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#53405 01/01/10 06:23 AM
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Would you recommend for use with biab/rb?

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The VSC DXi that ships with BiaB can turn in very good performances.

As long as you don't have 64 bit operating system, you can use it.


--Mac

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The answer to this question might lie in what you want to do with it. Assuming you are looking for general midi playback, Mac's reply is a good place to start.

If you actually want to do some synth stuff, rather than midi file playback, there is a world of opportunity outside of general midi where the answers diverge into some different corners.

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Mac, as you may remember from other of my threads, I'm using win 7 64 bit so I'm not quite sure which synth will be usable?

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VSC DXi is known not to work with 64 bit operating systems.

The Forte DXi works, but it is not as comprehensive as the VSC and does not support higher bank changes.

With 64 bit OS right now, your actual choices are kind of limited, but I fully expect that to change as time marches on. Someone out there in the coding world has got to have realized by now that there is a small fortune to be made by developing a good working GM/GS/GM2 software solution for 64 bit systems.

One way to get GREAT sounds with zero latency lies in the Hardware MIDI Synth route. The Ketron SD-2, sold by PGMusic, sounds great, sounds better than the VSC to most folks ears.


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Thanks!

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Hi,

Check these out. The main thing to remember is that you need GM compatibility, OR you will need to load patches manually for each tune, which can be a big drag on your time.

1. Native Instruments Kontakt 4>

http://www.native-instruments.com/#/en/products/producer/kontakt-4/?content=938

Kontakt is a full featured sampler for your computer, with a lot of 3rd party sample libraries available. NOT GM COMPATIBLE!!! This is important.

2. VIR2 "ONE"

http://www.vir2.com/4DCGI/vir2/products/vione/index.html?1198

Great sounds, GM compatible, $199

Good luck, let me know if you need more info, I spend a lot of time reviewing this stuff!
Ed

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Thanks a lot!
I have just downloaded Forte Dxi 30 days demo !

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Or pick up a $39 copy of Cakewalk MC5 and it has Rolands TTS synth a bit better than VSC and 64 bit okay. Plus you get a copy of sound center that works as well.


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Quote:

Or pick up a $39 copy of Cakewalk MC5 and it has Rolands TTS synth a bit better than VSC and 64 bit okay. Plus you get a copy of sound center that works as well.




Robh,

Do you know if you can use the effects and instruments in other apps? It looks like there's a cut-down version of various Amplitube stuff in there as well - a couple presets from Amplitube 2, Amplitube Jimi Hendrix, Amplitube Metal, etc.

-Scott

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I have not tried the amplitude yet in RB, i have used sound center, studio drums and TTS, and they work well in RB. When i get a chance i will try aplitude in RB and see how it works.

I do know all the cake effects work in RB.


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Very very interesting. Might be a way to get the best of the Amplitube stuff for a reasonable price.

Lately I've been using the freebie Guitar Rig that was on the Computer Music magazine cover DVD a few months back.

-Scott

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Also, have a look at raintalk's article in this thread. I've tried his/her suggestion in BIAB and it works. It's an inventive solution and I imagine it would work in RB.

Last edited by Noel96; 01/05/10 12:42 PM.

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This is my next step when I get tired of the KeyRig GM, only using the SFZ player...I have a couple of CD's of GM fonts, and one I made years ago...


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I hope I am the only one having the problems I will discuss below that appear to be caused or linked to the popular new virtual synths - and perhaps to the Windows 7 64-bit processor. I have a new laptop with 64-bit Windows 7. It will be dedicated to music production and performance. All my 500+ peformance files are now MIDI. Following the ideas on PG forums I bought both Forte 1.6 and got TTS-1 in Music Creator 5. I have had nothing but trouble with both Forte and TTS playing the midi files. I have become so frustrated that I have, at least temporarily, switched back to the Midi Mapper. All the problems I relate below were found on files that I also have in two other computers (where they play correctly) on a Windows 98 system with VSC and an XP Pro system with VSC/DXi sound. The problems listed below have been discussed with a PG tech who is trying to find explainations.

As near as I can tell in some instances both virtual synths created terrible problems: an instrument on one track was changed and could not be changed back (a TTS situation - different instruments, tracks, and channels effected on different files), files with busy pitch bend sections became distorted - permanently - making the file unusable, files with pitch bend controller strings that did not end in a "0" created a whine at the beginning of the subsequent file on some occasions, some chords in a few instruments sound like electronic effects (again in files with other tracks containing substantial pitch bending), one file crashed RB immediately upon opening, one file changed three different instruments on three adjacent tracks creating, for example, a guitar that sounds like a drum when you play the file but sounds like a piano when you go into the event list and hit "transmit" for individual notes.

The Forte does not have a complete upper bank patch capability and I believe they are working to correct that. Forte seems to create an irritating and continuing ringing when cymbals or crash cymbals are played in the Standard Drum set - which can be reduced by changing to the #41 drum set or reducing the note volume.

If anyone else is having similar problems or has found solutions I would love to hear about them - and I may not be alone!

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I've gotten good results with the free Kore player as a plugin and using the freebies from NI, as well as buying a 59.00 pack as needed.

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Quote:

This is my next step when I get tired of the KeyRig GM, only using the SFZ player...I have a couple of CD's of GM fonts, and one I made years ago...




You know, I have KeyRig as it came with an M-Audio controller keyboard I bought a couple years ago but I never loaded it. Do you like the sfz player in KeyRig better than sfz itself; now from Cakewalk?

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I am use to the old free version of SFZ player, so I am more comfortable with the SFZ player...but I have never really taken a good look at the one in KeyRig.....I didn't even know that is HAD one! Hmm....something to do on this snow-e day!


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Quote:

I am use to the old free version of SFZ player, so I am more comfortable with the SFZ player...but I have never really taken a good look at the one in KeyRig.....I didn't even know that is HAD one! Hmm....something to do on this snow-e day!




FYI-Did you know that Cakewalk is giving away the pro version of this. The SFZ+ is free over at their site.


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Hi Mario,
Would you be so kind as to tell me if there is a software synth, like TTS-1 or ForteDXi in the SFZ+ package you refer to in your msg that perhaps we can use in BIAB and RB instead of the TTS-1 or Forte?
I'm sorry, I am ignorant about these things I have had a lot of trouble trying to get either TTS-1 or Forte to work in my 64-bit Windows 7 program on BIAB or RB. I can't get either one to work right and I am stuck using the MME and Midi Mapper. I was just wondering if the SFZ+ might be an alternative product.
Thank you. Scott

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