Craig Fowler

Seriously...if you're eligible for the Hammond as a freebie, don't skip it!

Entirely fair. With that said, I think their Hammond and Sunset Studio are top of the tree. Those are so good that for me it would be worth enduring the installer hassle...although it's only with this group buy that I've had any issues. I preferred the old authorization manager.

Couple of things. The full Sampletank download is upwards of 90GB IIRC, and it seemed that even when I thought I had plenty of hard disk space available (e.g., 150GB+) I'd run out, the download would essentially crash, and I'd have to start over. Unlike a lot of libraries, the installer doesn't delete the zip files, so it took me a fair amount of trial and error to get it running, even after I'd done what I thought were sensible things (e.g., downloading to an external drive but installing to a separate location). Also, some--most, actually--libraries seemed to install just fine, whereas others won't load and give me some sort of 'things are bad/you are bad' error message. I still haven't got the core Yamaha grand library to work - and because I deleted all the zips after the installer gave me the all clear, I don't have that individual file to reinstall. Honestly, I don't know how much of this is just user error and how much comes from a wonky installer, but it's certainly frustrating not to be able to just download specific Sampletank libraries. Maybe there's a way to do this (it would make sense - Syntronik lets you download the whole kaboodle or individual synths - so I could have just missed something), but I couldn't find that option.

I guess it depends on your tolerance:tightwad ratio. Mine skews towards tightwad! I've had a really irritating time installing the main Sampletank library and was getting kinda pissy. Then I thought, 'you know what? I didn't pay for this. I'll deal.' But I don't blame others for giving up if they've already got what they need. I was going to update to Amplitube 5 at some point anyway and figured I might as well do it when I get oodles of freebies.

I've used Movavi for a long time. It's basic but easy...and rendering is an awful lot faster than Magix! For what I need - preparing materials for online lectures - it's perfect.

The 'standard' preset sounds really good...the others are a little heavy handed for my taste, but I'm sure you make 'em sound marvellous!

All good points! I've had the same kind of visceral reactions to other amp sims that I've heard sound good in others' hands. E.g., from the second I opened Guitar Rig I hated it, though I've been impressed with what others can do with it! I think what I like with both Kuassa and Nembrini is their shift towards self-contained packages. The Nembrini one seems a bit finnicky to me, but I really like Kuassa's 360. It's not unlike Amplitube, but operates more smoothly IMO.

I've got all the Amplitube stuff, and most of the Nembrini/PA models. I really like the PA Fuchs Train II, but the Kuassa offerings are my favourites. The Matchlock is really outstanding for Fender styles. I have the Lancaster (AC30) and Clarrent (Orange) models as well, but haven't tried them yet.

Well, I resisted as long as I could. Trying to work out if it's worth getting duplicates of some licenses. I'm guessing I could all but offset the cost of entry by selling off some old ones at bargain basement prices.

Blimey, once it gets past a certain point I'd just be scrambling for things to add anyway. I'm still not sure I'm going to jump on this GB. If I didn't already have the Hammond and Sunset Studio, I'd do it.

You need to upload proof of educational status (student/faculty ID etc) but this has always been approved within a day for me. https://www.vsl.co.at/en/News/EDU Best conversion rates are usually at BestService...just make sure you hit the check discount button in your cart! Got my upgrade from the Bosie 280 standard-->full for $96!

Kuassa stuff is top notch; I'd be very surprised if I have the willpower not to pick this up.

That's pretty cool...but I'd have a hard time coming up with stuff of theirs I don't already have! Sounds like a great time for people to pick up the Sunset Studio reverb or Hammond though!

I don't think I've seen it cheaper, and Modern U is absolutely excellent...In a totally different league to The Gentleman IMO.

And meds?

Thanks for the heads-up! I couldn't pass it up at that price...I'm sure I'll get around to installing it someday!

The WG2 combines white grand & sister, right? I've always liked that VI! Somehow, I've never ended up buying Black Grand or TVBO...could this be the time?! ?

You guys are lucky; we're up to about $9 per gallon here in NZ. But as to the original question, yes ? The last time I was in the market, I thought the G&L's Tribute line was the best import series. Honestly, I probably prefer the MIK ASAT Special I had to the USA model I replaced it with.

That's the spirit!

I'm no Simeon, Christian, but I'd pick VSL CFX as my single favourite acoustic library. If you couldn't bring yourself to use e-licenser, I'd pick VI Labs Modern U. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't invest in 20-30 other libraries too, just to make sure you've got your bases covered.

How's the playability compared to some of the better sampled instruments (e.g., Modern U) and Pianoteq? I in no way 'need' this, but a C7 is a piano I don't actually have covered well with other libraries (though I have 3 versions of the CFX ? ). I was sort of expecting to upgrade one of my VSL pianos from standard to full this month, but the discounts aren't good enough to make me pull the trigger which means I'm looking at OTS instead.

I still plan on picking the Vox up at some point when it's on sale, just because there are so few halfway decent sims out there covering that ground. But I agree; there's part of me that really likes Nembrini stuff, but I like the Kuasa set up + a few others that they don't get much use.

So...pianos are my weakness. Can I justify this to myself on the grounds that I don't have a Fazioli? With all the other excellent pianos I have, is there any point shelling out for a collection that's what? 7 or 8 years old at this point? Someone talk me in or out of it!

Those things are louder than any 30W amp has any right to be! I had one and just couldn't make use of it!

Where'd you get the spare parts Bapu? I thought it was just me acidic ear sweat that had melted the transducer covers!