Opinions please: Tascam GVI

Most modern libraries are being produced for either GigaStudio or Kontakt (often both). And the only alternative to Giga3 (or GVI) you should be looking at is Kontakt2.

When I was shopping for a sampler, I was very much interested in GVI as the full-blown GigaStudio was reputed to be a resource pig and a separate computer was recommended to run it. GVI hadn't been released though, so I bought Kontakt 2. It is the best investment I've ever made in DAW software. Could be GVI would have been too but I'll never know.

I can't say one is better than the other, though I have seen posts stating that K2's scripting abilities make it superior (that could just be fanboy/fangirl talk though). I think as long as you go either Giga or Kontakt, you'll be all set, as they are both vying to become the sampler standard.

I can tell you from experience that Kontakt is perfectly stable in Sonar 4 as a DXI and VST (it also does standalone...which sounds like it is NI's alternative to all Giga's software in one box, though I could be wrong), and am amazed at how easy it is on the system resources. I wouldn't trade it for anything else, but I suspect that no matter which you buy, you'll have more power to play/alter/create sample-based instruments than you know what to do with (unless the GVI has a trimmed-down Giga editing featureset...better check it out before you make up your mind).

Whoa...I just did a quick search in here and in another thread, Vintagevibe wrote the following:
"I could never get GigStudio 3 to work reliably. It lost the drivers every time the wind changed. I then got GVI and it works every time. It doesn't have the editor but I use the one that came with GigaStudio 3. Other than that it doesn't use the GSIF drivers so it won't have as quick a response as the rewire version but I care more about have it work every time I need it. You can get it for $125 as a registered GigaStudion owner. Also it uses a dongle which is IMO is better because it makes it portable."

"doesn't have the editor" and "it uses a dongle" would instantly sway me towards Kontakt2, but that's just me. I don't know what Kontakt2 costs vs GVI where you are, but if they're close, I'd go with K2.

I'd say either way, Giga3 or Kontakt2, you're gonna be impressed with the possibilities these new samplers present to you...but without the editor (that's just going by what I read in here), the choice would be pretty easy for me...I've already altered instruments in the libraries I've bought (moving keyswitches etc...). I hope someone else pipes up now that the thread's been bumped because I'm genuinely curious to know what experienced Giga users have to say so I don't inadvertently give out bad advice the next time someone asks. I'm pretty sure Giga3 and Kontakt2 are similar in power, and different in execution. But if you go K2, you can create your own instruments from scratch if you want to....though with a big learning curve. It has standalone, Vst and Dxi all in one package, and some really nice Vienna Syphonic orchestral instruments, and a couple of really nice grand pianos thrown in (among many others).

If you've never used either Gigastudio or Kontakt, I recommend Kontakt. It has a much better future than Giga.

I've been a long-time Giga user, but now I'm mainly using Kontakt. I'm considering GVI simply because I have some Giga libraries that I can't convert to Kontakt format without losing some of the functionality. And I want to have a plugin that can run inside the host rather than rewired in. If it weren't for that, I would use Kontakt exclusively.

BUT, as someone who has used both extensively, Kontakt is so much better. If I were starting out today and choosing one or the other knowing what I know now, I would go with Kontakt in a heartbeat.

ORIGINAL: Steve Mac

GVI hadn't been released though, so I bought Kontakt 2. It is the best investment I've ever made in DAW software.

Hey Geez:

Do you know if the key-switching feature built into some Giga-libraries works with Kontakt 2? I got Kompakt with ACID 6, and cannot get it to recognize the key switches (in case the term is unfamiliar, the Dean GigaBass library, for example, has designated certain midi keys which instantly changed the sound from a bridge bass pickup to a net pickup; great feature).

Anyway, any thoughts?

Thanks,

Hi Steve. I honestly don't know as I've never used Giga, but they're probably not compatible in any way, so you'd likely have to use the Giga samples and build your own K2 keyswitched instruments, which may be a daunting task -it's relatively easy to cut groups from K2 instruments and paste them into custom K2 instruments and assign your own keyswitches, but Giga library samples may be organized according to a different paradigm...maybe not, I can't say for sure. Maybe someone who uses both could tell you for sure.

Edit: Woops, sorry, I just realized you're using Kompakt and not Kontakt. It may not be possible to assign keyswitches as I believe Kompakt has minimal editing capabilities. Maybe it can do it, but I wouldn't bet on it. Kompakt is still a helluva nice player to get as a freebie though eh?

