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Totally worth it IMO although that price does look worse in $$ than ££. I use a little bit of it in just about everything I do, so I guess if I were to add up the cost against the many cheaper synths I have that I hardly ever use, then it starts to look like pretty decent value. Plus there's usually a significant "free" upgrade thrown in somewhere down the line and as I've said before at least you're not likely to buy it one month and see the price drop 50% a month later. It's a shame that there isn't a demo, but I think that because it's such a beast of a thing that it would be nigh on impossible to make a demo version that would do it justice. If you're looking for the mother of all things that mimics "real" instruments then its not for you. If you're looking for the daddy of all sound design then I doubt you would be disappointed. I would say that if you watch Eric's demo videos over the years and they make you really,really, really want it you'll be happy with what you get.

HoRNet Mega sale almost every plugin 60% off, bundles 20% off https://www.hornetplugins.com

Spectrasonics doesn't need to put out a lot of products because what they have covers so much ground, so well. Regarding Omnisphere... It comes with a ton of presets and there are a lot of 3rd party libraries available as well. If you want to get an idea of the sonic scope of this synth check out https://www.theunfinished.co.uk/shop/omnisphere-bundle/ Omnisphere 2 has been updated & expanded numerous times - for free. With many other companies the current version would now be v4 or higher and you would have had to pay for upgrades (rebuy it) several times so your total $ outlay would be several times what you initially bought in for.

I put this up on VI:Control, but might as well share it here: After ALBION ONE there was ALBION NEO On May 7th ALBION ENO

That's why an automated installer is desperately needed. Too many moving parts now for a human to get it exactly right with a manual install.

Anyone new to computer music? Get a keyboard, Omnisphere and Keyscape. Done.

Because I'd bought quite a few things from them, I managed to get 20% off the boxed versions of Omni 1 and Trilian when bought together from a retail store that is no longer in business who claimed that was virtually the price that they paid for them from their wholesaler (Time & Space). No idea if that was true or not, but they were quite reluctant to give me that price and I don't think that I would have got it had it not been for my previous purchases and the obvious hope that there may be more to come in future, which there would have been had they remained open. Totally worth it though and personally I prefer knowing that it's not going to be half the price 2 months after you bought it. They usually throw in some pretty significant upgrade versions too, so all in all its not a bad deal when you consider what you are getting. The only thing that is disappointing to me is that they don't consider already owning two of their products to be worth anything if buying a third, which is the main reason I only have two and their policy of not allowing upgrade pricing on physical media, although I did eventually upgrade Omni to latest version after a kind soul here made the big download on on crappy d/l speed problem go away.

I'm cool with the v9 interface. There's another school of thought that visual stimulation should be limited so as to have a minimal affect on auditory function. So, in that line of thinking, REAPER has the most conducive interface for making music. ?

That won't stop me.

I found this portable SQL Lite browser which seems to work OK just for viewing the database offline and it's a nice small install in a single folder (being portable). https://sqlitebrowser.org/blog/portableapp-for-3-11-2-release-now-available/ (Kaspersky AV gives it a clean bill of health as does VirusTotal btw) I created a couple of favourites in ST4 and they appeared in the "Instrument" table when I looked in SQL Lite browser. The "is_favorite" field is set to 1 for favourites and otherwise 0, so just put a 1 in the is_favorite filter to see your favourites. This could actually be quite useful for searching instruments when you don't have ST4 loaded or are on a different PC without ST4 (just copy the instrument.db file there for browsing in SQLLite).

For just backing up I think you'd be fine. I was thinking about more along the lines of "moving" favorites from one machine to another.

I stopped wondering . . . and succumbed to temptation and GAS. I got R4 and Nimbus way back with an Izotope bundle and they are just so good, when they put more out at ridiculous prices I just can't help myself, even if like Pheonix Verb they are somewhat redundant if you own Nimbus. What can you do ?. . . stay away from the deals forum that's what?

Yes, I am still around, but rarely post. I come everyday to look for Larry's best and latest deals.

Picture in email shows an Orchestra layout... Nothing on the Website about it

If you own any AAS instruments it might be worthwhile checking your account for discounts. I've just upgraded to Ultra Analog VA-3 with the Kicks and Snares pack for $39 ($40 saving on the normal upgrade price). No email received but I was just going through my account to see about purchasing the new pack. That's me got everything they produce once again!

Bapu , the plugin Soros ... lol

Really? In my experience they have been quite open to a bundle type of deal that may not be an advertised one. Perhaps they just don't like frogs?? Personally I'm still hoping against all hope that they will somehow find a way to give Tassman a better look, but I guess Strum GS-3 is way more likely. That will need to be good though because of all their synths Strum is probably the least good.

"OK, that's the MIDI track. Now you need an Audio track for the output..."

