Need Advice-Sample Libraries-Piano, Orchestral, Drums, EDM

[Mixnow3]

Hello All,

I just attended my first Road Rally and came to the realization that I need to purchase some really good sample libraries. I have Digital Performer 7.24, Yamaha Motif Rack XS, and a Roland FP5 Digital Piano for piano sounds and also use as a controller. The Roland FP5 piano sounds are not cutting it compared to some of the sample libraries out there now days. The Motif Rack XS has some decent synth sounds, pads, acoustic guitars, etc. but I need more. DP7 has some soft synths built in but I need more. I learned at the Rally that to be competitive, it is imperative to use very realistic sounding samples. I've been doing some research but would like some advice as well. I'm a keyboard player. I'm looking to get into EDM music but will continue to dabble in writing pop/rock/blues songs and piano instrumentals. Here's what I need in sample libraries.

Very Realistic Piano Sample Library (piano is my favorite and most natural instrument to play so I don't want to cut corners here)
Realistic Orchestra Library (basic orchestra instruments)
Realistiic Drums and Bass for pop,rock, and blues
EDM library

Any input is greatly appreciated.

[hazineju]

hi Mixnow3

i can't weigh in on everything, but for pianos and drums i really like XLN Audio's Addictive Keys and Addictive Drums. they're having their 50% off everything sale right now thru the 30th, too - great deal! http://www.xlnaudio.com

HTH!

[Mixnow3]

Thanks HTH

[mojobone]

Another XLN fan, here. I own virtually every virtual thing they make, and there ain't a dud in the bunch. (I'm primarily a drummer/guitarist, but I've kinda lost track of the number of instruments I can play, in a pinch) Superior Drummer and BFD are great, too, though I don't use them, personally. Probably, Native Instruments' Kontakt should be on your list, because all the best orchestral libraries (and tons of great pianos) run on their platform. (and who has time to learn a half-dozen different samplers?) Synthogy and Sampletekk also have some awesome pianos.

I'm just getting into orchestral samples myself, but for a starter kit, I'd suggest Cinesamples' Cinesymphony Lite, which is fairly simple/easy to use and sounds great for the broad strokes, and maybe have a look at Kirk Hunter Studios' Spotlight Solo Strings for the more intricate string stuff. (LA Scoring Strings is crazy good, but kinda spendy; East-West Quantum Leap is ubiquitous, but getting long in the tooth, AND runs on a proprietary engine that's not the most intuitive, and sometimes it's downright cranky ) Cinesamples' Cinebrass Core might be the best thing going in its category, and Samplemodeling has the best solo brass samples-good saxes, too; for winds and percussion, I really haven't formed much of an opinion, just yet, but I think you'd probably want both ensemble and solo options for your woodwinds section. 8Dio's products and Spitfire's Albion should get a look as well.

[Mixnow3]

Thanks Mojobone.

[Len911]

Great recommendations, Scarbee Basses, runs on free Kontakt player or full Kontakt, on sale too!

http://www.native-instruments.com/en/pr ... ?q=scarbee


Also ample guitars and basses
http://www.amplesound.net/en/index.asp

[mojobone]

Spectrasonics' Omnisphere, Trilian and Stylus RMX are also very good bets; can't go wrong with any of those, particularly if you do hybrid/orchestral, EDM or need a really great standup bass. (with a couple of equally great thumbed/slapped/picked electric basses thrown into the bargain)

[Mixnow3]

Thanks Len 911 and Mojobone. I saw some demos on Youtube about Omnisphere 2 and having a synthesis background, I probably would become addicted to creating new sounds with it. Seems the possibilities of what Omnisphere 2 can do are almost endless.

[Sunset]

Agree with all the other recommends with Komplete and Spectrasonics... great software and inpirational.. For EDM, you also might want to look at RE Fx''s Nexus package.. its wavetable synthesis and its synths are "prepackaged" but they are spot on.. they also are having a sale now


John

[Mixnow3]

Thanks John. I will buy Kontakt 10 for sure.