Check this link out:

http://www.scitscat.com/catalog/tascam-gigastudio-ensemble-p-597.html

(It's Gigastudio Ensemble for $49 - Call to make sure they're still in stock). These folks are totally legit, and have many happy customers saying so at the various audio forums.

I bought this item - the full, retail box - a couple of months ago, registered it at Tascam and now qualify for a $125 upgrade to GVI. Admittedly, I was on the verge of buying kontakt2, but heck, I can't bring myself to not take advantage of this deal.

At this price, you can pretty much justify a write-off if it doesn't give you what you want, then go for Kontakt2 later!

**EDIT: Well, shoot! I guess I wasn't reading closely enough, as I was just reminded that GVI uses a dongle. I might have to consider the FX-MAX Giga Adapter instead.

JD

I use both Giga Ensemble ($49.00 from ScitScat) and GVI (~$120.00 from Tascam). I must say that after the kernal level hassle (kernal mode = fast, but troublesome unless you use a dedicated machine) of GS3, GVI is a real dream. With Rewire (GS3), you still have to load two separate applications, and project settings are not contained within Sonar for the ReWire product. I especially like the way that GVI allows you to route outputs to virtual audio channels, stack instruments on one midi channel, and run multiple instances of the the VI itself. I have used GS since it was Giga Sampler, but I am really sold on GVI. It is very intuitive and well thought-out. The only thing it lacks is the full instrument editor, and unless you are creating your own sample libs, you won't miss it. The dongle is not as bad as it sounds. It enabled me to load GVI on a friends machine to determine if it would work for him or not. If he wants to use it, all he has to do is buy the product, and plug the dongle in. In that respect, it is easier than GS3s product activation (which is famous for getting corrupted on BSOD).

Poco

Can someone write a complete full review on Tascam GS3 ensemble?

How is the included library? How fast a CPU does it require? How fast is the loading times? How can you convert akai libs to giga, etc? Basically what you can do with giga that you cant do with kontakt.

I would also mention one more thing. Gary Garritan, the guy who created Garritan Strings a few years ago (one of the greatest sampled instruments ever made) has stopped creating his libraries for Gigastudio, and is now creating for Kontakt. Gary Garritan is an innovator, and he's always looking for the most power he can get for his libraries.

I think it speaks volumes that he made this switch. This is one of the reasons I switched over.

ORIGINAL: Vertigo50

I would also mention one more thing. Gary Garritan, the guy who created Garritan Strings a few years ago (one of the greatest sampled instruments ever made) has stopped creating his libraries for Gigastudio, and is now creating for Kontakt. Gary Garritan is an innovator, and he's always looking for the most power he can get for his libraries.

I think it speaks volumes that he made this switch. This is one of the reasons I switched over.

Yes...and I've had more trouble with the Kontakt player that is bundled with GPO than I have with any other plugin or ReWire app except Gigastudio. I've got it to a point where it's pretty stable now -- as long as I avoid my list of "don't you dare"s. GPO is fabulous, and the performance concept is brilliant. The only thing I dislike about it is Kontakt. (Yes...I've installed the updates/patches available for this version of the Kontakt Player.)

The free GPO update to the Kontakt 2 engine is supposed to arrive in a month or so. Maybe I will change my mind about Kontakt after that is released.....but I don't have any great expectations.

Everybody's situation is different. Mine directed me toward GVI.

I was able to get GVI for less than half the cost of kontakt2. +1

I'm a songwriting hobbyist and where as scripting may be the ultimate level of control if your playing all the instruments on the CD you're planning to release, it's way overkill for me. GVI ain't bad in this regard. +1

I have about a dozen Giga CDs that I was formerly playing with sfz+ and VSampler, so GVI is a step up for me. +1

I too believe Gary Garritan is a true innovator. I save a ton of money and grief by not trying to stay on the edge of innovation. +1

I'm thankful we live in an age where there is both kontakt2 and GVI to choose from. +1


JD

ORIGINAL: whinnerah

Vertigo50, where did you get the crossfade script from? It sounds very useful.

And which brass library are you using it with?

Vertigo50, if you would, would you please explain a little more about what scripts are, how they're used, and how I as a user would implement one?