First, thanks to the person who started this thread because those are excellent, free instruments. I'd also add the TX16Wx sampler, which is also flexible and free. However, the OP also underscores that there are plenty of free instruments, so Cakewalk doesn't really need to develop more. I think the main point is the suggestion that Cakewalk partner with the companies offering free software to include them in Cakewalk. That's an intriguing idea; Acoustica bundles some effects you can find on the web for free with Mixcraft. I don't know what's involved with creating that relationship with developers, though, and if included, then it would fall on Cakewalk to make sure the plug-ins worked with Cakewalk and didn't cause unforeseen problems. The need to do QC might be a stumbling block to making this happen. I'd REALLY like to see Cakewalk re-introduce Rapture Pro. I assume they would need to charge for it, because of the effort required to fix some of the loose ends. But it was an instrument with features no other instrument has, and can make sounds that are unique. I've tried porting some of my custom Rapture Pro sounds to other instruments, and it's not easy. Rapture Pro also has a ton of content available that's just lying dormant from companies like DSF, and of course, I did several expansion packs. They provide a wide cross-section of sounds for an innovative synth. Rapture Pro's six elements also make it ideally suited to MIDI guitar. Bring back Rapture Pro!

BBCSO Total Max

I use Reaper ;( (hahaha)

Hey ZincT, nice find!

I had the original version which was called AutoTheory and while it was good I didn't like that it operated outside your DAW. I was able to get a free upgrade to Chord Prism and I do like it a lot and it is now integrated in your DAW. I also own Scaler and you can do most (not all) of it with Scaler (which is soon to updated). For me I am happy to have both and would recommend Chord Prism. I would definitely buy it at this price if I didn't already own it. This one, Scaler and InstaChord are my favourite apps of this type. I'm not including apps like Rapid Composer and Orb Producer, Sundog, Captain Chords in this as they are full blown songwriting aids - kind of the next step after this. If you are an adept keyboard player then you probably don't need it but as a so so keyboard player it works for me and I really like the new features. You basically have chords on the left octave and notes/arps on the right octave and you set the key on the left and it then gives you the chords for the key on the left octave but also changes the keys on the right octave to fit in with the chord and the key as you are playing them. It doesn't stop there as there are various options for how the notes on the right hand octave are displayed and also for leading notes/7th/9th/11ths for the chords on the left octave. There's even more to it than that so just have a look at these videos...

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!!!

They're like a-holes: there's a problem if you have more than one?

With a SQLite browser you can also check out the database Cakewalk is using to store plugin categories. It's %APPDATA%\Cakewalk\Library\Library.db Of course the entries are a bit hard to use, since they refer to plugin_clsid's in the registry. Lots of apps use SQLite for local databases.

AWESOME! I am going to play with this. Bob Bone

I meant for backing up on the same machine when you uninstall and reinstall. So you don't think a copy of the file made before un-installation and then restored to it's correct location after a clean install would work? I suppose if ST4 installation creates a new db file then overwriting it with a different backup copy might confuse it. Then again if the uninstaller leaves the file alone or asks whether to leave it there that would imply that a fresh installation can use the file. IDK. Anyway, that's useful information and it's a good excuse for me to blow the cobwebs off some old SQL course notes .

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Good find, thanks Matthew. Should also make it easy to backup any favourites.

Other than a drum map here are a couple of tools to try (I have not tested myself) MIDI Notemapper Veloscaler MIDICurve available from https://code.google.com/archive/p/pizmidi/downloads get the latest file called pizjuce_x64_20120111.zip

The Favorites for Sampletank 4 are stored in the SQLite database instruments.db in your user Documents\IK Multimedia\SampleTank 4 folder. The favorites are in the table "Instrument", the column is_favorite Use your personal favorite SQLite DB tool to check it. Handy note, Cakewalk uses a SQLite database for the Browser Categories also.

It just looks like a poorly thought out "Cartoon" to me...and even the "Channel Slide Out" is pretty lamely implemented. A lot of things I don't like about it aesthetically...it just seems "contrived". The stock plugins, while good, look like crap. There's a lot that I really just don't care for in S1. I know that "rubs the fanboys"...but it is what it is...

I'm in the complete opposite camp. I think S1 looks like crap. The workflow is crappy. And I think CbB has the had the best interface since the introduction of the Carbon Skylight theme. Reaper is also the most flexible, with a wide availability of "Themes" that are functional and pleasing aesthetically. But that, like everything, is subjective.

