Subject:Acid and VSTi's

Posted by: spongebob

Date:5/13/2003 1:39:34 PM

Up to this point, I've been producing / remixing electronic music with Sound Forge, Acid, and loop CD's. The end results are often better than tracks that were produced using really expensive equipment. Anyway, it's time to expand, and I was hoping someone could help me decide on the next step.

1. VSTi Question:
I am considering Native Instruments Reaktor. This seems like it will work well with Acid, since there is a demo version of it on the Acid CD. Anyone have experience with Reaktor?

2. Hardware Question:
I will need to buy hardware to trigger the VSTi's, right? I am considering one of the keyboards from M-Audio. Is this a wise choice?

3. Other Options:
In earlier threads, there were some complaints about how Acid 4 has a VSTi volume bug in addition to other problems with VSTi's that cause Acid to crash. Should I be looking at something completely separate form Acid when taking the next step beyond loop CD's?

Thanks,
spongebob

Subject:RE: Acid and VSTi's

Reply by: Spirit

Date:5/14/2003 7:53:14 AM

If you're working with loop CDs a lot and like that way of then putting things together, I'd suggest getting a copy of FL Studio 4 (formerly Fruityloops). There is no better app for generating original loops. I also think FL Studio is a MUCH better VSTi host than Acid - you'll find things much easier.

So, you'll export your loops from FL Studio, build up a collection, then drop them into Acid and compose in a familar way.

Reaktor 4 has just been released. It's expensive, does all sorts of wonderful things, has many fans, but personally I dont like it. The sound is thin - almost every instrument is awash with effects and reverb to try to bulk it up. Also, it's not too good at creating perfectly cut loops - the recorder function is flakey.

I'd forget Reaktor (it's a CPU hog anyway), and go for FL Studio 4 and maybe a good softsynth like Z3ta+ from RGC Audio. You'll ending up spending much less than Reaktor and get much more capabilities IMHO.

Subject:RE: Acid and VSTi's

Reply by: DKeenum

Date:5/14/2003 8:12:12 AM

You can get a demo of FL Studio that will do everything except save. But it will render to a wav file - and then play it in acid, so you can see if the app works for you before you buy.

Also, a lot of people swear by synth one and crystal and other free vatis.

Subject:RE: VSTi's

Reply by: spongebob

Date:5/15/2003 12:49:59 PM

I appreciate your suggestions.

I am looking for a way to create loops with VSTi's (synths, samplers, drum machines) and then use those sounds in my Acid loop compositions.

Based on what I've heard so far, Reaktor's UI is a bit complex, and it's a CPU hog.

Here are some other's I'm considering:
FL Studio
Project 5
Reason
Cubase

Also, do most people create loops using one of the packages above or do you have a separate piece of software for drums, for synths, etc.

Thanks.

Subject:RE: VSTi's

Reply by: ihisert

Date:5/15/2003 3:04:52 PM

As DKeenum mentioned above, some people swear by Synth1 and Crystal. I've been using Syth1 for a few weeks now, and just downloaded Crystal (both are freeware). Both are extremely stable and sound "expensive." I've been far more impressed with Synth1 than anything I've used by Native Instruments (Absynth, FM7). Synth1 also uses very little CPU.

I've been using Synth1 in Acid Pro 4 and have had no problems. It's very easy to work with. You can get both synths and a good number of soundbanks for each at.

http://www.kvr-vst.com/inst.php

Hope this helps.

Ian

Subject:RE: VSTi's

Reply by: SHTUNOT

Date:5/15/2003 4:32:52 PM

Hey spongebob...

Get reason 2.5!!!

You'll thank me later... ;)

Ed.

Subject:RE: VSTi's

Reply by: Spirit

Date:5/15/2003 8:57:07 PM

FL Studio 4 is THE loop-making app. It comes with enough loaded material to start making loops immediately, but it's easy to add some VSTis. As mentioned above Synth1 and Crystal are excellent and free.

Reason 2.5 is more of a softstudio than something which would happily "feed" material to Acid. If you want to keep composing, slicing and dicing in Acid then FL Studio is the most economical solution. Try the demos of Reason and Fl Studio !

Subject:RE: VSTi's

Reply by: dkistner

Date:5/17/2003 1:55:48 PM

If you don't know about KVR, check it out. It's where it's happening: KVR-VST.