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Forums - Music techology
Subject: Hardware sampling dilemma!
Original Message 1/26 30-May-97 @ 01:13 AM - Hardware sampling dilemma!
I'm currently facing something of a dilemma. I currently own a
Quasimidi Quasar (Cakewalk running on old slow 486 ex-works PC -
whoops I didn't say that). Its got a big pallet of usable sounds,
good effects and some pretty flexible editing.
Having used it for a while as my sole sound source my thirst for
new sounds, greater editability etc is fast leading me to a new
purchase....a sampler.
My budget is about £2000. I'm after a quality sampling/synthesis
tool. My starting options seem to be;
1) Yamaha A3000 - need to see/hear one but FM went ballistic! However
apart from the base cost of £1300 I'd also need to buy a mass
storage device, a CD-ROM for those digital transfers and the optional
Digital I/O board - there goes my most of my dosh...
OR
2) PC based sampler - probably a 166 MMX (might aswell go for the best
the budget allows) PC business spec (since I don't want the bundled
rubbish), a Pinnacal? a Terratec EWS 64??? or card X?
Then I can enjoy Rebirth, Stomper etc etc and all the other quality
software thats in development...
3) A Kurzweil K2000 with sampler option: OK...I think I've broke the budget -
but thats what budgets are for :-) From my research this looks like
a demon machine capable of satisfying both my sampler craving and
need to create fresh sounds.
4) ?
The PC option is a strong conteder, I'm prepared to spend money
upgrading should the need arise and I'm impressed with price/performance
ratio of a lot of the new PC products. I'm not into hard disk recording
as yet (although the PC gives me the option of doing that in the future).
Alternatively I could get the A3000 then next year get the PC...
Any thoughts, other ideas etc...I'm after the best quality I can get
for the money (+500 probably!).
Quasimidi Quasar (Cakewalk running on old slow 486 ex-works PC -
whoops I didn't say that). Its got a big pallet of usable sounds,
good effects and some pretty flexible editing.
Having used it for a while as my sole sound source my thirst for
new sounds, greater editability etc is fast leading me to a new
purchase....a sampler.
My budget is about £2000. I'm after a quality sampling/synthesis
tool. My starting options seem to be;
1) Yamaha A3000 - need to see/hear one but FM went ballistic! However
apart from the base cost of £1300 I'd also need to buy a mass
storage device, a CD-ROM for those digital transfers and the optional
Digital I/O board - there goes my most of my dosh...
OR
2) PC based sampler - probably a 166 MMX (might aswell go for the best
the budget allows) PC business spec (since I don't want the bundled
rubbish), a Pinnacal? a Terratec EWS 64??? or card X?
Then I can enjoy Rebirth, Stomper etc etc and all the other quality
software thats in development...
3) A Kurzweil K2000 with sampler option: OK...I think I've broke the budget -
but thats what budgets are for :-) From my research this looks like
a demon machine capable of satisfying both my sampler craving and
need to create fresh sounds.
4) ?
The PC option is a strong conteder, I'm prepared to spend money
upgrading should the need arise and I'm impressed with price/performance
ratio of a lot of the new PC products. I'm not into hard disk recording
as yet (although the PC gives me the option of doing that in the future).
Alternatively I could get the A3000 then next year get the PC...
Any thoughts, other ideas etc...I'm after the best quality I can get
for the money (+500 probably!).
Message 2/26 30-May-97 @ 09:27 AM - RE: Hardware sampling dilemma!
I would say this.....if you can get the PC at a good price
, then get it...
trade or sell your old one
...and then the software will allow you alot of creativity,
plus it will play hours of audio parts
....However it's down to price....
Ok....you've got 2 grand plus your pc to trade or sell.....so if it's a dx266 or something is about 350 quid .....so you should have a budget of about £ 2300.
I get a p166 with 64 Mb ram for 900 quid
...new including v.a.t...(200 of that price is for the ram !!)
...this then means you can utilise a sampler with less
memory....See, you cant get a new sampler with more than
2 or 4 outputs for less than 1K...(akia s2000 or emu esi)and then you must add ram....
