What VST are you using

[Keys4Jazz]

I recently upgraded to Ableton 12 and am trying to find some good VST sounds for Electric Piano, Tenor Saxophone, Pads, Strings, Electric Guitar, Synth Lead, and Bass. What VST is everyone using? My interest is Jazz Rock EDM fusion.

I have been disappointed with the sounds that are in Ableton. There is a good Grand Piano sound, and maybe some good bass and organ sounds, but that is about it.
I sold my Yamaha MODX a few years ago, it had the best piano, sax, pads, strings, flute, synth lead and others. At the time I was thinking I wanted to downsize and use all VST instruments in Ableton. Why have a synthesizer, they are going to be outdated soon.

I am regretting that decision now. The VSTs I have are Analog Lab, DX7, DSK Sax, Synthmaster, Slyenth1, ANA2, and Serum.
With all of those VSTs you would think I could do anything, but I am constantly disappointed that I cannot get a decent sound. I have good JBL monitors and a Novation Launchkey, and don't want to buy another synthesizer. I spend hours previewing all of the VST presets but come up with very few that produce a decent sound.

What is everyone else doing to get a good quality instrument sound? I appreciate your input.

 

[Stilli]

Arturia V Collection, Korg Collection, Rhodes V8, Modartt Pianoteq, Musiclab Real Guitar etc, Spectrasonics Keyscape, Native Instruments Komplete collection.
You get what you pay for in most cases.

 

[Diallady]

I recently upgraded to Ableton 12 and am trying to find some good VST sounds for Electric Piano, Tenor Saxophone, Pads, Strings, Electric Guitar, Synth Lead, and Bass. What VST is everyone using? My interest is Jazz Rock EDM fusion.

I have been disappointed with the sounds that are in Ableton. There is a good Grand Piano sound, and maybe some good bass and organ sounds, but that is about it.
I sold my Yamaha MODX a few years ago, it had the best piano, sax, pads, strings, flute, synth lead and others. At the time I was thinking I wanted to downsize and use all VST instruments in Ableton. Why have a synthesizer, they are going to be outdated soon.

I am regretting that decision now. The VSTs I have are Analog Lab, DX7, DSK Sax, Synthmaster, Slyenth1, ANA2, and Serum.
With all of those VSTs you would think I could do anything, but I am constantly disappointed that I cannot get a decent sound. I have good JBL monitors and a Novation Launchkey, and don't want to buy another synthesizer. I spend hours previewing all of the VST presets but come up with very few that produce a decent sound.

What is everyone else doing to get a good quality instrument sound? I appreciate your input.

Going to give my input. Am a fan of Arturia's sounds so just got V Collection X during BF special. It utilizes Analog Lab Pro which I already have. Recently acquired Pigments from them. Also have quite a bit invested in Cherry Audio products - close to 12 I think. Synthmaster also has some pretty good sounds. And to top it off for samples - Ghosthack. Hope this gives you something to go on that doesn't break the bank.

 

[happyrat1]

Give me a good, tweakable, workstation/synth instead of a VSTi any day. I enjoy hanging on to my instruments for more than a decade instead of paying a "software rental fee" after every bug fix and upgrade

 

[Keys4Jazz]

It's great to hear what people are using. The world of VST is confusing and hard to decide what to buy unless they have a free trail. I was going to try use all VST, but after a lot of frustration, I am planning to buy another Yamaha MODX, program MIDI, then record audio.

The MODX has so many really great sounds, it is hard to find VSTs that will compare. Like the post above "give me a good synth". That works for me.
I have a few good VST that I will continue to use, and I will keep searching for more, but it looks like the MODX is the real workhorse.

 

[BrianT]

For live on stage, so far at least, usually one of the German Grand expansion sounds on the RD-2000. It varies which one I like the sound of best depending on the room. In the home studio, I'll often switch on the Pianoteq as I really like both of the new ones, the Bosendorfer and the Kawai.

 

[Keys4Jazz]

I have Pianoteq VST. It does sound better than the Grand Piano in Ableton.
I only have Steinway and K2. Probably time for an upgrade.

 

[Stilli]

I suggest you take a serious look at Gig Performer, it will make your vst experience so much better, has a great knowledgeable community, includes some basic plugins and offers a free trial.

Gig Performer - live audio plugin host, AU, VST3 and VST host

Gig Performer is a premium audio plugin host - AU host, VST3 host and VST host - for live performance and session musicians.

gigperformer.com

 

[BrianT]

I suggest you take a serious look at Gig Performer, it will make your vst experience so much better, has a great knowledgeable community, includes some basic plugins and offers a free trial.

Gig Performer - live audio plugin host, AU, VST3 and VST host

Gig Performer is a premium audio plugin host - AU host, VST3 host and VST host - for live performance and session musicians.

gigperformer.com

I haven't seen that before. Thanks for sharing. I have wondered how people who gig with a vst tend to get it all set up such that it's quick and easy, as well as reliable.

 

[Keys4Jazz]

Gig Performer does look interesting. One problem with Ableton is searching for the right instrument, maybe this can help.
I will look into it.

 

[BrianT]

I have Pianoteq VST. It does sound better than the Grand Piano in Ableton.
I only have Steinway and K2. Probably time for an upgrade.

