Omnisphere Users

[dawman]

Is it possible to load up 2 instances and load one while playing the other without the audio dropping out....?
I know you can't change presets in realtime, even in LIVE mode. But it does load better in Live mode.
I just didn't get a chance to really dig into the synth.
It sounds nice though, especially if you use Scopes effects or at least back the effects dwon a little. The presets seem to be bathed in massive delays and chorusing........arrrggghh.

Ankyu

[siriusbliss]

Is it possible to load up 2 instances and load one while playing the other without the audio dropping out....?
I know you can't change presets in realtime, even in LIVE mode. But it does load better in Live mode.
I just didn't get a chance to really dig into the synth.
It sounds nice though, especially if you use Scopes effects or at least back the effects dwon a little. The presets seem to be bathed in massive delays and chorusing........arrrggghh.

Ankyu

You can load multiple instances of Omni IF your system can handle it. It's a bit of a RAM hog.
I can run two instances here - with one running a sequence while I jam with the other, but if you setup your host to run sequences on 7 channels while you're jamming on the 8th for example, then you can still use live mode and keep with one instance.

You can change presets during playback, but they only load as fast as your system allows.

If you're getting dropouts now, then your system may be choking.

I agree re: the Omni effects. Definitely overboard at times.

I also find the samples inherently a little 'flat' in general, so using the Scope effects will definitely bring it to life.

Check out the arpeggiator/phrasiator after loading in a MIDI sequence and see what happens. Like I've said elsewhere, I believe this could be built in Scope if someone would just update the Arpeg 02.


Greg

[dawman]

Can you actually change a preset while the second instance is still sequencing...?
I have access to a really fast i7 so I am taking advantage of it next week, but I don't want to buy Omni if it's another typical VSTi that drops out the audio when loading a preset.
I got rid of hardware samplers becasue of the loading and the lack of RAM.
Buying a VSTi that is meant for indoor use is cool, but I need synths that act like a real synth instead of this virtual, limited world we live in.
Even with a Muse Receptor I watch guys staring at their watch in between songs while some half assed sounding synth loads.............................arrrrgghhhh.
I am spolied by Modular.

[siriusbliss]

Can you actually change a preset while the second instance is still sequencing...?
I have access to a really fast i7 so I am taking advantage of it next week, but I don't want to buy Omni if it's another typical VSTi that drops out the audio when loading a preset.
I got rid of hardware samplers becasue of the loading and the lack of RAM.
Buying a VSTi that is meant for indoor use is cool, but I need synths that act like a real synth instead of this virtual, limited world we live in.
Even with a Muse Receptor I watch guys staring at their watch in between songs while some half assed sounding synth loads.............................arrrrgghhhh.
I am spolied by Modular.

Yeah, I use Omni in the studio, but would only use it live as a backing sequenced track.
Either that or I'd just freeze it to audio and then do a fake sequence by flying the audio into some other application or sampler - but that's all besides the point (and basically overkill).

Anyways, If one instance is just playing back from sequence, then you'd obviously be able able to change the presets on the 2nd instance while the other one is running. But again, depending on your system configuration, and the sophistication of the patch, the load times for presets will vary.

Even though Omni is more of a ROMpler, it does have basic waveforms, filters, LFO's, etc., so it's conceivable to build up synth-like patches.

Hence, once again the advantage of having Scope and Modular synths.

Greg

[dawman]

Coolness........
I will be building an i7 like the one I have been playing on, only I will run it at 3.786GHz.
The developer says that the VSTi synths can not be assigned MP style, but rather each instance has it's own core. So 2 instances means I could use it live.
I will leapfrog load like I did with hardware samplers back in the 90's.
I always had to buy 2 of everything or have some singer ask if there's any borthdays in the house between each song.
I had a stripper named Reta once that was actually a great stand up comedian and fine to boot. A Hollywood actor/singer/crooner named Branscombe Richmond stole her though. I could have loaded entire projects up in Scope and Omni if she was still around....
I need another synth and Omni just has so much support it can only continue growing.
I am only capable of handling one slow developer at a time, if ya know what I mean.

Thanks CHief

[siriusbliss]

Coolness........
I will be building an i7 like the one I have been playing on, only I will run it at 3.786GHz.
The developer says that the VSTi synths can not be assigned MP style, but rather each instance has it's own core. So 2 instances means I could use it live.
I will leapfrog load like I did with hardware samplers back in the 90's.
I always had to buy 2 of everything or have some singer ask if there's any borthdays in the house between each song.
I had a stripper named Reta once that was actually a great stand up comedian and fine to boot. A Hollywood actor/singer/crooner named Branscombe Richmond stole her though. I could have loaded entire projects up in Scope and Omni if she was still around....
I need another synth and Omni just has so much support it can only continue growing.
I am only capable of handling one slow developer at a time, if ya know what I mean.

