So what is everyone using instead of Dim Pro?

Re:So what is everyone using instead of Dim Pro? (Blades)

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 09:15:59 GMT

To simplify your search (because I know you've probably gone to a zillion pages trying to find good samples of things), here are a few links to some demo mp3 files:

Sample Tank:
http://ikmultimedia.com/sampletank/audiodemo/
There are also a few videos showing how the plugin works there as well - on the left sidebar
the "sounds" one has Dave Kerzner going over a number of the different tones.

Sonik Synth 2:
http://ikmultimedia.com/soniksynth/audiodemo/
There are a bunch of great demos in this list

One cool thing is that you can use SampleTank (which has a deeper interface and more multitibrall parts per instance at 16 instead of 8) and load the SonikSynth samples in, or many of the other packs, like the Miroslav Orchestra library, moog library, etc. You can also easily layer sounds within or between ibraries by simply setting multiple parts up on the same midi channel within that instance - instant layer from a single midi track. You can layer all 16 parts to a single channel if you want, including doing things like a certain amount of morphing between sounds by adjusting each part's envelope settings.

Can you tell I like their stuff?

Downsides: Mousewheel does not work within Sonar to scroll through patches, which is a bit of a nuisance, but the little scrollbars work fine. There's an "alternate version" out there which does make the scroll wheel work and adds some other navigation features as well.

Also, it doesn't seem to pay any attention to ACT, so controllers need to be done with midi learns. I don't know what it is about this synth that it doesn't respond to ACT, but I can't get it to, anyway.

Hope this stuff helps.

Re:So what is everyone using instead of Dim Pro? (JazzSinger)

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 06:12:05 GMT

I wish they'd fixed sfz.exe, because that's all I need.

I only bought DimPro (yup, I paid for it - then one version later, it's free with Sonar - aargh!!!) because sfz.exe stomps on the same memory areas if you have more than one instance open.

I really don't need the complexity of DimPro.

Re:So what is everyone using instead of Dim Pro? (djjhart@aol.com)

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:20:51 GMT

Soft Synths I Like

1.Komplete 6 - has everything in one bundle $500 best deal
2.Albino 3 - Many presets for different types of music /Rob Pappen
3.Vanguard
4.disco dsp( nord Emulation)
5.Blue
Presets are availiable for most soft synths ..Need to just find what your looking for ...

Re:So what is everyone using instead of Dim Pro? (papa2005)

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 05:22:18 GMT

Might be related to the installation process...I installed 32-bit first and then installed 64-bit...Maybe it's a bitbridge issue

Re:So what is everyone using instead of Dim Pro? (Glyn Barnes)

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 05:14:36 GMT

papa2005

Glyn,

I did a full installation from the 8.5 PE DVD's and the 64-bit Dim Pro didn't show in the softsynth list...Had to go into plugin mamager and set it up...Maybe it was a Vista thing but others also had a similar problem and there was a thread about it a week or so ago (maybe longer)...

Well I did say "I could be wrong" " /> Maybe it is somthing system specific then. It worked OK for me on Vista 64. I had (and still have) 8.3 PE 32 bit installed and I did a full install of 8.5 PE. I had to turn off the 32 bit VSTi version in plug in manager along with a bunch of 32 bit plugs I also had 64 bit versions for.

Re:So what is everyone using instead of Dim Pro? (papa2005)

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 03:59:17 GMT

Glyn,

I did a full installation from the 8.5 PE DVD's and the 64-bit Dim Pro didn't show in the softsynth list...Had to go into plugin mamager and set it up...Maybe it was a Vista thing but others also had a similar problem and there was a thread about it a week or so ago (maybe longer)...

Re:So what is everyone using instead of Dim Pro? (Glyn Barnes)

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 03:50:41 GMT

FastBikerBoy

No I genuinely don't/didn't. " /> I've just installed Windows 7 x64 along with Sonar x64, Dim Pro and all the rest and in the projects where I do use it or if I insert it I just call it up from the plugin menu as before and it works. Whether it's 64-bit or 32 I have no idea, gonna check that out later though.......

That sounds right. If you just installed Sonar 64 bit and all the extras like Dim Pro at the same time you should not have a problem. The 64 Bit DXi will be installed and appear automatically in Sonar's soft synth list.

I suspect (i could be wrong) the problems mostly occur when there are peicemeal installations and people are hunting around for old DLLs etc.

Re:So what is everyone using instead of Dim Pro? (FastBikerBoy)

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 03:30:55 GMT

You know you cannot use x64 vsti right?

