What do you think of SO's included instruments?

[Jeff]

When I first switched from Samplitude to SO5 I really never gave much thought to my VST tools. My sig has my go to tools for now. Every now and then I do use the SO personal orchestra. Do you use the included tools or do you have an external set that are your tools of choice. If so, any SO instruments you do use in your songs?

 

[OutrageProductions]

I produce a lot of orchestration and will sketch mockups with the Presence ensembles and solo instruments. Once the cue is accepted by the MD & director, I will usually revoice with more intensely detailed instruments from NI, Spitfire, E/W, or VSL.
In some cases, depending on budget, I will work with a copyist to flesh out the score and cut real strings/brass/woods at a later point.
Creating complex details gets me the gig, and some of the instruments in S1 are pretty good at that. YMMV.

 

[lokeyfly]

Nice topic, Jeff. I have not loaded the most recent sample based instruments such as Cinematic Lights, Deep Flight One, or Lead Architect. Although I do plan on loading Sub Zero Bass.

I really like Impact a lot! Not as a complete drum replacement instrument, but with some going through Studio One's sample library, there are some exceptional bundled sounds. You can layer them, and create your own very detailed drum kits, and percussion kits on the fly.
Presence has bailed me out quite a bit on some really sweet horns, and strings. Bass as well, now that I think of it.

Sample One, is a blessing if you want to sample your own instruments. Sometimes I'm on the go, traveling or even in the backyard. I've sampled some instruments, from classical and acoustic guitars, as well as my bass guitar. With Studio One, its so ridiculously automatic entering notes with its auto-record feature. A far cry from when I used to sample sounds in the 90's with E-Mu, Akai, Kurzweil, and Ensoniq samplers (I still have some of them). Looping those samples was always something of a pain. Now its effortless. Sometimes I won't use the samples from Sample One, but use it as a fill-in, because its just easy to do, and I dont lose the idea. Anyway, sample One is a gem!

Mojito, I dont have much use for, but Mai Tai is a very attractive sounding synth. Sometimes it needs to go through something like a preamp to give it more balls, but it has some wonderful analog like filters. Does it compare with some other synths with punch? Not really, but again, you can get some magic when the vibe is right. Im also big fan of blending sounds anyway.

On a whole, you get back what you put in. I use other libraries from just a few other parties, but many a time, I'm often thankful for what sits in Studio One for added support. I do advise getting just a few other instruments that may inspire you. Especially when orchestral sounds are used exclusively. Naturally, no DAW library is going to compete with a dedicated sound library from a third party. That's not their job, but Studio One, Logic, Cubase and some others do a nice job of providing very musical sounds, synths and instruments. Studio One certainly does. It's just (thankfully) worth digging for. That leaves less chance of having some cookie cutter resemblance you hear from some other song.

Something can be said for the new sample instruments I mentioned above. Sounds can be combined and varied easily. I just would rather avoid them, and build from scratch. I understand that's not everyone. Still, there are some nice atmospheres that can be explored. If that promotes some feel or melody from that, then hay... that's a good thing. Samples can often do well when blended, so its best to never take a sound on face value.

Sometimes I hear a complaint from a newbie about how bad a library is. Honestly, I have to laugh because that person is just not ready to go deep enough, or expects some kind of instant gratification. I'm also from the 30% inspiration, and 70% perspiration bunch. ; )

If one were using orchestral sounds, what's there to stop that someone from opening Impact, dropping a few tympani, or vibraphone sounds on it to create some added textures? No rules are good.

 

[Sombreuil]

As someone who makes ambient/drone music, most of the instruments and effect are useless. I know I'm not the "target" and I never expected Presonus to release something that would suit my needs, outside of a looper or granular stuff.

If I were making something less niche, I still probably wouldn't use most of the instruments.

 

[dominicperry]

I’m fond of the Studio Grand, and I also own Modartt Pianoteq and Keyscape (and Falcon Model D and Arturia Piano V) so I have plenty to choose from. The Studio Grand is very good and gets used on its own or layered with the others.

Dominic

 

[Lukas]

For everyone who wants to know what the included instruments are capable of, I recommend Max Konyi's videos. Max created the demo song for Studio One 6, and he has done a lot of "challenges" where he produced different styles of music using only Studio One's stock instruments. Highly recommended.

Impact XT Tutorials by Max Konyi | Studio One Toolbox

Studio One Toolbox - Free online tools and scripting add-ons for Studio One users. Our Tutorial Database includes more than 500 free Studio One video tutorials!

s1toolbox.com

 

[Jeff]

I have to say that I have been missing out by only using my selected orchestras and Lab 5. Today just for kicks I took some time and went through the instruments as well as the loops. For me some of the supplied instruments/loops seem like a tool when you are really stuck for either a different sound or scoring elements. Since I intermix stills/videos/sound I have to be careful not to get lost in the thousands of options in these programs, but every now and then I think I will just "play" rather than produce to see what gems I can find among the supplied items in SO. We are so lucky to have the all the options that DAW & VSTs provide.

