I am very happy with the instrument libraries that came with X2 Producer. However, I would like to fool around with my old GigaStudio sounds. The 6 disk-set for GS3 is full of files that make no sense to me. I DO NOT intend to use GigaStudio at all, rather a VST sampler like Kontakt or something else within Sonar that will play .gig files. Am I correct in thinking I should do a complete install of GS3 Orchestra anyway to make sense of the files, or
1. Would/could that be detrimental in some way?
2. Is there a better/easier way to make these .gig files available in Sonar?
Any advise would be appreciated.

There is nothing in Sonar that will load Giga files natively. Kontakt is probably your best option, though I understand it actually converts the files into its own format. So you'll need to have the gig files on your hard drive, with room to convert them.
 
Regards,
Dan
 

Dan, thanks for your response, but I know there is nothing in Sonar that will play gig files and I'll need a sample player. My question is about how to get the gig files on my computer. The disks I have are full of files in different folders with the same names but different extensions. Does a .gig file contain all the different samples necessary, including where they map on a keyboard, and where they go in the computer? IDK. Sonar stores wav files in a different folder than the project. That's why I asked if GS3 needs to be installed first to put things where they go before I try to load them into a sampler and have them converted. Or is it as simple as copying a gig file from the disk and pasting it in a folder on one of the computer's drives? Some of the gig files on the disks have names that don't make sense, so I don't know what they are and I wonder if they will after a GS3 install. And if that's the case, could that be a problem when I try to run Sonar. Sorry to be so far behind in knowing these things, but I can't find the answers to my concerns and Tascam support is a bust.

In that case, I would go ahead and install the whole shebang, assuming the installer will even run anymore. Then locate the actual library files and move them somewhere safe. After that, you can uninstall GS3.
 
As far as I am aware, Kontakt will only convert the actual samples (.gig). Any performances, defined instruments or impulses are ignored.
 
See this thread for more info: http://forum.cakewalk.com/Kontakt-4-importing-Gigastudio-help-m2044421.aspx
 
There's also this Gigastudio player which avoids the whole conversion process: http://www.soundlib.com/gplayer/
 
Regards,
Dan
 

OK Dan, cool. I suppose I can make sure my system is backed up first in case I need to revert back to before the GS3 install.
 
I hope an uninstall will leave the .gig files alone if they are in a different location.
 
Gplayer, VSampler and Samplelord have demos I can try before I invest. Kontakt has a demo version, but it will not play .gig files. You have to invest $399.99 to get the version that will play .gig files.

PappyGman
OK Dan, cool. I suppose I can make sure my system is backed up first in case I need to revert back to before the GS3 install.
 
I hope an uninstall will leave the .gig files alone if they are in a different location.
 
Gplayer, VSampler and Samplelord have demos I can try before I invest. Kontakt has a demo version, but it will not play .gig files. You have to invest $399.99 to get the version that will play .gig files.

Unless you have other gig files that you think you need. Kontakt has those same samples that came with GS3 and a whole lot more.

PappyGman
Gplayer, VSampler and Samplelord have demos I can try before I invest. Kontakt has a demo version, but it will not play .gig files. You have to invest $399.99 to get the version that will play .gig files.

Hey Pappy,
I commented in your other thread.  FWIW, VSampler is no longer available -- you can't buy it anymore (I just visited the Maz-sound website and the shop is closed).  This should make your decision a bit easier.

JonD

PappyGman
Gplayer, VSampler and Samplelord have demos I can try before I invest. Kontakt has a demo version, but it will not play .gig files. You have to invest $399.99 to get the version that will play .gig files.

Hey Pappy,
I commented in your other thread.  FWIW, VSampler is no longer available -- you can't buy it anymore (I just visited the Maz-sound website and the shop is closed).  This should make your decision a bit easier.

Once a year, Kontakt goes on sale for $99. It's a good deal for a do-it-all sampler. It will load and convert several popular instrument file types.

[<font]SuperG, Once again you live up to your name, Ha! I'm glad Maz-sound bellied up on Vsampler before I bought it. I would prefer Kontakt if I could catch the special, if nothing else for NI support. I suspect they'll be around for a while. Then again, who would have thought a company like Tascam would have bailed out on GigaStudio, right after I bought the big daddy Orchestra and Larry Sayer Drums and the Scarbee R.S.P. '73 vintage Fender Rhodes. Then again, I spent my vote for Herman Cain right before he bailed, McCain in '08, Romney in 2012, and Rubio right before he bailed out too. I seam to have a batting average of picking losers. Perhaps buying Kontakt would be the kiss of death for Native Instruments.
 
[<font]Since recovering from cancer and an auto accident, I'm living on SSDI and have 5 granddaughters to think about. So, Pappy G will probably have to wait for the $99 special. Do you know if that price is for registered users of other NI products, or is it available for schmoes like me that have been MIA and are wanting to get back in the studio? I wonder if they give a veteran's discount. Either way, thanks for the tip.
 
[<font]As an aside, do you know if all the samples needed for an instrument, i.e. the GigaPiano, are contained in a single .gig file along with the keyboard mapping and velocity cross-switching information? Or does a gig file require other files and folders to link to for it to be usable for a sampler? I can't find that info anywhere. I've asked in this post and Googled it to death with, “What's in a gig file? What makes up a gig file?, How to create a gig file? Everything you wanted to know about gig files, but where afraid to ask, ect.” Of course it could be easily answered with a sampler and a gig file, but I don't have one yet. So, just asking.
 
[<font]Thanks for taking the time to help.

It's for regular schmoes like us. Keep track of the deals section here on the cakewalk forums. Also, you could look over at the KVR forums in the for sale area. There's usually someone willing to sell.