No I genuinely don't/didn't. " /> I've just installed Windows 7 x64 along with Sonar x64, Dim Pro and all the rest and in the projects where I do use it or if I insert it I just call it up from the plugin menu as before and it works. Whether it's 64-bit or 32 I have no idea, gonna check that out later though.......

FBB
Didn't know what a Sonic Cell was. I looked it up. Very nice. For many years I was duo's and trios that relied on the Sound Canvas family. Even my present SC-88vl has better sounds than the TTS-1 and many other GM softsynths-maybe because it's hardware.
I bet that Sonic sounds great. Wish we had that back then.
I always was partial to hardware like that. But I cannot go down that road now-
Thanks for info!

Yes the Sonic Cell sounds great, I've had to have a customized rack mount made for it as it's not really designed for racks but it's great. It's a quick release so I can just pull it out my life rig and put it back in the studio as and when I want it. I'm currently out as a solo act and not only does it sound great playing back MIDI files via USB but it'll also send all my patch changes via MIDI to both my GT-6 guitar effects and a Quad 4 I use for all my vocal effects. It's fantastic - no more tap dancing on pedals for me, just play and sing without worrying about where the patch changes come any more. Highly recommended.

Re:So what is everyone using instead of Dim Pro? (mudgel)

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 02:30:34 GMT

Many of Dim Pro's bass samples are simply out of tune. It has nothing to do with which version you use. There have been numerous posts over the years complaining about these but I've never heard any comment from Cakewalk.

I guess it's like Project 5 and wont get any further development or fixes.

Dim Pro dxi x64 works fine for me. VST or DX doesn't matter as long as it works.

Re:So what is everyone using instead of Dim Pro? (Tom Riggs)

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:56:04 GMT

I just did a quick test of dim pro 64 dxi using the real bass fretless and the artificial fretless. I played several notes of the low E and then bounced each to a track. I put the Guitar rig plug on the resulting track and checked the intonation. Both were near perfect. The real bass fretless was a couple of cents sharp on the pluck but settled to in tune quickly.

This is of course a very simple test and there could be samples that are out of tune on other pitches.

My install is a clean install of sonar 8.5 (with patches to 8.5.2) and the dim pro dvd that came with the 8.5 set. I have two other copies of dim pro as well but I installed the one that came with 8.5 because all the patches were applied IIRC. Perhaps that is a difference.

Anyway carry on with the discussion of what to use instead of Dim Pro

Re:So what is everyone using instead of Dim Pro? (stratman70)

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:55:18 GMT

Tom Riggs

stratman70

Tom Riggs

stratman70

FastBikerBoy

Is there a problem with Dim Pro? I don't have problems with it although I mainly use my Sonic Cell for most things, whether you think the price tag is reasonable depends on your view point. I think it's great value but I use it live a lot as well as a MIDI file player from USB.

I have had my problems-as others have. You know you cannot use x64 vsti right? Well, after reading here a it more I find some out of tune notes here and there. Too many. Mainly bass. In the beginning, I sequenced my own midi files (covers) for the bands I played in starting from the 80's. Many battles with Alsesis sequesncers with a cassette tape interface for backing up song files.-go figure. Then I used a Kawai Q-80 for the longest time. 144 floppy interface stand alone sequencer. State of the art-Ha! Held 10 songs or 64,000 notes I think. I used (and still have) Roland/EAdirol SC-88VL .When I started using CWPA6 or 7 I started getting all my midi files in order. I used to use soundfonts with cakewalk.When I first got Dim Pro-I don't remember when but it was a special $99 for the full version a while back. All my basses became DP basses . . .But many of them I never even listened to all the way thru. So now I have gone back over them after researching Dim Pro. So yes Dim Pro does have it's problems. Which I now know show up more in bass than anything else.
My midi life story condensed :-)

The 64 bit Dxi works fine. I have been watching the threads about the dim pro 64 vst, and while I can confirm it has problems, I have used the dxi version from the start and have not had any issues....Hmmmm

So everything is "in tune" for you? especially the basses-I use them all.

I don't use the basses. I have been using the brass and reeds. I remember reading about tuning problems wiht the basses but was not sure that was 64 bit only. Do you have tuning issues with both 32 bit and 64 bit?

I am going to continue my investigations tomorrow, got the day gig coming early. Until I look further I would have to say all versions dxi x64 and vsti x64 and x32 with bitbridge. Once again-I use the basses in every project.
I would much rather CW did something about it but I really doubt they will or they would have already.
When I know for sure I will be looking at Konmtakt 4 and Sampltank stuff

Re:So what is everyone using instead of Dim Pro? (Tom Riggs)

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:41:22 GMT

stratman70

Tom Riggs

stratman70

FastBikerBoy

Is there a problem with Dim Pro? I don't have problems with it although I mainly use my Sonic Cell for most things, whether you think the price tag is reasonable depends on your view point. I think it's great value but I use it live a lot as well as a MIDI file player from USB.

