Saturday, October 22, 2011

At the Kore - Native Instruments Kore 2 Software Workstation Review

!±8± At the Kore - Native Instruments Kore 2 Software Workstation Review

I will confess that when it comes to music creation I am or shall I say, was a hardware guy at heart...but times change and so do people. I like a certain workflow. Turn it on, play it, make music...done.

Native Instruments Kore 2 gives me that. Let's take a look shall we? 

Into The Kore I remember their name back when I used to read 'Home Recording' magazine, and I knew nothing about these plugins they were speaking of. Let's just say Native Instruments has been around for a while, and for good reason.

They continue to innovate and set the bar for software synthesis, sampling, and music creation tools. To me, one that stands out AND consolidates the powerful juices of Native Instruments has to be their Kore 2 workstation. This thing is a sound hounds dream come true!

Simple to pull up a sound, even easier to tweak it, yet powerful enough to satisfy even the most demanding power users. It started Kore 1, the first software to come with it's own controller, and to allow you to easily browse your entire plugin database by "attributes" or characteristics. Need a soft, digital, spacey lead that's perfect for your downtempo tune? No problem, just dial it up.

 I can't speak on Kore 1, I never had a chance to play with it, so I will speak on Kore 2, the software version. Enough people must have complained because now you can get it with or without the custom hardware controller, maybe some folks want to use their own, fair enough. So what the heck is Kore?

It's a standalone sound module, vst plugin host, and multitimbral music machine, that can also be used as a plugin within all major DAW apps. 

What's at the Kore? First off, you don't need anything else but Kore to get started. It has the sound engines from some of Native Instruments legendary tools like Absynth, FM8, the crazy modular Reaktor, the Kontakt super sampler, Massive, their gigantonormous synth monster, and even the tasty crunch of the Guitar Rig fx suite.

Forget all the technical stuff, I'm gonna tell you just like I tell my buddies. Get this joint! Why? Listen, it comes with 500 sounds out the box! Each sound is programed with 8 variations that are easy to switch to via the interface. But even more important, you get the EXACT SOUND ENGINES FROM THEIR FLAGSHIP PROGRAMS integrated into Kore.

This is like having each individual plugin at your fingertips. No, you can't pull up the plugin interface, but that don't matter, remember we want to get in and get out! (I must say that if you do end up liking one or more of the engines, you can purchase the individual plugin you like and it integrates seamlessly with Kore 2.) 

Why I love Kore  1. Variety - I like variety. Many vst plugins you get either are sample based, or synth based, but very few offer multiple types of sound generation.

Kore has the top of the line sample playback engine of Kontakt, mixed with the crazy synth, wavetable, fm, other world goodness of absynth, fm8, massive and reaktor, and even the lovely guitar-fx-pedal-on-steroids engine from guitar rig. No need to choose one over the other, you have them all.

2. Expandability- You know, most hardware workstations you buy are limited in expansion to maybe a few cards, but not Kore. Not only does it have it's own sounds, but there are Kore Soundpacks available that give you the best of as well as new sounds from all of their other software products. (which are each amazing in their own right...more on those later)

Oh and if you want to skip the Kore Soundpacks and go straight for the full plugins, guess what? Each of their instruments are already optimized to work with Kore, so anything you add from the native instruments library you'll be able to pull up in Kore...it's crazy.

What if I want something other than Native Instruments?

So you want to mix native instruments sounds with some other companies sounds? In hardware, that's a pretty tough thing to do. Try to mix motif sounds with phantom sounds without buying both workstations....have fun.

Kore can load ANY other vst synths or effects, right within it's own interface! Yes, Kore is effectively the ONLY host you'll need to hold ANY plugins you wish.

You can even import the presets from those plugins, tag them how you wish, and allow them to be called up the same way as other sounds within Kore, via it's attributes. (you must own the other plugins, Kore looks at the plugin to handle the sounds)

3. Creativity- one of the main functions of Kore 2 is also the ability to layer sounds together. So you're not just stuck with the presets, or just tweaking presets, you can layer however many sounds you computer can handle, creating you own new sonic love mojo!

Take a sexy sampled guitar from the Kontakt engine and mix it with a psycho lead from Massive, see what you get. Your imagination is the only limit...well that and how powerful your computer is :) This let's you become a sound designer without knowing all the intricate details, just layer, tweak, save, and it's yours forever.

Kore 2 The Bottom Line To me, Kore is like my phantom or a motif or any other workstation...on steroids, protein shakes, and any other performance enhancing drug you can think of! It gives me one interface for 10's and thousands of sounds.