....but something like an emax2 secondhand either the 8 mb
turbo, or a 2 mb with upgrade to 8 mb will give alot of
power for around 600 quid....
that then leaves you with around 800 quid out of a 2.3k
budget for the software & other bits
...hey, or if you have the software,
then another 800 quids worth of toys..or a dat recorder...
see, if you are working with a midi & hd software like
Cubase or Cakewalk, then you just open it up,
and off you go...all the large samples are ready to
play each time you open the song....you can use a cheap
ZIP drive with the emax2, and also connect a CD rom if
needs be.....
So....i would say.....
get a p133 or 166 with 64 mb....for about 800-900 quid....
emax2 for 600 quid....
zip drive for about 120 quid......
then I'd add to that the new EVENT electronics
Gina 8 output card for 300 quid.....
or the Darla with spdif for 500 quid
if you decide to get a dat
...cos then you can digitally backup all your pc H/D
audio via s/pdif....
total should be about 1850....leaving you about 500 quid left over...(if your budget is 2k plus the dx sold for about 350....)
BUT you will have....8 seperate 20 bit audio pc outs.....
8 seperate sampler poly outs...
(18 bit converters on the emax2...very high quality)....
otherwise....go for the K2000 secondhand with the sample option & stack up the ram & add a Zip drive or Jaz drive..(K2000 has scsi as standard too).....and keep the old
computer.....
ps...i wouldn't recommend an MMX, as there really aint
any software designed to utilise it....getting 64 mb ram
with a standard 166 chip will be much more effective...
with this you can also utilise stuff like the rebirth software etc....
oh yes....the emax2 also has some great sounds besides being just a sampler...I offer it as an option ,cos to get a new sampler with 8 outputs and 8 mb will be at the least about 1800 quid...by the time you've added the seperate out option and the ram option...and all that hidden extras.....I dunno why folks ignore the emax2...I mean it's 16 bit & has got 10 18 bit poly outs....synthesis section...32 note poly (2 samples per key)... scsi as standard etc...
the other thing is, the pc can also compile your masters and stuff or allow you to remix your oldies...If you already have a dat, I'd get the Gina card with s/pdif for 2 way digital transfer....(& 8 analog outputs)
, then get it...
trade or sell your old one
...and then the software will allow you alot of creativity,
plus it will play hours of audio parts
....However it's down to price....
Ok....you've got 2 grand plus your pc to trade or sell.....so if it's a dx266 or something is about 350 quid .....so you should have a budget of about £ 2300.
I get a p166 with 64 Mb ram for 900 quid
...new including v.a.t...(200 of that price is for the ram !!)
...this then means you can utilise a sampler with less
memory....See, you cant get a new sampler with more than
2 or 4 outputs for less than 1K...(akia s2000 or emu esi)and then you must add ram....
....but something like an emax2 secondhand either the 8 mb
turbo, or a 2 mb with upgrade to 8 mb will give alot of
power for around 600 quid....
that then leaves you with around 800 quid out of a 2.3k
budget for the software & other bits
...hey, or if you have the software,
then another 800 quids worth of toys..or a dat recorder...
see, if you are working with a midi & hd software like
Cubase or Cakewalk, then you just open it up,
and off you go...all the large samples are ready to
play each time you open the song....you can use a cheap
ZIP drive with the emax2, and also connect a CD rom if
needs be.....
So....i would say.....
get a p133 or 166 with 64 mb....for about 800-900 quid....
emax2 for 600 quid....
zip drive for about 120 quid......
then I'd add to that the new EVENT electronics
Gina 8 output card for 300 quid.....
or the Darla with spdif for 500 quid
if you decide to get a dat
...cos then you can digitally backup all your pc H/D
audio via s/pdif....
total should be about 1850....leaving you about 500 quid left over...(if your budget is 2k plus the dx sold for about 350....)
BUT you will have....8 seperate 20 bit audio pc outs.....
8 seperate sampler poly outs...
