VST?

I'm new to VSTs. I'm looking for a really nice synth VST to use within my Ren but I don't know where to start. For gear, I use a Korg Kronos and Roland Fantom X. Are there any VST synths that sound as good as these workstations?

I was messing around with Massive at a friend's studio. Not that impressed. Seems really thin-sounding, especially compared to the aforementioned hardware synths. Anyone have advice? I'm willing to throw down loot for quality. Thanks!

You really think the Kronos and Fantom have strong thick synth sounds compared to Massive?
Neither of those workstations would be my go to for synth sounds compared to a dedicated synth hardware or software.

I would have to ask what audio interface does your friend have and how was it being routed?

funkycoldmedina wrote:I'm new to VSTs. I'm looking for a really nice synth VST to use within my Ren but I don't know where to start. For gear, I use a Korg Kronos and Roland Fantom X. Are there any VST synths that sound as good as these workstations?

I was messing around with Massive at a friend's studio. Not that impressed. Seems really thin-sounding, especially compared to the aforementioned hardware synths. Anyone have advice? I'm willing to throw down loot for quality. Thanks!

Aw man compared to the kronos, the strings/pads on massive weren't as lush, the elec pianos weren't as smooth, and the low end was only strong in a cheap, overly digital sounding way. Maybe you just have to tweak stuff more than i was, but i've yet to hear a vst that's as full sounding as kronos.

i would purchase this...



https://shop.korg.com/kronosSoundLibraries

you possess excellent sounding gear, mazeltov. no need to use vsts at all imo.

You said synth not bread and butter sounds.
You are talking about two totally different things.

funkycoldmedina wrote:Aw man compared to the kronos, the strings/pads on massive weren't as lush, the elec pianos weren't as smooth, and the low end was only strong in a cheap, overly digital sounding way. Maybe you just have to tweak stuff more than i was, but i've yet to hear a vst that's as full sounding as kronos.

Just overall quality of sound is what I'm looking for. Love my kronos, but VSTs are better for the road. Anyone have any suggestions?

one word = KOMPLETE.

http://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/komplete/bundles/


A little pricey but you get the best of most world in that box and you can add on to the collection as needed.

Im trying to go for motu trackfive? Someone here mentioned it, and its low priced right now....but vst's plenty out there, I like refx nexus(including all add-ons,is pretty all-round... everything of garritan for orchestral, and whole bunch of more specific vst's like saxlite 2, the several linplug vst's (organ 3 has sum really dope sounds) blue2 if your more electronic...but I would like komplete too, but damn expensive 900 for the ultimate version which comes with a cool external hd..but I hope motu trackfive gets it done...45 gigs several instruments, 240 € more affordable

I somehow fell in love with some of the Rob Papen plug-ins, specifically Predator and SubBoomBass. They produce a very nice sound indeed, although I've heard some with a rather warmer analog touch, but they are anything but thin. Haven't checked Blue II so far.

What makes them quite nice for my use is that you don't need any iLok or eLicenser to use them, just only registration needed.

funkycoldmedina wrote:.. I use a Korg Kronos and Roland Fantom X..
..I was messing around with Massive at a friend's studio. Not that impressed. Seems really thin-sounding, especially compared to the aforementioned hardware synths. Anyone have advice?!

Maybe your friend got a faulty unit
Massive really is massive, just that you got to dig in.

It's a bit unfair comparing Massive to big workstations like those. I don't know those units but i'd assume you can layer patches and get epicness aplenty.
Massive's a 3 oscillator synth, 2 filters and a few effects. If you limit your workstations to 3 oscillators, 2 filters and a couple of effects and start comparing from there then maybe you got game.

I'd also recommend checking Best Service's Engine, it's more of a workstation, considering all awesome libraries
http://www.bestservice.de/best_service.html

funkycoldmedina wrote:Just overall quality of sound is what I'm looking for. Love my kronos, but VSTs are better for the road. Anyone have any suggestions?

Well if you are trying to replace a Workstation then you have to go with a VST that is built the same way.
Komplete would be the replacement for a Workstation while Massive or Reaktor would be a Synth replacement.

Still say if Massive sounded thin your friend setup has some type of deficiency.

Check out Spectrasonics Omnisphere. Truly epic sounding synths and pads along with more bread and butter than you'll use in a lifetime. Spectrasonics is a company started by former Roland lead sound designer Eric Pershing. Less than $500 and really sounds awesome. Check it out. I think you'll like it.

you should ask yourself what you are searching for....

piano, brass strings then you are looking for a rompler or sampler...

if you are looking for synth sounds then you should post the genre and if you are a big synth tweaker or more a synthpreset user ?

or are you searching for an emulation of classic synth..?

1. I'm looking for lush pads/strings/electric pianos. Choir voices, synth leads and bass would be a bonus. I do like to tweak a little, but it's definitely a bonus if presets are sounding pretty good off the bat!

Gonna definitely check out Omnisphere. Is Kontakt worth it? People seem to rave about it. Again, Massive seems a little too harsh and electronic-sounding for what I'm looking for. And full of too many un-usable sounds. Just my initial impression.

2. Since I do really like playing "synth" on the MPC pads, I was thinking of taking advantage of the deal going on on Maschine Studio and using it mainly as an instrument for playing patterns. Having all those nice built-in sounds with easy tweak-ability on the hardware seems appealing. I know it's just a matter of opinion, but as a life-long MPC user, I gotta ask: anyone out there like me (MPC person) who's picked up a Maschine Studio? Like it? Love it? Hate it? Thanks!