I have had my problems-as others have. You know you cannot use x64 vsti right? Well, after reading here a it more I find some out of tune notes here and there. Too many. Mainly bass. In the beginning, I sequenced my own midi files (covers) for the bands I played in starting from the 80's. Many battles with Alsesis sequesncers with a cassette tape interface for backing up song files.-go figure. Then I used a Kawai Q-80 for the longest time. 144 floppy interface stand alone sequencer. State of the art-Ha! Held 10 songs or 64,000 notes I think. I used (and still have) Roland/EAdirol SC-88VL .When I started using CWPA6 or 7 I started getting all my midi files in order. I used to use soundfonts with cakewalk.When I first got Dim Pro-I don't remember when but it was a special $99 for the full version a while back. All my basses became DP basses . . .But many of them I never even listened to all the way thru. So now I have gone back over them after researching Dim Pro. So yes Dim Pro does have it's problems. Which I now know show up more in bass than anything else.
My midi life story condensed :-)

The 64 bit Dxi works fine. I have been watching the threads about the dim pro 64 vst, and while I can confirm it has problems, I have used the dxi version from the start and have not had any issues....Hmmmm

So everything is "in tune" for you? especially the basses-I use them all.

I don't use the basses. I have been using the brass and reeds. I remember reading about tuning problems wiht the basses but was not sure that was 64 bit only. Do you have tuning issues with both 32 bit and 64 bit?

Re:So what is everyone using instead of Dim Pro? (Glyn Barnes)

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:26:44 GMT

As an alternative to Kontakt do not discount Yellow Tools Independence, it no longer requires a dongle (but you have the option if you use your software on several PCs). It went 64 bit a while ago.

I am using the free version with some of the download instruments, including Symphonic Orchestra, and liking it a lot. I like the flexable purchasing options, the full package (80GB) will always be the best value but there is a basic version with a 12GB library and the option to buy instruments to top it up.

Kontakt of course has the advantage of a vast range of third party content.

Re:So what is everyone using instead of Dim Pro? (stratman70)

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:19:51 GMT

Blades

Take a look at the SampleTank or SonikSynth2 products from IK Multimedia and Sonic Reality. I like them for a good variety of sounds - I think they generally sound better than the Dim Pro stuff (though I do like both), and they are both multi-timbral, so you can get a lot done with a single instance.

Check out the online samples and try out the demo sounds in the "free" plugin to see how they sound and what the interface is like. If nothing else, youi'll get a few new sounds in the process.

HTH

OK I will do that!
Thanks

Re:So what is everyone using instead of Dim Pro? (syntheticpop)

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:45:01 GMT

is there a Kontakt5?

Re:So what is everyone using instead of Dim Pro? (Blades)

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:31:46 GMT

Take a look at the SampleTank or SonikSynth2 products from IK Multimedia and Sonic Reality. I like them for a good variety of sounds - I think they generally sound better than the Dim Pro stuff (though I do like both), and they are both multi-timbral, so you can get a lot done with a single instance.

Check out the online samples and try out the demo sounds in the "free" plugin to see how they sound and what the interface is like. If nothing else, youi'll get a few new sounds in the process.

HTH

Re:So what is everyone using instead of Dim Pro? (stratman70)

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:16:14 GMT

Tom Riggs

stratman70

FastBikerBoy

Is there a problem with Dim Pro? I don't have problems with it although I mainly use my Sonic Cell for most things, whether you think the price tag is reasonable depends on your view point. I think it's great value but I use it live a lot as well as a MIDI file player from USB.

I have had my problems-as others have. You know you cannot use x64 vsti right? Well, after reading here a it more I find some out of tune notes here and there. Too many. Mainly bass. In the beginning, I sequenced my own midi files (covers) for the bands I played in starting from the 80's. Many battles with Alsesis sequesncers with a cassette tape interface for backing up song files.-go figure. Then I used a Kawai Q-80 for the longest time. 144 floppy interface stand alone sequencer. State of the art-Ha! Held 10 songs or 64,000 notes I think. I used (and still have) Roland/EAdirol SC-88VL .When I started using CWPA6 or 7 I started getting all my midi files in order. I used to use soundfonts with cakewalk.When I first got Dim Pro-I don't remember when but it was a special $99 for the full version a while back. All my basses became DP basses . . .But many of them I never even listened to all the way thru. So now I have gone back over them after researching Dim Pro. So yes Dim Pro does have it's problems. Which I now know show up more in bass than anything else.
My midi life story condensed :-)

The 64 bit Dxi works fine. I have been watching the threads about the dim pro 64 vst, and while I can confirm it has problems, I have used the dxi version from the start and have not had any issues....Hmmmm

So everything is "in tune" for you? especially the basses-I use them all.

