Newbie: Best Instrument-Samples / VSTi
Moderators: MattKingUSA, khz
Newbie: Best Instrument-Samples / VSTi
Hi,
I use Linux since 5 years. But sill working on Windows with Cubase, but want to change now to Ubuntu Studio, Ardour4, etc...
My main question: I am searching for the best alternatives to commercial vst-instruments, e.g. for piano, strings... On the windows side there are Steinberg The Grand, NI Kontakt and so on.
Reading about Linux and Audio I found out, that using soundfonts will be the best-to-have alternative for sampled instruments. (e.g. calf fluidsynth).
Is that right? I think its a good idea to have an "open" format like sf2.. but the question is... are these instruments and samples either more "toys" when comparing to "professional" and commercial tools, or is fluidsynth equal when I find the right samples?
I will be very thankful for any advice.
kind regards.
pragomer
I use Linux since 5 years. But sill working on Windows with Cubase, but want to change now to Ubuntu Studio, Ardour4, etc...
My main question: I am searching for the best alternatives to commercial vst-instruments, e.g. for piano, strings... On the windows side there are Steinberg The Grand, NI Kontakt and so on.
Reading about Linux and Audio I found out, that using soundfonts will be the best-to-have alternative for sampled instruments. (e.g. calf fluidsynth).
Is that right? I think its a good idea to have an "open" format like sf2.. but the question is... are these instruments and samples either more "toys" when comparing to "professional" and commercial tools, or is fluidsynth equal when I find the right samples?
I will be very thankful for any advice.
kind regards.
pragomer
Re: Newbie: Best Instrument-Samples / VSTi
For LinuxSampler:
http://www.bandshed.net/sounds/sfz/
http://www.bandshed.net/sounds/sfz/
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Re: Newbie: Best Instrument-Samples / VSTi
an old faq http://web.archive.org/web/200704172133 ... sfzfaq.htm
Rapture Pro (the merger of Cakewalk's Rapture synth, and Dimension Pro rompler,
may be worth purchasing just for the vast amount of sfz content:
https://shop.cakewalk.com/1244/catalog/ ... ct.150831/
(the older Dimension Pro may be available sometimes 'used as-is' by purchasing someones's
entire Cakewalk account, from selling owners at various vst marketplace forums. The sfz/flac/wav content works fine in linux,
as does the Dimension Pro plugin, when hosted by reaper, and perhaps other daw softs.)
This is a limited-feature sfz player, should work with wineasio http://www.plogue.com/products/sforzando/
A freeware sampler to try with wineasio, has sfz and ogg support http://www.tx16wx.com/
Tons of sf2/sfz soundsets, as enjoyed in the E-mu line of sampler hardware: http://www.digitalsoundfactory.com
(a Dimenstion Pro Light is bundled if you purchase thesfz versions)
Cheers
Rapture Pro (the merger of Cakewalk's Rapture synth, and Dimension Pro rompler,
may be worth purchasing just for the vast amount of sfz content:
https://shop.cakewalk.com/1244/catalog/ ... ct.150831/
(the older Dimension Pro may be available sometimes 'used as-is' by purchasing someones's
entire Cakewalk account, from selling owners at various vst marketplace forums. The sfz/flac/wav content works fine in linux,
as does the Dimension Pro plugin, when hosted by reaper, and perhaps other daw softs.)
This is a limited-feature sfz player, should work with wineasio http://www.plogue.com/products/sforzando/
A freeware sampler to try with wineasio, has sfz and ogg support http://www.tx16wx.com/
Tons of sf2/sfz soundsets, as enjoyed in the E-mu line of sampler hardware: http://www.digitalsoundfactory.com
(a Dimenstion Pro Light is bundled if you purchase thesfz versions)
Cheers
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Re: Newbie: Best Instrument-Samples / VSTi
I wouldn't bother with Ubuntu Studio, it is limited and development lags compared to KXstudio. Just install KXStudio's isos or the repositories over Debian, Ubuntu, Mint etc.pragomer wrote:Hi,
I use Linux since 5 years. But sill working on Windows with Cubase, but want to change now to Ubuntu Studio, Ardour4, etc...
So you're looking for sample libraries.My main question: I am searching for the best alternatives to commercial vst-instruments, e.g. for piano, strings... On the windows side there are Steinberg The Grand, NI Kontakt and so on.
There are OpenSource alternatives but even though some are quite good they're often no match for the commercial products. It's obvious, considering the amount of work required to create those libraries.
Dunno, sfz format is quite common too and gig is another option, particularly if you're willing to edit some instruments yourself from pre-existing samples.Reading about Linux and Audio I found out, that using soundfonts will be the best-to-have alternative for sampled instruments. (e.g. calf fluidsynth).
Fluidsynth and the usual freebie sf2 libraries floating around the Interwebz are kind of the "Roland Soundcanvas" of Linux Audio World. And perhaps not quite as good as the SC (which was an entry level device) either in some cases. Most of those collections don't compare to the commercial offerings, not so much because of software technical limitations but rather because many of these sets weren't created from the best sample source material and weren't edited and mapped to commercial standards. It's fine for hobby use but that's about it.I think its a good idea to have an "open" format like sf2.. but the question is... are these instruments and samples either more "toys" when comparing to "professional" and commercial tools, or is fluidsynth equal when I find the right samples?
Having said that there are some decent sfz libraries out there for Linuxsampler (look at Jeff's post).
Alternatively, run Kontakt or perhaps Aria (if it works, I don't know) in Linux under Wine.
Some Focal / 20.04 audio packages and resources https://midistudio.groups.io/g/linuxaudio
Re: Newbie: Best Instrument-Samples / VSTi
I would say that sometimes terms like "better" or "worse" when it comes to sounds and music is rather a subjective matter, a personal preference. It's obvious that Linux world is lacking the variety of synths, and although there are some very good, even free effects and instruments, they are not being ported to Linux, and I don't know why is that.
Now, my favorite bunch:
Piano: Linux Sampler or Carla with Salamander Grand Piano sfz
Drums: Linux Sampler or Carla with Salamander drum kit, Open Source drum kit, Hydrogen etc.
Synths: Aspect, Calf, Helm
Bass: There are some bot they are so-so, and not very convincing. I mean, those who emulate stringed bass, and even the commercial are far from the real deal. For synth basses I couldn't tell much.
Now, my favorite bunch:
Piano: Linux Sampler or Carla with Salamander Grand Piano sfz
Drums: Linux Sampler or Carla with Salamander drum kit, Open Source drum kit, Hydrogen etc.
Synths: Aspect, Calf, Helm
Bass: There are some bot they are so-so, and not very convincing. I mean, those who emulate stringed bass, and even the commercial are far from the real deal. For synth basses I couldn't tell much.