(18 bit converters on the emax2...very high quality)....
otherwise....go for the K2000 secondhand with the sample option & stack up the ram & add a Zip drive or Jaz drive..(K2000 has scsi as standard too).....and keep the old
computer.....
ps...i wouldn't recommend an MMX, as there really aint
any software designed to utilise it....getting 64 mb ram
with a standard 166 chip will be much more effective...
with this you can also utilise stuff like the rebirth software etc....
oh yes....the emax2 also has some great sounds besides being just a sampler...I offer it as an option ,cos to get a new sampler with 8 outputs and 8 mb will be at the least about 1800 quid...by the time you've added the seperate out option and the ram option...and all that hidden extras.....I dunno why folks ignore the emax2...I mean it's 16 bit & has got 10 18 bit poly outs....synthesis section...32 note poly (2 samples per key)... scsi as standard etc...
the other thing is, the pc can also compile your masters and stuff or allow you to remix your oldies...If you already have a dat, I'd get the Gina card with s/pdif for 2 way digital transfer....(& 8 analog outputs)
Message 3/26 30-May-97 @ 04:52 PM - RE: Hardware sampling dilemma!
Thanks for the suggestions - certainly food for thought...
I notice you didn't reference PC sampling soundcards
- are they not cutting it against the dedicated boxes?
I take your point about MMX - I could always upgrade if
the goods ever get delivered.
Any good web resources for the Emax 2? Know anywhere I could
audition one? (I'm in the West Country) Or even where I
could get my hand on some demo tunes?
How would you rate the flexibility of sample editing/synthesis
between the K2000 and the EMAX2. Is the VAST synthesis
on the K2000 something special - I'm happy to spend lots
of time creating sounds....OR is there PC software out there
that would open up plenty of those sonic possibilities? (I'm
familiar with some of the WAV editors - I guess I'm driving
more at the synthesis side here)
What about effects? With all those sampler outs/PC ins
are there any good/flexible software effects available - or
would you go for cheap rack effect units?
Cheers for now...
I notice you didn't reference PC sampling soundcards
- are they not cutting it against the dedicated boxes?
I take your point about MMX - I could always upgrade if
the goods ever get delivered.
Any good web resources for the Emax 2? Know anywhere I could
audition one? (I'm in the West Country) Or even where I
could get my hand on some demo tunes?
How would you rate the flexibility of sample editing/synthesis
between the K2000 and the EMAX2. Is the VAST synthesis
on the K2000 something special - I'm happy to spend lots
of time creating sounds....OR is there PC software out there
that would open up plenty of those sonic possibilities? (I'm
familiar with some of the WAV editors - I guess I'm driving
more at the synthesis side here)
What about effects? With all those sampler outs/PC ins
are there any good/flexible software effects available - or
would you go for cheap rack effect units?
Cheers for now...
Message 4/26 30-May-97 @ 05:53 PM - RE: Hardware sampling dilemma!
I'd always go for seperate outs with good cheap hardware
fx...no need to sweat the CPU needlessly
...that is why I'm so excited about the Event cards
....cos the PC midi & h/d software can act like a sampler
taking the task of playing all the big audio bits
....the problem was always getting seperation in the mix
.....before if you wanted to go that way..it meant buying
several cards
with all the inherent cost & processor strain.....
now with these event cards, anyone can have 8 glorious seperate high quality audio sends for about the same price as a medium priced multi-FX unit or cheap synth....wicked !!...
If you're really into synthesis
...then go with the K2000....
it's synthesis section is totally unrivalled
....plus they read K2000 samples, Akai s1000 samples,
.wav, Roland S770/750 , and Ensonique..!!....
the synthesis is totally awesome...yet so well organised with a BIG LCD screen & easy to understand soft-edit buttons.......Kurzwiel reckon it is capable of ANY type of synthesis.....anyway...very very good synth/sampler...but...expensive....be lucky & find a cheap s/h version 3 software...but with sampling option its going to finish your budget......go for it tho !!