Thanks CHief

Yeah, Omni is fun, but it'll suck you in. I've only scraped the surface.
Been using mostly stacked presets with routing out to other destinations in Samplitude for mix.
Be sure to set each 'instrument' in the multi to it's own audio output.

Yup, given the legacy/history of the developer, he's probably used to guys switching between synths at live gigs (or split keys).

I have a hunch you'll be able to do everything live with one instance, while the other serves as backdrop.
Future plans include being able to export out the grooves generated by the arpeggiator, so there's a potential to drive this out to the Scope synths.

But, again, I'm finding Omni to be like the DX7 of this age. I hear unmodified patches in a lot of TV commercials. It's a bit of a crutch.
Most guys hardly even get into the deeper aspects of it.

I'd still like to see a combo of Modular, an updated Arpeg, and some other goodies in Scope built to do the same thing as Omni.

Greg

p.s. why do YOU need another synth?

[Neil B]

Quote:
Be sure to set each 'instrument' in the multi to it's own audio output.
End Quote.

Start at output "B" and not "A" if possible, depending on how many patches you're using in the mixer.
On all Spectrasonics synths output "A" is also the routing from the Aux effects.

Re your initial question Jimmy, you'll probably need a very fast computer to avoid hiccups if you're loading a patch while the seq/arp is running.

Personally I love the little (big) beastie and it's great to have Trilian & RMX running alongside it (or even with Trilian inside it).
At the moment I'm messing about with the new modulation features, dropping midi files into them - great fun!

Jimmy, there are some seriously great videos on the Spectra site demoing the synth capabilities as well as the rompler side of things.

Forgive me for changing direction on your thread, but a question if you don't mind:
I'm currently running Scope 4.5 (stable) with a Pulsar 2 card and Cubase 4.5 on a PC with Win XP.
With Omnisphere & Trilian being so greedy, I'm thinking of going 64 bit and piling in loads of extra memory.
How does this sit with Scope please? This area confuses me. Can I run Cubase/VSTs at 64 bit and get the benefit of that while still using the Scope in its current 32 bit?

[dawman]

I haven't got a clue but look forward to 64bit just to see if there is an advantage.
I speak w/ EP on the other forum and I know Omni was re built as 64bit. Thats why I also am interested.
Some kid who tries to act like he uses Scope claimed that he had JBridge working with it but I think he is full of pooh.
We shall see soon I hope.

CiaoMein

[Neil B]

The other forum?
Northern Sounds?

EP has just released a new vid at Mesa (?) with the 1.3 upgrades features.
I'm sure this will suit your live requirements Jimmy - it's a great demo vid.

[Bifop]

Omnisphere is a killer.
I've dropped using any scope synths (for various reasons ie : portability of projects, working on my laptop...) and frankly, this things is better than modular ! The overall quality is fantastic. It doesn't need extra hardware either.
Jimmy, I'm not surprised to find you on this sonic land.

It's smoke on my I7. I haven't tried to use two instances though. I'll give it a try.

[dawman]

Please let me know.
I chat with EP at a private forum I am not allowed to share.
It's a developers forum but since I suck a great cock and spend money they let me hang.
I was playing Zebra and Omnisphere at a local studio but the engineer is as nervous as a sheep in Wyoming so I couldn't really do anything but may down tracks.
I am leaning towards Omnisphere over Zebra, but I also want a 6 core AMD or Intel 1U for loading some VSTi to use with my Analogs and Modular.
With Scope I can get any Analog Emulation in Modular thanks to the Synthskool classes from Assaf. I will check out his Flexor VST in another month hopefully, and EP's Omni.
I am past that frame of mind where everything must be sonically equal to Analog.
It took 4 1/2 years, but having Omni as a sound design tool has so many plusses.
Besides I have a Kontakt streamer 1U and its great w/ the XITE-1. Another powerful 1U strictly for top shelf VSTi's is the next build.
One things certain, mobility is no longer a distant dream.
I will have a 4U that can do whatever gig I deem necessary.
Yes, BiFop please let me know about the dual instance load/play thing.
I have had confirmation but checking w/ others that have differnt rigs helps in my design choices too. So let me know what model laptop you are using too.

