Dimension Pro/Rapture - a few questions

For a while now, Ive been making the switch to software instruments. I finally have the kind of computer that can run them effectively enough for my purposes.

I am currently looking for something that will replace the need for an external S+S rompler type synthesizer. My thought, right now, is that Dimension Pro may be a good choice for this particularly if I pair it with the EMU Proteus libraries (I would, in fact, be replacing a couple old proteus modules I have in my rack).

I thought about getting the Emulator X2 or Proteus X2 software, but I really dont like how it is tied to having EMU hardware installed.

So my questions are:

1. Unfortunately, I cant seem to find a Demo for Dimension Pro. Does one exist?
2. Looking at the UI, Rapture and Dimension Pro look very similar. What are their differences?
3. I know this forum is going to have a heavy bias, but what are peoples opinions of the EMU Proteus libraries for Dimension Pro?
4. I use Ableton Live 7 as my primary DAW. Has anyone had trouble with Dimension Pro + Live?

Thats about it.

Thank you for your time

Dimpro comes with a good S&S library (tho I have heard mixed reviews about the emu library from one member). If I'm looking for a basic acoustic or synth patch, Dimpro is a logical first choice. But the atmospheres patches are out there in soundscape land, too.

From your question it seems that DimPro would be a good fit. It is harder (without line coding SFZ files) to add third party samples to your library than some other samplers, but with hundreds of presets (and samples) and good tweakablility you should be covered.

Rapture shares many elements (pun intended) with DimPro, andI I go to for more for more "synthy" (technical term, there) since it will usually have more presets in that area to work from. If you use a lot of organs, Rapture has more of those out of the box than DimPro, which I always found interesting. It has more elements for layering and a bit more programability. So if you lean more toward making synth patches I'd recommend that. But it doesn't cover the acoustic side like DimPro, tho it is cheaper.

Your choice. Both is best and will cover just about all your needs for in the box synthesis. And you can swap samples, tho the programs themselves don't always translate directly.

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