vst plug ins

Randy Reeves · Post by **Randy Reeves** » 8 Nov 2007 8:49 am

I want to expand the instruments I use in recording. instead of learning how to play a concertina, much less afford a good one, is there a vst plugin that has instruments like that? hammered dulcimer, meloditron(sp?) hand drums, violin (fiddle)? those kinds of things.
what am I looking for?

Ben Jones · Post by **Ben Jones** » 8 Nov 2007 11:20 am

the vsti's so rarely sound like the real thing.
I have stripped down versions of Sampletank and Garritan. The Garritan strings and orchestral percussion sound pretty good, but you wont get a "fiddle" sound out of em.

You might try using loops for the fiddle.

There are also "soundfonts" but I havent had much luck finding any I like.

If I wanted a banjo or fiddle (neither of which I own nor play) I'd find some loops. Loops are tricky because you are stuck with whatever notes they have played and you gotta mix em up to not sound robotic and repetitive...but at least the sound is realistic and they can be transposed to any key or tempo.
This guy has some free loops here:
http://efiddler.com/loops_country.htm

Has anyone here tried out pedal steel loops? hehe

Randy Reeves · Post by **Randy Reeves** » 8 Nov 2007 1:17 pm

ooh. pedal steel loops. you are very brave.
I had great results asking for a real steel player.
also, I never mention banjo on this site. it seems psg players and banjo players do not mix.
I definately would prefer the real thing but sometimes the musician or instrument is not available.
point taken re: vst's and their capcity to sound real.
thanks for the link.

Ben Jones · Post by **Ben Jones** » 8 Nov 2007 2:17 pm

Ive never used pedal steel loops. All those parts are played poorly by myself

It wuld be interesting if someone from here had used em tho.

Banjo I dont own, but I must admit Ive never used a banjo loop in a song. Think of it this way, if you use the loop..you never have to have a real banjo in your home/studio.

anyway, for a variety of instruments...like world instruments and such, you probably just want a sample based soft synth and a keyboard midi controller. I dont know what a good one would be but I have something called Sampletank (came bundled with my host)that is okay. I'd like to hear about which ones are better myself.

Theres a plug in database called KVR, you can search for specific instrument vsti's. Its a good resource. Lotysa free plugins
http://www.kvraudio.com/get.php

best of luck and have fun!

Randy Reeves · Post by **Randy Reeves** » 8 Nov 2007 2:45 pm

another good link. you guys are the best. thanks.

Miguel e Smith · Post by **Miguel e Smith** » 9 Nov 2007 12:22 pm

I just upgraded Dimension LE (maybe what Ben was talking about because it has the Garritan Pocket Orchestra) to Dimension Pro and you can install it both DXi and VST (or even RTAS I think). I was ok with a few of the patches in the LE version but I'm really enjoying a lot of the stuff in PRO and I did putz with some dulcimers and other acoustics that sounded very convincing. Am working on an orchestral piece now and have already raised some eyebrows and stirred some smiles so...it's a good sign.

Dave Stagner · Post by **Dave Stagner** » 9 Nov 2007 12:58 pm

Randy Reeves wrote: also, I never mention banjo on this site. it seems psg players and banjo players do not mix.

So that would explain why our banjo player didn't make it to band practice last night, the first once since I got my Sho-Bud...

Jani Peter Sandvik · Post by **Jani Peter Sandvik** » 19 Jan 2008 11:43 am

Answear to this is propellerhead Reason 3.0 all kinds of soundbanks inside i use it alot

James Collett · Post by **James Collett** » 21 Jan 2008 4:09 pm

Cough,cough,cough,HaLion,cough,cough!

Randy Reeves · Post by **Randy Reeves** » 22 Jan 2008 4:48 am

both very good suggestions.