Black Friday 2019

[Mikeybabes]

I'm not sure if it is a Black Friday Sale, or a Pre-Black Friday sale, but I've just bought a 4TB Samsung QVO SSD for £ 312.99, which is pretty cheap as far as it goes, normally well over £400. This is at Amazon.co.uk and it's a limited time offer.....

After all, we all need somewhere to keep all those libraries.....

[Guy Rowland]

I've got my eye on a couple of CineSamples products - Randy's Celeste, and 90s Retro Trumpets. I keep saying "no more brass", but... sigh... THAT sound, looks really playable. Anyway, if anyone owns either, grateful for thoughts.

[Tanuj Tiku]

I've got my eye on a couple of CineSamples products - Randy's Celeste, and 90s Retro Trumpets. I keep saying "no more brass", but... sigh... THAT sound, looks really playable. Anyway, if anyone owns either, grateful for thoughts.

Guy, I had posted some examples of retro trumpets in some thread. I will try to locate it later.

It’s very limited in hindsight. It is also really fat so it sticks out.

However, what it’s useful for is that ET type of sound. Older Williams work with the vibrato sticking out a little and that is definitely unique in this library. I will sometimes layer it for that sound - but it’s only at the maximum dynamic.

It is a big, fat solo trumpet sound in comparison to other libraries.

[Tanuj Tiku]

I've just tried the beta of Zebra 2.9, which must be my 5th trial of it, and try as I might, I just can't love it. Some great sounds for sure, but nothing that really overexcites me and I've never got on that interface I know many others love, I don't find the modulation intuitive. The tag browser is in this version which is very welcome, but was quite surprised that after so many years its a mere 600+ presets. Finally the Wavefolder in there is just not the same sounding as the Repro 1 Jaws, which might have tipped me over the edge - similar but lacking that real magic Jaws has.

Clearly I don't like clean digital synths much, never mind FM. Don't like Massive X, didn't like the original Massive. Avenger will do me for anything down that road, it's flexible, fun and I love the UI.

Yay, more money saved!

I LOVE Zebra. It’s my favourite synth! Yes, the presets are limited but it is very rare that I will use any preset from this synth. The beauty is in designing patches and I find it’s GUI very intuitive.

It definitely has a very high quality, specially in the lower registers and it sounds very unique.

It will be handy to get more presets for sure. I did buy some add ons from The Unfinished. Unfortunately, over time I used them less and less, ultimately retiring them completely. Too much reverb on every preset. Somehow, I usually got better results just making sounds myself.

One of these days I will get Avenger though - looks really good!

[Guy Rowland]

I've got my eye on a couple of CineSamples products - Randy's Celeste, and 90s Retro Trumpets. I keep saying "no more brass", but... sigh... THAT sound, looks really playable. Anyway, if anyone owns either, grateful for thoughts.

Guy, I had posted some examples of retro trumpets in some thread. I will try to locate it later.

It’s very limited in hindsight. It is also really fat so it sticks out.

However, what it’s useful for is that ET type of sound. Older Williams work with the vibrato sticking out a little and that is definitely unique in this library. I will sometimes layer it for that sound - but it’s only at the maximum dynamic.

It is a big, fat solo trumpet sound in comparison to other libraries.

Thanks Tanuj. I don't really need it to do anything other than what it does I guess, I have a load of great trumpets. It's this particular JW tone - perhaps more 80s than 90s? - and style which it seems to absolutely nail. Is it as playable as it seems in thier walkthrough?

[Tanuj Tiku]

I've got my eye on a couple of CineSamples products - Randy's Celeste, and 90s Retro Trumpets. I keep saying "no more brass", but... sigh... THAT sound, looks really playable. Anyway, if anyone owns either, grateful for thoughts.

Guy, I had posted some examples of retro trumpets in some thread. I will try to locate it later.

It’s very limited in hindsight. It is also really fat so it sticks out.