I can load all my other software workstations into it! I can load this up standalone and sequence it with my mpc, or I can load it up in ableton live, flstudio, cubase, logic, or any other software sequencer and let it be my vst sound module.

This thing turned me into a Native Instruments groupie, I love how easy it is to expand, find sounds, and create new sounds. It's also easy to setup as a multi channel sound module, just like your favorite emu or roland racks...yeah, however many midi channels your computer can handle.

Kore can be your main sound module, period, trust me...try this thing out NOW.


At the Kore - Native Instruments Kore 2 Software Workstation Review

Comparison Front Tine Garden Tillers

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Digital pianos - which brand should I buy?

!±8± Digital pianos - which brand should I buy?

Ok, you want to buy a digital piano. Have you visited a lot of music shops and tried many digital pianos. You have been a lot of conflicting advice and do not know what to do!

This is unfortunately what many buyers, if they want to buy a digital piano, and go to their
Piano local shop with a couple of prints from the Internet armed, but not enough knowledge or the right advice to make an informed decision.

Go shopping for Digital Pianos

EnterYour local piano store and they are with many digital pianos, different styles, colors, shapes approached. Some digital pianos are a few buttons, a few hundreds of buttons and lights flashing - HELP!
You want my advice, but unfortunately the advice you receive from the seller is always in favor of the business ", you win.

Attending a piano store and they recommend the Roland digital piano - "is the best digital piano with the distance, the sound fantastic and sounds and feelsjust like a real piano, "he said.
You say: "And the Yamaha, I have heard that it is a very good piano?"
You say: "No, Roland digital piano is far better than the Yamaha." Then sit back and play
The Yamaha and Roland and then becomes convinced that the Roland digital piano is certainly much better than the Yamaha.
Why piano shops are always trying to push a particular model or a particular brand?
Well, the reason for this is that they are both happyget rid of a model or are
Only more money on a brand, as are the others.

They trot the piano in another shop for advice a little 'and compare prices. Back in foot
and you're faced with a similar device. The seller, as before, shows the various digital pianos
and remember that the best use of Casio digital pianos and Yamaha, and certainly not the Roland. The Roland digital piano is very expensive!
You agree towere just another of a piano store and they said that the Roland digital piano is better than the Yamaha and Casio is not nearly as good. "You do not know what they're talking about," says the seller. Now I am totally confused and out of the shop a little 'annoyed.

If you have the experience above, and at the end of your rope, I'm here to help and offer independent advice on the digital piano, you should consider the merits of each and strength andWeaknesses. Read more ...

Yamaha Digital Pianos

Yamaha digital piano digital piano is the most widespread today. More than any other Yamaha digital piano sold by a long way.
Yamaha have today, where they provide superior branding, advertising and product development.
Yamaha put them suffer as much digital pianos (also known as the Clavinova) makes the sound and feel as close as possible to a real piano, the sound sample they use for their digital pianos made by ourConcert grand piano.

Rating: 9 out of 10.

Note: Go ahead and buy any Yamaha digital piano from the field.

Price: Basic models from £ 989 RRP. You should be able to provide a Yamaha digital piano for sale on the web about 20% discount.

Casio Digital Pianos

The Casio Digital Piano has improved in recent years. Casio digital pianos have been so mediocre for a few years ago, but their improvements were so great as theyone of the best digital pianos on the market.
Casio digital pianos are and always have been, the best value for money. Casio digital pianos are not quite as good as the Roland or Yamaha, but they are usually cheap digital piano, between half and two thirds of the price of Yamaha and Roland digital pianos.

Rating: 7 out of 10.

Note: An excellent value for money! Go ahead and buy any digital piano from Casio Celviano area (Casio AP). Maybe you wantconsider the Casio Privia digital piano range, if you have little space.

Price: Basic models from £ 799.99 RRP. You should be able to find some great deals on the web.
Casio digital pianos usually for around 28-30% over normal retail price.

Roland Digital Pianos

The Roland digital piano is built with quality and produces beautiful piano sounds, especially around the middle of the keyboard. The sound is a bit 'thin and wrong in the mid to high altitudes, however.
Rolandhas always been known for their brand and appreciate not reduce prices when the quality of their digital pianos would mean danger.
The sampling of the sound for the Roland digital piano is taken from a Steinway piano concert.

Rating: 8 out of 10.

Note: Go ahead and buy any Roland digital piano HP, Fo-range KR.

Price: from basic modesl RRP £ 899. Prices seem to be fixed on the Internet, so you will not even be ablemore than 5% on the price list. You are probably a better deal than a Roland digital piano from your local music store.

