Vernon Barnes

Ozone 10 repeatedly failed to install in Native Access 1. Error message - Expected option but got "/s" Options start with leading "_" prefix While it was possible to run the installer downloaded by NA manually the app was not authorised. Finally, I decided to upgrade to Native Access 2 and this solved the issue.

The factory library was getting a bit long in the tooth, it had a lot of useful bread and butter sounds but they had been eclipsed by more modern options so its good to see it getting an update. I have only had a quick look but it seems much improved.

Ozone 10 is in Native Access, but there is an error when I try and install it. The PA stuff you get a code to redeem on the PA website.

1.2.4 seems to be working OK here in stand-alone, Cakewalk and Studio One. I tried Dark Hero 01 and a number of ostinatos.

And me. I seem to mostly Studio One these days but I think MIDI is better in Cakewalk as is syncing with things like OTS Kontakt guitars. And S1 can't handle dragging MIDI and audio into Toontrack VSTis

I think good deal to me, particularly as I wanted Notion as well as Studio One.

I am on the Sphere subscription, so it should be included. Looking forward to seeing what is new. I hope they will allow draging of MIDI and audio clips into VSTs.

Augmented Orchestra to v1.1 Updates via UVI Portal - Also on sale for $199 or Euros 199. This is a nice one, something I may not have tried if I was not on the Sonic Pass subscription. Purchase link OB Legacy is also updated and there were several updated a few days ago in addition to World Suite 2 which has already been posted, but sadly I can't recall which ones.

I have the old Kontakt version of Bassysm-F. It's pretty good. I don't know if the UVI version is improved.

Well, I went for it at the UK price, there may have been a way to avoid giving HMRC their 20% but it wasn't obvious to me. I really like what I have heard so far. Of all the TR808 samples I have littering my hard drives the ones here are the only ones I really like.

Thanks

I am very tempted by this. The Padgham kit I have for BFD is OK, but... The Thomann price is £140 in the UK due to VAT. I may wait but new SDX don't go on sale for ages after release.

VCV was still in its non VSTi infancy when I adopted Voltage Modular. I originally used Softube's modular a lot, but now VM has become my goto. I like the range of third-party modules and the polyphonic options. There are some decent effects modules too enabling it to be used as a FX chain if you so desire. Its a shame one can't use modules across platforms. The VM content from MRB is excellent and the MRB/Cherry VM900 collection is pretty much my favourite for its classic Moog Modular style modules. I am missing a decent, powerful wave table oscillator (with polyphonic version), there is a wave table osc. from one of the third-party developers but it's a bit meh (IMHO). I also have AAS's Multiphonics in a bundle of their other instruments. It's not bad, but it's limited to its built in range of modules.

For Voltage Modular - $29.99 (normally $76) https://store.cherryaudio.com/bundles/malleable-instruments-bundle There are a lot of bundles for VM and there is always something on sale but I recommend this one. This contains two particularly useful modules. Razors is a dual multimode filter with wavefolding and a raft of modulation options which can create some very rich, evolving sounds from even a single oscillator input. Shelves is on the face of it a simple parametric EQ but the frequency, gain and Q can be modulated opening a wide range of possibilities. I have had some great fun with these two and have saved a few great sounding patches for future use. I have yet to experiment at length with the other modules in the bundle but there are some interesting options.

I am being quoted $149 upgrade from Ozone 9 Advanced to Ozone 10 Advanced on the Ozone website. $149 from Audio Deluxe and £140 from Thomann so it does not look like there is a significant advantage using a reseller. Edit: - £141 from Plugin Boutique with about £9 back in virtual Cash / Tokens is probably the best bet for me as I already have some of their Virtual cash. Still not sure if I am going to jump yet though.

I did not see this before. For what it's worth I just loaded two instances of Opus into Cakewalk, one with Hollywood Orchestra and one with some solo instruments. I tried some scores and ostinatos in Orchestrator, these followed the chord progression and temp accurately. The solo instruments worked fine. I use Studio One mostly these days, so it's not an extensive test but it seems to work fine.

Looks like there will be a new Kontakt factory library, probably about time, but I have plenty of options for "bread and butter" sounds so this is unlikley to tip the scales for me. I wonder if Kontakt 7 player will sit along side Kontakt 6, that could be handy at some stage if one wanted a new player library that need 7.

An interesting one this. The Quadra was an early attempt at "workstation" with bass, string, polyanthus and lead in the same package, split across the keyboard as required. Cherry's is a lot of fun and sounds gorgeous. Worth $20 for sure.

I have had it for years and it remains my go to. Softube's mini is probably the most authentic but something always draws me back to Minimonsta.

I went the same route. One has to be careful to select the best bundle. I nearly selected the more expensive option to complete the "big bottom" bundle. Anyway it sounds great!

Installed. Not earth shattering but a nice freebee.

I am on Komplete 13 Standard. Kontakt 7 is pretty much the only compelling thing for me. There are few extra instruments but mostly the Play series, nothing is grabbing my attention. I am on Ozone 9 Advanced so I will probably want to upgrade to 10 Advanced so I am not sure getting standard here would help me. It's an expensive upgrade if Kontakt is the only thing I really want. Probably going to sit it out and wait for a better deal.

I know there are a few people here who like Big Big Train, so I am posting this here. Things have been very difficult for bands in general recently, for Big Big Train even more so. When David Longdon the lead singer and one of the main writers was killed in an accident last year the band had already gone through major line-up changes and suffered the usual COVID disruption to tours and recording schedules. The gig in Aylesbury (UK) I attended last Friday had been postponed twice and tickets originally went on sale in 2019, it was supposed to be the start of a European tour, but the last-minute cancellation of the Leeds HRH Prog festival blew a hole in the bands cash flow and the tour had to be cancelled. I was lucky to attend one of the few shows that went ahead. The show kicked off with a set by Norwegian band Dim Grey who were very good indeed. When Big Big Train took the stage only three of the eight members were the same as the line-up I saw in Newport before Lockdown. I was familiar with the new lead guitarist Dave Foster having seen him with his own band, Panic Room and the Steve Rothery Band. I had also seen the new violinist Clair Lindley with Stackridge and DML in the past. Dim Grey’s Oskar Holldorff was standing in for Carly Bryant who had other commitments. There was also a slightly smaller brass section, just four with the euphonium being dropped supplementing the core members. But the big question was what would new vocalist, Italian Alberto Bravin, who had previously been with PFM be like? He was a very good choice, certainly not a David Longdon soundalike but well suited to the material. He also added additional guitar and keyboards to the line-up. By the second song “The First Rebreather” one was sure they this was still Big Big Train and they were still excellent. Probably the most moving moment was when rest of the band left the stage and Nick D’Vergilio accompanied by Rikard Sjöblom on piano preformed David Longdon’s “Telling the Bees” in tribute. An American and a Swede and a very English song. Gregory Spawton, the band leader, writer and bass player is always a retiring player right at the back, but nothing shy and retiring about this Rickenbaker playing. The extrovert Nick D’Vergilio made a particular point in ensuring Greg had a particularly enthusiastic standing ovation during the band introductions. Times remain difficult but it was a triumphant come back and as they said, “the journey continues”.

Also Superior Drummer to 3.3.3

That's a deal!