Can u recommend a good VSTi Keyboard Plug

[True North]

I have a friend that is trying to set up a really basic home studio. He wanted to get a full blown keyboard and I reccommended getting Midi Keyboard and a VSTi plug to start.

Can any of you recommend a good starting point VSTi. He is into more classic rock music so if there is something that covers the basics like acoustic piano, hammond organ etc....

Thanks.

[autodidactic]

This might fit the bill nicely:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/K61/

It's a basic Korg USB keyboard controller. It's got all the essentials like pitch bend and mod wheels. It also comes with a software version of the classic M1 including all the presets and waveforms. All this for under $180. It seems like this might be something you might consider.

[theblue1]

You're more likely to find multiple VSTi's that cover those bases.

Three of my faves -- which are either shareware or freeware -- are MrRhodes 73, ORGANized_Trio, and ZR3. The first is, of course, a classic modeled electric piano with a lot of control over individual parameters. The latter two are B3 takeoffs. If he needs a "cut-thru" acoustic piano-like instrument, he might check 4Front Piano Module or MDA Piano -- neither of which sound all that great by themselves but which can work well in the right mix. Also free or shareware.

An excellent resource for shareware, freeware, and payware is: KVR: Virtual Instruments, Virtual Effects, VST Plugins, Audio Units (AU), DirectX (DX), Universal Binary Compatibility - Audio Plugin News, Reviews and Community

[dirtygringo]

Originally Posted by autodidactic

This might fit the bill nicely:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/K61/

It's a basic Korg USB keyboard controller. It's got all the essentials like pitch bend and mod wheels. It also comes with a software version of the classic M1 including all the presets and waveforms. All this for under $180. It seems like this might be something you might consider.

I've got one of those (the 49 key version)
its only comes with the M1 Le version and its very cut down and isn't really that much use unless you want that clasic M1 sound. The keyboard is fine though thumbsup

East West "colossus" might be worth checking out. I havent tried it but it claims to
"cover all of the basic musical genres, the way a keyboard workstation attempts to, except COLOSSUS offers much higher quality instruments and dynamics than any keyboard available today"

http://www.eastwestsamples.com/details.php?cd_index=961

[True North]

Thanks for the help guys

FREE is always nice, cheers!!

[t.z]

In all honesty, tell your friend to get a decent 61 key rompler/synth, e.g., Yamaha Motif/ES, Roland Fantom, or even an old Roland JV-2080. Those cheapo USB keyboards are cumbersome and problematic (I own an Evolution MK-461C).

I've been through this having tried SampleTank 2, Hypersonic 1 & 2, Luxonix Ravity/Purity, etc. I can tell you that nothing is more irritating that fiddling with some mediocre softsynth, and a plastic USB based keyboard. You'll get both better sounds, and better action from a dedicated rompler/synth.

Just my 2 pennies....

[Methlab]

Originally Posted by t.z

I can tell you that nothing is more irritating that fiddling with some mediocre softsynth, and a plastic USB based keyboard. You'll get both better sounds, and better action from a dedicated rompler/synth.
..

Don't tell Timbaland that.

[t.z]

He actually uses a keyboard? I thought it was just copy + paste.

Originally Posted by Methlab

Don't tell Timbaland that.

[captain caveman]

If the guy doesn't have a DAW, then I would not look beyond Tracktion 3 as an all-in-one solution....

Tracktion 3 at Sweetwater

Tracktion is really easy to use, the T3 bundle comes with a slightly cut down version of GPO (piano and strings for rock) and Amplitube (automatically upgraded to a cut down version of Amplitube 2 called Amplitube Duo when it comes out) and has all the effects plug-ins you need/want to make a finished mix.

All at the cost of a VST effect.

[popmann]

In all honesty, tell your friend to get a decent 61 key rompler/synth, e.g., Yamaha Motif/ES, Roland Fantom

I would agree with that.

I think softsynths/sampler do specific things very well. I've never heard any that really outdid a good ROMpler for general "whatever I might want today" sounds.

MotifES or Kurzweil Pc2 series are best in stock configs, IMO. The Roland shines once you spend a bunch on expansion boards...but, it makes it a lot more money than the other two. Actually, if he holds on, I think Kurzweil is about to ship the Pc3 series...

[True North]

I found some 88 Key Midi boards with weighted keys that look like they are useable

I know he is not looking to spend $2 G +++ on a keyboard. He is a Gtr player/Singer first and foremost.

I am directing him to a very basic interface to use with either Cubase Le or Reaper.

We are not talking big budget here , just something basic to get started. Thanks for the input guys, keep it coming.

[jdvmi]

Originally Posted by t.z

In all honesty, tell your friend to get a decent 61 key rompler/synth, e.g., Yamaha Motif/ES, Roland Fantom, or even an old Roland JV-2080. Those cheapo USB keyboards are cumbersome and problematic (I own an Evolution MK-461C).

I've been through this having tried SampleTank 2, Hypersonic 1 & 2, Luxonix Ravity/Purity, etc. I can tell you that nothing is more irritating that fiddling with some mediocre softsynth, and a plastic USB based keyboard. You'll get both better sounds, and better action from a dedicated rompler/synth.

Just my 2 pennies....

+1 you are correct sir!