Korg Digital Pianos

Korg is perhaps best known for its high-end keyboards and stage pianos. They produce a limited number of digital pianos that offer features similar to Casio digital pianos.
Korg digital pianos are very favorable, but their performance behind the Yamaha digital pianos, Roland and Casio.

Rating: 4 of10

Note: It would not really consider a Korg digital piano, but some people like their sound.

Price: Basic models from £ 999 RRP. You should be able to a Korg digital piano on the internet buy-out at around 30-35%.

Kawai Digital Pianos

Greatly publicized digital piano! Kawai announce produced the perfect action piano and piano sound of some magic potion that no other companies have received - complete nonsense!
I tried and tested these digital pianosand discover that the keys are too light and spongy and the sound is very bright, hard and electronic.

Rating: 3 out of 10.

Note: It would not really consider a digital piano Kawai, unless you like the sound of piano is Kawai.

Price: RRP £ 999 the base model should be able to provide a basis for Kawai digital piano to buy on the Web at about 20-25% on the price list.

Gem Digital Pianos

Gem digital pianos look really nice and has a great name behind him. They havein terms of quality but the sound is very bad and have a limited number of digital pianos. The lid tends to make a grinding noise and the keys are quite noisy. They claim to "use technology Drake 'in their pianos - sounds impressive, it is not true, but what it is now, is actually only one function, to sell them, but I do not know?
Personally much of an improvement of their digital pianos.

Rating: 3 out of 10.

Note: You probably would not be a gem digital piano, but if youlike the look polished ebony, is the best digital piano on the market in every color.

Price: Basic models from £ 999 RRP. Probably will not be able to be much of a discount on Gem digital pianos, as these pianos are not popular and there is plenty of competition online.

Ketron Digital Pianos

Ketron overcome digital pianos, but they are very expensive, especially the digital piano.
If you have money to burn, then thisYamaha, Roland or Casio - pianos, otherwise go for the big three.

Rating: 6 out of 10.

Note: You probably will not be considered a Ketron Digital Piano, when I had to throw away a lot of money, but if you like the sound - some people - then go ahead!

Price: Basic models of Stars RRP £ 1299 You probably will not be able to get much of a discount on a digital piano Ketron, as these pianos are not popular and there is plenty of competition online.

SuzukiDigital Pianos

Suzuki bikes are great, but digital pianos?
Yes, Suzuki is very famous for their motorcycles, Suzuki, but it is very famous in the world
of musical instruments. They are famous for the "Suzuki method of teaching, they make great bows and violins, flutes, harmonicas, acoustic guitars and pianos reasonable.
Suzuki digital pianos, but unfortunately not enough to satisfy the requirements. Sound Suzuki is bad, it's the quality of workmanship and frightening touchis pretty awful. They are very cheap digital piano. Suzuki, unfortunately, but I have to tell the truth.

Rating: 2 out of 10.

Note: Do not buy a Suzuki digital piano. Pease do not buy a Suzuki digital piano. Never buy a Suzuki digital piano! I wish there are many other good digital pianos, why would you throw away your money to buy a Suzuki digital piano?

Price: RRP £ 799 is the basic model can pick up great discounts on Suzuki Digital Pianos(20-25%). Look up your local store when trying to sell a Suzuki digital piano. Ask them how it compares to a Yamaha digital piano and Roland.

Kurzweil Digital Pianos

Kurzweil is known for its keyboards and pro audio products, but not so well known for their digital pianos. There Kurzweil digital pianos have been around for a long time, were mainly distributed in America until recently. The Kurzweil digital piano is very robust and provides a goodSound.

Rating: 5 out of 10.

Note: It might be worth a try if you find a Kurzweil digital piano dealer. I have seen these pianos on Ebay.

Price: Check eBay, as this is probably the only place where you can find on the web.

Other digital pianos (not sampled as above)

Alesis, Bohemia, Bohm, Daewoo, Ensonio, Farfisa, Hammond, Orla, Samick, Solton, Technics, Viscount Allegro Werse.

These digital pianos are much worse thanI checked on digital pianos and should not be absolutely considered.

I can recommend, and a good website with information and impartial advice, reviews and a series of multiple offers on digital pianos:

Digital pianos: Yamaha, Roland, Casio, Korg and more - Soundsmusical.com

I hope the above information, you can go now and buy a digital piano armed.
I assume that you do not notice too much if you think that is pushed against eachDigital pianos especially.
Ask the salesperson to demonstrate the piano, the piano a few different brands and then make the same decision
based on the information above and what you feel is right for your needs.

Good luck and I hope that you enjoy your new digital piano!


Digital pianos - which brand should I buy?

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