I posted about my new budget 12 core Ryzen based system last month. All going well, it's powerful and runs with no DPC latency issues. It wasn't a purpose built DAW but a PC from an online system builder that based not far from me ( you know..just in case I need to call in ! ) You can check the DAWbench results on Scan audio, they are indeed kicking Intel's butt in the power / performance stakes at all price points for content creation It's the first AMD CPU I've ever had actually, and like @RobertWS says....you wouldn't know it unless you looked under the hood

IMHO Mixcraft was the only DAW that looked "cartooney" a few years back. They have since refined that DAW appearance and now it looks pretty slick. Cakewalk might seem that way to someone coming from something like Cubase, although if you remember there were lots of disgruntled user when C-base changed their GUI While I agree some customization to GUI would be a nice addition to Studio One I find it a very workable DAW. Workflow was easy for me to get a hold on at the basic level. I still haven't gotten on board with the chord track. When I want chord I ideas I pick up a guitar or play it on the keyboard. I like the arranger concept. With this feature now integrated into Cakewalk it would be tough for someone to cross over who only has Cakewalk ... My main reason for sometimes using Studio One> it integrates into Notion 6 and that's a killer combination for anyone who needs or wants to have sheet music available. It is a very stable DAW and I don't find myself looking for very long when attempting to do anything in it. Very intuitive. But you didn't ask me what I liked you asked me what I would like to see in the future. - Faster startup. Seems to take forever to boot up compared to CbB. That's really the only nit I have with it at all. Runs on Mac and PC, has advanced mastering features. The included plugins are all great. I probably won't use all of the features in Studio One 4 Pro. They could begin to add some of the features found in Cubase. Maybe a drum program instead of a DJ pads and loops. How about a vocal correction program? A better synth program similar to Halion in Cubase? Most DAWS havbe glorified romplers . Cakewalk offered serious synths in zT3a+2. Those are the things that made Sonar Platinum so formidable. If they could design these "in house" instead of tacking on 3rd party programs I think that would be a Cubase Killer indeed. Presonus already have so much going for them in having a huge hardware line that "talks" the Studio One language. They upped the game in adding reduced latency programming. None of those add ons would make the DAW any better as a core program, however they would really sweeten the idea that you could do it all with one program. I really don't know what else they could put into the program that I could use.

+inf, I jumped ship back in 2015, and after a little time using Studio One, SONAR looked like crap to me, actually couldn't stand looking at it. I haven't used SONAR for about 4 years, last time was just to transfer over some projects, don't even have it installed any longer, never really bothered with CbB. As for Studio One v5, I'll be just happy if they just keep improving on what is there, it does everything I need, of course I'll take any new features they provide, mightn't use them depending on what they are, but . . .

Don't know about the UFX but my UCX came with a power supply which is rated 100-240v 50/60 hz input and 12v 2amp output. However I never use it since the UCX is powered by firewire connection to the computer. I think you need the power supply if using USB.

I have fully switched to Studio One for mixing new projects. I have gotten in a groove with it and I appreciate it's stability. That said, it still seems have to have some growing pains. Interface updates would be welcome! Being able to see the plugins without having to expand a page would be great! Better Faderport integration - tracks I hide in the mixer should not appear on the Faderport. Sends should automatically honor the track's pan. Midi routing with midi filtering (so I can run punchbox from an existing midi drum track) Independent Left/Right pan faders (dual panning, right in console) Big faders or knobs for sends - the tiny interface now is very hard to use. Global clip indicator - I use 4 hardware outs for analog summing and there is no easy way for me to see when one clips other than opening the io area in the mixer. The buses don't actually show clipping for me! Dim Solo Clip Gain Volume Envelopes Route output of of track to input of another Hover cars

Liked that a lot! Reminds me of one of my favorites:

Right...I'm just speculating on the normal 2 year cycle... but who knows? 4.5 came out in May of '19....so it should drop this month...

I'd say given Studio One is made by people who formerly worked on Cubase, we're probably getting... another feature from Cubase. Studio One pretty much looks like a somewhat more approachable Cubase from my PoV.

The effect is called portamento. Or a slide with a guitar. That is a function of the individual instruments rather than Cakewalk. There is no PRV setting/function/method of doing it. VST instruments that can do it (not all can), will have a setting for permanently on/off, or a keyswitch that when triggered says "these notes must slide from one to the next." The setting/keyswitch varies from VST to VST.

I'm mad at AMD processors right now. We bought my wife a Lenovo laptop with a Ryzen 7 processor and we have had nothing but issues. Opened multiple support cases and none solved the issue. Now it's 2 years old and the support period is over and she still has issues. This rant is to try to make me feel better. This is the first AMD CPU I've purchased and it's a lemon!!

I totally agree with James.

Either intel or AMD will do... I have built many intel and AMD machines for multimedia work, as long as you know what to do (and what to expect), both are great. If you ask people on the net, they will always discuss & debate about how one is better than another for the sake of their own argument. Get over it, like comparing apple and orange, in the end, it's always be a matter of taste and sentimental reason.

I've had Jordi Savall on my playlist for sometime and haven't listened lately. There's just something about a violin and guitar that's very pleasant to the ear.

It's a guess for sure. As a DAW collector I'm starting to keep track of how frequent one needs to pay up to keep up to date. Cakewalk started doing that after about Sonar 3 and I started walking away despite the only license I didn't have in my collection was Sonar 6. The popular DAWs are the ones designed for dance music workflow. When I get a softsynth or presets I audition them in Bandlab. As for value and less cost to keep up to date is FL, Bandlab, and Reaper. Plus you can't beat the flexible licensing. Studio One is another one.