a good program for composition. I don't much like piano roll!
You don't like piano roll eh? I kinda sorta feel your pain, but it really is more efficient.
Finale or Studio are pretty good Staff paper style composition programs. Although a MIDI controller with piano roll makes life so much better. Currently playing around with my Yamaha KX8 graded hammer action 88 key controller. It's like a steinway with a USB port.
Finale or Studio are pretty good Staff paper style composition programs. Although a MIDI controller with piano roll makes life so much better. Currently playing around with my Yamaha KX8 graded hammer action 88 key controller. It's like a steinway with a USB port.
author=Mr.Nemo link=topic=1777.msg28329#msg28329 date=1219750709author=myersguy link=topic=1777.msg28325#msg28325 date=1219732358
Well, I have been getting into music making recently, and already, I have to say, I have shelled out quite an amount of money. However, I am looking to better my opportunities with this HOBBY...
Sorry, I don't want to come out as a complete asshole, but if you consider music your hobby, you're never going to accomplish anything. It doesn't matter how much you spend on it, music is art and if you have it as a "hobby", the best you'll churn out is emotionless, perhaps entertaining sounds, yet still garbage.
There are plenty of people with expensive hobbies. Drop the unnecessary negative bullshit. Thanks.
maladroithim
1495
author=myersguy link=topic=1777.msg28374#msg28374 date=1219781621
Thank you for your input Abley, I will have to look up that MOTU ethnoinstrument. Also, is Stormdrum an all around drumming tool, or does it focus more on one genre of music. Also, is Stormdrum better than Native Instrument's Battery?
I still need a good program for composition. I don't much like piano roll!
Stormdrum is generally for all-around Hollywood-style percussion tracks. It handles orchestral stuff, electronic stuff, has some acoustic kits, and some ethnic kits. It's a softsynth like any of the other ones you are familiar with.
Also you should suck it up and get used to piano roll. It is significantly more efficient than editing with a staff. There is a huge difference between the piano roll on something like FL versus Sonar, though!
myersguy
292
author=brandonabley link=topic=1777.msg28386#msg28386 date=1219783858
...There is a huge difference between the piano roll on something like FL versus Sonar, though!
Oh... Maybe I dislike piano roll because of fruity loops then. I couldn't figure out how to slur notes, or change dynamics with it. Also, I am listening to some samples made with stormdrum. I think I need it!
Reives
1087
author=brandonabley link=topic=1777.msg28364#msg28364 date=1219779029Yeah, I agree that it's not worth the money. It's kinda handy at times though - mainly for the word builder. The soloists' range are way too limited imo. Aside from the word builder (and the library that accompanies it), it's pretty much the same Aaahs and Ooohs as Colossus.
Symphonic Choirs is fucking garbage and is the biggest waste of money of my life. Don't buy it unless you are a masochist and have money to throw away.
I also recommend Ethno World 3 (or is there a newer version now?), also from EWQL I believe. It has a lot of exotic instruments in there that can really add some unique characteristic and texture to your songs. Egyptian fiddle, Er Hu, native flute phrases, tons of strange percussions and the like.
Mr.Nemo
1295
author=myersguy link=topic=1777.msg28374#msg28374 date=1219781621
@ Mr.Nemo : I have actully been into music for a LONG time, and the only reason I am referring to making music as a hobby, is because it is not something I do 24 hours a day. However, whenever I decide to play my keyboard, I love to mess around and see what comes out of it.
Oh, I see. I though you were just jumping at it, freshman like "wohoo i can maek muzak".
author=Karsuman link=topic=1777.msg28381#msg28381 date=1219782702
There are plenty of people with expensive hobbies. Drop the unnecessary negative bullshit. Thanks.
HEY
If I'm poor and like to complain about it, i like to do it right here, ok?
myersguy
292
Alright, I have another question to ask. For anyone who has any of the East West VSTis, is there a way to have two instruments on one track? What I am asking, is if there is a way to do piano roll with more than one instrument. This would be very helpful for harmonies, and especially for storm drum (it is annoying using multiple tracks to use one drumkit.)
myersguy
292
Well, you could use the trial of Fruity Loops, and then just download some free VSTis. If you are looking to make synth type music, I recommend using the Crystal VSTi. It's free, and pretty great.
S. F. LaValle
1069
That depends on the sequencer you're using, Myers. For example, Sonar will let you have a piano roll of as many of your tracks as you want, color-coded, I think (I could be wrong). The instruments will still be on separate channels. Don't know about Fruity Loops.
bobthebobish
690
I'd like to put a happy mark on the Native Instrument packages. Have the complete and it's made recording sessions a blast not to mention easier however setup was a major pain from what I remember. The only other downside was the 40 gigs it seemed to devour....
Sonar is great and you can lay down piano scroll if you so desire with color coded tracks. I know a lot of people like pro-tools for recording/production but I couldn't justify the hardware when M-audio makes the amazing delta 1010lt for less and it does more of what I need it to do.
East west's symphonic sounds are 'ok' to be honest though I play windsynth on a lot of recording bits and I have patches that far outperform those so I haven't tinkered with it as much as the other stuff I mentioned.
Hope any of that helps :) oh and FM8 from the NI Komplete has become a party game for musician friends here lol It has so many preset beat creation that we just have a ball making random combination songs.
Sonar is great and you can lay down piano scroll if you so desire with color coded tracks. I know a lot of people like pro-tools for recording/production but I couldn't justify the hardware when M-audio makes the amazing delta 1010lt for less and it does more of what I need it to do.
East west's symphonic sounds are 'ok' to be honest though I play windsynth on a lot of recording bits and I have patches that far outperform those so I haven't tinkered with it as much as the other stuff I mentioned.
Hope any of that helps :) oh and FM8 from the NI Komplete has become a party game for musician friends here lol It has so many preset beat creation that we just have a ball making random combination songs.
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