Reviewed By muLperi [all]
December 17th, 2008
Version reviewed: newest on Mac
Edit 8.9.2014.
Omnisphere is still one of my favourite synths (maybe favourite). Having used almost all the synths out there. Omnisphere hasn't aged single bit. It doesn't use CPU as much as many other synths out there now. Great 3rd party libraries. I have also started to appreciate more and more the easiness of building your own sounds. Very stable and good work horse.
EDIT 16.3.2011
Spectrasonics has released several updates that include hundreds of new presets and has dramativally improved Omnisphere. Also they offer control apps for iPhone and iPad for free! Really great service in my opinion.
And who knows what's still to come.
------------------------------
PROS
+ Lots of new and unique sounds
Well yes it does have 50 gigabytes of samples.
From that alone you should find many usable sounds.
Include very capable manipulation tools and you will definately have unique sounds.
+ Rich in features
Multi has 1-8 Parts
Multi has it's own "global" effects.
You can play Multi in several different ways.
Stack mode (split and layer parts), Live mode or just normal Multi
where every Part is assigned to it's own MIDI channel and you play one part at a time.
Part has 1-2 Layers
Every Part has it's own arpeggiator, effects, portamento control etc.
Layer has a Soundsource
Every Layer has 6 LFOs, envelopes, filters and stuff like that.
Soundsource can either be a sample file or virtual analog waveform.
So it has analog modelling synth also.
You can save your own Multis and Patches and share them easily.
+ Simple
Very simple to use and makes you want to craft your own sounds and really
get into the synthesis world also.
CONS
- Sample library almost too big (but not)
Installation took literally hours, about 6 of them. So be prepared. Hope I don't need to do that often.
Some ppl using laptops have to use external drives.
But nowadays I don't think it's such a big deal. Better lots than few.
Dunno if it could have been possible to fit them all in a smaller package.
- CPU intensive, long loading times
I have a Acer TravelMate 5720G laptop running Windows XP. Core2Duo at 2GHz and 2GB RAM.
I have been using Omni about month now, I think it has never crashed.
Many people have complained about it being unstable but not to me.
Only sometimes there has been strange peaks in sound.
Takes about 8 seconds to load the plugin. A bit slow startup and
loading big Multis can take up to about 10 seconds or so.
But I think this is acceptable considering the size of the samples and the whole plugin.
- It may be hard to find something really specific sound
I would love to have some kind of favourite-feature for sounds.
I think the browser is a bit over hyped, I almost never use those descriptive search parameters.
If I want to find kick drum, I will search "kick" and for some reason I don't find any.
Because ppl who made the search tags, were thinking differently.
Luckily you can also add your own tags and edit existing.
- No sample import
You cannot import your own samples at the time.
But Spectrasonics has said that they will not "rule that feature out" in the future updates.
And with all this content, it's not the first thing you'll probably miss.
- Bread and butter sounds
Doesn't have that many "normal" sounds like basic dry piano sound.
Some good guitars but then again, it's for new and unique sounds...
CONCLUSION
It's my "go-to-synth" at the time.
Omnisphere is definately not all-around, and not here to replace every other synths.
It's to get new and inspirational sounds, good making atmospheres
and ambient sounds. It does have good guitar samples and classic synth sounds also
and good analog modelling synth inside.
It's very simple and easy to use and good for live performances.
It has great amount of potential and with those tools and features,
I think factory Multis doesn't even show all what it can do.
I recommend if you have money to spend, if not, check also Camelaudio Alchemy.