I just said what I did before, cos most folks equate an expensive sampler with an ability to have loads of memory to play lots of audio parts.....thats why I mentioned the card & software idea.....however obviously, synthesis is not an issue for that type of method.....The emax is yes...very good little synt witha wicked library, but you cant really compare it to the K2000....however, you can make alot of interesting sounds with the K2000...but honestly...for dance chewns I use it very little...cos it doesnt really have dance sounds, which by definition always come from cheap kit, or what was cheap kit...or rather...not so sophisticated kit.....the K2000 does great analog polysynths...but they're not really a much used dance sound.....it will not really do yer 303 stuff...not like the rebirth, no way.....So what I'm saying is...it depends what type of dance you're doing....cos..yes the K2000 is wicked...but it's not really a "dance" synth per-se....thats why for sampling with good synthesis..(good but not over thetop like the K2)...I suggested the emax...1 or 2...you can create samples & that, then if the memory runs out, send that audio over from the sampler to the PC software to be played from there...
I dont really like software FX unless they are previewable and processable in realtime, such as with SAW+......hardware is always better....also you get live realtime control of your fx when you mix....
sampler cards.....well....they are ok...and will do the jobby.....Lookit...why not get a good demo somewhere of the Pinnacle or/and Terratec....it's just that yes they are cheap...but limited outputs...still...yes it's an option without doubt...
fx...no need to sweat the CPU needlessly
...that is why I'm so excited about the Event cards
....cos the PC midi & h/d software can act like a sampler
taking the task of playing all the big audio bits
....the problem was always getting seperation in the mix
.....before if you wanted to go that way..it meant buying
several cards
with all the inherent cost & processor strain.....
now with these event cards, anyone can have 8 glorious seperate high quality audio sends for about the same price as a medium priced multi-FX unit or cheap synth....wicked !!...
If you're really into synthesis
...then go with the K2000....
it's synthesis section is totally unrivalled
....plus they read K2000 samples, Akai s1000 samples,
.wav, Roland S770/750 , and Ensonique..!!....
the synthesis is totally awesome...yet so well organised with a BIG LCD screen & easy to understand soft-edit buttons.......Kurzwiel reckon it is capable of ANY type of synthesis.....anyway...very very good synth/sampler...but...expensive....be lucky & find a cheap s/h version 3 software...but with sampling option its going to finish your budget......go for it tho !!
I just said what I did before, cos most folks equate an expensive sampler with an ability to have loads of memory to play lots of audio parts.....thats why I mentioned the card & software idea.....however obviously, synthesis is not an issue for that type of method.....The emax is yes...very good little synt witha wicked library, but you cant really compare it to the K2000....however, you can make alot of interesting sounds with the K2000...but honestly...for dance chewns I use it very little...cos it doesnt really have dance sounds, which by definition always come from cheap kit, or what was cheap kit...or rather...not so sophisticated kit.....the K2000 does great analog polysynths...but they're not really a much used dance sound.....it will not really do yer 303 stuff...not like the rebirth, no way.....So what I'm saying is...it depends what type of dance you're doing....cos..yes the K2000 is wicked...but it's not really a "dance" synth per-se....thats why for sampling with good synthesis..(good but not over thetop like the K2)...I suggested the emax...1 or 2...you can create samples & that, then if the memory runs out, send that audio over from the sampler to the PC software to be played from there...
I dont really like software FX unless they are previewable and processable in realtime, such as with SAW+......hardware is always better....also you get live realtime control of your fx when you mix....
sampler cards.....well....they are ok...and will do the jobby.....Lookit...why not get a good demo somewhere of the Pinnacle or/and Terratec....it's just that yes they are cheap...but limited outputs...still...yes it's an option without doubt...
Message 5/26 30-May-97 @ 06:01 PM - RE: Hardware sampling dilemma!
I have to qualify the above by saying that
....mega synths are brilliant to own
....but somehow dance music revolves around very minimal
stuff.....you dont really get big dance synth type
productions....most tracks, once you pass the drums
& bassline use very little else.....
say just a simple cheap yamaha FM synth
organ riff or something
......however you might have Orb-like aspirations
.....but still, cluttered dance tracks are very rare
.....So I'm just saying, that buying a 4000
quid Trinity or mega K2000/K2500...
with all the gubbins,
it still aint going to get you that sound.....
