Proudly collecting music gear and software for no purpose

[starving student]

But yeah, I was thinking today how crazy expensive your average CDJ/mixer set up is if you're trying to get used to the stuff you're likely to find at a decent club. So much money for such (relatively) limited functionality in some regards.

I find it kind of interesting that Pioneer is getting into the software and groove box game after just being the gold standard of DJ hardware. It doesn’t really feel like desperation a la Microsoft falling asleep at the wheel while Apple plowed over them, but I think their pricing structure is a little suspect like Apple, prohibitive to a lot of people for their top tier hardware with a hint of “Fuck off, hobbyists! DJing is SERIOUS BUSINESS”.

Most dj gear looks more like a groove box these days anyway, vinyl went, then cds, then jogwheels, now they all look like groove boxes with crossfaders, an easy transition for pioneers new groovebox

[beats me]

Can’t post a link because the site locks up my work computer, so google search “Purpledrums Ableton”. Some genius made a free drum rack inspired by Prince’s drum sounds. You may not even realize he had a drum sound until you listen to the demos. Of course if you actually use it prepare to be judged for jumping on the Prince is dead tribute bandwagon.

[sporkles]

So NI have now predictably released Replika XT. As a Komplete (Ultimate) owner, you can a) upgrade right now, b) wait and get it included when you upgrade to K(U)11 upon its release, c) wait even longer and get it when you upgrade to K(U)11 during the upgrade bonanza. Or d) a combination of a) + b) or c).

I think these between-Kompletes releases should be free to owners of the current Komplete version, but that's just me.

[beats me]

Wasn’t Replika a Christmas freebie one year, or a watered down version? I think I have yet to use it. As a KU owner it’s hard to keep up with what they have and I almost always wait for the next version to get whatever they came out with in the previous year. I’m thinking the next version should be announced soon because its usually in the spring and then wait for the summer 50% off sale. Very cost effective.

[beats me]

Noticed I get a 50% discount on Kick 2 because I have Kick 1. I don’t remember reading anything about this 50% discount on the announcement email a week or 2 ago or seeing it mentioned on the site until today. I just figured it was one of those “It’s relatively cheap to begin with so we’re not offering a discount to version 1 owners” situations. I also wonder if they analyzed release purchases before determining if they should offer a discount.

[sporkles]

Wasn’t Replika a Christmas freebie one year, or a watered down version? I think I have yet to use it. As a KU owner it’s hard to keep up with what they have and I almost always wait for the next version to get whatever they came out with in the previous year. I’m thinking the next version should be announced soon because its usually in the spring and then wait for the summer 50% off sale. Very cost effective.

Yes; Replika was one of their "freebies" - and I'm beginning to understand what that means in NI land: it's just a way to get a looooot of people on board for what is essentially a public beta test for the actual version (XT in this case). It's pretty effective, too - the activity on the Replika board has been formidable, and Replika was a crash-ridden bugfest until very recently.

[sporkles]

New ensemble from Heavyocity, $50 off intro price: Master Sessions Ensemble Woods. I grabbed it with the additional discount I got because I already own the rest of the Master Session series. I really like the sound and playability of this series, and particularly this woods edition. The Metals ensemble was kind of 'meh' to me - I expected more banging on huge metal plates and less horseshoes, but the woods one is really nice. The "menu" instruments are a joy to play.

[beats me]

I scooped up all their ensemble percussion libraries on a holiday discount. I messed with them a bit when I got them and haven’t used them for anything since.

As the title of this thread says I'm proud of that.

[sporkles]

Of course, and you should be! It's all about making a purchase, loading a patch in Kontakt, banging some keys, saying to yourself "good purchase, bro!" and forgetting you own it.

[beats me]

Of course, and you should be! It's all about making a purchase, loading a patch in Kontakt, banging some keys, saying to yourself "good purchase, bro!" and forgetting you own it.

Exactly.


It’s also about squirreling it away for potential future financial hard times when for some reason you won’t be stressed about your financial situation and instead will be inspired to finally dig into your rainy day gear and software stockpile and make some music!

[starving student]

rainy day gear

luv the sound of that

[H20nly]

and then they release OS XI in 128 bit and your rainy day is fucked because you upgraded 2 weeks before you lost your job and broke your leg.

[beats me]

Ugh. Now I want a Push 2 because it seems to have a lot of the features I like about Maschine Studio with the bonus that it works with a DAW that is actually a DAW. Also I've never been much of a sample user before but my Splice subscription is changing that and it seems like the Live and Push 2 combo is perfect for a lot of sample usage. But $800 is a big chunk out of savings and I don’t like being tethered to payment plans even if they are interest free. But the US holiday this weekend might throw some tempting sales offers at me.

How difficult is it to integrate with third party plugins? Do you have to rack them up? NI has the Komplete Kontrol plugin but I rarely remember to use it out of either lazy forgetfulness or out of old man bitter “change is bad” resentment and I feel it might add bloat with a lot of instances.

On a related note I can’t get the Komplete Kontrol keyboard to work with the blue hand thingy. I believe I have it setup correctly in the prefs because all the transport functions work but the 8 knobs never automap to anything or even remember when I manually map after closing a set. Thoughts?

[beats me]

But the US holiday this weekend might throw some tempting sales offers at me.

Aaand just got a 15% off discount email from Guitar Center which in CA is roughly no tax + 5% off. So carry the 1, subtract 5, and multiply by 4. Or some shit. Push 2 for roughly $750 instead of $880. Still doesn’t look good on paper.

[Tarekith]

Isn't it $699 new?