Reviewed By danbroad [all]
June 10th, 2006
Version reviewed: 1.2 on Windows
Reviewed By CadeBryant [all]
May 11th, 2005
Version reviewed: 1 on Windows
Reviewed By CynicalSmile [all]
June 15th, 2004
Version reviewed: 1 on Windows
Reviewed By AnotherBob [all]
March 27th, 2004
Version reviewed: 1 on Windows
Reviewed By DevonB [all]
January 8th, 2004
Version reviewed: 1 on Windows
Reviewed By Rabid [all]
December 22nd, 2003
Version reviewed: 1 on Windows
Reviewed By kevvvvv [all]
April 14th, 2003
Version reviewed: 1 on Windows
Reviewed By endmusik [all]
February 9th, 2003
Version reviewed: 1.0 on unspecified OS
Reviewed By c_huelsbeck [all]
January 26th, 2003
Version reviewed: 1.0 on Windows
Reviewed By luCiPHer [all]
January 12th, 2003
Version reviewed: 1.0 on Windows
Reviewed By dandridge [all]
December 7th, 2002
Version reviewed: 1.00 on Windows
Reviewed By Mighty_Hero [all]
December 6th, 2002
Version reviewed: current on Windows
Reviewed By bluey [all]
December 2nd, 2002
Version reviewed: 1 on Windows
Reviewed By David Abraham [all]
November 28th, 2002
Version reviewed: 1.00 on Windows
Reviewed By ahriakin [all]
November 24th, 2002
Version reviewed: 1.0 on Windows
Reviewed By coldmachine [all]
November 23rd, 2002
Version reviewed: 1.00 on Windows
@Introspective,.
You've owned Omnisphere for 5 years and don't know if it has a comb filter.??? And yet you claim to know all this other stuff about it???
THIS POST HAS BEEN REMOVED
FREE PATCHES FOR OMNISPHERE.
http://soundgates.com/wordpress/downloads/omnisphere-free-patches-1/
It shocking how little free patches there are for Omnisphere. So I will try uploading free ones I have been offering outside of my paid collection offerings. Also, check out www.worshipmusicians.org and the archive section for more free patches and resources. The Hillsong Omnisphere Sounds facebook group is also huge and growing- filled with lots of Omnisphere love so check it it out.
thank you Omnisphere.
I bought the Spectrasonics Omnisphere Software not long after it came out. We purchased several pieces of software around the same time and registered most of them (some of them, not at that time.) Here is the problem. I have the 6 DVD discs and the box and Serial Number, all intact almost brand new as the day I bought it. The serial number is directly printed on the Instruction Booklet.
Here is the problem. I do not remember registering this product. If we did, it was when I had 3 Studio Engineers working for us. One of them might have done so. However, there is no doubt I own the software. When I recently found this software, I went to install and register it. I tried registering the software, and the prompt says: "This Software is already Registered." So, then I try my 3 - 4 various emails that could have possibly been used, and all of those are "Unrecognized". The Registration will not go through, as it says the "Registration Email on File" is not on file. So, I tried to register it based on the Serial Number. It then tells me that the Registration Email has been notified and to go into that email to follow the Activation Process. Well, none of the 4 accounts that I could have / would have registered it on shows the email to activate the software.
I call in to Spectrasonics. I tell them the story. They will not tell me the email that is is "registered under". And, I assure them that I am the sole owner of this software product. And, if it WAS originally registered, it was done so in MY own studio where there were others working in my employment. The Support Person I am given could have not been more rude / accusatory.
She then tells me that I would need to go to prove my "ownership" via the original Purchase Receipt. That was in 2011! I go back through my records and find it from Thoroughbred Music. It was purchased for $479.00. But, when I called the store to get a reprint, they tell me they only keep records back from 2 years. And, they can not give me a printed record, only a Receipt Number. I called Spectrasonics back and offer the Receipt Number, but the girl tells me that will not do. My credit card receipt from that date, does not list the item I purchased, but only the PLACE from which I purchased.
Can anyone tell me HOW I can set up and USE this software AS THE OWNER of it, with the original BOX, ORIGINAL DVDS, INSTRUCTION MANUAL WITH the ACTUAL / ORIGINAL REGISTRATION NUMBER intact??? I am really disappointed in Spectrasonics. I spent almost $500 on this software and cannot even USE IT!
Thanks in advance.
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