Need opinions. Want to focus on PC/VST composing,

[TyrantT316]

Hello everyone. I signed up a while ago, but new to the forums. I've been impressed by the various EW demos I've heard any Symphonic Orchestra, storm drums, etc.

I currently would like to get back to focusing on composing on the computer. At one point, I admittedly fell for the idea of having a single hardware workstation for "all in one, do everything, slew of presets". So I bought a KORG M3. While I like it, I can't seem to match the nuances and subtlies of working with virtual instruments. For example, I have MOTU Ethno instruments (the first one). I just reinstalled it along with a couple of other VSTs. The articulations, etc cannot be matched with these specific VSTs and I can easily tell when comparing sound to sound with the workstation I have.

Hearing what results many young composers get out of VSTs, I almost cannot stand the dryness of a preset workstation.Thing is, I don't have the $pare to get additional software. So I am considering selling my Korg M3 for a cheaper (simpler) midi controller and possibly the EW Complete Composers collection. Do you guys have any recommendations on various combinations of this current deal?

Thanks

[Illuminata]

If you don't use your m3 in live-situations, why not. Get a good 88keys controller and the EW composers collection, the sounds are A LOT better than in your workstation.

The only thing you should consider is that there are not many synths in this package, you may look at some best service stuff or stuff from other companies products.

[TyrantT316]

Thanks Illuminata. I am still trying to sell my Korg M3 without much success. I am keeping in mind that there are not a lot of synths in that package. I have been looking at other libraries and simply want to have quite the expansive library to achieve just about anything. Not really concerned with having the same library a particular composer uses or all of the latest and greatest. I feel I need some solid, core libraries that I can focus on using for the long term and adding to them/upgrading them and even getting to pushing them.

Here is what I currently have:

Cakewalk Dimension Pro (ok, but not the most impressed)
Motu Ethno Instruments I (ethnic sounds covered and do like)
Ultimate Soundbank Plugsound Pro + Sound Effects (not really impressed, you get what you pay for)
Steinberg Halion One (comes with Cubase 5, basically an uninspiring light version of Halion 3)

I have these VST, but after trying out libraries like Kontakt, Symphonic Choirs, Symphonic Orchestra Gold, Vienna Symphonic, etc as well as seeing the capabilities, articulations allowed with these higher end libraries, I feel like Halion One, Plugsound Pro and Dimension Pro aren't cutting it for me. But there are just so many large libraries. Reason is ok for some electronica, hip hop, neo soul (which I enjoying doing as well), but in regards to actual instrument samples, I'm not impressed either.


So if I could get the sale of my M3 and possibly my old computer, I am considering a couple of package options.


First Option:
-Keeping my current computer as is.
-East West Complete Composers Collection (hoping this would give me just about everything I need at the 75% off discount on this site)
-Keystation 86es (88 key range) or Oxygen 61 (transport, knobs & sliders)

Second Option:
-Keeping my current computer with a few upgrades (OS, RAM, HDD)
-East West Symphonic Orchestra Gold Complete (at current discounted rate of 40% off)
-Native Instruments Komplete 6 (Amazon.com, previous version to save $300 bucks vs getting K7)
-Keystation 86es (88 key range) or Oxygen 61 (transport, knobs & sliders)

Third Option:
-Keeping my current computer as is.
-EWQLSO Gold Complete (at current discounted rate of 40% off)
-Komplete 7
-Keystation 86es (88 key range) or Oxygen 61 (transport, knobs & sliders)

I guess I am hoping to find out how Komplete 6 or 7 compares to simply getting the whole composers collection. I really want a "base/core" set that I can always rely on. Then in the future focus on adding things I don't have. I am tired of buying new "bread and butter" sets in hopes that it might be better than the previous. Then having many of my older sessions looking for VSTs of old sample libraries I didn't really like. I am in the camp of film and video game composition as well as possibly writing for weddings, TV, making background instrumentals of music for performances, soundtracks, etc. Being able to have articulations and control over each (or most) instruments is important to me. I am tired of hearing flutes where the compressed, no articulation, sample obviously just loops forever.

Any help on that would be GREATLY appreciated.