Me recommending checking out Steinberg synth? Really???

I usually don't do this because Steinberg's track record is even worst than NI, but it seems that maybe the folks in Hamburg may finally be adjusting w/ the real world. Maybe...

So, after a dongle-less Cubase Essential, they've recently released Retrologue and Padshop Pro, both of which are available for a 30 days trial - w/o a dongle - and both of which are very reasonably priced ($49). You just provide a name and an e-mail address and you get the download link.

Haven't had much time to spend on Padshop, but Retrologue really took me by surprise. To me, it's one of those inspiring synths - I've come up w/ 3 different basic songs ideas in the last half hour just browsing through the presets and customizing them a bit. 

I understand the basics of how to program synths, but I'm a guitar player, so programming patches from scratch comes just below re-stringing guitars on the fun scale. For whatever reason, I'm having fun tweaking Retrologue. And it just seems so dynamic.


In fact, it reminds me of my first encounter w/ the RGC synths . Though easier IMHO. (And of course, we aren't talking about anything remotely close to Zeta or Rapture in terms of complexity/possibilities here.) I don't know what it is, but I just find my way pretty instinctively around this one.







So I'm perplexed. I wouldn't normally recommend a Steinberg effect or synth. Exception made of a few licensed synths like the PPG or Plex, their synths never really impressed me. And w/ their track record, I wouldn't feel comfortable considering that the product may very well be discontinued w/in a year or two.


That being said, for $49, I'm taking the chance. It'll only last as long as it lasts, but I've spent more than that on a semi-decent bottle of red at the restaurant countless times.


So if your relation w/ soft synths is similar to mine, I'd say it's worth checking out the demo.

Same here:)

Thanks for the heads-up Rain. I've been having a little play with Padshop and it looks pretty useful for those (like me) who like their textures. Will I buy it ? Still a maybe at the moment - $100 for us on this side of the water - still not bad I guess, but yeah Steinberg !
Anyway, FWIW for any non W7 users who may be curious about these, they're working just fine on XP for me, so don't let the the W7 only thing put you off trying them.

You're welcome Paulo. :)

I'm on Mac but I've noticed the same thing - all my Steinberg downloads (PadShop, Retrologue and Cubase Essential) say OS X Lion, but they all work just fine on the previous OS X. 
 
I'm still having a blast w/ Retrologue - I guess some synths just work for you, no matter if they're just yet another take on the same scene. And Halion Sonic SE, which I hadn't really took the time to mess w/ before - lots of fun. These are quite a change from the old Steinberg synths, like Monologue which were, IMHO, sub par compared to what other DAWs offered as bundled synths.

 I'm hoping to spend a bit more time w/ PadShop when we arrive in Vegas, but from what I've heard so far, I'll most likely end up buying it.

That being said, as I said before, buyer beware. I still don't totally trust Steinberg.

I tried to google for an answer..but couldnt seem to find it.   Does this plug require a dongle at all (after demo)?  If so I wont even consider it.  Not that I should consider it anyway being Steinberg, lol.  But the OP makes me want to check it out.

Rain


Mandrake - no dongle required. 

As I mentioned, I can't honestly recommend buying it, but if you're in the market for such a synth, it is worth checking out. At which point, you're still free to decide whether you're willing to spend $50 on something that is pretty likely to be discontinued.

Personally, I've decided I could live w/ that.

Nigel - I know what you mean. I always though they were the absolute worst. 

thanks Rain.  Im a Steinberg refugee too.  But if it works as is, I can live with the inevitable lack of support from Steinberg.  I'll check it out.  $50 doesnt sound bad and if I get it, Steinberg should send you a commision check cause you almost sold me already,  lol.

Bajan Blue


Hi Guys
Now I'm not crusading against our lovely friends at Steinberg in particular here, but doesn't it worry you that they could just "drop" the product at any time  - which once they do that means it will have a very limited life span as far as you the user is concerned - that is of course unless you never change your computer / operating system etc. And Steinberg do have an appalling track record for this type of totally unacceptable behaviour in my opinion.
I just wish we the consumers could get together on this - the only way we MIGHT make these money hungry corporations think a little before deciding they can just crap on their customers whenever they want, is to make them realise we can and will hurt them in their pockets if they don't start to understand they need to support their customers and the products these customers have purchased in GOOD FAITH.

Rant over!!!!
Cheers
Nigel

yeah your right.  I've deff been burned and frustrated by Steiny.  Thanks for reminding me how much I dont like them. 

Rain
I know what you mean re the cost, but I've got to the point where it is not just about the money any more.
I do hope you're right about a change in attitude, but to be honest I just can't see Steinberg / Native Instruments changing the way they conduct themselves - what's that saying about Leopards!!

Having no dongle is a step forward I suppose but only if they don't deicide to drop it next year because they haven't sold enough!

Cheers
Nigel

Waves was one of the companies I had in mind.

2 days ago, Steinberg announced a giveaway on their Facebook page. Some of us had issues w/ the link (wouldn't work in Safari for example.) It wasn't long before they came back to apologize and offer alternative ways to enter the giveaway, including by e-mail. 

I think and hope that social medias (and the economy) could be changing things for those companies. They just can't be careless anymore - their survival depends on it.

Did the installer also installed the eLicenser application? I'm trying to remember if it's something that I had to install separately when I first demo'ed Steinberg products, but since that was way back last summer, I'm not sure...

I see. Well, sorry that you're having trouble authorizing it - hopefully, you'll get it all sorted out soon. BTW, maybe a little message on their FB page wouldn't hurt - they sometimes answer there.

It's a great sounding synth and it's just so easy to work w/. 

I decided to download the Cubase 6.5 trial and see what Stinkberg has been up...

I had to go dig out my eLicenser....has been put away for years...


Retrologue and PadShop are both quite good...and, as Rain said, just going through the 
presets I found myself being very inspired...

VST Expression is awesome....end of story...bye bye

http://www.steinberg.net/en/company/technologies/vst_expression.html

Still haven't tried their new Amp Sim yet...will check that out next..

The ability to use my plugs as VST 3 with full functionality..major bonus...
and Cubase automatically sorted my plugs under categories...
Reverb, EQ, Compression, etc....didn't expect that...wasn't there in V5...

Color changing of the interface is very kewl..but very lacking in substance...it's just a color change,
and a very poor implementation at that...I REALLY like Digital Performer 8's "themes" concept.

Don't like the mixer, don't like the interface...on these two things X2 rocks out with it's socks out...
it was the major reason I switched to Sonar, and I don't find the workflow anywhere near as intuitive as I do in X2.

Cubase's PRV has always been lightyears ahead...the editing capabilities are vastly superior to 
other DAW's (just MO)

I much much much prefer X2 as far as interface and workflow goes, and a few other things...

If Cakewalk could get off their high horse and get VST 3.x support implemented and implement their own BETTER version of VST Expression. get better scoring capabilities, etc...they'd be beating Stinkberg over head with a baseball bat...as customers who not only WANT those things, but NEED them to work more efficiently, would be flocking to their door...
As Paul Harvey says.....THAT is the REST of the story...