Ankyu

[Bifop]

Hi Jimmy I had a little time to test on one of my DAWs : I7 @ 3.2ghz. 6gigs DDR3 @ 1333mhz.
Scope card@4 ms latency,Windows 7 32 bits (thanks to no W7 64 bits drivers for scope).
I can load two instances, playing one while changing programs on the second instance doesn't cut the sound.

I've tried with multi mode on one instance and it's the same. You can change programs while playing on another channel. So it's multimbral capabilities are totally usable.
Tried loading a multi in one instance when playing on another one and I had some sound drop off (depending on the size of the patch). Tried it on Reaper.
I've yet to try this procedure on my laptop (a Hp pavilion DV7 with a core2duo @ 2.3ghz, 4gigs of DDR3, 2 X 250 gigs 7200 rpm hard drives, 17" 1600X900 screen w/ 512Mb ATI 4530 Mobility vdo card and W7 64 bits). It should work I reckon. I've put this machine under heavy load and frankly, it rocks. I use it with VST host (from toby bear) and Asio 4 all with the included soundcard (digital output included).

On a side note, I'm thinking of installing a SSD drive on my laptop and possibly the I7 too. Is the load time (for os and apps) really that fast ?
I'm dreaming of a computer based system working as fast (OS and progs booting time, sound loading) as a sound module. Like a Roland XV or a Kurzweil K2500.

[siriusbliss]

I have an SSD on my laptop, and I find that everything seems to load faster.
Samplitude pops right up, and overall system boot time is pretty fast.

I've run two instances of Omni alongside one instance of Superior2 on my system (see signature), and changing INDIVIDUAL sounds, on their respective channels, doesn't really cause problems. But again, if you use heftier stacked patches using multiple overlay samples, then there may be hickups when loading.

I did some more drop-in MIDI groove lock tests yesterday with some wild results.

And again, IMO the Omni library overall seems to be recorded fairly 'flat', so using Scope EQ's and effects definitely bring out the sound.
The other problem with Omni is that it is a 'mix hog'. The sounds tend to take over a mix - mostly because Omni is designed to be it's own full-blown instrument with the do-it-all design, so....things in moderation.

Greg

[dawman]

Excellent news thanks guys.
And I have the rare 40GB Kingston SSD that Newegg sold for 89 bucks months ago.
I can load up in under a minute, project from XITE-1 and all.
When I lost my first 10k Raptor due to a bad sector I went to a cheap 200GB 7200k HDD and it was painful.
Going from the SSD even back to a 10k Raptor would now be equally painful.
My Raptor was 2 months short of its 5 year warranty and was a 360G.
WestDigi had no more in stock so they sent me a brand spanking new 1500 10k............
Talk about a Sore Dick Deal.
That HDD was unmercifully beaten for 5 years of 10-14 hours of use 6 days a week and 8 hours easily on the 7th day of the week.
Outstanding drives and company too.

CiaoMein.

PS BiFop are in S.America still...?
I might drop in for 2 weeks in July during the cold season...........

[Bifop]

Thanks guys for the feedback on the SSD. Sounds like a great improvement indeed. I might go that road soon then.
Just waiting for a good deal on larger capacity drives (at least 160 gig).

Jimmy, I'm back in Marseille at the moment (already flew back twice to South America and went to Martinique as well). I'll be working in Avignon (for the Festival d'Avignon) all of July.
So we wouldn't be able to meet over there this summer.
But hey, who knows, in case you decide to stay, or get stuck in S.America, I'll be back (Suriname, French Guyane and Brasil) around october ....

[Bifop]

Greg, about the Omnisphere sound, I've noticed as well that Omnisphere can be sonically overwhelming. But used in a sparse arrangement (music to picture, short commercials) it can do wonders without "EQ'ing" too much into it. And yes, lots (sometimes too much) of effects !
It's no modular, but if you go into edition mode with it, using all the modulation possibilities, you can get incredible results !

[siriusbliss]

Greg, about the Omnisphere sound, I've noticed as well that Omnisphere can be sonically overwhelming. But used in a sparse arrangement (music to picture, short commercials) it can do wonders without "EQ'ing" too much into it. And yes, lots (sometimes too much) of effects !
It's no modular, but if you go into edition mode with it, using all the modulation possibilities, you can get incredible results !

Yeah, it's tailor made for spewing out 30-second snippets in a pinch.
I hear it everywhere now.

Greg

[dawman]

The gig is in Rio.
I prefer October, but if I pass this one up it might pass me by next time.
Its a real cheezy Luis Migel kind of guy, but we all have our Elvis's....
Its nice to see you're active still.