....mega synths are brilliant to own
....but somehow dance music revolves around very minimal
stuff.....you dont really get big dance synth type
productions....most tracks, once you pass the drums
& bassline use very little else.....
say just a simple cheap yamaha FM synth
organ riff or something
......however you might have Orb-like aspirations
.....but still, cluttered dance tracks are very rare
.....So I'm just saying, that buying a 4000
quid Trinity or mega K2000/K2500...
with all the gubbins,
it still aint going to get you that sound.....
Message 6/26 30-May-97 @ 10:43 PM - RE: Hardware sampling dilemma!
You raise some interesting points - I get where you're coming
from re minimal sounds being used for dance - I'm a fan of
the basic but really get off on rich layers of sounds,
dynamically shifting & mututating. The K2000 option does blow
the budget and as we've said eliminates me from the new
PC developments - I'm reluctant to put all my (hard earnt)
eggs in one basket.
So running the with the PC/Emax option I'll be running up to 8
mono tracks right? This is new to me - being used to my
simple stereo out on the quasar - having no mixing/eq
experience (beyond some practical DJ experience) - differences
between stereo/mono is obvious say when listening to the
radio - stereo means soundstage - what about on the mixing
front - what are the issues and how do I create a stereo-
sounding mix even if I'm working in mono?
On the Emax front - I'll be buying second hand - do you know
of any classic problems to be aware of so I don't get suckered?
Thanks for your help
Craig
from re minimal sounds being used for dance - I'm a fan of
the basic but really get off on rich layers of sounds,
dynamically shifting & mututating. The K2000 option does blow
the budget and as we've said eliminates me from the new
PC developments - I'm reluctant to put all my (hard earnt)
eggs in one basket.
So running the with the PC/Emax option I'll be running up to 8
mono tracks right? This is new to me - being used to my
simple stereo out on the quasar - having no mixing/eq
experience (beyond some practical DJ experience) - differences
between stereo/mono is obvious say when listening to the
radio - stereo means soundstage - what about on the mixing
front - what are the issues and how do I create a stereo-
sounding mix even if I'm working in mono?
On the Emax front - I'll be buying second hand - do you know
of any classic problems to be aware of so I don't get suckered?
Thanks for your help
Craig
Message 7/26 31-May-97 @ 10:02 AM - RE: Hardware sampling dilemma!
Further thoughts...
The mixing is all taken care of on the PC right? Should
EQ be separate (following on from not taxing the CPU)?
One of the most frustrating things for me at the moment
is that I can't EQ which means bugger all separation -
I'd want swept mid EQ yeh?
On the dance minimal sounds point again - the Quasar gives
me a wealth of fat synths, acid squelches (although Rebirth
will be a desktop shortcut guaranteed!) etc so the basic
sounds I've got access to. Its the Goldie cum Way out West
cum Orbital cum you get the idea type flexibility/sounds
I'd like to be in the vicinity of.
So with a P166, 64MB RAM, EVENT card etc with the PC
playing the bigger samples, running 8 busy tracks (for the
sake of argument)- would you envisage resource/timing
problems?
Cheers
The mixing is all taken care of on the PC right? Should
EQ be separate (following on from not taxing the CPU)?
One of the most frustrating things for me at the moment
is that I can't EQ which means bugger all separation -
I'd want swept mid EQ yeh?
On the dance minimal sounds point again - the Quasar gives
me a wealth of fat synths, acid squelches (although Rebirth
will be a desktop shortcut guaranteed!) etc so the basic
sounds I've got access to. Its the Goldie cum Way out West
cum Orbital cum you get the idea type flexibility/sounds
I'd like to be in the vicinity of.
So with a P166, 64MB RAM, EVENT card etc with the PC
playing the bigger samples, running 8 busy tracks (for the
sake of argument)- would you envisage resource/timing
problems?