However, what it’s useful for is that ET type of sound. Older Williams work with the vibrato sticking out a little and that is definitely unique in this library. I will sometimes layer it for that sound - but it’s only at the maximum dynamic.

It is a big, fat solo trumpet sound in comparison to other libraries.

Thanks Tanuj. I don't really need it to do anything other than what it does I guess, I have a load of great trumpets. It's this particular JW tone - perhaps more 80s than 90s? - and style which it seems to absolutely nail. Is it as playable as it seems in thier walkthrough?

Yes, definitely more 80's! Though, I did hear a similar effect on one performance by the LSO of a new JW compilation, recorded at AIR. As usual, the conductor and the LSO paid attention to these details!

Here is the thread, where I had posted some quick examples: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3283&p=45357&hilit= ... ets#p45357

[Guy Rowland]

Thanks for the link Tanuj as I couldn't find them on a search. I'm pretty sold I think, love the tone and legatos of both solo and ensembles.

[Guy Rowland]

Lots of terrific deals at Realitone - https://realitone.com/ . Might just have to get Hip Hop Creator with the money I'm not using to buy Zebra.

[Guy Rowland]

...and advance notice on some hefty VSL deals, including VE Pro. Also the old SEs at 50% off.
https://www.vsl.co.at/en/News/2019-11_B ... iday_Deals

[Guy Rowland]

Thanks for the link Tanuj as I couldn't find them on a search. I'm pretty sold I think, love the tone and legatos of both solo and ensembles.

Just to say bought this and Randy's Celeste - very happy with both.

[Erik]

I've just tried the beta of Zebra 2.9, which must be my 5th trial of it, and try as I might, I just can't love it. Some great sounds for sure, but nothing that really overexcites me and I've never got on that interface I know many others love, I don't find the modulation intuitive. The tag browser is in this version which is very welcome, but was quite surprised that after so many years its a mere 600+ presets. Finally the Wavefolder in there is just not the same sounding as the Repro 1 Jaws, which might have tipped me over the edge - similar but lacking that real magic Jaws has.

Clearly I don't like clean digital synths much, never mind FM. Don't like Massive X, didn't like the original Massive. Avenger will do me for anything down that road, it's flexible, fun and I love the UI.

Yay, more money saved!

As usual I concur about the digital feeling Zebra seems to spit by the thousands. But I agree with Tanuj : something is happening in the low end. I find it fun to program, well, not the arpegiator which is pita in my highly repected opinion

[GR Baumann]

Re the different views on Zebra, I wonder what you both and others, Tanju, Guy, Eric etc. then think of Diversion for example. https://dmitrysches.com/products/diversion

[Guy Rowland]

Re the different views on Zebra, I wonder what you both and others, Tanju, Guy, Eric etc. then think of Diversion for example. https://dmitrysches.com/products/diversion

I know this is such a stupid thing to say, but I really think I'm not going to buy any new synths ha ha ha ha. I just don't have the time or inclination to wrap my head around anything new, when I know I have literally dozens of good synths I already own that I can't really program very well because I so rarely use them, and then quite a few I can actually find my way around but know there's always more to learn (one day I really will start playing under the literal hood with the repros for example). So I'm more interested in sounds for synths I already own, and spending more time with them in general.

[wst3]

I've got my eye on a couple of CineSamples products - Randy's Celeste, and 90s Retro Trumpets. I keep saying "no more brass", but... sigh... THAT sound, looks really playable. Anyway, if anyone owns either, grateful for thoughts.

I own them both"

The Retro Trumpets sound great - they are quite limited in application, but when they shine they shine like a super nova - just over the top brass.
I used them on a couple of tracks where one would expect this sound, and no surprise, they worked. I have been using them in another track (mostly as an experiment to see how far I can stretch them), and they are working well. The original track was much more mainstream big band-ish, but these trumpets add some sparkle. I also have Realitone Screaming Trumpet in there - the it blends nicely with the Retro trumpets.