Re:So what is everyone using instead of Dim Pro? (Tom Riggs)

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:05:13 GMT

stratman70

FastBikerBoy

Is there a problem with Dim Pro? I don't have problems with it although I mainly use my Sonic Cell for most things, whether you think the price tag is reasonable depends on your view point. I think it's great value but I use it live a lot as well as a MIDI file player from USB.

I have had my problems-as others have. You know you cannot use x64 vsti right? Well, after reading here a it more I find some out of tune notes here and there. Too many. Mainly bass. In the beginning, I sequenced my own midi files (covers) for the bands I played in starting from the 80's. Many battles with Alsesis sequesncers with a cassette tape interface for backing up song files.-go figure. Then I used a Kawai Q-80 for the longest time. 144 floppy interface stand alone sequencer. State of the art-Ha! Held 10 songs or 64,000 notes I think. I used (and still have) Roland/EAdirol SC-88VL .When I started using CWPA6 or 7 I started getting all my midi files in order. I used to use soundfonts with cakewalk.When I first got Dim Pro-I don't remember when but it was a special $99 for the full version a while back. All my basses became DP basses . . .But many of them I never even listened to all the way thru. So now I have gone back over them after researching Dim Pro. So yes Dim Pro does have it's problems. Which I now know show up more in bass than anything else.
My midi life story condensed :-)

The 64 bit Dxi works fine. I have been watching the threads about the dim pro 64 vst, and while I can confirm it has problems, I have used the dxi version from the start and have not had any issues....Hmmmm

Re:So what is everyone using instead of Dim Pro? (stratman70)

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:51:47 GMT

Crg

I don't think a new plug will fix that. It shouldn't be too hard to verify if the notes have been moved-transposed in those old files using the piano roll veiw.

Hmm-They wee entered for the most part with midi KB(granted-old ones) I'll check some
Thanks

Re:So what is everyone using instead of Dim Pro? (stratman70)

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:11:07 GMT

FastBikerBoy

Is there a problem with Dim Pro? I don't have problems with it although I mainly use my Sonic Cell for most things, whether you think the price tag is reasonable depends on your view point. I think it's great value but I use it live a lot as well as a MIDI file player from USB.

FBB
Didn't know what a Sonic Cell was. I looked it up. Very nice. For many years I was duo's and trios that relied on the Sound Canvas family. Even my present SC-88vl has better sounds than the TTS-1 and many other GM softsynths-maybe because it's hardware.
I bet that Sonic sounds great. Wish we had that back then.
I always was partial to hardware like that. But I cannot go down that road now-
Thanks for info!

Re:So what is everyone using instead of Dim Pro? (Crg)

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:08:08 GMT

I don't think a new plug will fix that. It shouldn't be too hard to verify if the notes have been moved-transposed in those old files using the piano roll veiw.

Re:So what is everyone using instead of Dim Pro? (stratman70)

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:53:19 GMT

Craig
I have been doing that, but as I stated after reading and researching when I go back and visit older projects (that I will use eventually) some sound out of tune. Could be mind over matter or something like that. I read (the verb) the bass is out of tune and abracadabra the bass sounds out of tune! I probably could get by with a good bass plug but they are $300 also. I appreciate all the input-much to ponder.
Thanks
Frank

Re:So what is everyone using instead of Dim Pro? (Crg)

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:43:29 GMT

stratman70

Crg

I use the Fantom in the V700R or Z3TA+. I take it you want a 16 channel 128 voice synth?