Cheers
Message 8/26 01-Jun-97 @ 09:27 PM - RE: Hardware sampling dilemma!
well, even a p100 - 133 with about 32 mb should run 8 tracks of audio ok.....it does help obviously to get the pc set up right, & not to load up the machine with loads of junk novelty programmes, games etc.....also get dos loaded high, and any resident desktop stuff that auto-loads dumped off, but that should handle it easily with a pci bus card......
so......say a track uses about 30 seconds worth of different loops....(which is a BIG amount by any standards....plus about a minute of vocal hooks or lines....the pc will play em fine....now we are getting very very cheap high quality multi audio outs,,.....so the last barrier...(seperate outs for mixing) is broken.....to get that much audio before would mean getting a sampler with mb's of memory....a feature usually only available with very expensive upper end samplers.......but it also opens up other areas...like easy re-mixing, stereo compliation & editing etc..
I'm not saying do it this way....i'm saying it's an option......otherwise all the bigger priced newer sampler swill give synthesis and plenty of memory & outs...The k2000/2500 just happens to be a bit different in that it's first a synth..to which sampling can be added.......but upper end emu samplers will also give wicked synthesis too, with many library disks utilising the syntheisi to give sounds from many of emu's top end synths....likewise with roland samplers & the akai stuff from the s2000 up will also do some nice sounds...but I think its fair to say that kurzwiel & emu are the best at synthsis....also , the k series have lage rom sample memories dedicatedto the synth engine....you can also add up to 2 extra rom banks of 4 mb each featuring more syntn & other sounds....
it sounds like you are looking for more interesting stuff .....combinations of sampling & h/d audio will open up lots of interesting areas....
so......say a track uses about 30 seconds worth of different loops....(which is a BIG amount by any standards....plus about a minute of vocal hooks or lines....the pc will play em fine....now we are getting very very cheap high quality multi audio outs,,.....so the last barrier...(seperate outs for mixing) is broken.....to get that much audio before would mean getting a sampler with mb's of memory....a feature usually only available with very expensive upper end samplers.......but it also opens up other areas...like easy re-mixing, stereo compliation & editing etc..
I'm not saying do it this way....i'm saying it's an option......otherwise all the bigger priced newer sampler swill give synthesis and plenty of memory & outs...The k2000/2500 just happens to be a bit different in that it's first a synth..to which sampling can be added.......but upper end emu samplers will also give wicked synthesis too, with many library disks utilising the syntheisi to give sounds from many of emu's top end synths....likewise with roland samplers & the akai stuff from the s2000 up will also do some nice sounds...but I think its fair to say that kurzwiel & emu are the best at synthsis....also , the k series have lage rom sample memories dedicatedto the synth engine....you can also add up to 2 extra rom banks of 4 mb each featuring more syntn & other sounds....
it sounds like you are looking for more interesting stuff .....combinations of sampling & h/d audio will open up lots of interesting areas....
Message 9/26 02-Jun-97 @ 07:20 AM - RE: Hardware sampling dilemma!
Craig,
I think you need to check out the specs on the pinnacle sound card. It contains a fairly decent selection of the K-2000's sounds and voices. Again, check into this, it may help to save you a fat wad of cash.
In response to your dilemma over software vs rack effects, I would have to say go the software route first. Programs like Steinberg's Wave Lab, Sound Forge, and SAW have pretty good on board effects. If you add the available plug ins the programs really kick.
Since processor speed and RAM is always a concern try doing your mix down w/out any EQ. Then, after you've done that you can bounce it back to your hard drive. Now you have a simple sterio track that you can apply any EQ or mastering to without the processor overload.
This method is a little long and ( depending on your recording medium ) can degrade the mix. But, thats why they made mastering plug ins.
I think you need to check out the specs on the pinnacle sound card. It contains a fairly decent selection of the K-2000's sounds and voices. Again, check into this, it may help to save you a fat wad of cash.
In response to your dilemma over software vs rack effects, I would have to say go the software route first. Programs like Steinberg's Wave Lab, Sound Forge, and SAW have pretty good on board effects. If you add the available plug ins the programs really kick.