 

[BCnSTL]

I like them quite a lot and they are now my go-to VIs - except for drums. I still use Superior Drummer.
I've also been using SO's FX for almost everything. I could get by with just them but I like a few 3rd Party FX on my master bus and a couple more colorful modulation FX here and there.

 

[Sebastian Holtzer]

Still in love with Mojito here.

 

[Retrodbryant]

Nice topic, Jeff. I have not loaded the most recent sample based instruments such as Cinematic Lights, Deep Flight One, or Lead Architect. Although I do plan on loading Sub Zero Bass.

I really like Impact a lot! Not as a complete drum replacement instrument, but with some going through Studio One's sample library, there are some exceptional bundled sounds. You can layer them, and create your own very detailed drum kits, and percussion kits on the fly.
Presence has bailed me out quite a bit on some really sweet horns, and strings. Bass as well, now that I think of it.

Sample One, is a blessing if you want to sample your own instruments. Sometimes I'm on the go, traveling or even in the backyard. I've sampled some instruments, from classical and acoustic guitars, as well as my bass guitar. With Studio One, its so ridiculously automatic entering notes with its auto-record feature. A far cry from when I used to sample sounds in the 90's with E-Mu, Akai, Kurzweil, and Ensoniq samplers (I still have some of them). Looping those samples was always something of a pain. Now its effortless. Sometimes I won't use the samples from Sample One, but use it as a fill-in, because its just easy to do, and I dont lose the idea. Anyway, sample One is a gem!

Mojito, I dont have much use for, but Mai Tai is a very attractive sounding synth. Sometimes it needs to go through something like a preamp to give it more balls, but it has some wonderful analog like filters. Does it compare with some other synths with punch? Not really, but again, you can get some magic when the vibe is right. Im also big fan of blending sounds anyway.

On a whole, you get back what you put in. I use other libraries from just a few other parties, but many a time, I'm often thankful for what sits in Studio One for added support. I do advise getting just a few other instruments that may inspire you. Especially when orchestral sounds are used exclusively. Naturally, no DAW library is going to compete with a dedicated sound library from a third party. That's not their job, but Studio One, Logic, Cubase and some others do a nice job of providing very musical sounds, synths and instruments. Studio One certainly does. It's just (thankfully) worth digging for. That leaves less chance of having some cookie cutter resemblance you hear from some other song.

Something can be said for the new sample instruments I mentioned above. Sounds can be combined and varied easily. I just would rather avoid them, and build from scratch. I understand that's not everyone. Still, there are some nice atmospheres that can be explored. If that promotes some feel or melody from that, then hay... that's a good thing. Samples can often do well when blended, so its best to never take a sound on face value.

Sometimes I hear a complaint from a newbie about how bad a library is. Honestly, I have to laugh because that person is just not ready to go deep enough, or expects some kind of instant gratification. I'm also from the 30% inspiration, and 70% perspiration bunch. ; )

If one were using orchestral sounds, what's there to stop that someone from opening Impact, dropping a few tympani, or vibraphone sounds on it to create some added textures? No rules are good.

Thanks for this! I’ve been getting more into sample one and I agree with your assessment. Good sampler, just gotta put some time into building my library.

 

[lokeyfly]

Thanks for this! I’ve been getting more into sample one and I agree with your assessment. Good sampler, just gotta put some time into building my library.

Sounds good! I sent a really good video to send you on Sample One. I'll message it. check your messages.; )

 

[Adam_Arcturus]

I create pretty wild electronic music, and find the selection of instruments nice, but limited... a couple of deal breakers being the length of envelopes, modulations and effect timings - For example, a lot of the FX can't be set to have a modulation time beyond 4 bars, there are non-synced timings that go longer, but it's really nice to be able to just set a flanger to have a 32 bar sweep length and let it roll the harmonic excitement throughout the track without being too repetitive... As a result, whilst I love the sound of the SO stock stuff, I generally rely on 3rd party synths and effects for most things.. Absolutely love the SO interface though and find it super empowering!

 

[Davey]

I have many, many songs sketched out with just Presence and Impact. They are just so quick to load and use.

Newcomers to S1 are often underwhelmed by the built-in stuff but I think that's mostly down to their very conservative looks. I guess the newer instruments (Lead Architect etc) are trying to address that but they do all appear to be the same instrument just loaded with different samples and backdrop! Not sure they'll get away with many more of those.

One thing that can definitely be improved is the preset browsing. That tiny old-skool dropdown menu could use a bit of love.