Hey Craig-Not really. Sequences were done using GM for ever but a bass line is just notes and I don't really care about the channel I can change that. Like a harmonica line-just notes. The only GM I do follow is drums and Session Drummer 3 works for my meager needs. I like the freedom of Dim Pro and all the tweakability. Plus My sequences become projects at some point (my originals and a few covers I have liked over the many years. Meaning I will use a softsynth and bounce it to audio at some point. Except for Vocals and all guitars. I do not want or need to buy a bass and learn. Too old for that. I have been playing Guitar for 30+ years. I tired the GM synths and they all pretty much sounded like TTS-1. Which I use for the instruments (already in old sequences) that I will not carryover to audio but good for writing., but not for a final Bounce to audio. Dim Pro has some nice bass sounds especially when tweaked. Bounces to audio nicely also. Maybe I should look at Kontakt 4? That seems pretty much like just investing in samples.
I was told the Free Kontakt palyer was a horror. But Scott G says the real one is OK. Very confusing. Now if CW would just fix DP all would be fine. Dilema

Why don't you just use Dim Pro in 32 Bit mode? If my favorite synth didn't work in 64 bit, I'd use 32 bit.
Oh yeah, I'm doing that already.

Re:So what is everyone using instead of Dim Pro? (stratman70)

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:33:50 GMT

Buddy110

My midi life story condensed :-)

Sounds like your having the MIDI-life crisis...ah just joking.

I used 4front bass in the past (free and pretty good). I use dim pro a bit, but not for bass as I play that myself these days (Guitar > Bass was an easy transition). I got tired of adding all the natural string mutes/fret noises manually. But that's just me, a picky little so and so.

Actually pretty dead on :-)

Re:So what is everyone using instead of Dim Pro? (stratman70)

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:32:26 GMT

Crg

I use the Fantom in the V700R or Z3TA+. I take it you want a 16 channel 128 voice synth?

Hey Craig-Not really. Sequences were done using GM for ever but a bass line is just notes and I don't really care about the channel I can change that. Like a harmonica line-just notes. The only GM I do follow is drums and Session Drummer 3 works for my meager needs. I like the freedom of Dim Pro and all the tweakability. Plus My sequences become projects at some point (my originals and a few covers I have liked over the many years. Meaning I will use a softsynth and bounce it to audio at some point. Except for Vocals and all guitars. I do not want or need to buy a bass and learn. Too old for that. I have been playing Guitar for 30+ years. I tired the GM synths and they all pretty much sounded like TTS-1. Which I use for the instruments (already in old sequences) that I will not carryover to audio but good for writing., but not for a final Bounce to audio. Dim Pro has some nice bass sounds especially when tweaked. Bounces to audio nicely also. Maybe I should look at Kontakt 4? That seems pretty much like just investing in samples.
I was told the Free Kontakt palyer was a horror. But Scott G says the real one is OK. Very confusing. Now if CW would just fix DP all would be fine. Dilema

Re:So what is everyone using instead of Dim Pro? (Counting Coup)

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:13:59 GMT

Kontakt 4
That's all I use now.

Re:So what is everyone using instead of Dim Pro? (Crg)

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:56:44 GMT

I use the Fantom in the V700R or Z3TA+. I take it you want a 16 channel 128 voice synth?

Re:So what is everyone using instead of Dim Pro? (Buddy110)

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:52:55 GMT

My midi life story condensed :-)

Sounds like your having the MIDI-life crisis...ah just joking.

I used 4front bass in the past (free and pretty good). I use dim pro a bit, but not for bass as I play that myself these days (Guitar > Bass was an easy transition). I got tired of adding all the natural string mutes/fret noises manually. But that's just me, a picky little so and so.

Re:So what is everyone using instead of Dim Pro? (garrigus)

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:38:32 GMT

The best overall sample library and sample software is KONTAKT 4... very powerful... excellent instrument library... no dongle, just challenge/response authorization... http://digifreq.com/?Kontakt

Scott

--
Scott R. Garrigus - Author of the Cakewalk Sonar and Sony Sound Forge Power book series. Get Sonar 8 Power - Today! Go to: http://www.garrigus.com/ - http://www.musictechshop.com/ - http://www.cooltechshop.com/

Publisher of DigiFreq - free music technology newsletter. Win a free SoundTech Vocal Trainer Package, go to: http://www.digifreq.com/digifreq/

Publisher of NewTechReview - free consumer technology newsletter. Win a free i2i Stream Wireless Music Pack, go to: http://www.newtechreview.com/newtechreview/

Re:So what is everyone using instead of Dim Pro? (stratman70)

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:35:55 GMT

Mod Bod

For Organ I like ORGANized Trio.

Honestly, I prefer to use the one trick pony VST synths. I use MrRay 73 for Rhodes piano. I use MrTramp for Wurlitzer. Nanotron for Mellotron. TruePiano for acoustic piano.

I just think it's easier to work for me that way.

Hi Dave-
My main use for Dim Pro is your main instrument I believe-Bass. One trick ponies are OK but $$$$. I don't do commercial recording like you do. Just Home Studio stuff.
Thanks
Frank