Since processor speed and RAM is always a concern try doing your mix down w/out any EQ. Then, after you've done that you can bounce it back to your hard drive. Now you have a simple sterio track that you can apply any EQ or mastering to without the processor overload.
This method is a little long and ( depending on your recording medium ) can degrade the mix. But, thats why they made mastering plug ins.
Message 10/26 02-Jun-97 @ 10:48 AM - RE: Hardware sampling dilemma!
no...can't agree....the balance of seperate stuff
especially drums is critical
.....wavelab is an export & process programme,
so these fx are not going to show until you've processed
them in the mix....SAW+ is ok for realtime fx...but,
no midi...so it's really for re-mixing.....
same with forge...it's not a midi & h/d programme
...so it's export & process again...plus
...Wavelab is like 400 quid....which is enough to cover
a delay & reverb unit & a decent mixer
.....seperate output mixing will always be more immediate
than software fx...plus the mixer will
accomadate all your outboard midi kit.....
plus....multiple sepate audio outs will allow
you to easily do remixing of tracks too....
it's just that in realtime with ISA based cards, adding a realtime reverb patch uses tons of processing, and you'll be lucky to get 4 tracks whilst applying it....thus it means all this sending an audio file to be processed, then sending it back,,,,then if it dont sound right re-doing it etc etc....Then the pluggins stuff....well a real delay & reverb are just hardware pluggins really, except they use internal de3dicated processors, and, they are patched in with analog connections as opposed to digital......so I'd always always go this route....not least because combining real hardware fx with a mixer can get you fx impossible to acheive with software pluggins, plus you can add other fx or processors like gates to give you wicked rhythmic stuff etc etc...
I would perhaps uses the software approach say to add
some simple fx to a small limited amount of audio such
as adding reverb to a vocal part etc.....but if you can
go with hardware,,,,I'd go that route...
Lastly...the pinnacle is ok...but it costs about half as much again as the event 8 output card, then you have to add ram.....and the Kurzwiel chip is not a k2 synth, it's a limited kurzwiel chip they licence out.....it will not be like a k2000, no way....also the pinnacle gives only stereo outs...better by far to have seperate outputs.....so check it out.....however it is an option if you decide that k2000/2500 synthesis is over the top for what you need...
especially drums is critical
.....wavelab is an export & process programme,
so these fx are not going to show until you've processed
them in the mix....SAW+ is ok for realtime fx...but,
no midi...so it's really for re-mixing.....
same with forge...it's not a midi & h/d programme
...so it's export & process again...plus
...Wavelab is like 400 quid....which is enough to cover
a delay & reverb unit & a decent mixer
.....seperate output mixing will always be more immediate
than software fx...plus the mixer will
accomadate all your outboard midi kit.....
plus....multiple sepate audio outs will allow
you to easily do remixing of tracks too....
it's just that in realtime with ISA based cards, adding a realtime reverb patch uses tons of processing, and you'll be lucky to get 4 tracks whilst applying it....thus it means all this sending an audio file to be processed, then sending it back,,,,then if it dont sound right re-doing it etc etc....Then the pluggins stuff....well a real delay & reverb are just hardware pluggins really, except they use internal de3dicated processors, and, they are patched in with analog connections as opposed to digital......so I'd always always go this route....not least because combining real hardware fx with a mixer can get you fx impossible to acheive with software pluggins, plus you can add other fx or processors like gates to give you wicked rhythmic stuff etc etc...
I would perhaps uses the software approach say to add
some simple fx to a small limited amount of audio such
as adding reverb to a vocal part etc.....but if you can
go with hardware,,,,I'd go that route...
Lastly...the pinnacle is ok...but it costs about half as much again as the event 8 output card, then you have to add ram.....and the Kurzwiel chip is not a k2 synth, it's a limited kurzwiel chip they licence out.....it will not be like a k2000, no way....also the pinnacle gives only stereo outs...better by far to have seperate outputs.....so check it out.....however it is an option if you decide that k2000/2500 synthesis is over the top for what you need...
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