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#3911 - 09/25/05 12:06 AM Newbie Controller/Soft Synth shopping
Anonymous
Unregistered


Hey, I'm a newbie :-) I'm actually an audio engineering student, but I do a lot of home recording just to practice, and I want to get a soft synth that is pretty much as versatile as I can go. VST Synths that I have looked at and are interested in are: the Arturia Minimoog V (obviously), GForce impOSCar, GMedia minimonsta, and a few others. I just want something that has a variety of sounds but that is also pretty programmable.

Ideally I'd like something that can do traditional sounds like rhodes, wurlie, etc. but I understand that that's sort of a different realm of software. Any suggestions on this front or on which of the above you feel is the most customizable and diverse would be GREAT.

Also, I'm looking to get a controller. I have it pretty much narrowed to the Edirol PCR-50. Any objections?

Thanks so much for your help. Goodness knows I need it :-)

~Ben

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#3912 - 09/25/05 04:17 PM Re: Newbie Controller/Soft Synth shopping
3351 Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 08/17/03
Posts: 1194
Loc: Toronto, Canada.
Greetings.
You're on the right track. I really like all the soft synths that you've mentioned. However if you are really interested in traditional or classic keyboard sounds then I have a few suggestions.
My favorite software instrument for Rhodes sounds (and all kinds of electric pianos too) is Applied Acoustics "Lounge Lizard".

For Organ sounds on the other hand I would recommend Native Instruments B4 or USB "Charlie". Both are great. B4 is based on physical modeling of the actual B3/C3 Hammond organs. Charlie on the other hand is basically a sample playback instrument that comes loaded with actual samples of a Hammond B3 and C3 organs. I think that both are great and fantastic to work with. I prefer using "Charlie" because the sounds seem to work better in the mix.

Being Logic 7 user I actually have access to quite a few really powerful soft synths that model Rhodes, Clavinets, Organs etc. BUt you can only use those if you have Logic 7 Pro as they are built in right into the program.

-ED-
_________________________
A gentleman is one who never hurts anyone's feelings unintentionally.
- - - Oscar Wilde

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#3913 - 09/25/05 05:48 PM Re: Newbie Controller/Soft Synth shopping
Anonymous
Unregistered


Good deal. I guess what I might have to do is get one softsynth type app like the minimoog or the impOSCar and then maybe shell for another organ or wurlie app later on down the road. Thanks for your help. Any thoughts on the controller, or is the PCR-50 pretty good? I've read some good reviews, so hopefully it's the way to go.

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#3914 - 09/25/05 08:53 PM Re: Newbie Controller/Soft Synth shopping
Tim_S Offline
Junior Member

Registered: 12/24/03
Posts: 22
Loc: Christiana,PA,USA
Your off to a great start! What I'm going to say is of course a matter of opinion,I would go for a 76 key minimum controller with a good supply of knobs and sliders. I could never picture myself with one of those mini-keyboard controllers.
Not that edirol isn't also good,what has recently caught my eye was the CME controllers,for a few more clams you get this very solid controller that has capability for firewire audio and breath controller support. M-audio,who I believe owns evolution also has some great controllers although not matching the quality of the CME uf series.
Also a matter of opinion, I love the native instruments softsynths but find myself playing the M-audio key rig because it is as the name implies a rig of all the most used keyboard instruments.The B-3 emulations in key rig are very good as well as the analog synth and FM sounds.And for 99.00 its a steal.
Good Luck,Tim
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Tim

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