To my ear, the Bosendorfer is very "warm", which appeals to me for quiet stuff. For something that requires an amazing top end, I absolutely love the Kawai. Seriously, a lot of pianos, even real acoustic pianos, have a top octave that is really not much to listen to. The new Pianoteq Kawai is about as clear up there as any I've ever heard, actually usable so much so that you can play a note and actually hear what it is, not just a bell like clinking sound and then it's gone.

About the only thing that kinda bugs me, the reverb settings on their presets kinda mess with my ears, almost gives me more of a "slapback" than a "reverb" sound, but that is pretty easily adjustable. I'm not sure if those kinds of settings are tweaked with each revision that Pianoteq comes out with or not. (?)

Can you give them a listen in demo mode?

 

[Keys4Jazz]

I have Pianoteq 6, that is several years old. In the world of VSTs, that's ancient.
I downloaded a demo version of Painoteq 8 and it has many new piano sounds, will check it out.

 

[keyboardchronicles]

Another vote for Arturia Analog Lab here - covers so many bases. Love NI stuff too but their new Kontakt interface is driving me barmy.

 

[Keys4Jazz]

I would agree That Analog Labs is probably the best VST that I have. And yes, I have been struggling with Kontact too.
Can't get much out of it.
With any VST, it is really important to be able to preview sounds quickly, and save favorites. Analog Labs has a great selection and they are organized so you can find sounds.

 

[keyboardchronicles]

I would agree That Analog Labs is probably the best VST that I have. And yes, I have been struggling with Kontact too.
Can't get much out of it.
With any VST, it is really important to be able to preview sounds quickly, and save favorites. Analog Labs has a great selection and they are organized so you can find sounds.

Absolutely though one annoying little thing with Analog Lab is that I use it with Mainstage, and whenever they add or change sounds, it throws out the MSB / LSB numbers and the sound changes or plain doesn't work in Mainstage. Am now in the habit of checking before each gig...

 

[Keys4Jazz]

Many years ago, I played bass in a top 40 band 6 nights a week. My equipment was pretty simple, Fender Jazz bass guitar, bass amp and two 15" JBL speakers.
I cannot imagine going to a gig with a synth and plugins. So you have to take an Ipad and keep it plugged in to your synth to manage all of your presets?? Wow.
Back in the day I was putting together a band and talked to a guy that played guitar and keyboards. That sparked my interest because keyboard players are hard to find. He had a Les Paul, and a Fender Rhodes.
He said he was trying to buy a Profit 5. I said "If you buy a Profit 5, you are in the band." He bought it and we gigged 6 nights a week for the next year. Journey, Loverboy, Missing Persons, he always had the right sound. Having good synth sounds make a world of difference.

 

[bill5]

I recently upgraded to Ableton 12 and am trying to find some good VST sounds for Electric Piano, Tenor Saxophone, Pads, Strings, Electric Guitar, Synth Lead, and Bass. What VST is everyone using? My interest is Jazz Rock EDM fusion.

I have been disappointed with the sounds that are in Ableton. There is a good Grand Piano sound, and maybe some good bass and organ sounds, but that is about it.
I sold my Yamaha MODX a few years ago, it had the best piano, sax, pads, strings, flute, synth lead and others. At the time I was thinking I wanted to downsize and use all VST instruments in Ableton. Why have a synthesizer, they are going to be outdated soon.

I am regretting that decision now. The VSTs I have are Analog Lab, DX7, DSK Sax, Synthmaster, Slyenth1, ANA2, and Serum.
With all of those VSTs you would think I could do anything, but I am constantly disappointed that I cannot get a decent sound. I have good JBL monitors and a Novation Launchkey, and don't want to buy another synthesizer. I spend hours previewing all of the VST presets but come up with very few that produce a decent sound.

What is everyone else doing to get a good quality instrument sound? I appreciate your input.

Grand piano: Hammersmith (free version)
Upright piano: Sampletekk's Rain Piano
Organ: Colla B (free)
Guitars: Amplesound and Orange Tree (various)
Sax: SWAM's stuff
Trumpet: Norrland (free)
Brass ensembles: 8Dio's Century Brass Lite
Violin: Embertone's Joshua Bell Essential
String ensembles: 8Dio's Anthology Strings
Drums: Steven Slate's freebie

I also supplement these with some of what came with my DAW (Mixcraft) and Kontakt Factory, which has some surprisingly good stuff.

All superior to any keyboard's built-in sounds IMO but if I was gigging, the keyboard sounds would be good enough. Screw hooking up a laptop or phone to gear on the stage, lame IMO.

And "You get what you pay for" is so inconsistent that it should be ignored. I have the above and other freebies which rock and have paid for stuff I thought sucked.

 

[Keys4Jazz]

I'm thinking of buying Native Instruments Electric Sunburst guitar VST. First I tried to download the free NI Stratus electric guitar VST. That is just about impossible. I am not a hacker, but the download process seems extremely complex to me.
First you have to download Native Access, then it gets more complex. I spent two hours and still cannot get it to download. Electric Sunburst looks like a good virtual guitar, anyone have experience with it?

 

[nakeyer]

Hi! I sent you the private message!!