Spectrasonic Omnisphere ?

levi · Post by **levi** » Sun May 19, 2013 10:59 am

I would like your advice.
I saw on the web: The VST Sperctrasonic Omnisphere, and I love it, especially because of its simplicity.
I own a Korg M3 EXP, I do not have the card RADIAS and even the module RADIAS.
No motion programming expert sounds on my M3, and I would like to create Omnisphere sounds Rammstein style.
Worth it? or M3 is always better?

Bald Eagle · Post by **Bald Eagle** » Sun May 19, 2013 2:33 pm

Radias and Omnisphere are two completely different things. The EXB-Radias expansion card is always a must have add on in my opinion. It integrates very nicely with the M3 and provdies a powerful second onboard synth engine. The only problem is finding one if you don't already have one.

The decissin to add Omnisphere or any other softsynth really depends on what you will use it for. I don't have Omnisphere myself but have been looking at it. It looks like it would be a nice addition for me. I would use it to develop pads that are deeper and more complex than the Radias can produce.

Pcode · Post by **Pcode** » Sun May 19, 2013 3:26 pm

I have Omnisphere and Trillian they are awesome synths, just make sure you have a fast computer and a very fast hard drive. Omnisphere sounds are very high quality and crisps kinda like korg m3 sounds .. While you can not load new samples into Omnisphere, it has a huge sample library and all sounds are endlessly tweak-able. http://youtu.be/mavXreM-onU

http://youtu.be/Vp0dBNecYrA

levi · Post by **levi** » Sun May 19, 2013 5:14 pm

I'm not an expert in programming on the M3 and now I have a problem with the display then I would not touch it to avoid worsening the situation.
I would like to create sounds for the industrial-metal (as I said before: rammstein style).
So do you recommend it ?
Because: an Italian forum says that Omnisphere creates enormous problems (LIVE).
What kind of computer do you recommend? (possibly cheaper)?

levi · Post by **levi** » Sun May 19, 2013 5:16 pm

Pcode, Do you use it LIVE?
Have you ever had problem?
What pc do you have?

Stipes Vigilo · Post by **Stipes Vigilo** » Sun May 19, 2013 6:50 pm

You might want to check out a couple of other softsynths as well.
As was mentioned, Omnisphere can tax a computer system unless it has a very fast CPU, HD, & lots of RAM. For industrial sounds, it may even be overkill.

I've been considering software as a back-up to my Radias-r and what I've been testing has come down to these:

Zebra 2; Galdiator2; RayBlaster. Of those three, Gladiator 2 seems to be the closest in sound, (although it has more bottom to it) and in modulation.

Zebra & Rayblaster are easier to program and in fact are even fun to program to get quick easy sounds as well as patching modules in weird ways to get something different.

I already own KLC; Z3ta+2 and Synthmaster 2.6 and they're quite adequate for industrial type sounds too. But I wouldn't consider any of them as a 'go-to-synth'. In fact, for our styles of music, none of the above are in much use, including my outboard Radias-r. Although I will say that the synthmaster at least has a library of imported samples that makes it more usable to me than the others. (Organic-ethnic synths).

But if you're just looking for a certain range of industrial, there are much cheaper and less system demanding things to achieve it. If you go to KVR you can find a 25% off the synthmaster and pick it up for 60-90 dollars and it may prove to be all you need.

(Just so you know, my 'go-to' softsynths have been Alchemy and the AAS VS-1 string synth)

Synthoid · Post by **Synthoid** » Sun May 19, 2013 6:58 pm

levi wrote:I'm not an expert in programming on the M3 and now I have a problem with the display then I would not touch it to avoid worsening the situation.

The touch screen overlay likely needs to be replaced. Many of us have experienced this extremely annoying problem.

levi · Post by **levi** » Sun May 19, 2013 7:08 pm

Stipes Vigilo wrote:You might want to check out a couple of other softsynths as well.
As was mentioned, Omnisphere can tax a computer system unless it has a very fast CPU, HD, & lots of RAM. For industrial sounds, it may even be overkill.