Disclaimer - I am really fond of all the Cinesamples brass libraries, and I think at this point I own them all. No regrets whatsoever on any of them.
Disclaimer #2 - I work for Realitone, so I'm not comfortable saying much more about Screaming Trumpet.

Randy's Celeste - another fantastic library, and I won't say I'm sorry I bought it, but with a little effort I can get the same sound from a combination of stuff I already own - or close enough that no one would care anyway. If you want that "Hedwig" sound this is it, and it is really pretty. My only problem, thus far, is that every time I use it I feel like I am ripping poor Hedwig off.

Still, no regrets, I am certain I will find plenty of uses.

I don't even care that I paid about twice the current price - I had a project, I had a sound in mind, I bought the Celeste, and it worked, except I did feel like everyone that heard it would think I was copying. Like I said, I will find other uses for it.

[Guy Rowland]

Yes, I got both in the end Bill. Might be a little while til I use them in a real world project, but I'm very happy with an initial play around.

[wst3]

Hate to tempt you, but at $99 the Taylor Davis violin/fiddle is turning out to be really useful! At $49 I'd call it a no-brainer (if I used that phrase) for anyone that needs a pop/rock/Appalachian/Celtic fiddle sound. It is not quite as easy to play as some of their other libraries, the set up is slightly different than the full articulation patches in other libraries, but I'm getting used to it!

(And at $49 I am considering the new Keyboard in Blue. I love the demo tracks, it sounds a lot like my ancient Rhodes. At first I thought the sounds from the keybed were a little bit exaggerated, but in fact that is what it sounds like when you sit behind one<G>!)

Have fun Guy!

[Guy Rowland]

Toontrack are doing 1-day specials all week. Today is some EZ Mix stuff, and 70% off the Rock Warehouse SDX.

https://www.toontrack.com/black-friday/

[Guy Rowland]

Studio One up to 50% off, inc upgrades - https://shop.presonus.com/Studio-One

[Guy Rowland]

A good deal here for some:

iZotope Tonal Balance Bundle - Ozone 9, Neutron 9, Nectar 3 for $199 for owners of any iZotope product (and if you don't own any you can get Nectar 3 Elements for free by subscribing to their newsletter)

https://www.pluginboutique.com/articles/1558

[Geoff Grace]

Goodhertz have begun their five-year anniversary sale: 35% off all plugins for a total of eight days.

https://goodhertz.co

Best,

Geoff

[Guy Rowland]

Waves have a free "abnormal" plugin on Friday that requires signing up here - https://www.waves.com/lpn/black-friday- ... gin-signup . Last year it was Sibilance, which was pretty good.

[tack]

Thanks guys. I've updated the OP with these deals.

(and if you don't own any you can get Nectar 3 Elements for free by subscribing to their newsletter)

Can you point me in the direction of this one, Guy? I found this deal from Plugin Boutique but couldn't find anything on iZotope's site about subscribing to their newsletter.

[Guy Rowland]

Thanks guys. I've updated the OP with these deals.

(and if you don't own any you can get Nectar 3 Elements for free by subscribing to their newsletter)

Can you point me in the direction of this one, Guy? I found this deal from Plugin Boutique but couldn't find anything on iZotope's site about subscribing to their newsletter.

That was a pop up on the pluginboutique site, which I can't now make it do again - it just happened when I moved the mouse first time (a one-time thing?) It is also free with every purchase, and I found that one here - https://www.pluginboutique.com/articles/1545

[tack]

It is also free with every purchase, and I found that one here - https://www.pluginboutique.com/articles/1545

Yeah, that's the one I mentioned I found. Figured the newsletter subscription would be a lower barrier to entry.

I'll update the OP with the free-with-purchase instead.

[wst3]

Studio One up to 50% off, inc upgrades - https://shop.presonus.com/Studio-One

I am unable to locate the discounted upgrades, unless it is the same sale that's been going on for a while now.