Omisphere vs. NI Komplete

[BbAltered]

A while back, I invested in NI Komplete. I wanted Kontact and Reaktor, and also got Massive, Absynth, FM8, Battery, and a bunch of other instruments and effects. So much in fact, that I have not been able to thoroughly explore everything; indeed, I have barely scratched the surface. And enjoying it immensely.

 

At the same time, I have been GASing for Omnisphere. So far, I have held off, but recently have been more and more feeling my resistance weakening.

 

Should I? Given that Omnisphere will set me back $450, given that I already have a computer full of cool synths that I don't fully use, given that I mostly feel like using my studio time to play the piano instead of with my computer, should I give in to my GAS?

 

Is Omnisphere the out-of-this-world synth everyone says it is? Is it better than what is available in Komplete? I figure one or two here might share my mania, and have some wise words for me.

[linwood]

Yes...you need omnisphere and keyscape. Later add trilian and last add stylus. Go over to a friend's studio and play them and see for yourself. You need to lay your hands on them and see how they react to you. Have your friend show you how to get to the filters in omnisphere and how to control them...same goes for the velocily curve and velo sens and the "tape" in keyscape so that you can instantly tweak to your taste. Although, if you just bought them on my word you'd be doing yourself a favor.

[yannis D]

Since you haven't scratched the surface of Komplete and you still got so many soft synths you haven't explored yet, i would say stay with what you have till you know exactly what you have in hands.

After all, what you have on your laptop is way way more than what a big studio in the 70's, 80's and 90's had. Why need more when you have barely seen what's in there?

Work with them and buy the new stuff only when you already know your options...Just my opinion though...

[linwood]

Nope. Everyone needs omnisphere and keyscape. Case closed. lol

[KorgyPorky]

Choose 2 or 3 packages..

 

Like ni komplete, omnisphe/kysape and arturia.

 

And then dont look back and spend your time becoming productive with the tools you have..

 

[zephonic]

Komplete is good as an allround package for someone who doesnt have a lot of softsynths yet, because itll give you a little bit of everything, drums, bass, keys, guitar, horns, strings, synths etc. Great library to get you started.

 

Spectrasonics stuff is more focused, and has a lot of character. For me, Omnisphere is the best thing ever. Some of my tracks are just Omnisphere (with Keyscape and Trillian patches) and 808-type beats.

 

I never picked up Stylus RMX though. Its great in how it works (dragging the MIDI loops into your DAW is brilliant), but it doesnt fit my approach to beatmaking.

 

I think Komplete and Spectras libraries complement each other, very different sonic signature.

 

 

[linwood]

I hope they do a Stylus upgrade at some point. I imagine they will. I use it along with Toontrack and Heartbeat. There are some great samples in Stylus that I use in kit mode. Reminds me of the old samplecell Dance/Industrial cd roms. Depends on what you're doing.

[zephonic]

Yeah, Stylus is great, I used it a lot back in the Kenya days.

 

Its probably the hardest to update, too. Beat fashion changes weekly, and by the time your library hits the market it might already sound dated.

[EricBarker]

Like ni komplete, omnisphe/kysape and arturia.

 

I have extremely mixed feelings about Arturia. I use their hardware (Keylab88) and love it. But their software is hit or miss. I use their Prophet quite a bit, but many of their other virtual synths just don't sound very good, or their interfaces are terrible. Unfortunately, they're one of the biggest names in town for vintage synths and electro-acoustic keyboards. They have a sweet bundle, but in almost every individual instrument, I know of a better product out there.

 

Scarbee and Lounge Lizard > Arturia Wurli/Rhodes.

B5-2 and VB3 > Arturia B3

NI Monarck and G-Force Minimonsta > Arturia Minimoog

 

Heck, I found a freebie OBX runs circles around theirs! Mostly, their interfaces are over designed and clunky. Sometimes they nail the sound, but I still hate the plugin.

[Geoff Grace]

I have Komplete 10 Ultimate and all of the Spectrasonics virtual instruments (including, of course, Omnisphere 2.5), and there's very little overlap between the Native Instruments and Spectrasonics product lines when you look beyond the surface.

 

If you just want to make synth sounds, there are a zillion products that fit the bill; but if you really want to go deep down the rabbit hole, there's not much that can compete with Omnisphere. Even if you're not into programming, Omnisphere currently has over 14,000 factory patches, and there are third-party soundbanks galore to add if you want to expand your palette further.

 

None of this matters, though, if you're not going to use it after buying. Spectrasonics added excellent hardware synth support in the latest version of Omnisphere, perhaps that will encourage you to use it more. However, if you really just prefer piano, that's okay. Keith Jarrett has made a pretty good career out of piano playing.

 

Best,

 

Geoff

[mcgoo]

I agree with everything Linwood said. For me, all the Spectrasonics stuff has paid for itself many times over. I also have Komplete. I use it for some of the meat and potato stuff, but every time I try any of its synth offerings, I end up going back to Omnisphere.

[David Emm]

How much overkill can you live with? He said, grinning. This really depends on your goals and how much time you plan to give them. You're talking about two different worlds here, big ones.