I've been considering software as a back-up to my Radias-r and what I've been testing has come down to these:

Zebra 2; Galdiator2; RayBlaster. Of those three, Gladiator 2 seems to be the closest in sound, (although it has more bottom to it) and in modulation.

Zebra & Rayblaster are easier to program and in fact are even fun to program to get quick easy sounds as well as patching modules in weird ways to get something different.

I already own KLC; Z3ta+2 and Synthmaster 2.6 and they're quite adequate for industrial type sounds too. But I wouldn't consider any of them as a 'go-to-synth'. In fact, for our styles of music, none of the above are in much use, including my outboard Radias-r. Although I will say that the synthmaster at least has a library of imported samples that makes it more usable to me than the others. (Organic-ethnic synths).

But if you're just looking for a certain range of industrial, there are much cheaper and less system demanding things to achieve it. If you go to KVR you can find a 25% off the synthmaster and pick it up for 60-90 dollars and it may prove to be all you need.

(Just so you know, my 'go-to' softsynths have been Alchemy and the AAS VS-1 string synth)

When you say "tax", do you want to say??? that the computer go TILT?

Bald Eagle · Post by **Bald Eagle** » Sun May 19, 2013 7:16 pm

Synthoid wrote:
levi wrote:I'm not an expert in programming on the M3 and now I have a problem with the display then I would not touch it to avoid worsening the situation.
The touch screen overlay likely needs to be replaced. Many of us have experienced this extremely annoying problem.

If you are having trouble finding a touch screen replacement you can find one here.
http://www.guitar-parts.com/catalog/korg-touch-panel-m3

Stipes Vigilo · Post by **Stipes Vigilo** » Sun May 19, 2013 7:16 pm

levi wrote:When you say "tax", do you want to say??? that the computer go TILT?

Smaller systems with slower CPU & less RAM will be more prone to 'crashing'.

I do have an older version of Spetrsonics Atmospshere and while the sounds were good, it was so 'taxing' on my older system that I took it off and through it in a drawer. Omnisphere is at least ten times the amount of samples and includes more types of synthesis than Atmosphere, so I'm sure it takes more processing power too.

BTW; Zebra2 says it has the same problem if you upgrade it to ZebraHZ/Dark Zebra.

levi · Post by **levi** » Sun May 19, 2013 7:23 pm

So it is suitable or not for live?

Stipes Vigilo · Post by **Stipes Vigilo** » Sun May 19, 2013 7:35 pm

Check out Gladiator2 from Tone2. Half the price and works as a VST or standalone. Seems rock-solid for live. (Although I personally haven't played live for many years). Synthmaster and Zebra are VST only unless you get a wrap-around host like Savihost. But Synthmaster is the cheapest and savihost is free. Z3ta+2 is only $99. Much less than the $479 you pay for Omnisphere. And you can demo them first unlike Omni which gives you little to go on until you actually buy it. While you're at it, give the Alchemy player a demo too. So far, it hasn't yet ceased to amaze me.

Stipes Vigilo · Post by **Stipes Vigilo** » Sun May 19, 2013 9:32 pm

Of course, if the $479 for Omnisphere is not putting you off, you might look at Komplete 9 for another $20 ($499 @ most online music stores). Then you get Absynth, FM8, Reaktor, Monark, Massive, etc. with Kontakt and sample libraries with it.

levi · Post by **levi** » Mon May 20, 2013 2:29 pm

Yes, of course, the price factor should be taken into consideration.
But without looking at the price of Omnisphere ...
Can I use LIVE without having technical problems (with a computer, "medium" (for example, 2 or 4GB))????

Pcode · Post by **Pcode** » Mon May 20, 2013 5:17 pm

levi wrote:Pcode, Do you use it LIVE?
Have you ever had problem?
What pc do you have?

I use it only in studio, I have a custom made PC (AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz ) and a fast reliable motherboard with 16GB RAM and 2 SSD drives . 2 HD monitors ... I should have purchased a rack-mount case. if you are going to build a PC use as little movable parts as possible, SSD instead of HDD.