Just recently got a chance to play with Steinberg's new Hypersonic sound module. Works just like a hardware sound module such as the Roland XV5050 (which I own and love), except it is software. I was quite impressed. That said, if you are looking to build a small arsenal of truly realistic sounds, there is, in my opinion, no perfect all in one product. For this purpose, I would advise you to purchase a virtual sampler (Gigastudio, Kontakt, Halion) and buy instrument specific sample CDs. Actually, the libraries that come with each of these products might give you enough sounds right there.

Hope this helps :)

Thanks for the info David.

Something I still need to clarify for myself is what the difference is between a virtual Sound module like Hypersonic, and virtual samplers like the ones you mentioned. What would be the difference in practice, in using them.

Also am I correct in saying that Gigasampler is a set of sampled sounds that has to be used in Gigastudio, or can it be used as a stand alone product.

What would be the difference in realism in using Gigasampler sounds vs. Hypersonic for example? Lastly, which virtual module/sampler offers the best combination of quality, along with being able to download more sounds on the net, or convert from other formats.

Sorry for the rambling reply :d: but I'm writing questions of the top of my head.

Biltong1,

Wrote you a long and beautiful reply, but Internet Explorer crashed and I lost it all :( . I'll do my best to reiterate.

Differences between virtual sound modules and samplers come in two categories:

1) Quality of sounds. A sound module like Hypersonic will have a good number of realistic sounds, and its synth sounds will probably be better than a samplers since most modules have live synthesis engines, but its realistic instruments will mot comapre to those used by a sampler, due to the massive ammount of data contained in a sample CD.

2) Expandability. Many manufacturers create sample CDs in the popular formats, and most samplers can convert freeley between most all formats, so you will have more options for finding just the right sounds with a sampler. A module will have a large ammount of sounds to begin with, but be a bit more limited in expansion.

Basically, if you want a very large library of great synthetic and decent realistic sounds, buy a virtual sound module. If you want the most realistic and specialized instruments you can get, buy a software sampler.

Also, Gigasampler is a program that plays sampled instruments. Gigastudio, is an expanded version of this with effects and a mixer. You should check them out [="http://www.nemesysmusic.com/index.php"]here[/]="http://www.nemesysm…"]here[/] .

[[url=http://="http://www.kvr-vst…"]This[/]="http://www.kvr-vst…"]This[/] is an interesting page with reviews of different VST instruments... might find it useful.

Hope that covers everything.

David, I have just bought an Yamaha A4000 and I am amazed with the sound quality. Although the OS is a pain in the ass and it just formats up to 8GB drives, the overal sound quality is unbeatable. You can have up to 10 discrete outs after installing the optional board.

Alécio,

That A4000 sounds like a nice chunk o' gear. I have a Roland XV5050 that I like a lot. However, I believe that biltong1 is only interested in software, and from what i've heard, software sound modules just can't compare in realism to software samplers with their myriad libraries.

p.s., aren't you proud of me? I got the accent thingy in your name right! I admit it. I'm an ASCII nerd.

cool, David!
Nice week my friend!

I just installed SampleTank 2 last night. I'm pretty impressed. IMO its much better than version one, even with the same sounds. ST2 is designed to essentially replace a hardware sound module like my stolen Motif (sniffles) and it does a pretty good job.

I also think it balances well with a software sampler, such as EXS24. They complement eachother in feature sets, sound, and usability. Get both, it'll cost about the same as a XV or MOTIF Rack

mitz

Has anyone had any experience with Miroslav Vitous's "Symphonic Orchestra Samples - Mini Library".

The sample quality seems to be superb, and its about a tenth of the price ($349) of the full master set.

The down side seems to be that you have to have Unity DS-1 on your machine to run it = another $300. It would have been great just to be able to load it straight into Cubase.

Are there other sample sets in the same price range,offering a simmilar selection and quality, that will work directly in Cubase?

There are a few other options for that category of sample library. I don' t have any,so I can't comment. Check the forum at northernsounds. However, by their nature, orchestral libraries are a bit limited in scope. So i'd say get a more rounded set of tools, and then fill it out with the specialty products as your needs require.

mitz