 

Omnisphere covers a lot of bases well, but its core value is its uniqueness. Its the brainchild of several people who were already very musically astute sound designers and programmers. You buy it because its Omnisphere and you're prepared to dig deeply into the Persing/Stocco world.

 

Komplete has enough variety to cover virtually anything, with some creditable gravy of its own, but the largest gem is Kontakt's domination of the third-party world. If you can't build your ideal orchestra within that arena, take up gardening or the bagpipes, far from my house, please.

 

I still give Omnisphere the eye because its the undisputed Bugatti of synths, but I decided that between Alchemy, my bulging EXS library and decision to take up Chromaphone 2, I didn't want to diminish my musical progress with that major a commitment. After all, just auditioning Omnisphere is on a par with suddenly taking up a 30-space Eurorack modular. So its not a matter of merely wanting Omnisphere; only one in ten of us doesn't. Its deciding what you want it *for*.

 

 

[RABid]

For me, Omisphere is a GREAT preset machine. I'm paying for Eric's expertise and experience and he is one of the best. Have not yet tried the update with the synth interface to help with editing. Komplete is a mix of preset machine and something to dive into and edit.

[ksoper]

If I could only have two soft synths, they'd both be Omnisphere.

[linwood]

Ken I want you to buy that moog just so I can hear you play it.

[ksoper]

Ken I want you to buy that moog just so I can hear you play it.

 

I aim to make that a reality before too long. Hopefully Beth and my schedules will sync in December for a pilgrimage to Asheville. And then party at my house! Just step around the cat puke.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Doerfler]

Nope. Everyone needs omnisphere and keyscape. Case closed. lol

 

Linwood FTW.

[jimkost2002]

I have deleted ALL other VI plugins and now use Keyscape and Omnisphere exclusively.

Eric Persing is a GENIUS and his team is top notch!

[DanS]

Nope. Everyone needs omnisphere and keyscape. Case closed. lol

 

I concur, you need both!

Linwood, do I need Keyscape?

[Geoff Grace]

And if you do have both Omnisphere 2.0 or greater and Keyscape, don't forget to download the excellent, free Keyscape Creative library.

 

Best,

 

Geoff

[linwood]

Not only do you need it; you deserve it.

[iluvchiclets]

Check your computer requirements closely before purchasing...I tried Omnisphere and had a lot of trouble with my computer stuttering and glitching.

 

I haven't had any trouble with U-He and Native Instruments, but this one was heavy!

[ksoper]

Check your computer requirements closely before purchasing...I tried Omnisphere and had a lot of trouble with my computer stuttering and glitching.

 

I haven't had any trouble with U-He and Native Instruments, but this one was heavy!

 

Always a good idea to check your specs. My early i7 quad-core pc with 16 gb ram runs three or 4 instances of Omnisphere plus Stylus, OPX-Pro II, and 20+ tracks of audio. I've experienced far fewer cpu problems with Spectrasonics products than u-he, but even Diva in Divine mode runs pretty well. A quality interface with solid drivers makes all the difference.

[David Emm]

Nope. Everyone needs omnisphere and keyscape. Case closed. lol

 

I'll admit to needing Omnisphere, but I only need Keyscape for the Pianet M.

 

[mcgoo]

Nope. Everyone needs omnisphere and keyscape. Case closed. lol

 

I'll admit to needing Omnisphere, but I only need Keyscape for the Pianet M and everything else it does.

 

Fixed!

[midinut]

I agree with Linwood! I've got Trilian & Omnisphere 1 and need to upgrade it to v2, and Keyscape is next on my list. I also have Komplete 9 Ultimate. Even though I really like some of the stuff I've found in K9U, I am like the OP and have merely scratched the surface. However, like others here have mentioned, Omni tends to be my go to synth. After I upgrade all my Spectrasonics stuff, I want to invest in the u-he stuff before I update Komplete. May also update my Arturia V-Collection too before I do that as well.

 

I figure that if I didn't buy any more VSTs, it would take me the rest of my life to explore just what I have. I realize that borders on getting banninated around here, but I said it.

[Al Quinn]

This is an expensive place to hang out. I'm not complaining. Just sayin'

 

I have Komplete but not Keyscape or Omnisphere (yet).

[Doerfler]

This is an expensive place to hang out. I'm not complaining. Just sayin'

 

I have Komplete but not Keyscape or Omnisphere (yet).

 

same with me on all points, Al. I don't have the hardware to run the Spectrasonics software without glitches (yet).

[David Emm]

Nope. Everyone needs omnisphere and keyscape. Case closed. lol

 

I'll admit to needing Omnisphere, but I only need Keyscape for the Pianet M and everything else it does.

 

Fixed!

 

HAH! Fair enough. I've laid hands to several of the listed instruments. The electric harpsichord is a hefty-sounding beast in r/t. I'd see it differently if my hands were still up to the challenge of a fully-weighted keyboard, but as it is, I couldn't begin to draw forth all of the waiting Keyscape goodness. Its pragmatism, not dismissiveness. You know what's gross? An ailing Pianet with keys that keep sticking like octopus suckers.